This isn’t an action-heavy chapter, but it’s one of those pivotal "shifting the tides" chapters that Oda does so well.
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The Cover Page: A Win for the Culture
First off, can we just appreciate the request? Bon Clay is back! (Well, on the cover). Seeing our favorite okama interacting with swans stealing his makeup is the wholesome content I didn't know I needed. It’s a nice palate cleanser before things get heavy.
The "Housekeeping" (Recap & Maps)
I’ll be honest—when I read that Gaban gives a "full recap" and we get a double-page map spread, part of me groaned. We just got here. However, in an arc like Elbaph, where the scale is massive (literally and figuratively), these map chapters are necessary evils.
Oda is moving a lot of chess pieces right now. We have the Straw Hats split up, the God Knights involved, the "Domi Reversi" giants (which sounds terrifying), and the local politics. The map clarifies that:
Team Rescue: Sanji is off to save the ladies (classic Sanji).
Team Brawl: Zoro and Hajrudin are heading to the front lines.
Team Stuck: Poor Nami, Jinbe, and Robin are still pinned down.
It slows the pacing down a bit, but it prevents the "wait, where is he again?" confusion later.
Jarul Drops the Mic
The absolute highlight of this chapter is Jarul. For a while, the giants' allegiance felt murky, especially with the Loki drama. But Jarul clearing Loki’s name regarding Harald’s death and outright declaring war on the World Government? That is the spice I was looking for.
His speech is chilling:
"If this was a plan conceived to break our ‘will’, then what a stupendous move...!! Do not expect us to endure blindly... We, 'Elbaph', shall see the 'World Government' as our enemy!!!"
This is a massive turning point. Elbaph isn't just a bystander anymore; they are active belligerents against Imu/Gunko and the Knights of God. Seeing Usopp’s reaction—eyes turning to hearts—was perfect. This is the warrior culture he idolized. He’s watching his dream come to life in real-time.
Meanwhile, Nami screaming at him to focus on getting untied is the perfect grounding comedy. Never change, Nami.
The MVP Watch: Soul King Brook
Buried in the summary is a detail that I guarantee will save the crew in 3 to 5 chapters. Jinbe mentions that Brook "realized something" and took off.
If you’ve been reading One Piece long enough, you know the drill.
Sanji disappears? He’s messing with the enemy's infrastructure (Gates of Justice).
Brook disappears? He’s about to pull a Whole Cake Island MVP move (stealing the Poneglyph).
Brook being a skeleton makes him immune to so many biological threats, and his ability to move as a soul is broken for scouting. Him leaving the group quietly is the biggest "Checkmate" move the Straw Hats have right now.
The Cliffhanger: Zoro’s "Plan"
The chapter ends with Zoro, Hajrudin, and Stansen facing down the brainwashed giants (Dorry and Brogy included, which hurts to see).
Then Zoro says the four scariest words in the series: "I have a plan."
Since when does Roronoa "I get lost in a hallway" Zoro have a plan? Usually, his plan is "cut it until it stops moving."
Possibility A: He actually noticed a weakness in the Domi Reversi spell.
Possibility B (Most Likely): His plan is to cut the entire village in half.
Possibility C: He’s going to get lost on his way to the fight and accidentally stumble upon the main villain.
Whatever it is, the confidence is terrifying.
Final Verdict
Chapter 1172 is a 4/5. It’s not the flashiest chapter, but it does the heavy lifting for the narrative. It establishes the stakes (Elbaph vs. WG), clears the air on the lore (Loki is innocent), and sets up the matchups.
The pacing might feel slow to some because of the recap/map spread, but the emotional payoff of Jarul’s speech and the setup for the next battle make it worth it. Plus, NO BREAK NEXT WEEK means the momentum is only going to build.
My prediction for 1173: We find out what Brook is doing, and Zoro's "plan" goes horribly, hilariously wrong (or right, but in the wrong direction).
