Thread by @TypicalJAnt

One Piece Chapter 1040 Review

#ONEPIECE1040

Falling on deaf ears

We begin the chapter with the continuation of the cover story following Germa's escape from Whole Cake Island.

We see that Niji & Yonji were defeated by Big Mom.

The cover page title has an interesting implication

"A creature that science cannot overcome."

This title reminds us that Big Mom's story has had the constant underlying involvement in the separate plot line of the World Government's experiments.

The title seems to suggest to me that Big Mom will be overcome by science.

Many will know that i've theorised for a while now that, Big Mom will end up captured.

Like how Kaido's lineage factors were used to perfect the artificial devil fruits. Big Mom's lineage factors will be used to perfect the artificial giants.

Perhaps this is why Oda has previously shown that it is possible to capture, Big Mom.

However, we'll get to that at the end. Let's start at the beginning.

We continue right where we left off in 1039 and start the chapter by seeing the full impact of Kid's railgun blast.

Living up to her Yonko name. Big Mom seems to sponge all of the damage with a sinister grin.

For a moment we see that Kid begins to doubt himself and their crews begin to panic as Big Mom resists the impact of the, Damned Punk.

Although it is clear that this attack is dealing damage to Big Mom, she still talks big and tries to keep up appearances by disregarding the damage.

She then assumes her victory and offers Kid and Law and ultimatum.

50 years of your life as penance or live as her slave.

The panicking crews begin to have their lifespans drained but Kid remains unaffected and continues to blast Big Mom with Damned Punk.

It's unclear whether or not it's Kid unleashing, Conqueror's Haki in this moment, or if it is Big Mom resisting the impact, or perhaps both. 🤷‍♂️

Law's crew urge him to retreat as it seems that Big Mom will resist the full impact of Kid's final attack.

However, Kid and Law remain un-phased and state that they do not fear the empty words of a doomed old lady.

Once again we see that Soul Pocus is quite useless against members of the Worst Generation. They have no fear for those of the old era.

As Misery attempts to save Big Mom, Kid curses her and we see Law use, 'R - Room.'

This brings us to perhaps the most interesting part.

Law reveals a hidden technique, 'Silence'. A, 'Room', in which no sound can be heard.

Inspired by, Corazon, Law emulates his ability to prevent, Big Mom from calling on her homies.

🔥

As Kid hits Big Mom with another blast from, Damned Punk, Law turns and cuts through, Misery.

The combination of the two attacks seem to amplify each other's affects.

Big Mom beigns to fall through the floor and her homies cannot hear her.

This is an interesting detail, because it shows that, Big Mom was not entirely aware that by summoning, Misery. She had fused together, Hera, Napoleon & Prometheus.

As Big Mom falls she breaks through the ceiling of the armoury and, Yamato is shocked to see her suddenly crashing through.

Oda makes a point of having Yamato comment on how this is happening with no noise.

Big Mom falls and comments on this herself, punching one of the frozen bombs in front of her out of anger.

This bomb's impact deflects off a rock as Yamato blocks it and strike the Kazenbo.

It seems that from this impact, the Yokai was killed. Kanjuro's spirit seems to leave it.

Big Mom continues to fall silently and as no one can hear her, instead we get an inner monologue.

She curses Roger for starting the Great Pirate Era and encouraging the new generation to rise up and get in the way of the Emperor's best laid plans.

Other interesting details on that page mostly include the panels showing the Straw Hats. Chopper & Hyogoro are shown to be on the scene still. We get confirmation that, Brook is not the Grim Reaper who appeared in front of, Zoro & we see Zoro falling.

It is also revealed her that, Orochi seems to be passed out in front of, Hiyori & Fukurokujo has lost his endurance battle against, Raizo.

Big Mom still continues to fall all the way into the abyss created by Law's attack. As she does, she laments that she never found out about the One Piece & she adds Kid & Law to her vendetta list.

"You better not think. This is enough to kill me."

Kid & Law successfully defeated, Big Mom!

Their crews rightfully declare. This is huge.

The first defeat of an Emperor by the Worst Generation. An era defining moment.

That brings us to the most interesting implication of all. The way in which, Big Mom is defeated and the potential meaning behind the chapter title.

"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?" -

In chapter 1036, it was emphasised by, CP0, that they could not afford for news of the Emperors being usurped to leak. It would exacerbate the situation already on going in the world.

The fact that, Big Mom was defeated silently may be significant to this plot thread.

This moment in 1036 already presented a parallel to, Thriller Bark, when, Kuma appeared and was seen discussing with an unseen WG official over a, Den Den Mushi.

Now this moment may factor in to their attempts at censorship of these events.

Another detail that connects to this possible implication and reveals the longstanding theme of Big Mom not being listened to.

In 866, Big Mom cried out to, Mother Caramel, that no one would listen to what she had to say.

Her words fall on deaf ears.

This thematic connection makes a link to, Misery as well. Many have realised already, that, Misery seems to be a manifestation not just of Big Mom's regret, but of Mother Caramel's soul itself.

This emphasis on Mother Caramel toward the end of the fight and Big Mom's declaration that this will not be enough to kill her, lead me to believe that this is not the end for Big Mom in, Wano.

Mother Caramel is being repeatedly alluded to and Big Mom's rage mode hasn't come yet

Many will know already that I support the theory that CP0 were once from Big Mom's past.

The two subordinates were possibly kids alongside her & the leader seems to be the same person who was negotiating with, Mother Caramel.

If it were to happen that somehow, Big Mom returns to the battlefield and encounters, CP0. If this theory is true. Potentially all it would take to trigger, Big Mom's memories, is one line.

"It's been so long, Linlin."

If this were to happen, it would trigger Big Mom's rage mode in which her defence drops. It was this that was the crux of Capone's plan to defeat her.

This trigger causes, Big Mom, to unleash a deafening scream that can only be resisted with ear protection.

He came prepared.

This once again brings us back to the theme of silence revolving around Big Mom, connecting back to her own comments about how no one listens to her properly.

To conclude. It is possible that Big Mom will return and that this will lead into her recovering her memories and her rage mode begin triggered.

Perhaps there is still hope for the Kid fans for that 1v1 after all.

There is a potential inverted parallel at play here.

If this were to happen, whether it leads to a 1v1 with Kid, or if, Big Mom is finished off by, CP0.

It will lead to Big Moms absolute defeated.

This may bring us full circle to the original suggestion.

Perhaps Big Mom will end up captured and experimented on.