Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luffy and his crew arrive at Fish-Man Island, where they encounter the fish-men and merfolk, and learn about the ancient promise between the fish-men and the merfolk.
• The crew helps the fish-men and merfolk defend their island against the New Fish-Man Pirate Alliance led by Hody Jones.
• Luffy faces off against Hody, who reveals that he wants to destroy the Red Line and free the fish-men from the oppression of the World Government.
• Luffy defeats Hody and makes a new promise with the fish-men and merfolk to protect their island and way of life.
• The crew leaves Fish-Man Island and enters the New World.

Character Developments

• Luffy demonstrates his growing strength and determination to protect those he cares about, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
• Hody Jones is revealed to be a complex character, driven by a desire for freedom and equality for the fish-men, but ultimately corrupted by his ambition.
• Shirahoshi, the mermaid princess, begins to awaken her powers as Poseidon, the guardian of the sea.

Significant Themes

• The importance of promises and keeping one's word.
• The struggle for freedom and equality, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
• The power of friendship and unity in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Luffy and Hody's battle highlights the contrast between Luffy's selfless desire to protect and Hody's corrupt ambition for power.
• Luffy's interactions with Shirahoshi and the other fish-men and merfolk showcase his growing ability to inspire and lead others.
• The crew works together to defend Fish-Man Island, highlighting their strong bond and teamwork.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fish-Man Island is introduced as a dual-layered island with an upper air-filled half and a lower sea-filled half.
• Shyarly, a young fish-man, leaves her home in the impoverished Fish-Man District, excited about recent changes brought by the Sky Pirates' arrival.
• Arlong, Shark General, and Hatchan are patrolling the lower half of the island when an urgent message arrives: numerous human ships are attacking Fish-Man Island.

Character Developments

• Shyarly: She is shown to be curious, excited, and brave, willing to venture out despite the previous dangers of the Fish-Man District.
• Arlong: His ambition grows as he plans to use the Sun Army to challenge the human world. He shows a rare moment of concern for his sister, Shyarly.

Significant Themes

• Social Inequality: The stark contrast between the prosperous upper half and the impoverished lower half of Fish-Man Island highlights the theme of social inequality.
• Ambition vs. Loyalty: Arlong's ambition clashes with Hatchan's loyalty to the Sky Pirates and Jinbe, setting up potential future conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Shyarly interacts with Arlong and Hatchan, showing a friendly and comfortable relationship with the latter.
• Arlong, Shark General, and Hatchan work together despite their mutual dislike, demonstrating unity in the face of external threats.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fish-Man Island is under attack by a fleet of 30 enormous warships.
• The leader of the fleet, Pirate Admiral Baroba, demands entry into Fish-Man Island, threatening destruction if refused.
• King Neptune arrives to negotiate but is intimidated by Baroba's display of strength.
• Baroba hurls two pirates as cannonballs, causing significant damage to Fish-Man Island's entry and exit port.
• Baroba threatens to use Garp's cannonball move to destroy the entire island if they don't comply.

Character Developments

• King Neptune: Initially confident, he becomes intimidated and humiliated by Baroba's power, showing his concern for his people's safety.
• Pirate Admiral Baroba: Reveals himself as a successor to the late Golden Lion, displaying immense strength and ruthlessness, but also emotional instability.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: Baroba's display of power forces King Neptune to consider surrendering to protect his people.
• Fear and intimidation: Baroba uses fear to control and manipulate his subordinates and enemies.
• Revenge: Baroba's primary motivation is to avenge his predecessor, Golden Lion.

Character Interactions

• King Neptune and Pirate Admiral Baroba: Their interaction is dominated by Baroba's intimidation and King Neptune's attempts to placate him.
• Baroba and his subordinates: Baroba's subordinates fear and respect him, while he treats them harshly and expects them to share his goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sun Pirates, led by Baroba, attack Fish-Man Island.
• King Neptune tries to reason with Baroba but fails.
• Jinbe and the Sun Army from the Fish-Man District defend the island.
• Jinbe and Arlong confront Baroba on his ship.

