Chopper Saves the day

I have complained in the past that many of the characters outside of Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji aren’t getting much attention. I understand it’s difficult to balance such a large cast of characters, but Oda forgets the rest of the Strawhat crew. Chopper develops a counter virus to Queen’s Ice Oni disease. This arc had set the alliance against Kaido’s Beast pirates, who clearly out numbers them. I wondered how Oda would change that deficit. When Queen’s subordinates ask “why they have to suffer from his virus.” The All-Star berates them. Queen tells them to “shut up.” He explains that they “gambled” for power and “failed.” Queen says that they’re only useful dying. Oda uses this cruelty to justify the Beast Pirates switching sides.

Queen tries to turn the samurai against the Strawhat’s. He tells them that pirates are corrupt and Chopper will probably betray them. One Piece has blurred the boundaries between who we expect to be good or bad. Pirates in One Piece are neither good nor bad by default, their behavior determines the perception. Oda doesn’t fail at much, but I think he’s unsuccessful at establishing that Wano’s society thinks of Pirates. So when Queen says that “backstabbing is part of the pirate lifestyle,” I don’t think that anyone is going to believe it. The samurai don’t buy it. They’re certain in Chopper’s honesty and are not disappointed. Chopper cures Hyogoro of the Ice Oni and releases the antibodies into the air.

Enraged, Queen demands to know why Chopper would cure his subordinates. A doctor, Chopper believes that “viruses aren’t meant to be weaponized.” Queen attacks Chopper but is blocked by the Pleasures. They have sided with their savior, Chopper. Marco grabs Queen by the neck and Chopper transforms into his Monster Point form. He draws blood from Queen, as he reminds people he’s a “Tanuki.”

The Artificial Devil Fruit

The side story in this chapter focuses on Momonosuke. He feels unworthy of the praise he receives. Momonosuke considers himself to be weak. After he transforms into his dragon form, we pivot to the CP-0’s room. Here they discuss the Artificial Devil Fruit that was derived from Kaido’s DNA. The leader hopes they destroyed it. Momonosuke is still a child, so it’s unreasonable for him to think he should be stronger than he is. Regardless, considering the Artificial Devil Fruit was created by Vegapunk and taken from Kaido, it must be a powerhouse devil fruit. I’m curious what makes up a “failure” by Vegapunks standard. The ultimate shocker is the return of Kozuki Oden. I’m not buying Oden being alive, but you never know right.