Ch. 721As If Shrouded by an Invisible Pressure
Summary: "As If Shrouded by an Invisible Pressure"
1. Key Plot Points & Events
- Weevil’s Forced Recognition: Miss Bakkin forces her son, Weevil, to call Moke "big brother" and orders him to obey Moke when she’s absent. She lies that she’s leaving to meet Weevil’s father, Whitebeard, to "reunite" them.
- Moke’s Manipulation: Moke secretly watches as Miss Bakkin departs with Weevil, knowing her true intentions are to exploit Whitebeard. He suspects her motives but remains passive.
- Marine Crisis: Major Brannew delivers urgent intelligence to Fleet Admiral Sengoku about Weevil’s sudden appearance and his forced affiliation with Moke (a Shichibukai). Sengoku is furious, realizing this could escalate into a major conflict.
- Sengoku’s Rage & Orders: Sengoku, initially confident in Moke’s mission, is enraged when he learns Weevil has become a subordinate of a Shichibukai. He orders a full Marine meeting and instructs Kuma to investigate Gecko Moria (Perona’s former crew) after noticing suspicious activity.
- Miss Bakkin’s Betrayal: Miss Bakkin arrives at Whitebeard’s territory, claiming Weevil is his son, but Whitebeard is skeptical. Moke secretly warns Marco (Whitebeard’s crew) via Den Den Mushi to avoid immediate confrontation.
- Shichibukai Betrayal: Just as Moke prepares to leave, he discovers Perona and Brook (Gecko Moria’s crew) are still alive and active. He realizes the Marines are closing in and orders Mr. 2 (a Paramecia user) to impersonate him to create a distraction.
- Moke’s Escape: Moke vanishes into sunlight, transforming into a golden light beam and fleeing at light speed toward Thriller Bark to evade the Marines.
2. Character Developments
- Weevil: Forced into a false familial relationship with Moke, showing confusion but obedience. His lack of understanding highlights his innocence and vulnerability.
- Miss Bakkin: Revealed as a schemer with no genuine care for Weevil. Her greed for Whitebeard’s wealth and status drives her actions, showing her manipulative nature.
- Moke: Demonstrates cold calculation, using Weevil as leverage while secretly protecting him. His ability to manipulate situations (e.g., forcing Mr. 2 to impersonate him) underscores his cunning and adaptability.
- Fleet Admiral Sengoku: Initially trusting of Moke, his rage at the Shichibukai’s growing power exposes his underlying fear of losing control over them. His orders to Kuma hint at his paranoia about Gecko Moria’s resurgence.
- Whitebeard & Marco: Skeptical of Miss Bakkin’s claims, they remain cautious but unreactive, prioritizing patience over immediate conflict.
- Perona & Brook: Their presence suggests Gecko Moria’s crew is still active, forcing Moke to act quickly to avoid exposure.
3. Significant Themes
- Power & Betrayal: The Marines’ distrust of the Shichibukai and Moke’s betrayal of Sengoku’s expectations highlight the fragile alliances in the pirate world.
- Manipulation & Deception: Miss Bakkin’s lies, Moke’s forced recognition of Weevil, and Mr. 2’s impersonation show how characters exploit others for gain.
- Family & Identity: Weevil’s confusion about his true family and Moke’s ambiguous role as a "big brother" raise questions about forced bonds and loyalty.
- Urgent Consequences: The Marines’ rapid response and Moke’s desperate escape emphasize the high stakes of Shichibukai actions and their potential to destabilize the balance of power.
4. Character Interactions
- Miss Bakkin & Weevil: A toxic dynamic where Weevil is used as a pawn; her lies confuse him, while she treats him as disposable.
- Moke & Miss Bakkin: Passive-aggressive; Moke tolerates her but knows her true intentions, while she underestimates his control over Weevil.
- Sengoku & Moke: A tense, power-struggle dynamic. Sengoku’s rage at Moke’s actions contrasts with his inability to openly challenge him without escalating conflict.
- Moke & Mr. 2: A leader-subordinate relationship where Moke forces Mr. 2 into a dangerous role, showing his ruthless