The Warrior of Liberation! Luffy Awakens a New Power!
One Piece Chapter 1044 Review/Recap
Eichiro Oda, you magnificent, magnificent man! Whenever One Piece goes on a two-week break, the manga comes back with a chapter that blows everyone’s minds. Chapter 1043 ended on a cliffhanger that had readers, myself included, on the edge of our seats. Now, we get a chapter that, in a nutshell, has me grinning from ear to ear. The Drum of Liberation has begun to beat, Joy Boy has returned, and the true power of the Gum-Gum Fruit awakens! The warrior of liberation appears after 800 years!
Recap
Despite being beaten down by Kaido and left for dead for the third time now, Luffy miraculously awakens. His heart’s beating like a drum, black lightning comes out of him, and he can’t stop laughing. And somehow, all of Luffy’s friends on Onigashima realize that Luffy’s still alive.
In Marie Geoise, though, the Five Elders are horrorified at how things have potentially taken a turn for the worse for them. They have been trying to seize the Gum-Gum Fruit for 800 years, but it always evades them. There’s a secret behind that Fruit. It’s name isn’t actually the Gum-Gum Fruit. In reality, it’s a mythical Zoan Fruit called the Human-Human Fruit, Model : Nika. Whoever wields its power will gain a body like rubber and the ability to bring smiles to everyone. In other words, they become the Warrior of Liberation, the “Sun God” Nika!
Luffy immediately puts his new form, dubbed Gear Fifth, to good use, breaking through the skull dome and grabbing Kaido in his Dragon form and then…you know what, I’m not even going to bother describing it. Just let the imagery speak for itself.
Review
It’s been hours since I first read this chapter, and whenever I recall it, I can’t stop grinning. Oda, you amazing mangaka! Not only have you proven that my theories about Joy Boy and Sun God Nika being one and the same were correct, but you just gave us another big clue as to what One Piece is.
No, seriously. This chapter all but confirms that Luffy is either a reincarnation of Joy Boy or the one who inherited his will. Heck, at this point, I would not be surprised to learn that Joy Boy was once the wielder of the Gum-Gum Fruit. Such an incredibly silly power that can bring smiles to the faces of everyone. It really is the power of the Warrior of Liberation.
More than that, though, in his Gear Fifth form, Luffy has, for all intents and purposes, become the Shonen equivalent to Popeye the Sailor Man. Popeye, the rubber-hose cartoon character who can pretty much do whatever he wants, no matter how ridicilous. The fact that Luffy’s awakened abilities let him give his surroundings the same cartoonish properties only reinforces that mindset.
I’m Ready to Call This Fight Won
I know that I may be calling it too soon, but right now, I honestly think that Luffy’s about to win the fight for Wano for the Alliance. He’s about to beat the snot out of Kaido! Meanwhile, in the basement, Orochi faces judgement at the hands of Hiyori Kozuki, who watches as what’s left of Kanjuro’s fire demon burns him alive. A fitting end for such a cowardly and wretched man; at least, I hope.
Now is the best possible time to be a fan of One Piece, you guys! The Warrior of Liberation has awakened, and Luffy is ready to bring laughter and smiles to the entire world!
I Give “Warrior of Liberation” a 5/5
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You know……… the reveal kind left me a little “disappointed.” Not like I “hated” it; I warmed up to it pretty quick. But after a week of speculation on this- people whole life becoming experts on Rubber and all can do and where it comes from; it kind felt…….. “not as cool.” Then I thought for a minute, and came up with all the reasons it’s so cool. All better!!