So after the very casual opening page of Rayleigh and Crocus relaxing and unwinding in a hot spring, Oda dives straight into the plot and low and behold, Rayleigh's back! He left his vivre card with Shakky so that the Straw Hats could make it back safely to Saboady and he could travel freely. Then it seems that Jinbei knows Rayleigh and is quite shocked to see him.

Luffy's trademark Straw Hat is given back to him by Rayleigh so that solves the mystery of how he'd get it back. After a brief interlude of Law's crew, we are thrown back to Amazon Lily where it's revealed that Rayleigh knows Gloriosa (or Elder Nyon as we know her), as well as Hancock and her two sisters. Hancock is oblivious to Rayleigh and just focuses on Luffy yet again and it takes her a while to realise that Rayleigh is indeed on their island. Suddenly we are thrown into a small flashback of Kuma saying that he wanted to help the Straw Hats escape and that he has no more time left. Shakky also reveals that she knows exactly why Hancock helped Luffy and that her woman's intuition was completely correct. Rayleigh suggests an idea that would help Luffy but of course before we can see what it is, we see Usopp.

Now Usopp has been living on Boin Archipelago it's seen that he's grown quite fat which is a hilarious twist on his sub plot! He keeps on trying to fight monsters which are clearly more powerful than him and always getting beaten down. But it doesn't stop him and he keeps going, trying to get off the island. It is then shown that the island is actually a carnivorous plant known as the "Stomach Baron". Usopp then pulls a "Coby" face revealing that he has to get back to Luffy and help him through this terrible time or he can't be a part of his crew which is very noble of him.

We the turn to Chopper, who has smoothed things out between the giant birds and the humans in Torino Kingdom. Again Chopper is getting ready to leave as he's heard about Luffy's situation, showing how the two most cowardly members of the crew are showing initiative and trying to help Luffy. Chopper leaves on a giant bird, ready to go back when he reads something in a newspaper to do with Luffy, leaving us at a cliffhanger before we can find out.

I'm really enjoying these random cover pages Oda is bring out for these recent chapters. They're giving us an insight to some of the characters who aren't major ones but still had major influences on the plot. Anyway... on to the actual chapter!

Still in flashback mode, we finally get some insight to Luffy's previous comment of how he never once beat Ace when they were both kids. I'm glad Oda included this short scene as it gives some depth and backs up Luffy's statement. Ace's comment saying only "100 fights per day" shows how they really went at it when they were young. I liked seeing Luffy, Sabo and Ace rounding up dinner and especially Sabo's statement about how Luffy "better not get eaten this time". I thought that was so typical of Luffy to act before he thinks and I really like how that panel was drawn as well. The detail on the 3 boys show how they finally have accepted Luffy as one of them.

I was intrigued to see that Windmill Village was just a small dot on the map of Goa Kingdom. This really shows what kind of environment Luffy was brought up in compared to the rest of his country. Sabo's backstroy brought him to life as well instead of just being some random kid. Knowing that he is actually the child of a noble was fleshed out really well considering he's not a main character in the overall plot. Knowning that he is, in a way, fighting for his freedom in becoming a pirate really shows why he wants to be one. This scene really brings to light the symbolism of Luffy calling Ace his "brother". I was wondering how Oda planned to convey them finally bonding and accepting each other and this seemed like the perfect way to do it and incorporate Sabo.

After that scene the chapter flies by pretty quickly. It shows the boys going back to Makino's bar in Windmill Village, the return of Garp and how the boys grew to be so close. Of course every fun time must come to an end and sadly Sabo gets taken away by his parents. I wonder what Luffy and Ace will do to get Sabo back and how will this increase their bond as brothers. I suppose we have to wait until next week.

This AMV comes from the anime Toradora! and the song is 'Big Girl Now' sung by New Kids On The Block Feat. Lady Gaga. This AMV was created by eragon12111

I'm not going to lie, this video does have a lot of flashing colours and quick cuts of scenes. But it isn't done in a bad way. Clearly those effects were used to highlight the characters in certain parts of the songs and I can appreciate that. I especially like the layering effect that the creator used towards the end of the video where the music had different people singing at the same time. It made it look like different characters were singing at the same time which was great I also liked the fact that the video was based around two pairings. Many AMV makers talk it upon themselves to use one song per pairing, but I liked how this AMV diverted from that and used two different pairings. It broke up the AMV well and the song suited both pairings.

The song 'Big Girl Now' really suits the theme of this AMV. The duet sung by New Kids On The block and Lady Gaga suits the characters, Kitamura, Ryuuji, Minori and Taiga. I really enjoyed how they almost battle it out through song and that was really shown in this video through the characters singing. The energy of the song really reflects on the energy the characters show throughout the series so I feel it is a well suited song.

The theme of this video was romance. Not a fluffy romance, but more of a tasteful 'let's get it on' romance. It suited the pairings well especially RyuujixTaiga as they spend the whole series fighting, it's like they're giving up to their feelings and saying "Oh what the hell!" It was well thought out in terms of characters and pairings and overall an enjoyable AMV.

Once again, everything seems to be going according to Aizen's plan. For once and for all can someone please finish this seemingly invincible man off?? Anyway as Aizen states the Hogyoku is finally beginning to understand his heart and that it's finally conscious. We learn that it was never created to separate the boundary between shinigami and hollow, rather it was created to "make real what is in the hearts of those around it". In simple English, it's designed to make dreams come true.