Character Developments

• King Neptune shows his helplessness and desperation in protecting his kingdom.
• Jinbe demonstrates his leadership and determination to defend Fish-Man Island.
• Arlong shows loyalty to Jinbe and his willingness to fight alongside him.
• Baroba reveals his arrogance and disregard for fish-men.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against oppression and injustice.
• Loyalty and camaraderie among the fish-men.
• The clash of cultures and species.

Character Interactions

• King Neptune and Jinbe: King Neptune entrusts the defense of the island to Jinbe, showing his faith in him.
• Jinbe and Arlong: They display a strong bond and willingness to fight together against the pirates.
• Baroba and Jinbe/Arlong: Baroba underestimates the fish-men, while Jinbe and Arlong show defiance and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Baroba, a powerful pirate, challenges Jinbe and Arlong.
• The Sun Army and Neptune Army fight against the human pirates, with fish-men's agility giving them an advantage.
• Arlong attempts to defeat Baroba but is severely injured.
• Baroba reveals he's an Enhancement Man, using his Devil Fruit powers to boost his strength and speed.
• Baroba defeats Arlong and prepares to fight Jinbe.

Character Developments

• Baroba: Revealed to be a formidable opponent with the Enhancement Fruit powers, growing stronger and faster as the fight progresses.
• Arlong: Shows ambition and recklessness, underestimating Baroba's strength and suffering severe injuries as a result.
• Jinbe: Demonstrates composure and concern for his comrades, stepping in to protect Arlong and preparing to face Baroba.

Significant Themes

• The power of Devil Fruits and their users.
• The dangers of underestimating opponents.
• The importance of teamwork and strategic planning in battle.

Character Interactions

• Baroba vs. Arlong: Baroba's overwhelming strength and speed lead to Arlong's defeat, highlighting the danger of underestimating opponents.
• Jinbe vs. Baroba: Jinbe steps in to protect Arlong, showing concern for his comrade and preparing to face Baroba's enhanced powers.
• Jinbe and Arlong: Their interaction reveals Jinbe's protective nature and Arlong's ambition, which leads to his near-fatal mistake.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Mu's crew observes Jinbe's battle against Baroba from the Twin Goddesses.
• Ye Mu learns about Baroba's past and his 1.2 billion Berry bounty.
• Ye Mu offers Baroba's Devil Fruit to his crew, but none of them want it due to its high physical stamina cost.
• Eric is chosen to eat the Devil Fruit, as Tiger believes it will balance the crew's combat strength for their impending entry into the New World.
• Jinbe and Baroba's battle intensifies; Jinbe uses Armament Haki, but Baroba reveals he can also use it.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu shows interest in powerful opponents and considers future challenges in the New World.
• Tiger demonstrates mature and strategic thinking, considering the crew's overall combat balance.
• Jinbe awakens Armament Haki but finds Baroba to be a formidable opponent.

Significant Themes

• The importance of balanced combat strength for a pirate crew.
• The power and cost of Devil Fruits.
• The challenge of facing strong opponents.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Tiger discuss the Devil Fruit and its potential.
• Eric and Tiger decide who should eat the Devil Fruit, considering the crew's needs.
• Jinbe and Baroba engage in a fierce battle, with Jinbe using a new technique and Baroba revealing a surprising ability.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jinbe faces Baroba, a powerful pirate admiral, and is overwhelmed by his strength.
• Baroba reveals he admired Jinbe and tested his limits, but Jinbe refuses to join him.
• Baroba orders the use of deep-sea bombs, causing massive destruction and casualties among the fish-men.
• Queen Otohime watches the battle in despair, and Jinbe becomes enraged.
• Jinbe unleashes his full power and Armament Haki but is easily defeated by Baroba.
• Shyarly encourages the fish-men, reminding them that Luffy, Jinbe, and the Straw Hat Pirates are still on Fish-Man Island.
• Baroba mocks the fish-men's hope in humans and the Sky Pirates, and explosions are heard from the sea.

