‘One Piece' Chapter 962 release date delay, predictions, spoilers: Wano flashbacks continue with Orochi’s backstory

It is now becoming clearer that it would take a few more weeks before manga fans will learn what happens next to the brewing war in Wano in the present time. The way the latest chapter ended suggests that “One Piece” chapter 962 will proceed on having flashback stories in Wano, especially revealing Orochi’s past.

‘One Piece' Chapter 962 predictions: How Orochi turned from a ‘humble servant’ to the present shogun in Wano

The widely shared theory for chapter 961 was that Oden would defeat the Mountain God and gain the admiration of the people of Wano. Part of it came true, but instead of taking the praise for saving the capital by defeating the Mountain God, Oden lied and took the blame for everything that happened. “One Piece” chapter 962 will likely continue Oden’s story after being disowned by the Kozuki clan and getting exiled from the Flower Capital.

Oden might have lost the right to be in the capital, but he gained two new followers, namely Kin’emon and Denjiro. “One Piece” chapter 962 probably continues Oden’s story now that he is in Wano’s Hakumai region when Yasuie was the daimyo. But the biggest surprise was the revelation that Orochi used to be Yasuie’s “humble servant.”

This revelation further fuels the theory that Orochi had a crucial role in the death of Oden, and it was not the sole work of Kaido 20 years ago when Oden would have been much stronger than them both. With that, “One Piece” chapter 962 will likely begin telling flashback stories to develop Orochi’s character from being the servant who would lie down on a puddle so Oden would not step on it and onto the tyrannical shogun who ordered Yasuie’s public execution two decades later.

It is also very likely that the Wano flashbacks would take more chapters beyond “One Piece” chapter 962, possibly to further reveal how Oden’s Nine Red Scabbards was ultimately formed. It is even possible that one of the endgames of these flashbacks is revealing Denjiro’s whereabouts at present.

‘One Piece' Chapter 962 release date: Manga goes on another hiatus

Some fans are not happy that more chapters are being dedicated to Wano flashbacks. Unfortunately, the wait to get back back to the present events would be longer as “One Piece” chapter 962’s release date is delayed for a week. The new chapter will be released along with the Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #52 that will not drop until Monday, Nov. 18.