SBS Volume 23

SBS
R (reader)

O (Oda)

'''R: Ei-chaaaaan!!! Nice to meet you. Ei-chaaaaan!!!!! Who is that guy?!! You know, HIM!! That BW guy that got cut down by Sergeant Major Tashigi in the "Ignition" chapter!! Does that say "I LOVE MISS VALENTINE" on his back?! Whoa!! He's my rival!!! Does that mean there's a Miss Valentine fan club or something?! Let me in if there is!!! Please.'''

O: Hohoh. Very quick to spot that, weren't you? "Ignition" is chapter 206, so the first of this book. And on the first page. Yes, that's a dead fan right there. BW has over 2000 members in it, so you find all sorts. As there are guys who feel like rivals to the Number Agents, there are also guys that idolize them. There are fan clubs, too. If you want to join, send your name, address and age to the Whiskey Peak Agent Fan Club... oh, that's right, Zoro destroyed it.

'''R: Where do the Baroque Works go on their company vacation? '''

O: Apparently they just took a trip to the winter festivals in Hokkaido. But since they're not allowed to meet one another, they all have to go on their trips by themselves, one at a time.

'''R: I have a question, no introductions. Did Miss Goldenweek eat one of those fruits? '''

O: No, she... how should I say this? She's kind of like a hypnotist. Those people use suggestion, and "color" in this case, to excite people and calm people, and when revved up enough can use these skills as attacks, but they do not have Devil Fruit Powers.



'''R: In the Cover Page Stories, there are "Keimi the Mermaid" and "Octopako the Fishwoman". How are the races of mermaids and fish(wo)men related? '''

O: As you can see here, the ones with the bottom half of a fish are "mermaids". The ones with fish-like upper halves are "Fishmen". To illustrate the difference with an octopus, look to the right. The difference in their natures is that mermaids try to be friends with other fish, while the Fishmen try to rule the fish. That's about right. Of course, their habitats are different too. Well, you'll be able to see if they ever appear in the story again.

'''R: In an SBS in Volume 20, you said "Sanji's left eye is one of the 7 great mysteries". So what the hell are the other 6?! I'll bust a SHAKUSHI on you if you don't tell me!!!!'''

O: Very well. I'll announce them all right here. To start, the 2nd mystery is, "The 7th mystery is a mystery". The 3rd mystery is, "The 6th mystery is a mystery". The 4th mystery is, "The 5th mystery is a mystery". So... hahaha! It's a bundle of mystery! ...I'm sorry. I'll think of some for you. (not) (not?)

'''R: In Volume 20 of One Piece, I was surprised to learn that OP is also sold in Taiwan. And also the kanji that "Nami" is written in. So what are the kanji for the other crew members and Vivi in Taiwan? '''

O: Hmmm. I've been getting a fair amount of questions regarding foreign versions of the manga, so I think sometime in the future I'll make a little page explaining stuff like that. Just give me a little time. Actually, it comes out in a LOT of different countries. One Piece.



'''R: Ssseeennseeeeii, wait a minnnnnnnnnuttttte. (Sensei, wait a minute) I... i... If Mr. 7 turned into Mr. 6, what would happen to his face? '''

O: Oh, if he was promoted? You're right, he does have a face that says "I am Mr. 7". I... I guess that's what would happen. He'd be a changed man. He could be Mr. 9.

Picture: (this becomes -&gt; this) Mr. 6?: Ohohoho

'''R: Wassssup, Oda-sensei?! I have a question about Vivi and Zoro (doooon)!! Why does Vivi call Zoro Mr. Bushido?! (dogooon) I'm super super superrrr!! Interested. Please teeeelllll me. Bye!! See you in a million years!! '''

O: You know, if you start calling a friend by a funny nickname, you can't really go back. You know how that works. If she were to suddenly start calling him Zoro-san, it would be too odd. I think Vivi will call him Mr. Bushido for the rest of her life.

'''R: Oda-sense. I always enjoy One Piece on TV and in the manga. I've alllllways been wondering, since I only knew the name when I read the books, what is the liquor that Doctorine always drinks??? It says "UME" on the label, is that ume as in "plum"??? By Waiting to see Chopper. '''

O: Yes. Plum. It's Plum brandy. Homemade.

'''R: Oh come on now, Odacchi. You don't even know what the "ran" in gakuran means?? Then I'll explain, just for you! The "ran" in gakuran comes from the esoteric Edo-period term for western clothes, "randa". How about that? Cool, huh? It's not ranpaku (egg white). By Miss Bon Curry '''

O: Oh, really? "Randa", huh? I see. I was so sure that it actually came from "lumberjack deathmatch" (the lumber is pronounced "ranbaa" in japanese). I guess I was wrong, then.

'''R: Okay okay okay! Question. BW is an abbreviation for Baroque Works. When I was in geography class and found out that BW was also used to represent "desert", I was so surprised!! That sounds like the worldly Oda I know. I have such deep respect for you! ...you knew that of course, didn't you sensei?!'''

O: Yes. A map symbol. BW stands for "desert". Right?! Isn't that cool?! I thought that up all myself! Yes, I did!! Me!! ......wow..................... I did not know that...

'''R: Draw the main 6 characters WITH YOUR FOOT. SHOW ME YOUR SPIRIT, ODACCHI.'''

O: Oryaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! That's Luffy!! The man who will be pirate king!! That hurts... why'd you make me do that...? And all six... no way! I can't... nope!! Bye! Stay well! See you next time! The SBS is over!