The Hidden Genius Of How Kuma Chose The Straw Hats' Islands

Oda said that he believed he cannot top the sheer tragedy of Robin, but I really think Kuma's really has the potential to do that.

Kuma didn't know what had happened between Zoro and Mihawk but he did know that Mihawk had a interest in the Straw Hat Pirates because Mihawk himself said so in the meeting in Mary Geoise. Given What he had seem of Zoro in Thriller Bark he would've probably guess that sending Zoro to him would've been okay

I think that Robin was sent to the Revolutionaries not only because Kuma knew that his 'family' would protect her the most, but it was mentioned by a Revolutionary agent at Tequila Wolf that the Revolutionaries had a standing order to protect Robin if she was ever found.

While it's likely that Kuma made certain assumptions about Luffy's character and how he'd handle Amazon Lily. I think one huge reason is staring us right in the face. Kuma knows why Saobody is a warzone when he gets there, he knows that Luffy rocked a celestial dragon right in the teeth, if he knows a single thing about Boa Hancock he'd know how much shed respect that. Couple that with Amazon Lily being historically closed off and you get an ideal hiding place.

Usopp: Would never willingly train. Kuma sent him somewhere that would not give him a choice in the matter. Get stronger or die were Usopp's options. It was also a place where all of Usopp's other needs would be met as well as weapons to use. He just had to learn to fight Nami: Self-explanatory. He sent the Weather/Climatology savant to a place she could properly train and study. Chopper: Sent him somewhere that he was uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between man and beast.

it's kinda sad that you skipped Nami, where as she was the person who mostly resembles Ginny. I think it was the hardest for Kuma when he had to seperate Nami from the rest of the crew. Nami was the first Strawhat that Kuma encountered, and at that time Nami was in a wedding dress escaping from a forced marriage(just like Ginny) it must've been hard for Kuma to see that. And the place that Kuma decided to send Nami in Sabaody was A sky island, a place that Bonney wanted to go to celebrate her 20th birthday(in the end Nami actually had to celebrate her 20th birthday there), it was also a place that is perfect for Nami as she is smart and witty(just like Ginny) to learn and expand her weather knowledge and navigation skills.

Brook’s ‘training’ makes so much sense too when you consider Kuma knew Saturn was a demon. Kuma sending Brook to a summoning circle might have inadvertently stopped an actual summoning before a real demon appeared because he knew how real and horrid these beings are.

how oda makes all these characters is beyond me, the connections after a decade is incredible, one piece is one of those shows where, rewatching it is another whole experience. Incredible, what a time to be a one piece fan.

I've always found the scene when Kuma offers Luffy's pain to Zoro as odd, especially the more we got to learn about Kuma earlier in the story. If he was an ally all along, why would he intentionally risk Zoro's life? You've finally suggested a satisfying answer in that Kuma intended to take the pain himself, but was impressed at Zoro's resolve

Zoro: Sent to Mihawk, so he could learn from the best. Nami: Sent to Weatheria after witnessing her using meteorological phenomena in battle. Sanji: He noticed that Sanji was a martial artist, and thought he could learn from the Okama Kenpo masters of Kamabakka Queendom. Unfortunately, he didn't account for Sanji's distaste for drag queens. Chopper: Sent the little animal fella to a place where man and animal was at war with each other, hoping that he would bring peace. Usopp: He thought he was a bit scrawny and weak, so he sent him to a place where every day would be a fight for survival in the hopes of toughening him up. Robin: Finally having found her, he sends her to a place where he knows that she will meet the Revolutionaries, and trusts that they will keep her safe. Franky: Sent to Vegapunk's home so he could learn from the greatest mind in the world. Brook: Sent to a place full of occultist devil worshippers, where he would be the most likely to be accepted. Luffy: Sent to the home of a former slave, hoping that he would liberate her heart from the shackles of the Celestial Dragons.

Kuma went from top 50 to top 5 favorite characters during Egghead Island arc. Zoro will forever be first!

Eggland Island has done a lot of great things but for me getting more on Kuma(my favorite warlord) and the contextualization of his actions/ the Paw Paw fruit's pain ability has been a treat. It really does make his actions at Thriller Park and Saobody that much more palpable. There are still some more details that need to be fleshed out, like how he became known as the "Tryant" and a warlord, but Oda overall has been on fire with this arc/ backstory.

My pure head cannon is that Kuma sent Luffy specifically to an island that it would be impossible for him to join the paramount war. An island in the calm belt, where it's only inhabitants are women who hate men and it's ruler especially does so.

I always thought Kuma was going to take the damage onto himself. When we saw Kuma guarding the boat; the seeds were starting to grow. Now we see his flashback and it’s a full oak tree strength of carry for this saint of a human

Kuma sending Luffy to Amazon Lily for me, has always been related to the fact that Luffy recently punched a Celestial Dragon. It's possible that Kuma knew the story behind Boa Hancock, as she was a warlord like him, and was once part of the revolutionaries. I think he knew Luffy could find support in Amazon Lily in the situation he was in that moment.

i hope this flashback gives us Kuma's POV when he found out why Kizaru had been sent to Sabaody. hearing that Luffy had just smashed in the face of a Celestial Dragon without hesitation to protect other people had to be A Moment for him

The hand of liberation one of best lines in last year or so of one piece

The most intimidating figure became the kindest, oda is unmatched

Looking back on this, knowing this was Kuma's last moments (who knows in the future) it is incredibly tragic and by far the saddest life out of any character in One Piece :(

I think the question Kuma asked Perona has a bit of meaning behind it, where would you go for a vacation? Kuma can travel to many locations all over the world, and has likely helped the Revolutionary Army by researching islands. Brook is going to be the least likely to have much thought as Kuma had only recently met him. For the others, he made sure to send them somewhere that they would be able to get stronger the the areas they excel at.