Character Developments

• Jinbe shows his bravery and determination but is outmatched by Baroba.
• Queen Otohime's despair grows as she witnesses the destruction of her people.
• Baroba reveals his arrogance and cruelty, enjoying the suffering of others.
• Shyarly demonstrates her resilience and hope, encouraging her people despite her own fears.

Significant Themes

• The power gap between the New World pirates and the Fish-Man Island warriors.
• The impact of war and destruction on innocent lives.
• The importance of hope and resilience in the face of despair.

Character Interactions

• Jinbe and Baroba's intense confrontation highlights the power difference between them.
• Queen Otohime's despair contrasts with Shyarly's hope, showing the range of emotions among the fish-men.
• Baroba's mocking of the fish-men's hope in humans emphasizes the tension between their races.

Plot Points and Events

• Ye Mu arrives at Fish-Man Island and confronts Baroba, the leader of the New Fish-Man Pirates.
• Baroba reveals his Devil Fruit ability, which enhances his physical attributes by digesting food.
• Ye Mu, wearing Seastone bracelets to suppress his Devil Fruit power, challenges Baroba.
• Baroba activates his fruit ability to its maximum, enhancing his strength thirtyfold.
• Ye Mu expresses underwhelment at Baroba's enhanced strength, provoking him further.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu: Shows confidence in his strength and curiosity about Baroba's Devil Fruit. He reveals that he has been training with Seastone bracelets to suppress his Devil Fruit power and explore his body's secrets.
• Baroba: Shows arrogance and underestimates Ye Mu's strength. He reveals his Devil Fruit ability and its activation method.

Significant Themes

• The power of Devil Fruits and their potential consciousness.
• The protagonist's growth and exploration of his own abilities.
• The theme of provocation and underestimation, leading to conflict.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba: Engage in a battle of words and wills, with Ye Mu provoking Baroba to reveal more about his Devil Fruit and enhance his strength.
• Ye Mu and Jinbe: Ye Mu instructs Jinbe to help the Sun Army and gather the pirates' ships and weapons.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Mu faces Baroba, captain of the Baroba Grand Fleet, who has been sent by CP0 to capture him.
• Baroba destroys the pirate ship they're on, revealing he's a Devil Fruit user and trapping Ye Mu in the sea where he can't use his Logia powers.
• Ye Mu learns that CP0 has been gathering intelligence on him and planned this attack to capture him.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu remains calm and confident even in dire circumstances, showing his adaptability and resilience.
• Baroba reveals his true colors as a World Government spy, displaying his cunning and deceit.

Significant Themes

• The power of intelligence and information manipulation.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent.
• The struggle between individual strength and external circumstances.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a battle of wits and wills, with Baroba underestimating Ye Mu's true strength.
• Ye Mu's confidence and composure contrast with Baroba's growing unease and uncertainty.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Baroba's pirate ship, protected by a bubble, is suddenly flooded by seawater, causing it to sink and drowning his crew.
• Ye Mu and Baroba, both protected by bubbles, face off underwater.
• Ye Mu attacks Baroba using the Shave technique from the Six Powers.
• A massive seaquake occurs due to the intense underwater battle between Ye Mu and Baroba.

Character Developments

• Baroba, a CP0 agent and pirate captain, underestimates Ye Mu initially but begins to doubt his assessment as the fight progresses.
• Ye Mu demonstrates his combat prowess and confidence, pushing Baroba to reassess him.
• Arlong, a fish-man warrior, awakens after being defeated by Baroba and witnesses the seaquake.

Significant Themes

• The power of Devil Fruits and their limitations (Ye Mu's inability to use his Logia powers underwater).
• The importance of intelligence and preparation in combat (CP0's analysis of Ye Mu's abilities and Baroba's initial overconfidence).
• The consequences of underestimating opponents (Baroba's realization of Ye Mu's strength).

