‘One Piece’ chapter 973 release date, spoilers: Is Luffy JoyBoy’s reincarnation?

In the previous manga installment, many fans were angered at how Kaido just toyed with Oden by making a promise he did not intend to uphold. Now, fans are excitedly looking forward to the arrival of the “One Piece” chapter 973 release date to see just how things move forward after the Daimyo of Kuri’s death.

Luffy's’ relation to JoyBoy

One of the most interesting things dropped in the previous manga chapter was some sort of prediction made by Oden while he was enduring the boiling oil. “The entire world awaits a figure… and when that figure appears after an 800-year span, this country must be prepared to welcome and work with them,” he said.

Fans have been speculating just who this figure might be and many interesting theories have been proposed. “We believe this individual to be the reincarnation of Joyboy who has been born into the perfect timeline,” Recent Highlights wrote. “This person will probably be Luffy, who will find the One Piece and delve into the great war Oden mentioned.”

However, Redditor Dolmande partially disagrees with the theory. “A word regarding Luffy/Joy Boy,” Dolmande wrote. “I really don't think Oda is taking the path of some "reincarnation". I think only the will/drive for freedom is surviving and passing from individual to individual.” Hopefully, “One Piece” chapter 973 will reveal more clues about the matter.

Toki sends Momonosuke into the future

The Redditor also believes that “One Piece” chapter 973 will likely feature the end of the flashback before going into the present timeline. One event that will be covered in this flashback is how Toki sends some of the scabbards and her son twenty years into the future.

The Redditor believes that Kaido will attack Oden’s castle but will be held back by Denjiro and Ashura to buy Toki some time. “Toki will then explain her power to the scabbards and send Kinemon, Kiku, Raizo, Kanjuro and Momo 20 years in the future,” Dolmande wrote. “She will then entrust Hiyori to Kawamatsu and tell him to go into hiding.”

What’s interesting is that there might be a possibility that Toki is still alive. With power as unique as Toki’s, it’s quite possible for her to escape Kaido and reunite with her children at some point in the future. But regardless of whether she survives or not, “One Piece” chapter 973 will likely reveal her final moments or current whereabouts.

‘One Piece’ chapter 973 release date

Unfortunately, the highly anticipated manga chapter won’t be arriving this Sunday, March 1, as many expected. Apparently, the team is on a one-week break this week and has moved the manga’s release date. “One Piece” chapter 973 will be officially available on March 9, according to Mangaplus.