One Piece Chapter 1193: STILL PRACTICING

Luffy and Loki’s attack has shaken the very tree on which Elbaph stands, Gaban and Hajrudin are in utter shock. The Adam tree has a huge scarred crater left in its bark. Luffy plans to take out Imu before he can recover from his wounds. Loki seemingly transforms into his hybrid Zoan form, but we aren’t privy to the full design yet. I’m looking forward to seeing this as the reveal of Kaido’s was a huge moment during Wano. Unfortunately, Luffy’s stamina has run out.

Seeing Luffy floundering, upset, struggling. Facing his own powerlessness always hits so hard for me. When Luffy panics, doubts himself, it’s when we know something terrible is happening. Luffy is always so positive and confident the moments where that gets away from him are the scariest of all, when the Straw Hats were separated, when he lost his brother, Jinbe had to pick him back up and tell him to remember everything he still had in his darkest moment. That’s what I believe to be the greatest high of the whole series, so when I see Luffy losing his grip? Losing his ability to fight back? I worry, I feel that pain. Jinbe being ready to step in with the fight makes me think he’s worried too, after all he was the only one who was there during Luffy’s lowest point. Nami questions what Usopp’s next move will be, this is an interesting line as it means that Usopp’s goal is yet to be achieved, he didn’t just go to argue but indeed has some larger plan. Gunko/Shuri also begins to wake up, which could be very dangerous.

Biblo has taken Saul, Chopper and Robin somewhere very interesting, a locked box, containing a generational treasure that the owl urges them to open now. I truly have no idea what this could be. Perhaps a weapon from Norse Mythology? It says a letter and a tool… A real curveball from Oda here, I understand that Biblo has been surrounded in mystery since the beginning of the arc and we’ve been building to something like this, but your guess is as good as (or probably better than) mine. As we cut back to the other Giants, Elder Jarul puts forward an interesting point. Some of the citizens of Elbaph question Harald’s legacy, what was the point of his diplomacy now? Do they suffer for putting their imperial past behind them? Does focusing on creating a generation of well-adjusted youths make them weak? Should they return to their pillaging and invading ways? There is a romanticism to this reactionary way of thinking, nostalgia is a powerful drug, the imagined past many wish to return to was not perfect. The progress of the decades should not be erased. Harald’s trust was  exploited by the World Government; the Master’s tools will never dismantle the Master’s house, a synthesis of growth is needed. Growing both from the past away from imperialism, and away from the present of the false democracy in which they live.

Dorry and Brogy launch into battle, saying that losing to these foes would mean Elbaph was always destined to fall, so there’s no point wondering about what-if scenarios. The panelling here is fantastic and full of depth, the scale of these fights are mind-boggling, making even the Giants seem small. While the Giants take a stand, Sanji lands a powerful blow on Killingham, Sommers destroys part of the tree out of rage and impatience. Zoro is trapped in a maze of thorns. He’s aware of the Knight’s metallic hearts, and the need to use Supreme King Haki to take them down. He’s a little behind Luffy in terms of his Haki development, but he seems to understand, in theory. He’s able to slash through the thorns, and land a deep strike on Sommers, however misses his vital organ. Sommers reels in shock, these Knights are not used to ever meeting their match. Zoro shows his usual stoic gaze and sarcastic sense of humour, showing just how high his ceiling yet is.