One Piece Chapter 1185: MINDJA OWN BEESWAX

This chapter is pretty heavy. Balancing the daily life of Brook and the Royal family with the tragedy that is yet to befall them. Candelle has taught Brook everything he knows, though he can’t be tied down by anyone, always rebelling no matter what, and no matter how much he loves and respects Candelle.

Candelle says she trains hard to be with the man she loves. The assumption is that this is Reuven. Brook’s loyalty is a key aspect of his character, and is only strengthened as we see his early life, his devotion to his captain seems only natural. In the past, the Celestial Dragons visited Esperia, what they wanted is only implied, but it may well have been Candelle’s pregnancy. Either to make a contract with the unborn Shuri- or worse. Shortly after that, Reuven and Candelle were married, and Shuri was born. Brook truly loves this family, they helped to raise him, and in turn he helped to raise Shuri. There’s some cute panels of the two, Brook doting on her, watching her grow and them having fun together.

When Shuri turned 15, a smog enveloped the island that not only ruined all their instruments, but also killed hundreds. A chemical weapon from the Holy Land? It’s reminiscent of the tragedy in Flevance. This fog also took the life of Candelle. The death of the country’s main export has left them too poor to pay tribute to the Celestial Dragons. Unwilling to bend the knee, Reuven declares war. Selling his people into slavery is out of the question. This speech ties into the larger themes of Elbaph, wherein Jarul declared war on the Government in order to secure the freedom of his people, and indeed, when Luffy refused to allow Robin to be taken by the same organisation.

We also learn that Brook had designs to become a pirate from the very beginning, and Shuri had the desire to go to sea with him. Interesting, makes me wonder if she’ll travel with the Straw Hats if she can be freed from Imu’s control. Brook’s next song has some very specific lyrics, describing a lawless land that is home for all, one that’s strength means no one can disrupt equality there. Esperia is razed to the ground. The family’s old haunts set ablaze. Brook finally reaches the room where Reuven and Shuri are. Both have been affected by Domi Reversi, and Reuven lays dead.

Throughout the Elbaph storyline, Oda has been continually emphasising the destructive and insidious power of Domi Reversi, the ability to entirely undermine strength used for good, to subsume rebellion, to dominate those who don’t have the force of will to change the world no matter the cost. Supreme King Haki really is the only counter, an ability only the biggest dreamers, those who can laugh in the face of fate, of death and cut through to achieve their goals can attain. It makes me think that our heroes will need a similar power. Something that can turn the tides, embolden rebellion, I suppose Belo Betty actually has a power like that!

Shuri in this demonic form is all too familiar. I imagine many people will assume the smoking Holy Knight is Shuri’s true father- of the Manmeyer family. As I see it, Shuri was a long-term plan. A weapon to be claimed at a later date, that time being now. It also seems like the shadowy form of Marcus Mars is lurking in the background. It’s easy to understand why Brook would resent Shuri, not knowing why she would do such a thing, or the mechanics of the Domi Reversi technique. Brook’s life is so tragic. Losing his loved ones at every turn. Through it all he remains committed to encouraging others, keeping a smile on the faces of the downtrodden and abused. You can see how ideologically aligned he is with Luffy and how important he is to the crew as a whole.