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ThroughoutOne Piece, there are tons of small moments early on that have major payoffs later in the series. From small hints of Haki within Luffy’s initial backstory with Shanks to the idea of Nika originating as early as Skypiea, these intricate details are one of the main reasons many fans considerOne Pieceto be a masterclass in world-building. Whether or not these moments were planned for years or created in the spur of the moment, they are one of the things that setsOne Pieceapart from the average anime.
However, right now, there are many, arguably smaller moments, from early inOne Piece, that seem to set something up, without delivering on the payoff. One such detail involves the massive debt that Luffy promises to pay to Makino after becoming a rich and successful pirate, namelythe King of the Pirates. While this can feel like an inconsequential detail, whether Luffy follows through with the payment of his debt to Makino from Foosha Village may say something about his character at the end of One Piece.
Luffy Has A Tab At The Bar From His Childhood In One Piece
The Straw Hat Has A Massive Debt Here
Early during his adventures inOne Piece, as a child, Luffy would frequently hang out around the bar in Foosha Village, Partys Bar. This location, despite only appearing a few times in the series, is incredibly important overall, as it is a bar frequented bythe Emperor of the Sea, Shanks, and the location where Luffy first ate the Gum-Gum Fruit. Additionally, the bartender, Makino, was instrumental in helping Luffy as a child, assisting him on his early journey to become the pirate he is in the modern story ofOne Piece.
I’ll pay you with my treasure! - Luffy as a child
Being a child who frequented a bar, Luffy, understandably, didn’t have funds to pay for the food he would eat, leading Makino to give him free food. However, Luffy claims that all the food is going on his “treasure tab” and that he will pay for the food when he amasses his fortune asa rich pirate inOne Piece. Although Shanks chastises Luffy for trying to fool her, Luffy assures him that he will pay off his debts sometime in the future.
Luffy May Come Back To Pay His Debts At The End Of One Piece
Oda Tends To Tie Up These Loose Ends
Although this seems like a small detail to pick out, this smallOne Piecemoment seems to carry a bit of significance. Despite being so early in the story,the protagonist ofOne Piece,Luffy, is making a very resolute claim that he will pay off his debts to Makino sometime in the future. Although there is no evidence to prove whether he will pay back his debts or not, so far, knowing Luffy’s personality, he will most likely give her a small fortune when he returns to Foosha Village.
Still, Luffy’s return to Foosha Village after achieving his dreams will be one of the most heartwarming scenes inOne Piece. Currently, many fans expect Luffy to accomplish his dreams, returning to meet all the characters that assisted him throughout his journey ina massiveOne Pieceepilogue. Many believe that the return to Foosha Village, the place where his journey began, will be the end of the epilogue, where Luffy will finally have the opportunity to pay back Makino for helping him so many years ago.
This Debt May Be Too Small Of An Issue
It May Be Implied That The Debt Was Already Paid
At the same time, however, some fans believe that Luffy’s debt to Makino inOne Pieceno longer exists, meaning he does not need to pay it off at all. Some fans have theorized thatthe captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks, who most likely has an abundance of treasure, paid off the debts for Luffy after the young pirate was so resolute in paying her back. Other fans also predict that Makino herself never cared about the money in the first place, meaning that all the characters would have forgotten about such a small detail.
I’ll pay her with the treasure I find! - Luffy as a child
In the end, while it would be a sweet moment if Luffy were to pay off his debts to Makino, it may not happen bythe end ofOne Piece. Overall, this interaction feels like a bit of a throwaway interaction to show Luffy’s sense of honor, even as a young child. However, if Oda does decide to follow through and have Luffy pay off his debts, it may create one of the sweetest moments in all ofOne Piece.
