Qiuqa put together 7 key points after reading manga One Piece Chapter 1183.
1. Imu vs. Loki
Imu noted that Ragnier had long been waiting for a powerful figure who could help exact revenge against Imu. Meanwhile, Loki—in his Niddhoggr form—acknowledged that Imu was the first enemy he truly considered formidable. Realizing that neither Loki nor Luffy would ever submit to becoming his pawns, Imu decided to annihilate them both, just as he had once eliminated Dozan. Who exactly was this Dozan? Was he the previous wielder of Ragnier and the power of Niddhoggr long before Loki’s era?
Moments later, Loki unleashed an attack called Ragnier Twist Blam. In response, Imu swiftly transformed his staff into a blade named Gram. In Norse mythology, Gram is the legendary sword wielded by the hero Sigurd to slay the black dragon, Fafnir. Channeling the power of Gram, Imu successfully deflected the twin lightning strikes unleashed by Loki.
2. Zaza, Creation of Killingham
In the West Village, parents screamed hysterically, demanding that Zaza return their children. However, Zaza—a creature born from Killingham’s own fears—used its unique abilities to trap seven children in the drainage system. Seeing this, Ripley and the other parents braced themselves to fight once more. Ripley refused to let their desperate, life-or-death struggle to save the children end in vain.
Amidst the escalating tension, Chopper warned the parents to stay still. Without blood transfusions, he feared their injuries would quickly turn fatal. But Ripley firmly replied that she and the others would rather die than watch their children be taken.
Zaza then unleashed a barrage of water from its massive hands, raining heavy blows down upon the parents. Simultaneously, Killingham signaled Zaza that seven children were more than enough; it was time to leave. At that crucial moment, Sanji sprinted through the air and arrived at the West Village, immediately bearing witness to the chaos Zaza had wrought.
3. The Identity of Gunko
The scene shifted to Gunko, still encased within Ragnier’s solid ice. Imu had previously tried to free her using an Omen attack to shatter the block. Yet the ice proved impenetrable—just as Loki had claimed, it could not be broken unless Ragnier willed it.
Elsewhere, Usopp questioned why Brook had been so fiercely determined to fight Gunko earlier. Brook revealed to the crew that Gunko bore a striking resemblance to a princess from his homeland. Sadly, ever since she departed for Mary Geoise, Brook had never seen her again. Even so, he doubted Gunko was truly the Princess Shuri he once knew; by now, Shuri would be seventy-seven years old.
Usopp deduced they were likely just lookalikes. Besides, Gunko was tied to the Celestial Dragons—the very enemy currently attacking Elbaph. But Brook countered the argument, reminding them that it was Gunko who had sliced the ropes binding him, Nami, Jinbe, Franky, and Usopp.
4. Princess Shuri
Brook wondered aloud why Gunko would save them and urge them to flee. Furthermore, she seemed to recognize him. Based on this, Brook theorized that Gunko might possess three distinct personalities. Nami concluded that Gunko actually was Princess Shuri, Brook’s old friend, but was currently being controlled by someone else.
Brook admitted such a thought had never crossed his mind. However, after seeing the giants’ personalities magically twisted into demons, he could no longer ignore the possibility that Gunko was indeed Princess Shuri. Hearing this, Jinbe called for a consensus to decide whether they should let Gunko live. He refused to let the crew leave the area without making a definitive choice.
Brook then recounted his past with Princess Shuri in Esperia. The now-ruined kingdom was once renowned as the country of music, where grand studios lined the streets as far as the eye could see.
5. Brook’s Flashback
The narrative flashed back seventy years. In the city of Esperia in the West Blue, Brook was strumming a guitar and singing “Mornin’ Mermaid” at four in the morning. His voice echoed through the city, prompting irritated citizens to throw open their windows and curse him for the noise. Amidst the clamor, only Princess Shuri sat quietly, enjoying the melody.
Some time later at Esperia Castle, a twenty-year-old Brook strolled casually, singing Binks’ Sake while holding the hand of seven-year-old Princess Shuri. Watching them, several guards admired Brook, begging him to teach them his lightning-fast sword techniques. Others, however, harbored intense jealousy that Brook was allowed so close to the princess.
Princess Shuri then asked if his swordsmanship had matched her mother’s yet. Brook’s eyes immediately morphed into hearts. He enthusiastically declared that Shuri’s mother, Candle—his absolute dream woman—was incredibly strong. Shuri scolded Brook for crushing on a married woman. Unfazed, Brook lightly replied that everyone was free to fall in love with whomever they chose.
King Leuven of Esperia overheard the exchange and instantly flew into a rage. The King warned Brook that if he dared plot his death to steal his wife, he would be sentenced to death. Panic-stricken, Brook frantically cleared up the misunderstanding, insisting he still wanted to live a long life.
In the middle of the commotion, Princess Shuri suddenly announced that she would marry Brook once she grew up. Hearing this, Brook flatly rejected the idea, refusing to take a snot-nosed brat for a wife. Deeply offended, King Leuven kicked Brook in the face, cursing him for daring to reject his daughter right in front of him. Watching the chaos unfold, Princess Shuri simply burst into roaring laughter.
6. The Murlon Gang
Suddenly, a guard arrived bearing grim news. He reported to King Leuven that a massive cavalry of gangsters was galloping from the port toward the Opera House, chanting Candle’s name. King Leuven instantly deduced it was the Murlon crime family, who had long harbored a dangerous obsession with his wife.
Knowing his wife’s escorts at the Opera House were hopelessly outnumbered, King Leuven frantically ordered his men to call Candle and warn her not to leave the building. The guard replied that the effort would be useless; the Den Den Mushi would certainly be on silent mode during the performance. This revelation only worsened the King’s panic.
Meanwhile, at the Opera House, Candle was joyfully immersed in the musical performance, completely unaware of the looming threat. Outside, the Murlon gang surrounded the venue. They screamed for Candle to come out, demanding the queen finally reciprocate their leader’s romantic feelings. If she refused, they threatened to gun her down on the spot.
7. The Two Stars of Esperia
Princess Shuri pleaded with Brook to save her mother. Casually, Brook informed her that he had actually crossed paths with the Murlon gang at the port, long before he even set foot in the castle. Brook then calmed King Leuven, reminding him that Queen Candle was incredibly strong. Furthermore, Brook was baffled that the Murlon gang hadn’t realized their own condition; during their brief encounter at the port, he had already cut them all down.
Back at the Opera House, the delayed effect of Brook’s strike suddenly took hold. In an instant, the entire Murlon gang encircling the building collapsed to the ground. Citizens and guards at the scene immediately realized the gang had fallen victim to Brook’s signature lightning strike, the Three-Verse Humming: Arrow-Notch Slash. The display only deepened their awe of him.
Moments later, Candle stepped out of the Opera House with a radiant smile, confusedly asking what had just happened outside. Seeing her, the crowd was instantly mesmerized by the queen’s charm and beauty.
In those days, the peace of the Esperia Kingdom was safeguarded by two guiding stars: Queen Candle, the former commander of the royal guard knights, and Brook, the maestro of the lightning slash who could strike down his enemies before they even knew they had been cut.
