Disclaimer: This column contains spoilers for One Piece chapter 796 as well as predictions for things to come.

Welcome to One Piece Podcast‘s weekly column, “OPP Predicts!” Each Tuesday — or Wednesday in this case — we have predictions from numerous members of The One Piece Podcast news, editorial, and podcast staff about thoughts on the latest chapter and where they think things may go in the next chapter, or even beyond that. Please comment below with your own predictions, and if you get yours right, we’ll feature it on next week’s column.

Let’s start out with a prediction from a fan last week regarding what they expected in this week’s chapter:

Kaido

This chapter will be slower than the past few, as the Straw Hats tie up loose ends with their allies before leaving. However, CP-0 docks on the island, ready to hunt them down. To make things even worse, Kaido reveals that he is headed for Dressrosa and rushes to get there…

Were They Close?

While neither Kaido nor CP-0 made any appearance in this week’s chapter, this fan did get the part about the Straw Hats tying some of the loose ends correctly, particularly with what Luffy intends to do in the coming chapters.

Wanna hear the One Piece Podcast‘s reaction to chapter 796? Take a listen below!

As an additional disclaimer: these are just predictions and are just the opinion of each individual member and not the podcast as a whole.

Without further ado, here are this week’s OPP staff predictions:

Zach Logan

Host and Founder of The One Piece Podcast

I’ve been having trouble figuring out what Oda has planned for us next, and that’s a very good thing. We’re at that point in the story, after the action is all done, where things become more unpredictable. I believe we will be departing from Dressrosa completely in chapter 797, potentially in chapter 798. It is also possible that Oda is saving some of the big “end-of-arc” material for chapter 800, but I’m not sure what he can delay for three more chapters.

Last week, many predicted the arrival of CP-0 and perhaps the resolution of the Sabo storyline in some way. I think we are more likely to see the former in the next chapter and the latter in the following week’s chapter. CP-0 is the Chekhov’s Gun for Dressrosa. Oda brought them in and quickly took them away. Since then, Sabo hinted at their return and the Five Elders mentioned them in passing. It seems that they may hold the key to Doflamingo’s fate and the secret the Celestial Dragons held dear.

So, I think it’s likely we’ll see CP-0 in the next chapter or two. There’s another thread we haven’t touched on, and that’s Donquixote Doflamingo. I want to see an interaction between a defeated Doflamingo and a triumphant Tsuru, and more importantly, see the secrets Doflamingo’s eyes hold.

Finally, what is the errand Luffy needs to run? On the podcast most of us came to the consensus that he’s going back to tell Rebecca something. I am certain he will not ask her to join them, but it is more likely he will reveal the truth of Rebecca’s origins to the nation — likely accidentally.

There are a few loose ends we need to tie up before we head to Kaido, Big Mom, Zou, and Wano. Let’s get this over with!

Joseph “Jammer” Medina

Editor-in-Chief

*Sniff* *Sniff*

You smell that? That there is the sweet, sweet smell of victory.

For a good while now, we here at the One Piece Podcast have had a bit of a contest as to when the Straw Hats would leave Dressrosa. My prediction was chapter 797, and lo and behold, at the end of chapter 796, the Straw Hats are on their way out (of course, Luffy’s errand can still throw a wrench in the whole thing). Could it be that we’ll finally be off to our next island in 798? I not only hope so, but I’m counting on it.

As such, I’m predicting a fun-filled goodbye next chapter. Sure, there is speculation of CP-0, World Government stuff, and extra loose ends in Dressrosa, but most of those can be handled without the Straw Hats, and I think the chapters following their departure will cover all of that.

Will this all work out in my favor? Guess we’ll have to wait a couple weeks until then!

Chao

Editorial Writer, “Chao Time”

And now, it is Bartolomeo’s turn to realize that Luffy doesn’t follow plans well…

I guess Oda had decided to have the great escape before we get any reactions on a certain character concerning Doflamingo’s defeat. Considering how long this arc has already been, I can still put up with a few more chapters before making any judgment to the arc’s conclusion. In comparison, Vivi’s farewell was literally just a last minute addition to the the conclusion of Alabasta arc.

It’s quite odd that Kyros is sending a letter to Rebecca instead of telling her everything once everything has been settled down. It’s not like he could never see her again, unless he’s actually leaving the island to become a pirate or something. That could certainly explain why Luffy ran off to settle some things with Rebecca. If he does, I would expect the contents of the letter being narrated while the pirates make their escape into the seas.

In addition, Law reacting to Sengoku’s name is a wonderful callback to the flashback. I expect that two will settle on what happened to Rocinante before he leaves the island, similar to Robin and Kuzan in Water 7. Seeing as both Law and Sengoku lost the one they cherished (Rocinante) to Doflamingo, perhaps Law could leave the former Celestial Dragon to Sengoku instead. Besides, the factory is already destroyed and the plan was a success. No need to waltz in to the army of navy soldiers to finish the deed when Doflamingo is writhing in pain from what may be mortal wounds. Speaking of which, Sengoku had really let go of himself after leaving his post. Then again, being a fleet admiral is a stressful job. He’s like Garp now. Hehe, I wonder if Law will become more like Luffy once the whole thing blows off…

I could expect two to three chapters of running, before they leave Dressrosa around Chapter 800. The navy soldiers would probably be tired after donating their blood (Blame the Law of Conservation of Energy). After they’ve done with their meetings, Law could probably use ROOM to get Luffy on the ship to save time.