Note: I wrote this on Twitter first and transplanted it, so it might sound a bit 'simple.'
"Why didn't he save stussy?"
"Why did he freeze?"
"Why won't he fight [name]?"
"Why no DJ/IFJ powerup?"
To present, haters have really been having a field day with Sanji's performance on Egghead. But is it really just slander, or is there a grain of truth to their jeers?
When we get down to it: The haters are actually right, not for slander sake, but yes this is abnormal for Sanji. Any true Sanji fan could tell you that. Sanji who reacts when ANY woman is hurt or insulted, Sanji who lets his short temper get the better of him to help others, Sanji, one of the main heroes of the crew.
But if this is the case and these actions are abnormal for Sanji; the question remains: why? Why is Sanji so out of character? Is it just because Oda wants certain characters in certain places, and has to force or nerf for the plot: I.E Zoro and Luccy?
Now that couldn't be, because even in Wano, when Oda wanted a character elsewhere he still had it play to their personality, especially Sanji
So if it's not forced for the plot, why the abnormality? Could it be something else. Something Oda specifically forewarned us of? Like say an SBS in Volume 105 where the question of Sanji's eyebrow switch hadd Oda specifically tell us to "watch Sanji," or "keep an eye on him?"
What if this 'watch' doesn't mean that Oda is suddenly going to info dump (though he may still) but more of the lines of literally WATCH HIM. Keep an eye on him in the story, and be aware of the subtleties of his actions. Like the pattern that has been forming before our eyes.
The pattern that started with the off-screen of S-Shark.
Don't believe me?
Factor 1: Before the fight with S-Shark. Sanji was quick to react and start a fight with his temper. Even ready and willing to fight Lucci; note 'protect,' not just rescue.
After the battle with S-Shark? Defended, rescued, helped save, even deflected.
But no combat. No offensives moves, none of that temper of his we saw before S-Shark. Hell, he even bubbled Kaku to avoid a fight.
Also, no eyebrow flip or even a DJ. Almost like he's purposefully holding back.
In fact. That's exactly what he's doing. Holding back.
Why? Factor 2: Before S-Shark Sanji was always by Nami when he could be and throughout this entire manga he has had no problem being in the girls space. He keeps a distance to not invade their bubble, but he's always close.
Given that trait of Sanji, does this panel not seem peculiar to you? The body language of Sanji keeping his distance(not even in the frame), the sweatdrop/reaction of Nami looking at his hand, her nervousness. Sure she just watched Stussy maimed, but she's not looking ahead, she's watching and reacting to his hand.
One translation(TCB) even had Sanji apologize. Now you think 'he's just saying sorry for taking her gun without permission.' So then why the downright expression of horror as he does it? Why the "!?"
Answer: Because Nami saw something fearful. Something that made her more careful around Sanji.
Something that Oda decided to off-screen for the reader, but that the crew knows about. Something that now Sanji has to hold back to keep from happening again.
We may not know what happened in that fight with S-Shark, but we have enough evidence to infer and come to this conclusion. More than just the above abnormal reactions of Sanji (his body language around Nami and avoiding fights.)
Take this panel for example: Sanji doesn't announce that he's going to help people.
He just does it. In this panel he oddly says it (while he's been delegated to moving things away from the crew) almost like he's asking permission.
Or this panel as well. While I don't have the tweet, a mutual on Twitter told me that when the chapter came out the Japanese fans were saying there was an emphasis on Sanji saying 'me.' And as you see, VIZ decided to bold it.
Almost like Sanji is confirming it is HIM calling (as himself and not 'Vinsmoke.')
How about this: Back when Sanji saves Tashigi, Zoro takes note and says to let him do 'HIS THING.'
Yet when Stussy, a woman is hit, Zoro takes the battle.
Almost like he knows Sanji can't do HIS THING right now and has to do that job (notice Sanji bubbles before Zoro defends) .
Something happened with the S-Shark fight, and since then Sanji has refused to get serious and cause that switch he so easily relied on before it.
But if this body language is any indicator (this pose looks like he's fighting with himself in dilemma as he failed his promise.)
Then I speculate we'll either get...
1. Sanji saying "I'm sorry Nami," or "I'm sorry guys" and finally letting go so he can fight back. or
2. Nami or Luffy or the crew will have to tell him to stop holding back and that it's okay.
This should bring us if not to the deathpact, at least closer to it as Germa!Sanji will right in time for Elbaf and the Little Garden rivalry coming full circle.
"Why didn't he save stussy?"
