Manga: Chapter 730 & 731 (SPOILERS)

SPOILERS

You can even read One Piece on the toilet thanks to Weekly Shonen Jump!

Summary
Chapter 730
Gaburu's Grandmother recalls Caribou's final words before being sent away. (Coverstory)

Doflamingo and Admiral Fujitora takes Law away.

Big Mom's Crew cross paths with Team Sanji and demands to have Caesar.

It is decided that Team Sanji is to head to Zou while Team Franky goes to destroy the Smile Factory and Luffy escapes from the tournament to rescue Law with Zoro and Kinemon.

Chapter 731
Gaburu's Grandmother reveals that she knew Gaburu was dead and that she knew it was Caribou the whole time. (Coverstory)

Bartolomeo defends Bellamy from Dellinger.

Lightning Solider reveals their plan to destroy the factory and reverting the toys back to flesh.

The battle in Block D continues with Rebecca  receiving help from a fellow gladiator.

Luffy leaves the tournament with help from a mysterious figure from his past.

Thoughts

This is going to be a big review as we discuss two chapters that are as different as night and day. Chapter 730 help set up and decide where the arc is heading to while Chapter 731 is that first step we need to take to get where we want to go. We finally know where we are going with this arc and while Chapter 731 did help add more things to the mix, it is only something to move along the plan that was made in Chapter 730.

First off, the Caribou coverstory has ended. It was a pretty good coverstory. The story was slow at first and Caribou wasn't a great guy but after awhile you learn to find that the guy is a somewhat decent human being. He isn't the greatest guy but under that swampy skin of his, Caribou has a heart. It will be interesting to see how and when the events of this coverstory will affect the main story. Now we have to look forward to Straw Hats playing with animals. Oh joy.....

The stakes were raised in Chapter 730 as now Law's life is on the line with Big Mom on the Straw Hat's heels. I do admit that the inclusion of Big Mom is random and not sure if this is something we need. Oda could be doing this to emphasize that things are never safe in the New World which is why this seas is infamous for it's dangerous waters. There are some parallels to the crew split up during the Baratie arc which means that when we reunite with Team Sanji then things are going to be intense. 

This is only based on past experience. The events so far in this arc have been big but adding Big Mom makes things feel a little overwhelming. It will be interesting how things are tied up into one plot line. While I disagree with not leading Big Mom to Dressrosa to cause even more trouble for Doflamingo, doing that would have just made a huge mess into a story arc that is just now beginning to focus into a plot.

Sanji on the other hand looked quite impressive which is rare for him outside of battles. A few chapters prior, I was worry that some people of the crew were undermining Luffy's authority as captain by calling themselves the Twirly-Brow Pirates. Seeing Sanji asking for Luffy's permission to attack Big Mom's ship help put faith back into the crew. This crew does know how to get serious when push comes to shove and they can shove back hard.

The action in this chapter was pretty intense as Zoro showed how he can stand up to an Admiral. This is only a small taste of the battles we will see towards the end of the arc. It is kind of exciting that we have hit a peak where soon things will just go crazy. It will be slow but well worth it.

The question that I am wondering about is why would the Marines give a high ranking position such as Admiral to a rookie. Fujitora is an outsider to the organization and doesn't know how things works when it comes to the Marines and the World Government. He certainly has the strength to be an Admiral but he lacks the knowledge that years of Marine experience can only provide. If Sazuki wanted somebody with strength in this high position then he got it but this may end up causing more trouble then he is worth.

While Chapter 730 had given the arc direction to where it is going, Chapter 731 had taken the first step towards that end goal. One of those things is the return of a character that helped Luffy get out of the coliseum.

By the way, he isn't wearing a glove on his right hand.

We all knew that Sabo was alive so the question that matter was when and how he will be included into the story. It looks like the Revolutionaries are involved in Dressrosa and that is Luffy's way to get out of the tournament. One interesting thing is that Sabo hasn't changed his clothes since being a kid. I guess he has some pride in his heritage seeing that he disliked it so much. It also looks like anybody working with Sabo has to wear frilly shirts based on Koala's appearance.

Now, you know what is amazing? That some little girl from a flashback in Fishman Island is taking part in the main story. Who would have guessed that Koala would have joined up with the Revolutionaries as a skilled Fishman Karate expert. I guess this martial art isn't limited to just fishmen as Koala had learn it in honor of her saviors. I would not be surprise that if it was Koala that was talking to Hack a few chapters ago.

So a koi, a cat and a frog walks into a bar....

Chapter 731 was just funny all around. That beat the confirmation that Sabo has been alive this whole time. You had Franky with the musket hair, Bartolomeo relaying to Bellamy how he would become Luffy's apprentice, and Luffy running into bathrooms. Oda was made sure he comedy factor was on high for this chapter and I loved it.

The last important thing from this chapter was the reveal of Sugar the Hobby-Hobby Girl. Quite an interesting power and it is unique with it's side effects. Only a child can have the imagination to come up with creative toys. I feel that Team Usopplanders will have quite a time against this little girl.

Will Sabo be able to be successful in the tournament. Sabo was stronger then Luffy as children but now ten years and an explosion has happen. Maybe he isn't as strong as he use to be. We will have to see as he has some steep competition in the tournament. Then it won't be easy for Team Usopplanders to break into the factory. Something tells me that the tunnel that our little people may be a too little for them. Then we have Luffy with fire and tears in his belly heading to beat up Doflamingo with confidence that his old buddy can take care of things at the tournament. Things are gaining momentum and this is just at Dressrosa.

Until next time true believers!

Luffy has now joined the League of Shock Faces.