User blog comment:Keekian/Zeff's life threatened/@comment-53539-20161014053641

This whole arc has been about "family" this much I've noted. But I don't thin I must admit, I've rarely thought about Zeff the last few years... He is past his prime and wasn't a top notch pirate, but he was no rookie and likely also had allies himself. Allies that wouldn't stand for Big Mom just walking in and dealing a death blow to him. If she moves someone herself towards killing him, there is a chance someone would step in if this was the case. :-/

I think also HanataSanchou has hit a nail on the head about the reality of the union of the two families. To Big Mom, this is just *another* alliance at her disposal. Germa won't get what *they* want out of this, everything they conquer will be for Big Mom, not their own.

there is another possible loophole I can see though...If Sanji does marry, given his rejection of his own family... There is *something* else that could be played instead. Between Zeff and Luffy's lot, they are his family. A Union between Sanji and Pudding would instead be also perhaps be swayed to be a alliance between Big Mom and the Straw Hats instad of the Germa forces. This would mean Germa wouldn't be the ones to recieve the benefit of the alliance. As for the idea of Luffy serving Big Mom, this is impossible. He would never do that. So the alliance would be turned upside down with Luffy having to force Big Mom to be dethroned or accept *him* as her superior - a fact she would have to at least bare with should he become Pirate King.

Either way, it seems Big Mom is in the position to be the first Yonkou to fall. I don't see Luffy instantly taking her place, but rather without her evertthing is up for grabs to the first person who wants it. Luffy is only really here for Jinbei in terms of personnel gain outside of Sanji. He too is bound.

In fact, the bigger issue is not what terrotories she'll loose, but there will be a bond breakage. She has married her children off to so many families, that there is a chance her children will instantly be put in danger or forced to go with the flow. And those pirates and allies are free again, with no resources to from her, but they are cut loose. Given her loss is resulting in things up for grab, someone will attempt power gain somewhere.

The way I see this, whatever the outcome, the current era is getting worst. With another yonko down, things will just keep spiraling. :-/

Still... I stand by that Zeff may be underestimated here even if someone goes after him.

I seriously doubt the Vinsmokes are going to get out of this either way scott free, Sanji's father at least will see his hopes and dreams crushed. I wonder if they also have Sanji wrong, and he is simply a sleeper in terms of abilities compared to his siblings. Also, their soldiers will have to at some point find out the truth. And maybe Sanji's attitude will sink in and gain loyalty over the kings subjects just because he isn't what everyone expects.

Hu... There are so man things that Oda could do with this situation, to even guess the right one is hard. I've yet to be right on much else. I'm still waiting to see if my hunch on Shanks being killed comes true, its been about 8 years since I said I had this feeling. :-/