One Piece: The End Of Elbaf Promises The Greatest Team-Up Ever

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The content within this article is speculative and has not been confirmed, only theorized.

Watching the Elbaf arc unfold in *One Piece*, it’s clear why so many fans are already ranking it among the very best arcs the series has ever done. Some are even saying it’s the greatest! It’s packed with huge reveals, really touching character development, and feels incredibly important – not just for what’s happening now, but for understanding the whole story, past and future.

A standout part of this story arc is the fantastic flashback to an earlier time in the world of *One Piece*, when legendary figures like Roger and Xebec were active. This flashback revealed details about the God Valley Incident, showing how the adventures of Dragon and Shanks began, and hinting at an epic team-up to come. Let’s explore why this is so exciting.

The God Valley Incident Reveals A Lot About These Two Characters

The Start Of Their Journeys

Shanks’ First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of Adventure”
Dragon’s First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 100, “The Legend Has Begun”

Before we discuss why the upcoming conclusion of the Elbaf arc suggests a partnership between these powerful figures, let’s examine the origins of their paths and how they’ve become connected. The God Valley Incident is arguably the most important event in the world of *One Piece* since the end of the Void Century, a clash between the strongest forces of that era, all pursuing their own ambitions.

The Marines included a young Monkey D. Dragon among their recruits. During his time there, he witnessed the cruelty of the Celestial Dragons, which deeply affected him and led him to reject their cause. He wanted to dedicate himself to helping others, and one of the first people he saved was a baby Shanks, creating an important link between the two of them.

The End Of The Elbaf Arc May Show These Powerhouses Teaming Up

The Most Elusive Heroes In The Story

  • Dragon and Shanks could show up on Elbaf.

One Piece is a story where understanding the connections between characters is key. Important figures are often linked in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, but become crucial later on. Recent flashbacks to the past have led fans to believe that Dragon and Shanks have a hidden connection of this kind.

The Native Hunting Competition quickly turned violent in God Valley, with the island’s inhabitants and captured individuals being relentlessly hunted. The competition’s grand prize – the kidnapping of Shakky – attracted the most powerful pirate crews of the era, including the Rocks Pirates and the Roger Pirates. This, in turn, drew Garp and a large Marine force to the island, creating a chaotic free-for-all where history’s strongest fighters clashed in a battle for dominance.

I’m not gonna stand by and watch while you dice up my troops like vegetables!

Amidst all the chaos, Dragon realized the terrible things he was unintentionally enabling, which ultimately led him to leave the Navy and create the Revolutionary Army. As his first act of defiance, he rescued Shanks and Shamrock from the control of Garling and the Celestial Dragons, doing everything he could to protect them. While the full story is still unfolding, it appears he succeeded in helping Shanks, forging a connection between their destinies – a connection that would also extend to Luffy.

Imu has launched an attack on Elbaf and is overwhelmingly powerful, with no one currently able to oppose them. While Luffy hasn’t entered the battle in his Gear 5 form yet, most people think even that won’t be enough to win, as Imu can summon both the Gods’ Knights and the Gorosei whenever needed. This has led to widespread speculation that Shanks and Dragon will team up on this island, creating the most significant alliance the series has ever witnessed.

Shanks considers Elbaf to be under his protection, so he’d probably head there regardless. Meanwhile, Dragon appears to be starting his fight against the World Government, and helping his son face a huge danger in Elbaf makes perfect sense. This will also bring him back together with Shanks, creating a satisfying connection. It’s a powerful moment, bringing three of the World Government’s biggest opponents together to try and stop it – though they’ll likely only be able to slow it down, not defeat it completely.

If Luffy, Dragon, and Shanks team up, they’d be incredibly powerful – more than enough to handle Imu (currently possessing Gunko’s body), the Gods’ Knights, and even potentially the Gorosei. Many fans believe the story is heading towards a final war, and having Dragon and Shanks on Elbaf sets the stage perfectly for the major groups in the series to begin their conflict.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-09-23 20:07