User blog comment:Kaido King of the Beasts/Chapter 893: Charlotte Snake and Snackman/@comment-24850639-20180208162511

Wow, lot to cover here. It's surprising to see that King Riku hasn't left yet for the Reverie, with how long it's been since we saw the Nefeltari family and others leave for it. This confirms that it definitely hasn't even started yet.

I enjoyed the training, and that it was the same flashback that Oda alluded to in chapter 891. It's cool to see that Luffy had already been developing a relationship with the animals, and that it wasn't something that just happened after his training was done. He sensed their sympathy for him, and I found it hilarious that the things they offered him didn't seem very edible at all. Luffy's ability to sense feelings has never really been explored before from my recollection, so I'm curious to see how that will come into play as the story progresses.

I'm very curious about anorexic Big Mom, they stated Prometheus' sluggishness to be attributed to his size, not Big Mom's control over her powers. So minus certain homies going awry, what is this lack of food REALLY doing to her? Didn't even remember that Puffs Island is Chiffon's, that's definitely going to come into play somehow. I'm trying to give Smoothie a chance, I really am. I was initially impressed that she was capable of the flying slash, but her sword is dripping what I assume to be juice, so it' probably devil fruit related. I'm trying to be happy about her ability to become giant, but as a Sweet Commander, she should be proficient enough in combat without size to have still done more up til now. Is what it is though, I'm hoping Oda finds other ways to make her shine, since we know she won't be successful in capturing the Straw Hats. I'm wondering precisely what Sanji's up to, he seems to have some kind of plan to save Luffy. The introduction of all those Charlotte children really didn't serve much purpose other than to build Luffy hype. He didn't draw them in much detail, and we're towards the end of the arc, so they can't be playing much of a role.

Had to save Luffy vs. Katakuri for last. The focus on Luffy's development of haki seems to have almost been wasted, with how much Oda emphasized Luffy getting knocked around. He has one nice moment of predicting his moves and dodging, then he goes on the offensive and just gets manhandled. Katakuri's superior busoshoku haki is still having the effect of making his hands hurt, and being more experienced in kenbunshoku haki, he just keeps making Luffy eat dirt. He shows even more logia-like qualities this chapter, regrowing what appeared to be a detached arm that he sent Luffy flying with. This was the one moment where Luffy landed a solid blow, but all the rest of the fight seemed to be him getting pummeled. So again, I laugh hysterically at all you folks that wanted to call Katakuri's stabbing a "handicap". It seems that Luffy has much better luck being defensive and planning his strikes as opposed to going on the offensive and trying to force an opening, so I find it VERY interesting that this new Gear 4th form is named after the snake. If you look at the bottom left of that panel, you definitely see something snake like, so I'm curious to see how this will turn the tide of battle. Luffy definitely needs a boost to his busoshoku haki if he's going to pull this one out.