Something hit me this episode. Seeing Hyouzou shave around cutting people up looked identical to Captain Kuro from Usopp's first arc when he used his special technique to move so fast he looked to have been teleporting around cutting people up. I criticize having the six powers come into the anime at the time they did, it felt like it was just a cheesy way to make enemies even stronger rather than making the challenge different from pumping up the strength of the foes. But did Kuro know how to use shave all the way back then? Was he the first guy ever to use one of the six powers?! I think he was???? He looked so much like Hyouzou did here but he wasn't on drugs or doing something like second gear to be able to do it, he just knew how...
Anyways, I despise Hordy. I despise the way he shows clear sadism and lack of care for his fellow fishmen, willing to allow an army of his to die. Willing to kill off any fishman who has differing beliefs than him. Willing to do so with a sadistic smile on his face all while preaching the supposed ideals of Arlong and Fisher Tiger. While guess what, his actions actually go against both Tiger and Arlongs ideals, he just uses their beliefs to justify his own actions. But he clearly has no care for his fellow fishmen, nor for ending a cycle of hate. He perpetuates his own beliefs and tries his best to make them true. He hides behind this mission that's bigger than him which justifies his actions. Unlike Crocodile who owned his heinous acts and made it clear it was about him, never once excusing what he was doing but instead relishing in how horrible he could be. Unlike Blackbeard who says screw morality life is about doing what you wanna do and not letting anyone stop you. He doesn't have any admirable qualities in that regard, he's simply a little sh*t. And all the anger he causes me has made me start to appreciate him. The long history he has, the way he represents ideals and dreams changing over time to a degree that they don't look anything like the original, and his own hypocrisy all make him quite delightful all of a sudden. He's so bad, he's good.
I was discussing with my friend whether Hordy has reason to believe the ship will stop once Decken goes down or if he's just assuming it. For what I know we haven't seen such a thing happen before. But my friend did suggest, unlike someone like Crocodile who creates a sandstorm with Sables which I think obviously would continue traveling even if he was killed, Decken's power is unique. He creates the momentum and it tracks who is marked by HIM. If he dies then maybe his hand will no longer work as a mark.. My friend also predicted that Hordy would be marked by Decken and then the Noah would be sent after him, and he totally did mark Hordy so I'll give my friend credit for that. Grabbing Hordy as he stabs Decken was so cool and set up some amazing stuff later I'm sure.
It was a shame Zeo convinced Wadatsumi to fight for their side. Zeo is a quick thinker but I wanted Wadatsumi to change sides. That said, it's still not an impossibility, it was nice to see everyone beat the drug out of him. Then we have Luffy on Fukuboshi's back fighting Hordy who's still overestimating himself underwater. And, finally we have Hyouzou vs Zoro, the drugs are definitely being used to at the very least let the Straw Hats push themselves a little. Zoro saved Robin like he saved her from Aokiji which I loved, somehow him protecting the person he was pretty distrustful of in the beginning is super beautiful to me, and psycho Zoro is always fun. Him Mihawking that angler fish and telling him to come back later totally made Zoro off to be so much more of a Mihawk figure now, and his "I can't wait to kill this guy and push myself while doing it" smile came out as he got into a confrontation with Hyouzou.
Hyouzou who is now white haired and red eyed. He's on his second form now too. Knowing Oda having these drugs show up and change people so drastically, even working on giants is going to be a big deal. Someone may have given Hordy these and I bet the way they work and the reasoning for such a second-form appearance is going to be explored. Hyouzou overall is such a frightening character. He's a mercenary who's cool with killing innocents for the job, has a bit of an ego, but is there for the money. However, he's an abusive drunk who gets off by cutting any person he can. even hordes of his own allies. What a gross and dark side to an already questionable person. |