I found it interesting how Aizen described the hogyoku's power and how it manifested with each individual it came in contact with. Especially with Rukia. I understand now how she lost her powers and that fact that it was because she could not get over the grief of killing Shiba Kaien makes a lot of sense. I'm also happy that it cleared up how Chad and Inoue got their powers. But other than that I found Aizen went on with his explanation for way to long and the amount of pages used could have been reduced. I was also getting sick of Isshin's look of helplessness. I really want to see him fight!

Of course Ichigo bursting in doesn't help with that. But I did like the comical looks upon his face especially after such a serious scene. I was also glad that his relationship with Isshin hasn't changed as he yells "Shut up". And then, just as the Hogyokyu starts to manifest... Kubo delays it because Urahara has finally shown up to the fight. About bloody time!!! Now I know that this will probably lead to a few more explanation chapters but I hope that Urahara will save the plot, because honestly, it's all getting a bit old now.

Naruto and Killerbee finally come face to face. The last two surviving hosts. The meeting itself wasn't that interesting as there was no conversation between the two but I did enjoy seeing Guy get seasick like he did. It's nice to think that even Guy has a weakness.

Now I'm going to skip ahead to the official meeting of the two hosts (as nothing else really happened on the island before that). I thought Naruto asking Killerbee to train him was quite predictable but I'm glad Killerbee didn't agree right away as many characters seem to do when faced with a similar situation. I did enjoy Naruto's attempt at rapping though. I found his rap really in character as only he would comment on how his "sunglasses and tan is pretty hot". I also liked how Killerbee didn't go for the conventional handshake but took on the fist bump approach. Again very in character. And then suddenly, without warning, we get a whole double spread with Naruto's original trademark jutsu. The Harem no Jutsu. Now while I must admit I thought he had outgrown that jutsu, I'm really glad he hasn't because it just shows how after all Naruto has been through, he still can resort to the same old pranks he used to do. But with saying that I'm glad Killerbee resisted the jutsu as it shows men can be immune to it.

Now we all knew it was coming, another training arc. And Motoi doesn't help in delaying it. With Motoi's reaction to Naruto badmouthing Bee, I can't help but wonder if there is more to his backstory than meets the eye. And since Motoi agreed to train Naruto after he mentioned the fist bump, again I wonder about the significance. But I'm sure we'll get all of that information from a lengthy flashback that is due to come.

I really found these last few pages too unoriginal for my liking. First of all, sitting underneath a waterfall to train is way overused in most manga. And secondly, really?? A dark Naruto? Like there aren't enough evil characters already? I am not looking forward to this training arc if it's going to be full of cliches and so far, I'm not impressed.

I must say, this cheerful colourspread is a nice change of pace from what we've been seeing recently. But on to the actual chapter. So we now know that two weeks have past since the war and the marines are becoming less lenient as more pirate crews attempt to cross the Grand Line. This effect mirrors the effect of Gol D. Roger's death in a way as again pirate crews have become inspired to search for One Piece once again. The next page is a quick flashback of Ivakov leaving Law's ship basically as his work is done. I must say, Ivankov has grown on me so I'm a little disappointed to see him leave but I really want to see him arrive on Momorio island and meet Sanji.

Back to the present, Luffy, Jimbei, Hancock and Law's crew have docked on Amazon Lily. And Luffy's face of anguish is ever present yet again. I felt this face was very well deserving considering what he's going through at the moment. Boa seems more relieved that anything to hear that Luffy's alive more than anything. Now I felt that these two pages or so were not really needed in the chapter and made it a little more slow paced. Elder Nyon was basically explaining what we and the characters already knew so I didn't feel those panels were that necessary. However Luffy's anguished cries were really needed here as we can finally see him grieve (even if he is risking his life at the same time). The writing was slightly hard to read here but I guess it was all used for effect so I can understand that. Now when Jimbei steps in and confirms that Ace actually is dead, that was a heart breaking scene. But Luffy's facial expression is slightly too comical to mimic the pain he really is in.

And this scene of tears leads us to our next flashback, taking place 10 years ago. It's after Shanks leaves Fuschia as Luffy is wearing his hat and has his scar, and he's walking along with Garp to meet... Dadan!! A person we've all been waiting to meet. And she's a woman! Not only that but Luffy and Ace's foster mother!!! What a twist! Finally we're able to meet her! And before I finish this review I have to comment on this last page. Ace and Luffy's first meeting. Ace is looking badass and beautifully drawn and I'm really intrigued as to their back story!!

So the world is in shock. Fire Fist Ace is dead. Seeing the whole world in shock like that just reinforces what a big impact Ace's deathhas onwhole entire pirating world. Now we were all wondering what Luffy would do in this chapter and honestly, it's not all that surprising that he's mentally collapsed. Akainu moves in for the kill but Commander Marco steps in saving Luffy's life. I like what he states here, "That boy's life... is now what remains of Ace's will!" To see that everyone is doing whatever they can to save Luffy just reinforces how important Ace was to them.

Now the most awesome panel... seeing Whitebeard own Akainu. Many Ace fans waited so long for this moment and it was fantastically well drawn. Although Akainu fights back, almost melting most of Whitebeard's face we can expect Whitebeard to leave that fight unharmed. To see the marine HQ crumble so easily and to see what Whitebeard is still capable of is amazing. It crumbled like nothing and to see Whitebeard state "I'm not done yet" would make anyone freak whether they are friend or foe.

Now it's weird that the Marines never noticed that big giant behind the HQ building but I guess that's the way the chapter rolls. Suddenly the panel switches to something above the execution platform. And low and behold it's Blackbeard with his new and improved crew. I enjoyed how Oda keeps the arc moving at a good pace and to see Blackbeard back really raises some new questions. Sadly we have to wait for 2 weeks until we find out what his new crew does and if he will finally get rid of Whitebeard.