The Cover Page: Paramount War Homage
Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 38: “Born in the West Blue, raised in Bekou — please pay your respects at the hero’s grave.”
Yamato biting into an apple in Bekou — at last. I was genuinely waiting for that pun.
The hero’s grave Ochou leads Yamato to appears to be separate from the shrine of Ryuma the Sword God.
It’s not Izou or Ashura either — their graves would be newer. A hero born in the West Blue, raised in Bekou… who is it?
Last chapter I predicted the cover was a homage to either the Luffy–Ace or Luffy–Shanks reunion scenes during the Paramount War — it turns out both were right simultaneously.
And evidence of Sabo’s recent visit appears in the background.
That suggests the next cover will feature someone who plays the same role for Yamato that Sabo plays for Luffy — a reliable ally. A new companion? Maybe Sasaki, or a descendant of someone significant.
Though the next chapter is a lead color page, so the cover series takes a break…
Loki Is Ace
The main story was thick with homages to Luffy’s childhood flashback.
Loki: unloved by his mother, abused by his caretakers, whispered about behind his back as the “Cursed Prince” by the villagers.
This is Ace’s childhood.
When young Ace once asked the adults in town “what if Roger had a child?” they answered:
“Behead him!” “Drive in as many needles as there are people in the world who hate Roger!” “Burn him alive… at the moment of death, make him a laughingstock for the whole world. Everyone would say: serves you right.” “And his dying words should be: ‘Sorry for being born. I was just garbage.’”
Every single one of them, in unison: “He should die immediately.”
“I Can’t Even Die” and “Was I Allowed to Be Born?”
Ace channeled his grief into rage and lashed out — but as a child, that could only go so far.
Loki, by contrast, was told by his own mother from birth that he should be killed immediately. And unlike Ace, his powerful body meant he could actually kill the people he wanted to — even as a child.
Still, killing the regent who served as his caretaker in response to years of abuse was arguably a matter of proportional retaliation.
The Porchemi Incident
The scene of Loki striking Hild-in is a homage from the same Volume 59.
It closely resembles the scene of Luffy, caught while fleeing too slowly, being captured and tortured by Porchemi.
Unloved by his parent — with murderous intent directed at him. Not loved by anyone, yet the title of “prince” was the one thing that made him nominally needed. Except even that title had a substitute: his elder brother.
Crushed by anxiety over his own right to exist, Loki could only lash out, making the village adults despise him further.
Unable to bear the growing dread and emptiness, Loki attempts to end his life — but his body was simply too strong to die.
Loki: “I can’t even die.”
Ace: “Was I… allowed to be born…?”
“Become My Son” and “Become My Crewmate”
Ace was able to hold on because of Garp’s love.
For Loki, that Garp-equivalent might have been Yoruru — they seemed close.
Ace found his reason to live when Luffy needed him. He came to know love through Whitebeard, died with his heart full, and went out smiling.
Loki too might change when someone needs him. And this might have been the first time in his life anyone said they needed him — Luffy’s invitation.
Loki officially joining the crew and boarding the Sunny… it’s possible if he brings the Vibro ability with him. But realistically, New Giant Warrior Pirates is the more likely path. He’d probably serve as a temporary ally rather than a full crewmate.
Luida’s Tavern
The reason: this chapter introduced the words “Ida’s Tavern.”
The bar Shanks was drinking at was opened by Ida — Hild-in’s mother.
“Ida’s Tavern” is a homage to Luida’s Bar from the Dragon Quest series — an Akira Toriyama tribute. In Dragon Quest, Luida’s Bar is where you swap party members and recruit temporary helpers.
So Loki as a temporary ally is looking increasingly likely.
The Gaelira
The Gaelira — a powerful fleet of giant shipwrights!
The family the Sea Kings mentioned that could repair the battered Noah — that’s the Gaelira.
And the origin of the Galley-La Company name is now clear. Iceburg probably knew the name as a legend and chose it deliberately.
The naming sense of Iceburg is remarkable — the Thousand Sunny, Galley-La… all inspired choices.
Warriors of the Gaelira
The silhouettes of the Gaelira warriors Yoruru imagines look familiar.
And in One Piece, people frozen in ice have consistently come back to life.
So do the frozen giants on Punk Hazard also revive and help repair the Noah?
Rocks D. Xebec Finally Appears!!
Dad looks amazing!
As someone whose profile icon is Blackbeard, this surprise hit hard in the best way.