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a fierce underwater battle, testing each other's strength and resolve.
• Arlong's encounter with Baroba shatters his pride and sparks his desire for Devil Fruit powers.
• The warriors of Fish-Man Island and the pirates pause their battle to witness the seaquake caused by Ye Mu and Baroba's fight.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Mu (the pirate captain) and Baroba (the spy) engage in a high-speed, high-pressure battle underwater.
• Baroba, unable to defeat Ye Mu easily, uses a strategy to target Fish-Man Island's immigration entrance with a pirate ship.
• Ye Mu uses a Fish-Man Island martial art, Fish-Man Jujutsu, to block and destroy the ship.
• Baroba counters with his powerful Vajra Palm technique, causing massive underwater explosions.

Character Developments

• Baroba reveals his cunning nature and true power, dropping his initial ridiculous act.
• Ye Mu demonstrates his mastery of Fish-Man Island's martial arts, showing his adaptability and willingness to learn from his enemies.
• Tiger, a Fish-Man Island warrior, expresses his disapproval of his companions' lack of initiative in defending their home island.

Significant Themes

• The importance of defending one's home and taking responsibility for one's actions.
• The power of adaptability and learning from others.
• The consequences of relying too heavily on others for protection.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba's intense battle showcases their strength and strategic thinking.
• Tiger's frustration with his fellow Fish-Man warriors highlights the theme of taking responsibility.
• The Fish-Man warriors' confusion and resentment towards Tiger's decision to withhold help from the pirates initially demonstrates their lack of initiative.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tiger's speech inspires Fish-Man warriors to defend their island against ordinary pirates and traffickers.
• King Neptune deploys air storage tanks to provide oxygen bubbles to the warriors.
• Ye Mu and Baroba's battle depletes their air supply.
• Baroba reveals hidden deep-sea bombs on pirate ships, causing massive explosions and casualties.
• Ye Mu exposes Baroba as a CP0 spy, turning the fish-men's opinion against the World Government.

Character Developments

• Tiger shows leadership and inspires his people.
• Ye Mu demonstrates calm and strategic thinking under pressure.
• Baroba reveals his true colors and the extent of his ruthlessness.

Significant Themes

• Unity and courage in the face of adversity.
• The consequences of betrayal and deception.
• The complexities of justice and power dynamics.

Character Interactions

• Tiger rallies the Fish-Man warriors, leading to a united front against the pirates.
• Ye Mu and Baroba's battle reveals their respective strategies and resolve.
• Ye Mu's exposure of Baroba's true identity causes a shift in the fish-men's perception of the World Government.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Baroba, an undercover World Government agent, is revealed to be a pirate due to his mission.
• Ye Mu exposes Baroba's true identity, ruining his chances of returning to the World Government.
• Baroba attempts to kill Ye Mu using powerful Haki techniques.
• Fish-Man Island suffers heavy losses due to Baroba's suicidal explosion.
• King Neptune decides to support the Sky Pirates against the World Government.

Character Developments

• Baroba's true identity and motivations are revealed, showing his hatred for pirates and desire to return to the World Government.
• King Neptune demonstrates his leadership and gratitude toward the Sky Pirates, deciding to support them despite the losses suffered by Fish-Man Island.

Significant Themes

• Identity and deception: Baroba's undercover mission and Ye Mu's exposure of his true identity highlight the theme of deception and the struggle with one's true identity.
• Gratitude and loyalty: King Neptune's decision to support the Sky Pirates despite the losses suffered by Fish-Man Island emphasizes the theme of gratitude and loyalty.

Character Interactions

• Baroba and Ye Mu: Their interaction reveals Baroba's true identity and leads to a fierce battle between them.
• King Neptune and his soldiers: Their interaction shows the internal conflict and differing opinions among the soldiers regarding the Sky Pirates' involvement in the battle, ultimately leading to King Neptune's decision to support the Sky Pirates.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fish-Man Island's inhabitants awaken and support the Sky Pirates, inspired by their actions over the past half-month.
• King Neptune provides air bubbles to aid Ye Mu in his battle against Baroba.
• Ye Mu reveals he was fighting with Seastone cuffs on, enhancing Baroba's disbelief and fear.
• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a fierce, high-speed, high-power battle, creating a vacuum zone and splitting the ocean.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu: Reveals his true strength and resilience, earning the respect and awe of the Fish-Man Island inhabitants and Baroba.
• Baroba: Realizes the extent of Ye Mu's power, leading to fear and disbelief.
• Tiger: Reflects on the Sky Pirates' impact on Fish-Man Island and its inhabitants.
• Jinbe: Shocked by the turn of events and Ye Mu's true power.

