• Why No ‘One Piece’ Episode 771 on Jan. 1, 2017?

Why No ‘One Piece’ Episode 771 on Jan. 1, 2017? (Photo : One Piece Official/Facebook)

The "One Piece" manga storyline has taken an interesting turn, with Sanji seemingly turning his back on the Straw Hat pirates. Luffy refuses to believe this, though, and stubbornly waits for him to come back. This apparent rift between the captain and his trusted nakama has led some to think that the series will introduce a new story arc.

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"One Piece" is currently in the Totto Land Arc, the second arc in the Yonko Saga following the Zou Arc. There are speculations that the manga will shift to a new arc, given the twists that have happened: Sanji seems to have disowned the Straw Hats and accepted his position as a Vinsmoke son.

Fans will recall that Luffy and Nami along with their new allies came across the Vinsmoke family as the latter were heading to the pre-nuptial tea party at Big Mom's palace. In an attempt to protect his friends from his father and siblings, Sanji pretended to be annoyed with Luffy. He insulted him and the crew and gave his captain a pounding. Given that Luffy had just fought Cracker, he was not exactly in great shape so he ended up getting beaten to a pulp.

Still, his trust in Sanji never waivered and promised to not move an inch from where he lay until the cook came back. He also vowed not to eat or drink anything unless it was prepared by Sanji himself.

At the end of "One Piece" Chapter 845, Sanji was torn but was determined to protect his friends as well as his mentor, Red Leg Zeff, who is at the Baratie restaurant. He told his fiancée Pudding that they would get married the next day.

The manga has taken a short break, as announced at the ending of Chapter 845, but it is expected to continue where it left off - with Big Mom's fury brewing because of Cracker's defeat and her army on the way to get rid of Luffy once and for all.

According to the rumors gathered by Chatt Sport Net, Nami and Luffy could be imprisoned but, of course, they would be able to escape in time to stop Sanji's wedding. Another hearsay is that the Vinsmokes will receive a bomb as a gift so they will go against Big Mom and ally themselves with the Straw Hats. Yet another rumor says that Sabo will arrive to give Luffy a hand. These are only speculations, however.

Given how mangaka Eiichiro Oda manages to surprise "One Piece" fans even after almost 20 years of the story's serialization, readers can expect some new twists to take place in the upcoming chapters.