Pretty entertaining chapter. Good thing I read the French version..
I love this old Korozumi grandma and grandpa, such a refreshing pair of villains. Old people are not really too capable or threatening in the series as antagonists, at best they get thrown to the curb like Chinjao as has-beens. Both of them reached out to Orochi and got what they wanted. They are quite competent, their lack of physical power made up for with the DF ability of manipulation trickery and another for ultimate defense. Two previous abilities we've seen strongly associated with Luffy's allies, it's scary to see how foreboding they are in the enemies' hands. DF powers do reincarnate and logically in the past every ability has been used by somebody else for good or bad, this is a unique element to the series and I love seeing in action. But I can't forget that these two still need to die. I wonder if they both get cut down or die in a fire next chapter, letting them pass away naturally would be far too generous for their deeds against Wano.
Nice to see the Gecko Moria who challenged Kaido acknowledged. Before the Thriller Bark was built I guess it was the "Gecko Pirates". Kaido even has King and Queen by his side, Moria was no pushover but he ultimately did get slaughtered by the young Yonko crew. I really like the face he had at Roger's funeral and was wondering if that Moria would ever appear again, though considering his transformation it's sad to see how Kaido permanently knocked the drive and confidence out of Moria. I would like to see him get revenge, he got it much worse from Kaido than Captain Kid, but he's wrapped up with Blackbeard now.
Oden "The Fool". Very amusing what Oda is trying to do here. A character he build up as an idol, a saint, the epitome of manliness has been brought down to earth, dragged through the mud, permanently tarnished. I've never seen anyone in One Piece handled like this, Oden is in his own unique character realm. He looks absolutely pathetic dancing in his loins, letting time and events fly by while Wano suffers, and it looks like he had a deal with Orochi so you can't even feel sorry for him because this is exactly what he deserves. Orochi and the Korozumis showed to Oden right to his face how they lied and manipulated everyone, Oden had no business trusting that man whatsoever. Excellent work on Orochi's part to turn Oden into this, I hate him more than ever. It looks Oda wants us to see Oden with a rapidly dwindling, tiny glimmer of light just as all of Wano lost their trust and hope for him.
Because the final chapter of the flashback is up next, I'm not ready to rush to judgement on how Oda has handled Oden's decline. If Oda just wanted to pass 5 years, Oden could have easily been locked up by Kaido who was right outside the castle. That's a third of a chapter at the most. Instead he dedicates an entire chapter to turn Oden into a buffoon, there must be a purpose and a payoff here. We don't know what deal or promise Oden had with Orochi, or why he had to dance in the streets. It was his private shame. Oden didn't tell his friends, vassals, not his family about what was going on. Was he just biding his time and playing the fool for Orochi? Maybe Oden really is a gullible, lamentable idiot and Orochi a genius. Next chapter might answer that question. Shinobu seems to know the details, she's probably the one who will inform the Scabbards and the audience at a later date.
That final spread has me absolutely thrilled for next chapter. It's too late for Oden to recover his previous reputation, he is a flawed man and has made many mistakes I'm sure he regrets. But his final actions along with the Scabbards are why some followers were willing to trust in Toki's words and wait 20 years for their return. Oda will go all out for this one.