The last couple of chapters of One Piece have been insane, to say the least. Joy Boy’s return, Luffy’s true Devil Fruit, Gear 5: Nika – things were literally getting out of hand.
With chapter 1046, things are finally falling into perspective. We know Luffy is growing increasingly more ridiculous in terms of power, but fans are beginning to notice other details now that the hype is under control.
We’re coming back to more practical discussions, questions concerning the castle and Wano itself: will the Raid fail? What will happen at the end of the arc? Will Onigashima fall?
In the final panel of chapter 1046, Yamato exclaims that Onigashima is going to fall.
Kaido’s flame clouds that lifted the island in the air are dying out. Without the flame clouds, Onigashima will drop from the sky, leading to death and destruction.
But Onigashima will not fall. Momonosuke will lift Onigashima up the way his father, Kozuki Oden lifted his retainers to save them from the boiling oil in which he eventually died.
Momo will generate his own flame clouds to keep the island aloft.
Why Momo Will Save Onigashima
There have been several theories that state that Onigashima will fall. While some of these have been symbolic – suggesting that the fall of Onigashima means the fall of Kaido – some mean that the island will actually drop.
If Onigashima physically falls, it will undoubtedly cause catastrophe. The collision of the island with Wano mainland will cause the hidden bombs in Onigashima to be set off by impact.
There was a theory that suggested that since Luffy can give his surroundings the property of rubber, he will turn the entire island into rubber and thus save the people from Wano if Onigashima actually falls.
While this is fun to imagine, I do think that it is more likely that Momo will save the island.
For one, he deserves it. Momo has developed so much as a character and after what he’s gone through, it only make sense that he is the one who will prevent Onigashima from falling.
Ever since chapter 1026, Yamato has been prompting Momo make his own flame clouds. When Kaido is weakened after the Raid begins, they notice that the bedrock of the island is falling.
That’s the first time they realize that if Kaido is defeated, the entire island would plummet, leading to deaths on not just Onigashima but also the Flower Capital. The explosive weapons would only increase the casualties.
Momo believed that he was weaker that Kaido, that he would never be able to create flames stronger or even as strong as Kaido’s.
Oda already told us that it would be up to Yamato and Momo to stop Onigashima from falling.
In chapter 1030, we see Momo try but fail to create his flame clouds; he eventually resorts to manipulating Kaido’s existing flame clouds to push back the island.
The end of the Wano arc will be Momo’s chance to shine.
Yamato will, of course, play a part, and so will Hiyori, but I think it will ultimately be Momo who activates his power, perhaps even awaken the power of his “failed” artificial Zoan Devil Fruit, to save the island and avenge his father.
I also want to bring in the Japanese folk story that Oda possibly used to create the Onigashima story: the myth of Momotaro.
Momonosuke is possibly based on Momotaro, the hero, who upon maturing to adolescence, travels to Onigashima or Demon Island to defeat the demons that dwelled there.
Momo traveled 20 years forward in time when he was an 8-year-old, which means he is mentally still a child. Momo’s character development will reach its peak when he mentally matures, overcomes his fears, and becomes who he is meant to be.
As Kaido tells us in chapter 1046, “Awakening is what happens when your mind and body catch up with to your powers.”
He is talking about Luffy, but it could also refer to Momo finally awakening, maturing, becoming.
In the tale, Momotaro is accompanied by his retainers, monkey, a pheasant, and a dog.
These could directly correspond to the 3 former Admirals: Kizaru, the Yellow Monkey, Aokji, the Blue Pheasant, and Akainu, the Red Dog.
They could also stand for the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance, or even O-Tama’s animal friends.
Everything points to the fact that Momo will rise to the occasion.
He will take charge of the situation, he will finally grow up, taking on his destiny and becoming the leader of the Kozuki family. He will do so because he carries Oden’s will.
Momo will get over the acrophobia that Kaido had instilled in him, and prevent himself and Onigashima from falling.
What If Onigashima Doesn’t Fall?
Right now, we are basing this whole argument on the fact that Onigashima is going to fall, i.e., Kaido is going to be defeated.
There is a popular theory going around that Kaido isn’t really going to be defeated, that he will win over Luffy’s Gear 5 form.
If that happens, his flame clouds won’t die out, and the Onigashima Raid will fail.
Kaido has yet to awaken his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, have his flashback, give that victory cry Big Mom hinted at.
There are a lot of plausible reasons that we could get the twist we are dreading, that’s to say, Kaido might not fall.
Kaido has been acting very suspicious, especially with new revelations regarding Joy Boy’s connection to Wano and Kaido’s own obsession with turning people into slaves.
It’s entirely possible that Kaido has been acting the way he has specifically to awaken Joy Boy.
But that doesn’t change the fact that he ain’t going down easy. The last panel of chapter 1046 hints at a final battle that is going to be raged between Luffy and Kaido.
But there is no legitimate reason for Kaido to emerge victorious. Kaido did defeat Luffy in Gear 4, but he won’t be able to defeat Luffy in Gear 5.
I’m not denying the fact that Luffy might get help.
It’s entirely possible that the Scabbards, the Kid Pirates, the Heart Pirates, the Minks, the Kozuki Clan, and all the others come back in one final fight to take down the Beasts Pirates. That is why the Alliance was formed in the first place – to take down Kaido of the 4 Emperors.
How Onigashima Will Land
Kaido will awaken his Devil Fruit for the last leg of the battle in Wano. He will momentarily be able to overpower Luffy and manage to drag Onigashima above the Flower Capital.
Something will happen then – some kind of intervention, and Kaido will be defeated. His flame clouds will vanish and then it will be Momo, the Peach Dragon, who will create even more powerful flames to carry Onigashima to safety.
As Yamato says to Momo:
“You have to make flame clouds to keep Onigashima aloft! It’s always been the only solution!”
Conclusion
Onigashima is falling one way or the other. Kaido’s defeat is imminent. Momonosuke will be the one to lift Onigashima and land it safely.
He will avenge his father, open Wano’s borders, and establish a new empire. His actions will redeem Wano, and fulfill his Oden’s prophesy.
About One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.
The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!
Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.
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