This article contains spoilers from the Elbaf arc of One Piece.
Overview of the Elbaf Arc
- Luffy’s journey in Elbaf brings him closer to the final island.
- Scopper Gaban is expected to reveal the location of the last Road Poneglyph.
- The ensuing island visit could lead to a confrontation with Shanks at Lodestar Island.
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The current Elbaf arc in One Piece is set to be a monumental chapter in the series, as fans recognize that creator Eiichiro Oda has just skimmed the surface of this storyline. Anticipations run high, as this arc is poised to lead to significant developments before Luffy embarks on his ultimate quests.
Presently, the Elbaf arc is threatened by the formidable Holy Knights, hinting at an imminent revelation of their immense power. Speculation suggests that even greater adversaries may emerge, potentially tied to the World Government’s enigmatic Abyss. However, the resolution of the Elbaf saga is crucial, serving as a gateway for the Straw Hat Pirates to embark toward their next destination, with Oda hinting at two major directions to take.
The Importance of Locating the Final Road Poneglyph
- Elbaf will bring Luffy nearer to the final island.
- Scopper Gaban will likely indicate where the last Road Poneglyph can be found.
Luffy’s journey to the One Piece draws closer with each passing arc. Since his initial voyage, he has achieved remarkable progress, acquiring his first Road Poneglyph from Zou, thanks to the Minks. He’s also obtained Poneglyphs from Whole Cake Island and during the clash against Kaido, currently holding three of the four red stones needed to access Laugh Tale.
As stated, “Only after you have all four Road Poneglyphs can you reach the final island, Laugh Tale!”— Inuarashi. However, the challenge lies with locating the final Road Poneglyph, the whereabouts of which remain a mystery. Speculation suggests that the Man With the Burn Scar might possess it, possibly Scopper Gaban himself. The question remains, will Gaban directly hand over the last Road Poneglyph following the Elbaf conflict? Although he has invited Luffy to seek him out post-battle, it’s likely that Gaban will not simply hand over the Poneglyph but guide Luffy towards its location.
Possible Directions After Elbaf
Once the Elbaf arc concludes, it’s expected that Gaban will reveal the location of the elusive last Road Poneglyph, although obtaining it will pose a considerable challenge.
Clash with Shanks at Lodestar Island
Acquiring the last Road Poneglyph will necessitate Luffy’s confrontation with Shanks, the heir to Gol D. Roger’s legacy. The supposed location for this Poneglyph is Lodestar Island, marking the final stop on the Grand Line. While Lodestar may not be the site of the One Piece itself, it harbors vital secrets about the true nature and purpose of the Poneglyphs. As Shanks serves as the guardian of Roger’s legacy, fans anticipate that he will be Luffy’s ultimate challenge before he sets sail for the One Piece.
“Hey Beck, it’s time for us to claim the One Piece, don’t you think?”— Shanks.
Mission to Save Garp and the Battle with Blackbeard
There may be an alternate route that Luffy and the Straw Hat crew must take before reaching Lodestar Island, potentially due to the impending execution of Monkey D. Garp. Given the circumstances, it seems inevitable that Garp’s public execution will occur soon, with Teach aiming to negotiate with the Government, albeit unsuccessfully. Should negotiations fail, Teach is likely to follow through with Garp’s execution, igniting a conflict between the Navy and the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy might be compelled to prioritize his grandfather’s rescue over the quest for Poneglyphs.
Consequently, following their time in Elbaf, Luffy and his crew will face two crucial paths: fighting to liberate Garp on Pirate Island or battling Shanks at Lodestar Island for the last Road Poneglyph.
Fans should mark their calendars, as One Piece Chapter 1146 is set to release shortly, expected on April 20, 2025. The latest chapter will be available for readers free of charge on Manga Plus.