Significant Themes

• Strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
• The power of unity and support among communities.
• The revelation of hidden abilities and the impact on perceptions of others.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba: Engage in a brutal, high-stakes battle, revealing their true powers and emotions.
• Tiger and Jinbe: Discuss the situation and Ye Mu's true strength.
• Fish-Man Island inhabitants and Sky Pirates: Express support and unity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a high-speed, high-power battle underwater, creating a vacuum zone due to their strength and heat.
• Ye Mu brings Baroba into an enormous air bubble, separating them from the seawater.
• A pirate ship descends, with Enel, Eric, and Tiger on board, revealing that Baroba is an undercover agent.
• Baroba activates his Devil Fruit's full power, enhancing his muscles, strength, and Haki.
• Baroba prepares to use his strongest technique, "Six Powers Secret Technique: Vajra Palm."

Character Developments

• Ye Mu demonstrates his confidence and strategic thinking, giving Baroba a chance to fight him in the air bubble while revealing his true intentions.
• Baroba shows his determination and desperation, activating his Devil Fruit's full power to defeat Ye Mu.

Significant Themes

• Power and strength: Both characters showcase their immense power, with Ye Mu expressing excitement at facing such a formidable opponent.
• Strategy and intelligence: Ye Mu uses his intelligence and strategic thinking to gain an advantage in the battle.
• Desperation and determination: Baroba's situation forces him to use his full power, showing his desperation to complete his mission.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a fierce battle, with Ye Mu showing no fear of Baroba's enhanced power.
• Ye Mu reveals his true intentions to Baroba, giving him a chance to fight him in the air bubble.
• Baroba activates his full power, preparing to use his strongest technique against Ye Mu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a fierce battle using their strongest abilities.
• Baroba reveals his fourth stage of enhancement, which consumes his life force and is certain to kill him.
• Ye Mu decides to wait and witness Baroba's final power.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu shows excitement and curiosity in the face of powerful opponents, pushing him to test his limits.
• Baroba reveals his true nature as an Enhancement Human and accepts his impending death to use his final power.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and the limits one is willing to go to obtain it.
• Acceptance of death in the face of insurmountable odds.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Baroba engage in a battle of wits and strength, with both showing respect for each other's power.
• Ye Mu's curiosity and excitement in the face of Baroba's final power lead him to accept the risk of death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Baroba reveals his past and hatred towards pirates, driven by the destruction of his hometown by Rocks and Golden Lion.
• Baroba uses his Enhancement Fruit to its maximum potential, transforming into a demonic form.
• Ye Mu counters with his new power, Demon Coil: Nine-Dragon Fire God Robe, a combination of his Flame-Flame Fruit and Haki abilities.
• Their clash causes a massive explosion, with Ye Mu being thrown into the Sunlight Tree Eve, causing it to be injured.
• Tiger rescues Ye Mu, while Eric retrieves Baroba's corpse.

Character Developments

• Baroba's backstory is revealed, explaining his hatred for pirates and his desire for revenge.
• Ye Mu demonstrates significant growth in his powers, using his Haki and Devil Fruit abilities in tandem.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of piracy and the World Government's stance against it.
• The power of determination and hatred in driving one's actions.
• The cost of war and the collateral damage it causes (represented by the injury to Sunlight Tree Eve).

