The Final Battle of Elbaf You Never Saw Coming

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Summary

  • Loki and Luffy may engage in the final battle of the Elbaf arc due to contrasting beliefs and similar powers that no one else can contend with.
  • Loki could be misunderstood, but may still pose a threat to Luffy on Elbaf.
  • Shamrock’s return or the Blackbeard Pirates making a move are also possible final battle scenarios.

Since the Elbaf arc unfolded, the narrative of One Piece has been ramping up at an astounding pace with each new chapter read. Despite being only in its early stages, the abundance of action, emotional depth, and mind-blowing lore tidbits have left fans spellbound, leading many to deem this as one of the finest arcs in the series thus far. The long-awaited unveiling of the Gods Knights had fans convinced they had finally met the main antagonists of this arc.

While it’s true that the Gods Knights are portrayed as the antagonists in the Elbaf arc at present, there is a strong belief among some fans that the ultimate showdown of this arc will actually involve Luffy and Loki. This hypothetical battle is significant for several reasons, leading many to speculate that it could be the climactic event of the Elbaf arc. Let’s explore why this might be the real final battle in the context of One Piece.

Why Luffy vs. Loki Will Be The Final Battle Of The Elbaf Arc

The Contest Of The Sun Gods

Luffy’s First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of Adventure”
Loki’s First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1130, “The Accursed Prince”

In the Wholecake Island storyline, Loki was initially portrayed as a friendly Giant who felt genuinely hurt by being rejected in marriage. However, as we delved deeper into the Elbaf arc, it became clear that this perception was far from accurate. Instead, it turned out that Loki is actually the most wronged and dangerous character on the island, with everyone else viewing him as a terrifying monster due to his true nature.

Initially, Loki appeared as a fearsome antagonist, rumored to have consumed the legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf – the island’s most prized treasure that granted him the ability to transform into the mythical deity Nika, the Sun God. Yet, his portrayal differed significantly from Luffy’s, as Loki posited himself as the world-destroying Sun God, while Luffy’s Nika form embodied a powerful liberator. This dichotomy established an intriguing confrontation between these two characters.

I am the Sun God who will bring about the end of the world!

Initially, Loki appeared to be a villain, but later implications suggest that he might have been misjudged by fans. The specifics are vague, yet it seems he may not have been involved in his father’s murder or the subsequent troubles of Elbaf, leading people to believe that he is actually a complex character who was falsely accused and will eventually prove himself innocent, joining the Straw Hats as a vindicated hero who took the blame for the Gods Knights’ wrongdoings.

Yet, a fresh fan hypothesis proposes that despite appearing misunderstood and unjustly treated, this character could be the last battle Luffy encounters on the island. The rationale behind this theory is based on the swift pace of events, as the confrontation between the heroes and the apparent final antagonists of the arc, the Gods Knights, has already begun in only 20 chapters.

It’s widely speculated that the story surrounding Loki’s past and the God Valley Incident may unfold on Elbaf, implying that a significant portion of the narrative will be dedicated to flashbacks. This rapid pace could be attributed to this structure. Furthermore, it’s doubtful that the Gods Knights can pose a threat to Luffy given his formidable Gear 5 abilities, as demonstrated when he confronted the Gorosei. Since the Gods Knights aren’t as powerful as the Elders, it seems likely that Luffy would overcome them using Gear 5.

In this storyline, it appears that Luffy doesn’t have an opponent to fight in this particular arc because Zoro, Sanji might be dealing with Gunko and Killingham, while Scopper is handling Sommers. If this scenario unfolds, there’s a high chance that, once the Gods Knights are defeated, Loki could decide to continue his destructive rampage across Elbaf for reasons unknown to us, but perhaps he considers them justified. Given that Luffy possesses the destroyer-version of Nika’s power, it seems only Luffy can prevent Loki from causing further damage, leading to a major showdown between the two at the end of this arc. This confrontation could potentially grant Luffy the power boost he needs for the upcoming Final War and may eventually lead Loki to realize his mistakes and align himself with the heroes for whatever challenges they might face next.

The Other Possible Final Battle In The Elbaf Arc

The Return of the Supreme Commander

  • Alternatively, many think that the final battle may see Shamrock making his return to the island.
  • Or, the Blackbeard Pirates may also finally make their move at the end of Elbaf.

In another plausible turn of events, Shamrock might reappear at the conclusion of the storyline. It’s worth noting that Luffy, with his Gear 5 ability, outmatches any of the Gods Knights, even though he doesn’t currently possess a defense against their regeneration. Given this, the Monster Trio would not only have numerical superiority over the Gods Knights, but also be physically stronger. Their only hope lies in Shamrock’s return, who is almost certain to be on par with Shanks in terms of power.

At the end of the story arc, an unexpected turn could significantly escalate the tension, offering Luffy a formidable opponent who might be near or even surpass his abilities. Additionally, it’s plausible that the Blackbeard Pirates may act when the battle concludes and all parties are recovering, which aligns with their usual tactics.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-05-19 18:15