Manga: Chapter 742 (SPOILERS!)

SPOILERS!

Presented without context. Read One Piece each week in Weekly Shonen Jump!

Continuing the flashback from the last chapter, Kyros continues his nine year winning streak in a battle royale to defeat King Riku (in his disguise as Ricky). Riku convinces Kyros that protecting lives can be his repentance for still being considered a murderer by the people of Dressrosa.

After another year he becomes the captain of the royal guard and wins over the ladies except for one, that of Princess Scarlet who is still unconvinced of his changed ways. This eventually changes at a later time once Kyros saves Scarlet from pirates who kidnapped her and have fallen in love over time. Riku becomes aware but warns the two that no-one will approve due to Kyros' past so they do the sensible thing and fake Scarlet's funeral so they can elope. Of course!

Anyone else reminded of King Cobra?

Sometime later, Scarlet gives birth to Rebecca, bringing much joy to Kyros and overtime Riku visits in secret. Everyone is so happy...until one fateful day when the palace is set ablaze and Kyros decides to check it out and meet up with Scarlet and Rebecca in a flower field. I think you all know where this is going.

Sure enough at the Palace, Doflamingo and his gang have taken over with Kyros shackled by the ankle and Riku is about to be executed. Kyros frees himself by cutting off his leg and  attacks Doflamingo but little Sugar uses her powers to transform him into the toy soldier. Despite the confusion, Kyros rescues Riku even though Riku has forgotten due to Sugar's power. After hearing a gunshot, Kyros runs over and spots Scarlet who has just been shot dead by Diamante (I knew it!).

Even though I knew this was coming, this is still quite sad

Kyros cries out and grieves over her death but remembers her dying promise (even though she didn't remember Kyros) to go to Rebecca but we've seen that part already. We're out of the flashback now as Viola spots Gladius and some goons approaching. Meanwhile at the Corrida Colosseum, Burgess continues to attack Lucy and Diamante reveals to Rebecca how he was the one who shot her mother.

At the House of Toys, Franky has seemingly been defeated off panel (so I couldn't tell you if it were the Marines or the pirates that did it) but has faith that Usopp will succeed. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case as we see in rhe underground factory that Usopp has been badly beaten up and stuck in Trebol's boogers. To add insult to injury, Sugar decides to give Usopp the super spicy ball the dwarves were planning to use on her. What a brat.

However the chapter ends with Usopp's hilarious reaction to ingesting the spicy ball which scares Sugar so much that she actually faints, Wow...I guess this means the plan has finally succeeded.

Best part of the chapter

This is a bit of a disappointing chapter for me. This portion of the flashback seemed a bit unnecessary because we already knew certain facts in previous chapters. The only new information was how Kyros lost his leg and Diamante being the one to kill Scarlet (even though I had my suspicions before) at least it was condensed somewhat. 

Also, I was fairly let down in having Franky's fight supposedly end off panel and in a way Usopp's as well. He did technically succeed in the end in a hilarious accident. On the other hand the suspense is still on high because practically everyone has been backed into a corner with Usopp's reaction setting up the counterattack because the toys will turn back into humans now that Sugar is out cold,

Next weeks is probably going to be much better so look forward to that everyone. Let me know what you all thought about the chapter in the comments and let me know if you agree or disagree with my opinions. Until the next review, see you all later!

Seriously, I am so confused. WHO BEAT HIM?