We have all been expecting and anticipating this, but now that it’s actually happening, the hype is real. Chapter 1048 just dropped, and it’s building up what promises to be the best arc climax we’ve seen yet.
The Luffy and Kaido battle thus far has legitimately been a reward for fans who have stuck with the series for these past 25 years.
With the latest chapter, Oda brings in the emotional aspect of Wano and connects it with the events unfolding today. This focus on the past puts more weight and magnitude on the present scenario that ties Luffy to Wano.
The death of Kozuki Oden, the defeat of the Scabbards and the samurai, the 20 years of tyranny and torment that the citizens have had to face, all prove just how much Wano is in need of a liberator.
Why Kaido’s Defeat is Imminent: Foreshadowing
In chapter 1048, the citizens of Wano light sky lanterns during the Fire Festival, with messages written on them.
The lanterns read:
“Please make Orochi disappear”
“Give me a sip of clear water”
“Free us from this hell”
These panels are interspersed with shots of Kaido and Luffy closing in on what might be their finally clash.
At the end of the chapter, we see the “Please make Orochi disappear” lantern, and Denjiro chopping off Orochi’s head.
This foreshadows that the wishes from the other 2 lanterns will also be fulfilled.
The flashback in the first half of the chapter shows us how Kaido and Orochi turned Wano into a lawless wasteland, how the defenseless citizens were turned into slaves and weapons.
It is these same people who will motivate Luffy, Momo, and the rest to bring down the usurpers.
Chapter 1048 raises the stakes for the freedom of Wano, and the end indicates Kaido’s ultimate defeat.
The citizens sending their wishes up in the sky will be seen by Momonosuke and he will take on his mantle as the heir of the Kozuki clan and create Flame Clouds to move Onigashima out of the way. This will be the moment Luffy overpowers Kaido.
It is entirely possible that Orochi and Kaido do come back after this clash, for one more round, but that just depends on how much further Oda wants to stretch this out.
Kaido’s Awakening
Now, we’ve all been waiting and waiting to see the strongest creature awaken the strongest Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
In the latest chapter, Kaido sure does bring the heat with his new form. In the Flaming Drum Dragon, Kaido engulfs his entire dragon form in spitting flames.
His confidence is at an all time high, and instead of being worried about Luffy’s giant fist looming in the heavens, he simply says that the fist will never hit the ground because his flames would vaporize it.
It is not very clear whether this fire dragon is Kaido’s Awakening, but it is definitely Kaido leveling up. There has been so much happening with Luffy that people were beginning to worry that Oda was going to spring Kaido’s triumph on us.
But now with Kaido finally using something other than Boro Breath, it seems like both of them are once again on equal standing.
Kaido’s Fall
The final clash has Luffy using a new move called Bajrang Gun (a direct reference to the Hindu monkey God Bajarang Bali or Hanuman), and Kaido using Blazing Bagua.
In the panel beside it, Kaido references Ryou, and Luffy remembers how Hyogoro taught him how to attack without making contact.
“I’m gonna knock you to the bottom of hell!”
The previous chapter told us how essential Haki is to supreme dominance, how the late Pirate King, conquered the seas using his Haki – and not his Devil Fruit.
Luffy and Kaido, apart from using their ultimate Devil Fruit forms, are definitely going to have a showdown of Advanced Conqueror’s Haki.
This too has been foreshadowed in the previous chapters, with Kaido talking about Roger, the motif of willpower running through the story, Kaido’s obsession with subjugating Wano, and Luffy’s inner spirit that makes him as strong as a Yonko.
Conclusion
Kaido might be able to survive Luffy’s punch, but he won’t be able to survive his Conqueror’s Haki.
Additionally, Kaido has been fighting since the very beginning of the Raid, and it’s looking more and more like he is on his last tether.
It’s going to take the joined efforts Momo and the rest, along with Luffy’s Haki, to finally take the great Emperor Kaido down.
Since chapter 1048 heavily foreshadows it, we can expect Kaido’s downfall in the next chapter or so.
About One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.
The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!
Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.
No Comments on One Piece Chapter 1048’s End Foreshadows Kaido’s Defeat