"Why did he freeze?"
"Why won't he fight [name]?"
"Why no DJ/IFJ powerup?"
To present, haters have really been having a field day with Sanji's performance on Egghead. But is it really just slander, or is there a grain of truth to their jeers?
When we get down to it: The haters are actually right, not for slander sake, but yes this is abnormal for Sanji. Any true Sanji fan could tell you that. Sanji who reacts when ANY woman is hurt or insulted, Sanji who lets his short temper get the better of him to help others, Sanji, one of the main heroes of the crew.
But if this is the case and these actions are abnormal for Sanji; the question remains: why? Why is Sanji so out of character? Is it just because Oda wants certain characters in certain places, and has to force or nerf for the plot: I.E Zoro and Luccy?
Now that couldn't be, because even in Wano, when Oda wanted a character elsewhere he still had it play to their personality, especially Sanji
So if it's not forced for the plot, why the abnormality? Could it be something else. Something Oda specifically forewarned us of? Like say an SBS in Volume 105 where the question of Sanji's eyebrow switch hadd Oda specifically tell us to "watch Sanji," or "keep an eye on him?"
What if this 'watch' doesn't mean that Oda is suddenly going to info dump (though he may still) but more of the lines of literally WATCH HIM. Keep an eye on him in the story, and be aware of the subtleties of his actions. Like the pattern that has been forming before our eyes.
The pattern that started with the off-screen of S-Shark.
Don't believe me?
Factor 1: Before the fight with S-Shark. Sanji was quick to react and start a fight with his temper. Even ready and willing to fight Lucci; note 'protect,' not just rescue.
After the battle with S-Shark? Defended, rescued, helped save, even deflected.
But no combat. No offensives moves, none of that temper of his we saw before S-Shark. Hell, he even bubbled Kaku to avoid a fight.
Also, no eyebrow flip or even a DJ. Almost like he's purposefully holding back.
In fact. That's exactly what he's doing. Holding back.
Why? Factor 2: Before S-Shark Sanji was always by Nami when he could be and throughout this entire manga he has had no problem being in the girls space. He keeps a distance to not invade their bubble, but he's always close.
Given that trait of Sanji, does this panel not seem peculiar to you? The body language of Sanji keeping his distance(not even in the frame), the sweatdrop/reaction of Nami looking at his hand, her nervousness. Sure she just watched Stussy maimed, but she's not looking ahead, she's watching and reacting to his hand.
One translation(TCB) even had Sanji apologize. Now you think 'he's just saying sorry for taking her gun without permission.' So then why the downright expression of horror as he does it? Why the "!?"
Answer: Because Nami saw something fearful. Something that made her more careful around Sanji.
Something that Oda decided to off-screen for the reader, but that the crew knows about. Something that now Sanji has to hold back to keep from happening again.
We may not know what happened in that fight with S-Shark, but we have enough evidence to infer and come to this conclusion. More than just the above abnormal reactions of Sanji (his body language around Nami and avoiding fights.)
Take this panel for example: Sanji doesn't announce that he's going to help people.
He just does it. In this panel he oddly says it (while he's been delegated to moving things away from the crew) almost like he's asking permission.
Or this panel as well. While I don't have the tweet, a mutual on Twitter told me that when the chapter came out the Japanese fans were saying there was an emphasis on Sanji saying 'me.' And as you see, VIZ decided to bold it.
Almost like Sanji is confirming it is HIM calling (as himself and not 'Vinsmoke.')
How about this: Back when Sanji saves Tashigi, Zoro takes note and says to let him do 'HIS THING.'
Yet when Stussy, a woman is hit, Zoro takes the battle.
Almost like he knows Sanji can't do HIS THING right now and has to do that job (notice Sanji bubbles before Zoro defends) .
Something happened with the S-Shark fight, and since then Sanji has refused to get serious and cause that switch he so easily relied on before it.
But if this body language is any indicator (this pose looks like he's fighting with himself in dilemma as he failed his promise.)
Then I speculate we'll either get...
1. Sanji saying "I'm sorry Nami," or "I'm sorry guys" and finally letting go so he can fight back. or
2. Nami or Luffy or the crew will have to tell him to stop holding back and that it's okay.
This should bring us if not to the deathpact, at least closer to it as Germa!Sanji will right in time for Elbaf and the Little Garden rivalry coming full circle.
![[No Name]](https://worstgen.alwaysdata.net/forum/data/avatars/o/8/8045.jpg?1622550034){kind=avatar}
