One Piece’s 2nd Marineford Arc Is Officially On The Way

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This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Final Saga.

One Piece is known for its amazing story arcs, and the author, Oda, has created some truly clever and intricate plots over the years. Each arc offers a unique experience, which is why fans often have different favorites. Those interested in the history and details of the One Piece world tend to enjoy arcs like Skypiea, while fans who prefer exciting battles and suspenseful moments often gravitate towards arcs like Marineford.

Whether you love or dislike it, the Marineford arc is undeniably one of the highlights of One Piece. It’s where the series’ popularity truly skyrocketed, establishing it as the global phenomenon it is today. The arc was a thrilling and complex conflict between pirates and the Navy, with Luffy desperately trying to save his brother, a person who had a huge impact on his life.

I think Marineford will always be a really memorable arc for One Piece fans, and it seems like we’re getting ready for a return! Everyone’s excited about what’s happening with the Elbaf arc right now, but it looks like we’ll be heading back to Marineford pretty soon after that – a second arc is definitely on the way. It’s good to remember that while Elbaf is the focus now, there’s a lot happening all over the world in the One Piece universe.

The Marineford Arc Was One Piece’s Highlight

  • Marineford Saw Luffy Face His Biggest Challenge
  • Luffy Lost Ace And Got Stronger
  • Marineford Caused One Piece Sales To Explode

The Marineford arc is widely considered a standout moment in One Piece. It was a huge turning point in the story, wrapping up the first major saga and serving as a critical challenge for Luffy as he matured. The arc was incredibly intense, with a constant sense of danger as Luffy raced to save his brother, Ace, from execution at the heavily guarded Navy headquarters, battling not only the powerful Marines but also the Whitebeard Pirates and a group of unlikely allies from Impel Down.

At Navy Headquarters, only three individuals have achieved the rank of Admiral: Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru. Above them is Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who leads the entire Navy. The World Government refers to these three Admirals as the “Ultimate Military Force,” and Aokiji is one of them! – Nico Robin’s reaction to seeing Admiral Aokiji in One Piece Chapter 319.

For the first time, Luffy faced challenges completely alone, desperately trying to save his brother. The Marineford arc was filled with intense battles and gripping moments that thrilled fans and cemented One Piece’s place as the best-selling manga of all time. Sales soared after this arc, reaching a peak that hasn’t been surpassed. But with the exciting developments in the Elbaf arc, a new Marineford-level story is on the horizon, and fans are incredibly eager to see what happens next.

After Elbaf, A New Marineford Arc Could Begin

  • Oda Has Set Up A Pirate-Navy Confrontation Again

Many viewers are wondering how a Marineford arc could start after the events of Elbaf, but the answer lies in focusing on the storylines of other important groups and characters in the One Piece universe, beyond just the Straw Hat Pirates.

The Straw Hat Pirates are currently focused on finding the last Road Poneglyph so they can reach Laugh Tale. However, what’s happening with Blackbeard and his crew is currently the most interesting and significant development in the world.

Get ready, because from now on, One Piece is going to reveal all of its biggest secrets! I’m finally going to share the mysteries I’ve been building up to, and it’s going to be an exciting ride. Hold on tight, and I hope you’ll stick with the story for a little longer. — Eiichiro Oda, One Piece

Recently, Blackbeard captured Captain Koby of the Marines. He then offered a deal to the World Government: Koby in exchange for official recognition of Pirate Island as a country. Essentially, Blackbeard was trying to strike a major bargain, hoping the Government would allow a pirate to operate freely. However, Kuzan immediately made it clear this wouldn’t be possible.

Honestly, Blackbeard was still determined to move forward with his scheme because he realized exposing everything would ruin the Navy’s reputation no matter what. And things actually worked out better for him than he expected! Losing Koby ended up landing him something even bigger: Garp the Hero! Koby was a hero in his own right, sure, but Garp is a legend – the Marines can’t just ignore him. It’s a huge win for Blackbeard, honestly.

Blackbeard has a straightforward plan: he wants to negotiate with the World Government openly, with the whole world watching. He’ll offer to trade Garp in exchange for official country status for his pirate island. This puts the Navy in a tough spot – if they agree, they’ll look weak and be seen as giving in to a pirate’s demands, damaging their reputation significantly.

If the Navy doesn’t agree to Blackbeard’s demands, they’ll essentially be giving up on Garp, their most celebrated hero. Their only other option would be a direct attack on Blackbeard’s crew, leading to a full-scale war over Garp’s capture. This is the likely reason we’ll see another major battle similar to Marineford, and it all comes down to Blackbeard’s scheming nature.

The Biggest Players Will Play A Major Role Soon

  • The Biggest Battle Royale In One Piece Will Begin Soon

If the Navy and Blackbeard Pirates can’t reach an agreement, a war is inevitable. This conflict could see the Navy attacking the pirates’ island, essentially flipping the script from the major battle at Marineford. Because of the high stakes, powerful figures throughout the One Piece world are likely to get involved.

Luffy won’t let anything happen to his grandfather, so he’ll likely step in to protect him. We might also see Dragon get involved, considering Garp rescued him from the Marines after the God Valley incident. Plus, Shanks has a strong interest in stopping Blackbeard and can’t be overlooked, as he’s determined to prevent Blackbeard from achieving his goals.

The next story arc in One Piece promises to be incredibly intense, with many of the most important characters playing key roles. For the first time since the epic battle of Marineford, fans can expect large-scale, all-out fighting – and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable event.

Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga, One Piece, follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the legendary treasure, the One Piece. The story is currently in its final arc. The newest chapter, 1171, will be released in this week’s Weekly Shonen Jump on January 18, 2026. In Japan, it will be available at midnight on Monday, which translates to 11:00 AM Eastern Time and 8:00 AM Pacific Time. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump app, and by doing so, they directly support the creator.

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2026-01-09 02:35