src: https://www.reddit.com/r/OnePieceSpoilers/comments/1pd8few/chapter_1168_summary/
spoiler
More details of the chapter, thanks to redon from Arlong Park Forums.
Short chapter of 15 pages, some of the pages are unfinished (like in chapter 1,098).
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Chapter 1,168: “The snow of Elbaph”.
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Reader request in the cover: “Little sheeps are making gloves for Hachi”.
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Chapter starts with narrator explaining that the image of giants improved all over the world thanks to trading with other countries, giant Marines heroism and Harald diplomacy.
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In Elbaph, Loki was sent to the “Detention Center” in the Underworld after destroying Brewers Village.
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Harald returned to Elbaph from his last mission and was taking care of Ida in her bar. Ida told Harald that his words made her feel better, and then she asked him if Elbaph will become one with the world soon.
Harald: “That’s right, Ida!! Soon, we will be connected with the world!! Then it’ll be just like the old days!! We can go on adventures together again!!”
Ida: “Fantastic ♡ I can’t wait!!”
Harald: “Neither can I!!”
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Ida reached out her arm and grasped Harald’s hand, but as soon as their hands touched, Ida’s arm lost its strength and she died. It was snowing heavily in Elbaph the day Ida died. Harald and Hajrudin were crying at Ida’s bed while Loki sat in silent in jail.
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14 years ago, Shanks disappeared just before he will be promoted to a “Knight of God”. So Harald, the next one in line, was offered the chance instead. Harald accompanied the Five Elders to the “Empty Throne” room.
Harald: “Once Elbaph becomes a part of the “World Government”…
I’m planning to let go of my crown, and give it to someone young and pure…”
Imu: “That… is something Mu will decide.”
- Harald was shocked to see there was someone sitting on the “Empty Throne”.
Harald: “Why… is someone on the “Empty Throne”…?”
Imu: “Come forth. I have been watching thee, Harald.”
- A huge scream resounded throughout the “Pangea Castle”. Imu changed Harald’s mark to “Depths Covenant” mark (the same Killingham has in the present).
Harald: “Aaargh!!! I can feel it…!!! My “power” is increasing… to an alarming level!!”
Imu: “From this moment forth, thou art a “Knight of Immortality”. A servant of Mu…”
Harald: “Immortality… Still sounds like a dream to me…”
Imu: "Craft an “Abyss” (Pentagram) in Elbaph for me, as a mark for the bond between us…!!
And later, after the completion of Mu’s final order… The fruition of thy hard work will be realized!!
Elbaph shall be allowed to join the World Government!!
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While Imu said that words, we see Harald returning to Elbaph in his ship. Then Harald created the “Abyss” in the throne room of the Aurust Castle.
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However, Imu’s next order for Harald was to turn Elbaph into a military nation with a fleet as great as the Marines. Harald tried to resist but his body started moving on its own. The condition of “Depths Covenant” was that he can never defy Imu’s orders.
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Harald ordered soldiers to tie him to a pillar and summon Jarul and his sons at once. Hajrudin was out at sea so only Loki and Jarul were summoned to the Aurust Castle.
【Detention Center in the Underworld】
Giant guard: “Loki come out!! You’re free!!”
Loki: “Hmm?”
Giant guard: “Head to Aurust Castle immediately!! The King demands your presence!!”
【Jarul’s House】
Jarul: “Emergency you said!? Wait, what happened exactly!?”
- Chapter ends with a panel of the famous portrait of King Harald (the one where he held a sword) while narrator speaks…
Narrator:【Now, back to the main story. On that day, a mass slaughter occurred at the castle. Leading the most beloved King of Elbaph, the wise sovereign Harald, to lose his life…!!!】
- End of chapter. BREAK next week.
Sorry for not being present last few chapters, I have started to work and hence have been busy.
My thoughts
I kinda like the chapter. A lot goes wrong, but it has a few good notes too.
I kinda felt sad that Ida died right in front of harald, that is something I have thought of, and feared. But thinking more about, Harald atleast got to be with her in last moments, when they were both happy. It is definitely bittersweet. I definitely feel bad for loki as he could not be with his mother.
This has brought another thouught in my mind which i will go oveer later.
from other spoilers I had known that harald got the 2nd seal, and shanks ducked out. but i did not know that harald met imu (fuck imu). Kinda crazy that he was not surprised eenough (i hope the actual chapter shows more surprise). When he felt the power, he shoulld have known there was something wrong. when he got 1st seal, it was fine, a lot organisations have some kind of solidarity mark. eventhough he may or may not have known about seals and such, he should know that he should not get power from tattoos, there is something wrong.
I kinda guessed the thing that harald had messed up (according to sommers) was that he refused to turn elbaph into a military. I am happy that harald is trying to resist it.
A lot of people on reddit comments are hating on harald, comparing him to oden. I did not feel this bad for oden, but i do for harald. he knew nothing of wg and such, he basically hoped it is a “real word UN (as in united nations)” equivalent, that you once get to, you are recognised as real people - you can trade with them, visit, travel etc. And he was successful in that. Elbaph remained peaceful. they could not connect with other nations much, but remained independent and the next generation was more peace loving. In one piece terms - he got his treasure (he could never see it happen fully, only partially while he was alive). This kinda led me to thinking - the thing that D people die with smiles - it is not just a D thing, it is more of general thing I think - If you were successful in achieving what you strived for - you die happy. this does not mean your life was perfect or no downs, but more generally. for example, king neferetari - he saw his people riot and on brink of full civil war, but it defused, he saw his people gain peace back, and as a king, that is what he wanted - his people happy. hence when he died - he died with a smile. When rocks died, he could not do what he wanted - he wanted to rule, he wanted to partner with harlad and get legendary fruits - he could not. He wanted his kin to be happy - he either has to kill them (those who got reversi’d), or thought he killed them (his wife and son). he did not die with a smile. if my theory is true, I would love to see harald die with a smile. Not that I want him to die, but since we know that he died - at least die with peace. he got elbaph peaceful.
If I have not said already - fuck imu.
Now i just hope loki knew what had happened to harald. he has seen way too many hardships, lost his mother, now his father, and he was sentenced for that - hope he ends up being free now. I do not see him joining anyone else but SH fleet. be it either as a member, or by extended fleet alongside hajrudin. there are many theories that he may join BB because BB is rocks and rocks wanted harald, but no BB is a POS and no where near the legend that rocks was.
next chapter (or next to next) whenever loki “liberates” haralds would be peak. I can expect harald was reversi’d too.