One Piece Elbaf’s Villain Will Be Its Strongest Character And Why It Matters

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This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf arc.

Summary

  • The Holy Knights are not the main villains of the Elbaf arc.
  • Imu is hinted to be the final villain of Elbaf, bringing higher stakes.
  • The possibility of Straw Hats losing to Imu could establish a new rivalry.

As an ardent One Piece fan, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on the ongoing Final Saga arc. To put it simply, it’s off to an outstanding start, surpassing even the lofty expectations we had for any new One Piece saga. The Elbaf arc, being the second instalment of the Final Saga, has lived up to its billing and left fans utterly captivated. In many ways, it’s a significant leap forward from the Egghead arc in terms of quality. However, there remains a certain element that’s yet to make its appearance, adding that extra spark to this already electrifying storyline.

There’s a bit of speculation among fans about who the primary adversary will be during the Elbaf storyline, even though the Holy Knights have already made their presence known in the country. It seems that Oda might be reserving a more formidable opponent to appear at the end of this arc, leaving readers on edge as they anticipate the introduction of what could potentially be the strongest character within the One Piece universe.

Why The Holy Knights Are Not The Main Villains Of Elbaf

  • The Holy Knights Are Not Engaging Luffy
  • The Level Of Threat Isn’t Great Enough

Readers have long recognized the immense power of the Holy Knights, and author Eiichiro Oda has skillfully emphasized this point throughout recent chapters. In One Piece chapter 1146, readers witnessed the Holy Knights confronting various adversaries, displaying an impressive strength that seemed insurmountable. Even against formidable opponents like Jinbe, Gunko proved to be an overpowering opponent. It’s evident that the Holy Knights are not easily defeated by a Yonko Commander such as Jinbe, and this is what makes them unique. To compound matters, the Holy Knights possess regenerative abilities, which means they can withstand even the strongest attacks without being defeated – rendering them virtually unbeatable at present.

I won’t let you do that, no matter what! — Scopper Gaban

It appears that, as Oda has written them, the Holy Knights aren’t the ultimate antagonists of the Elbaf arc. Instead, it looks like Shamrock Figarland, initially thought to be the main villain, has departed from the country. In his absence, Saint Sommers and Saint Killingham have been summoned, and they present a significant threat that could potentially bring down the nation.

However, Oda is hinting at a confrontation between the Straw Hats and the Holy Knights, but without Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji participating in this battle. This suggests that if they win, it implies the arrival of an even greater enemy.

Imu Is The Final Villain Of Elbaf

The Sovereign Of The World Could Show Themself

Readers may find it surprising to learn that Imu might turn out to be the primary antagonist of the Elbaf arc in One Piece. This assumption stems from the pattern in which Oda introduces increasingly powerful villains with each new arc, and since the Five Elders were introduced in Egghead, there’s only one character stronger than them who could potentially appear in Elbaf – Imu. The Abyss is already present in Elbaf, so if Imu chooses to intervene, they can easily confront the Straw Hats.

Elbaf will be brought to heel, no matter what! — Shamrock Figarland

The Straw Hats Might Lose The Battle Vs Imu

In this situation, it’s crucial for the Straw Hat Pirates to lose against Elbaf first, as it’s premature for Imu to fall in “One Piece”. This setback would provide author Eiichiro Oda an ideal platform to showcase Imu’s abilities, which are currently shrouded in secrecy. If Imu were to confront Luffy and the crew, defeat them, and then emerge victorious, the tension in the latter stages of “One Piece” would reach unprecedented heights, creating a fierce rivalry between Luffy and Imu that fans would undoubtedly appreciate.

In just a few days, we’ll be able to dive into the latest chapter of One Piece! As always, it will come out this Sunday. For those in Japan, the chapter will appear at 12AM JST on Monday. However, most international readers will have access to the chapter on April 20. The official release date for One Piece Chapter 1146 is set for April 20, 2025. Excitingly, fans can enjoy reading this chapter for free on Manga Plus!

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2025-04-25 16:55