The powerscalers are either very upset right now or are incredibly happy. I suppose it depends on where you sit. But I want to talk about the narrative implications and how this chapter fits into the overall themes of One Piece.
Whenever Kid was introduced he had a higher bounty than Luffy for essentially just causing destruction to Marine ships and fleets. He’s effectively always been portrayed as a crazy mass murderer who only cares about consolidating power and becoming the Pirate King. Contrasting that to Luffy’s journey where he overthrew evil dictators, saved multiple countries, and befriended countless allies.
Shanks began the first chapter of the story talking about the importance of friends. Mihawk spoke to the audience during Marineford about Luffy’s most dangerous power; the power to “bring people to his side”. Luffy has effectively made allies of a massive part of the New World and Paradise.
Kid has the ambition. The willpower. Arguably even the strength. But what he lacks is a strong support group and an understanding of what is truly takes to become the Pirate King. While the One Piece isn’t friendship, it’s impossible to become the Pirate King without friendship. This is why Luffy will become Pirate King and why Kid will have to watch. Luffy has the whole world behind him and Kid had nothing but his amibition.
Shanks slaughtering Kid is important whenever it comes to Kid’s completely lack of maintaining any kind of core allies. Shanks from the chapter was pretty chill about Kid showing up on the island until he murdered Shanks allies (i.e the future sight). Law or Luffy would never even consider doing this. Shanks made it clear from the very first chapter that he shows no mercy to those who hurt his allies. Kid doesn’t seem to have any concept of this. This is why he won’t even be close to the One Piece.
*by Hybreedal
