Chapter 1040 revealed what most readers of OP knew from the beginning - that the Grim Reaper was not, in fact Brook, and that Zoro was still very much in danger. There was no real reason to believe the Reaper was Brook in the first place, given the panels surrounding that scene focusing on the aftereffects of the medicine. But I digress. Now that it looks as though Zoro might have fallen off Onigashima, who’s going to save him now?
Option 1: Momonosuke
Now that Momo can fly properly in dragon form, he could potentially fly down and rescue Zoro if he sees or senses him falling off the island. Momo and Zoro have shared some scenes in the past, bonding over the phrase Sunacchi while they were training. Perhaps Momo may try to save his future brother in law? He’s had enough of his conversation with Yamatrash - who tf can stand talking to this dumb hoe anyway.
Option 2: King
Somehow King regained consciousness, did a Katakuri and decided that he’s now got a man-crush on the biggest pimp in Wano. Despite having half of one wing cut off and an X shaped gaping wound in his chest, he heroically saved his new best boy uwu
Option 3: Franky
We know that Franky is frantically running in Zoro’s direction. Despite there being no real narrative weight to him doing so, Franky will be the hero Zoro needed all along and save him from certain death.
Option 4: Zoro doesn’t fall of Onigashima
Zoro doesn’t actually fall off the island, but lands on another ledge just below. The scene in 1040 was merely fake tension and Oda is wasting panel time again.
Option 5: Zoro saves himself
Zoro miraculously regains consciousness and movement in his limbs at the last second. He uses another Clear Lance to return to solid ground. Alternatively, Zoro spontaneously learns to Sky Walk, depriving Sanji of his one and only advantage in aerial mobility.
Option 6: The Grim Reaper ‘saves’ Zoro
Does being the King of Hell entail becoming the master of death? Could Zoro order or bargain with the Grim Reaper to spare his life? Perhaps Oda may decide to connect this scene to the Thriller Bark incident, in which Zoro nearly lost his life but was spared once before by the Reaper. All the way in Arlong Park, Zoro expressed that not even the Shinigami, or Eastern god of death, would be able to take his life before he could reunite with Mihawk. However, given Zoro’s usual association with Eastern myths and imagery, it’s strange that Oda would choose to portray the Western ideal of death in this case.
In case it wasn’t already obvious, most of the above options were written sarcastically. I can’t find much narrative logic in any of the above save perhaps option 6, although the sudden switch to the Western personification of death is not something I can explain.
Now over to you. Which option do you think is the most likely? Was there anything or anyone I missed? Sound off in the comments below.
1 - Unlikely to be Momo since he is still tasked with pulling Onigashima away.
2 - King has got his wing chopped off and can no longer fly but I guess still doable in Zoan, very unlikely to be him tho.
3 - Technically, Franky could shoot his hand and still catch Zoro if he is right there but also unlikely, imo.
4 - Possible option which I will elaborate on more.
5 - Unlikely even tho the paralysis from before could have been due to Death's powers. Nice one with Sky Walk, lol.
6 - Definitely not this option. Deal between him and Death is already made, revealed later.
I split this development into 2 options:
1 - Zoro falls down.
2 - Zoro doesnt fall.
If he is supposed to fall, that begs the question, why didnt he let him fall when he beat King...
Jumped back up just to see Death and fall back down? Weird but ok, let's say he does fall down.
That opens 2 options, imo:
1 - He falls in/near Flower Capital, perhaps Ebisu Town, paralleling his fall in Kuraigana island.
The folks there know Zoro, just like Perona knew Zoro. He wakes up and asks them to take him to the capital.
However, all those Ebisu folks might be in the capital already celebrating during the festival.
From logical perspective, he should fall near Law's hole so it is still possible that someone finds him there and takes him to the capital.
2 - He falls in Ringo, Onigashima might be already above Ringo since Momonosuke is pulling it that way, according to the gates of Flower Capital. In Ringo, the old fox could find him and spill the beans on how Black Blade is forged.
If he is not going to fall, that opens up several possibilities that are mostly mentioned already such as Yamato, Momonosuke, Franky or even Zoro himself. I can think of plenty of stuff he could do if he remains up there but the final destination that he needs to arrive at is always Kaido who he needs to stop from burning the Capital down.
