One Piece Strongest Characters Who Will Return After Elbaf

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Things are really starting to wrap up on Elbaf, and honestly, I’m getting so hyped for what’s next! Oda’s recent comments have got me thinking that the Straw Hats might be heading straight for Laugh Tale! If that’s true, it feels like all the big players in the One Piece world are about to converge, and things are going to get intense soon. I can barely contain my excitement!

In addition to introducing new faces, the story will also bring back several familiar characters who haven’t been featured prominently for a while. It’s definitely time for them to reappear! Here’s a look at which One Piece characters we can expect to see after the Elbaf arc concludes.

This post contains spoilers for One Piece.

Charlotte Katakuri

Affiliation: Big Mom Pirates

  • Devil Fruit: Mochi Mochi no Mi
  • Haki: Yes

Fans were thrilled to see Charlotte Katakuri appear during Vegapunk’s broadcast, as he hasn’t been featured in the story since the Whole Cake Island arc. What sets him apart from many One Piece antagonists is his respect for Luffy – he admired Luffy’s bravery and was genuinely impressed by his goals.

Katakuri is consistently ranked among Luffy’s most powerful adversaries. His Mochi Mochi no Mi Devil Fruit gave him the ability to generate and control mochi, and he’s mastered all three forms of Haki – even advanced versions of Armament and Observation Haki. Given his skills, Katakuri could potentially become the next captain of the Big Mom Pirates, which means we might see him again after the story reaches Elbaf.

Gecko Moria

Affiliation: Thriller Bark Pirates, Shichibukai

  • Devil Fruit: Kage Kage no Mi
  • Haki: Yes (Not Confirmed)

Wow, Gecko Moria is way more interesting than I initially thought! I always saw him as just a grumpy old guy, but learning about his past has completely flipped my perspective. Apparently, he actually fought Kaido back in the day, trying to save Wano! And get this – he’s actually part of the Kozuki clan! That explains why he knew so much about Ryuuma and Shisui, doesn’t it? It all makes so much sense now!

Gecko Moria has been released from prison, giving him a chance to start over. Although he’s lost one of his officers, Absalom, Perona remains loyal. With the Cross Guild already including former Warlords, Moria could potentially join their ranks. Despite his age, Moria’s power will likely still be a significant asset.

Trafalgar Law

Affiliation: Heart Pirates

  • Devil Fruit: Ope Ope no Mi
  • Haki: Yes

I have to say, ever since the time skip, Trafalgar Law quickly became a real favorite of mine – and a lot of other One Piece fans, too! He’s been a key player in so many awesome arcs, like Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, Zou, and especially Wano. Honestly, with all that screen time, it’s no surprise people really connected with him. It was a total bummer seeing him get knocked out by Blackbeard though. Those two really went all out! Ultimately, Blackbeard, being a Yonko, came out on top and took all of Law’s Road Poneglyphs. It was a tough loss, but I’m still a huge Law fan!

Luckily, Bepo saved Law, so he’s still alive. We haven’t seen the Supernova since the events on Egghead, and fans are really hoping he returns to play a role in the story soon.

Eustass Kid

Affiliation: Kid Pirates

  • Devil Fruit: Jiki Jiki no Mi
  • Haki: Yes

Similar to Trafalgar Law, Eustass Kid suffered a major defeat at the hands of a Yonko. Shanks specifically used his powerful Haki to completely destroy Kid’s hopes, and even took his Road Poneglyphs, leaving Kid with nothing at all.

Kid’s ship was wrecked, and his close ally was seriously hurt. Although what happened to him is unclear, it’s unlikely Oda would permanently remove such a popular character. Many fans hope Eustass Kid will return after the events on Elbaf are concluded.

Smoker

Affiliation: Marines

  • Devil Fruit: Moku Moku no Mi
  • Haki: Yes

Vice Admiral Smoker is a dedicated and experienced Navy officer who is critical of the World Government and the Navy’s leadership. Before the two-year timeskip, he relentlessly pursued Luffy, making life very difficult for the pirate. Luffy struggled to fight back effectively due to Smoker’s powerful Devil Fruit ability, which made him nearly untouchable.

After a two-year time skip, the dynamic between Smoker and Luffy shifted significantly. Smoker didn’t improve much, while Luffy became much more powerful. This gave Luffy a clear advantage, allowing him to easily defeat Smoker. To keep Smoker relevant, the author needs to develop his abilities and allow him to challenge even stronger enemies. Many fans would also love to see Smoker return to the story.

Doflamingo

Affiliation: Donquixote Pirates, Shichibukai

  • Devil Fruit: Ito Ito no Mi
  • Haki: Yes

For years, Donquixote Doflamingo ruled Dressrosa with fear, causing immense suffering and loss for its people. This continued until Luffy defeated him, leading to Doflamingo’s imprisonment in Impel Down.

Doflamingo has been held within the facility ever since his capture. While being caught by the Marines usually means the end for a pirate, Doflamingo is different. The World Government’s multiple attempts on his life prove he’s still important, suggesting he may reappear in the story after the events on Elbaf.

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2025-12-26 19:39