Character Interactions

• Baroba and Ye Mu's intense battle, fueled by their contrasting ideologies and powers.
• Tiger's rescue of Ye Mu, showing his loyalty and concern for his captain.
• Eric's retrieval of Baroba's corpse, hinting at potential future use by the World Government.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces the treacherous and unpredictable nature of the New World, with its harsh weather and dangerous sea conditions.
• Naguri, captain of the Naguri Pirates, enters the New World, but his ship is quickly destroyed by an avalanche of snow, and he is the only survivor.
• Naguri is then devoured by a sea monster, and his pirate crew is wiped out.
• Big Mom's children, led by Charlotte Perospero, set sail on thirteen pink ships to confront a pirate with a "special taste."

Character Developments

• Naguri's hubris is shown when he believes he can conquer the New World, but his fear and despair are revealed when he's left alone in the sea.
• Big Mom's children display their personalities: Perospero is cunning, Oven is hot-headed, Daifuku is contemptuous, and Katakuri is wise and protective of his younger sister, Galette.

Significant Themes

• The harsh and unforgiving nature of the New World.
• The power of fear and despair, as seen through Naguri's fate.
• The complex dynamics within a family, as shown among Big Mom's children.

Character Interactions

• Naguri's interaction with his crew is brief but shows their loyalty and shared excitement.
• Among Big Mom's children, there's a mix of sibling rivalry, protectiveness, and shared concern for their mission and each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Pirates, led by Ye Mu, enter the New World.
• They encounter harsh weather conditions, with hailstones and strong winds.
• The Big Mom Pirates, led by Charlotte Perospero, confront the Sky Pirates.
• Both sides exchange fire, with Ye Mu's crew demonstrating their strength.
• Charlotte Oven provokes the Sky Pirates, leading to a potential confrontation.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu: Shows concern for his crew's safety and is determined to leave the harsh weather conditions.
• Freya: Initially excited about the New World, she becomes bewildered and hurt by the harsh conditions.
• Charlotte Perospero: Displayed as confident and somewhat arrogant, he underestimates the Sky Pirates.
• Charlotte Amande: A skilled swordsman, she suffers a loss against Kermango Eric, showing she's not invincible.
• Charlotte Katakuri: The most level-headed among the Big Mom Pirates, he warns his siblings not to underestimate the Sky Pirates.

Significant Themes

• The harshness and danger of the New World.
• The importance of not underestimating opponents.
• The power dynamics between pirate crews in the New World.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and Freya: Ye Mu protects Freya from the harsh weather and shows concern for her well-being.
• Charlotte Perospero and Charlotte Katakuri: Perospero is confident and somewhat reckless, while Katakuri is more cautious and strategic.
• Charlotte Amande and Kermango Eric: Their swordsmanship clash demonstrates the skill and power of both sides.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Pirates, led by Captain Ye Mu, emerge from the dim sea into the New World, greeted by sunlight and open skies.
• The Big Mom Pirates, led by Charlotte Perospero, approach the Twin Goddesses and request a meeting.
• Ye Mu invites the Big Mom Pirates to board his ship for the conversation, positioning himself as the host.
• Charlotte Perospero reveals that Big Mom has a high interest in Ye Mu, sending several of her strongest children to invite him.
• Charlotte Oven, Amande, and the three girls decide to join the meeting, with Perospero transporting them via his Candy Elevator ability.

Character Developments

• Ye Mu demonstrates confidence and arrogance, asserting his status as the host.
• Charlotte Perospero shows cunning and strategic thinking, understanding the importance of Ye Mu to Big Mom and using that to his advantage.
• Charlotte Oven expresses eagerness to test his powers against Ye Mu's Logia Flame-Flame Fruit.
• Charlotte Amande seeks a rematch with the swordsman who split her slash.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and hierarchies among pirate crews.
• The importance of alliances and marriages in maintaining power, as seen in Big Mom's strategies.
• The awe and wonder of the New World, contrasted with the limited experiences of the Sky Pirates.

Character Interactions

• Ye Mu and the Big Mom Pirates establish a tense dynamic, with Ye Mu asserting dominance and the Big Mom Pirates showing initial resistance.
• Charlotte Perospero manipulates his siblings, playing on their interests and egos to convince them to join the meeting.
• The three girls show initial reluctance but eventually join the meeting, hinting at their own motivations.