Chapter ending with a direct juxtaposition of Wano's citizens releasing their lanterns wishing to be free of Kaido/Orochi while the MC is about to punch a dozen of kilometers big fire dragon with his island sized punch that has been in preparation for over a chapter and half. Say what you want about Oda stalling, but he does know how to crescendo and this feels like it hit the peak. Genuinely, the only way I could see it not being the end if Oda does a twist and Luffy loses, and the raid fail. Which is ludicrous
The only things I feel at this point are some oddities that either can be addressed or just not at all, but we'll see:
- Kaido not using the last Wisdom King move yet is odd (unless it happens next week), since he's done the other 4. Maybe it doesn't happen at all, but that would be odd.
- No "Luffy vs Kaido" is very odd for an arc that did set the precedent. Like usually if there aren't vs chapters in an arc (Alabasta, FI, Dressrosa, etc), then it does not matter, but in basically all focal points, Luffy does tend to get one if most of his group does. Sure, Franky didn't get one. Killer didn't either. But Zoro/Sanji/Kid/Law did, in top of Robin/Jinbe, and thats odd to me that he wouldn't, being the MC. Again, could happen next week, may just never happen.
- There have been increasing and justified concerns about the lack of Kaido's flashback/past. Like even this chapter was focused on the 20 year plight, and while we never saw it, is revisiting some things we've already known. So it is....weird. Again, though, not guaranteed.
- People (not me) find it odd his awakening is missing or not specified. I understand this ideal at least on a basic level. For sure, I've been saying it's probably just his bigger hybrid form. But the counter argument is why Oda hasn't alluded to it. It's odd that Luffy gets to have a new form and Kaido's is temporary doped up attacks then.
- A lot of hidden lore/mystery that we personally just have no idea. Zunesha, the dawn, country of Gold, Onigashima's past name, etc. Though I expect much if this to he addressed post-defeat.
So there is argument to just see the fight ongoing. Do I think it will? Not really, but could Oda miraculously subvert expectations of this entire thing? Potentially yeah.
I've decided to not be on that side of the argument, even though I would rather take a big L and let everyone have those things above, and if it took 5-10 more chapters. Idk, we have to revisit this next week really, unless it somehow stalls again....
