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.

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.

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.

Kakashi is still after Sasuke and Sakura like he was last chapter, so no change there. He finds Kiba, Akamaru, Sai and Rock Lee who have been poisoned with sleeping powder. Kakashi manages to get some information out of Kiba before he falls back into a deep sleep. Now on to Sakura. I think she did the stupidest thing trying to come after Sasuke as he obviously won't listen to her and she doesn't have the guts to kill him on her own. She couldn't even kill Karin (who, by the way, is still surprisingly alive. How??) without her conscience stopping her.

I find Sasuke really shows off how evil he has become in this chapter. I mean we always knew he was fighting for revenge but this chapter really shows how he's been consumed in a psychotic way. First of all the fact that he really was going to kill Sakura. I mean we all knew he would do it but with such intent? Kakashi intervening was the only good thing that happened to Sakura this chapter.

Next would be Sasuke's expressions and reactions on pages 14-15. Kishi has really shown that Sasuke has become consumed by his hate for Konoha and basically looks like he's becoming mentally unstable. I'm glad Kakashi stepped into the fight and made it his because I am really looking forward to it. Sasuke is already weak, he can't possibly be able to fight Kakashi, or Naruto for that matter who is heading towards them. I hope Kishi draws the fight well and doesn't pull any unbelievable stunts. Otherwise next week's chapter will be pathetic.

Whitebeard vs. The Navy. A fight we all knew was coming but we never wanted to accept. So as all of Whitebeard's sons struggle to conceive the fact that their father is willing to sacrifice himself for them the Navy keep on trying to win the battle. Sengoku and Garp appear to be alive and I liked their comments about Whitebeard.

I always love how Oda will break a chapter up if it's getting too intense. The page with Buggy trying to broadcast his "coolness" was a fantastic diversion from the intense battle that was raging on. I loved the public reaction after Buggy announced himself. It was priceless!

Back to Ace, his bowing down to Whitebeard was a great scene. The amount of respect that Ace showed to Whitebeard shows that he really was truly loved. Though at the same time I just wanted him and Luffy to get out of there otherwise something bad would happen. And sure enough the marine "Red Dog" shows up and insults Whitebeard. Ace's love for Whitebeard as well as his love for his brother is tested here. But to see Ace get burnt for Luffy was heartbreaking. So after this whole arc the question still remains. Will Ace live?

Ok, let me start off by saying awesome cover art!! It was colourful and quirky, just what you expect from Oda! Moving on to the actual chapter, it's great seeing Whitebeard in action like this. Also seeing his stand up to Aokiji was brilliant, it really emphasises that Luffy has got a lot to learn before he can advance. And seeing Diamond Jos stand up to Aokiji like that, I'm looking forward to that fight. I hope Oda focuses on it soon, it would be a shame to see a fight like that go to waste.

Now Luffy, I'm sorry to say but even though he has so much ambition, that can only get you so far. Sadly, Gear Second doesn't even seem to scratch his opponents anymore. He needs to find a way to take on Kizaru, and I'm hoping that way will involve Haki since he needs to learn how to master that if he wants to journey to New World.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jimbei fight. Since he said that he's decided that this will be the place he'll die, I have a feeling he's going to pull out all stops and I'm looking forward to seeing them. And finally Garp enters the fight. The legendary marine. I can't wait to see him fight, but I hope he doesn't lose sight and lets war come in front of family.

Review

So Komamura's Bankai is released. Tousen takes it head on as expected, but before we see anymore of that fight the chapter cuts back to Aizen and Shinji. I must say, this excited me especially the fact that Shinji finally released his Zanpakto's Shikai. I really, really want to see them fight! I must commend Kubo on this part of the chapter. Seeing Shinji stand up to Aizen like that, and saying that his Zanpakto is also able to control people's senses, it makes us wonder how far Shinji is going to go with his Zanpakto before Ichigo has to step in.

Back with the Tousen vs. Komamura fight, it's shown that whenever Komamura's Bankai is injured, Komamura is injured himself. While at this moment the fight between these two may have come to a halt, we learn some important information about Tousen. He reveals that he only became a Shinigami for revenge. Komamura now feels that he's misjudged Tousen and feels he must defeat and kill him for the sake of peace within the Soul Society. I hope that this fight will get serious after this declaration and I was quite happy with the cliff hanger that Kubo left us with this week. Hopefully Tousen's resurrection is worth it next chapter because I would like to see Tousen finally get serious.

Time for Danzou's and Madara's fight, although I was slightly disappointed that Danzou sent in his cronies to do his dirty work first. It was sort of interesting to see Fu and Torune's techniques but really, how many new techniques can we see?

I was happy to see Gaara to try and knock some sense into Naruto with the meaning of friendship. While there may not have been a lot of action in this specific part of the chapter I thought at least we got to see that Naruto was thinking things over.

Now it gets to the interesting part of the chapter. Danzou vs. Sasuke. While I still wanted to see Danzou vs. Madara, I hope that Danzou vs. Sasuke will do some justice, especially since Danzou has finally revealed his arm. I wonder what having that many Sharingan's on his arm will do. However Kishimoto goes about this in the next chapter, could make or break Naruto. I just hope he develops the fight well.

So Tousen ends up using Hollowfication on himself. Not very surprising. I didn't find his Hollow mask the most creative, in fact I thought it was very bland. But it doesn't really matter what it looks like as long as it can do something worthwhile. So far, all of Tousen's 'upgraded' abilities that we saw were nothing out of the ordinary. Very plain. Maybe next chapter we'll get to see more of his new found power.

I did enjoy Hisagi's flashback. He has always been a character shrouded in mystery and it's nice that Kubo shed a little light on his character to make him seem a little more human. But I guess we've all taken a little something from this chapter. Never flashback when the enemy has a sword in his range and can stab you. Because, it will happen!

I hope the next fight isn't all "My Bankai is better so it will defeat you!!!" with no dire consequences to follow after. I would like to see tact used in the fight between Tousen and Komamura, not just charging in head first and paying for it afterwards.

Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan plans to house 2 million items of manga, anime, games, and other media which are all going to be archived in it's Surugadai campus. Doujinshi as well as game software, artwork, game consoles and more can also be found there.

So when will this fantastic library open?? Well we'll have to wait until at least 2014 when it's schedualed to open, that is if production goes smoothly. Let's all hope it does!