This article contains spoilers from One Piece's Final Saga.
One Piece features some absolutely incredible story arcs, and Oda has woven some of the most brilliant plotlines in this world over the years. Each One Piece arc offers something entirely different, and that is why most fans have varying tastes and picks when it comes to their favorite arcs. Those who love the lore of the One Piece world probably prefer arcs such as Skypiea, while those who absolutely relish action and high-tension scenarios enjoy the likes of Marineford more.
One Piece: 7 Arcs To Come After Elbaf
Elbaf is great, but even bigger arcs are coming after it in One Piece.
In either case, one absolutely cannot deny that Marineford is one of the best arcs in One Piece. It is the point in the story where sales absolutely exploded, and it is what made One Piece as popular as it is today. Marineford was an absolutely brilliant tug of war between the pirates and the Navy, and in the midst of it all was Luffy, a young pirate trying to save the life of his brother who defined a significant portion of his life.
Marineford will always hold a special place in the hearts of the fans, and while it was great, fans should keep in mind that the second Marineford arc of One Piece is now officially on the way. While most fans are currently focused on the Elbaf arc of the story, they should always keep an eye on what happens in the rest of the seas. A second Marineford Arc is on the way and it will most likely come immediately after the Elbaf arc is done.
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
It is no surprise to know that the Marineford arc of One Piece was a big highlight for the story. The arc was always going to be massive because it marked the conclusion to the first part of the story and was essentially the climax to Luffy's journey before becoming an adult. Marineford was full of intensity and palpable tension as his own brother, Ace, was set for execution in the Navy HQ, and fighting against these monstrously powerful Marines, who were the Whitebeard Pirates, as well as Luffy and his band of misfits from Impel Down.
Even at the Navy Headquarters, there are only three who hold the rank of Admiral. Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru. The only one above them is the Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Commander of the Navy. The World Government calls these three the "Ultimate Military Force," and he is one of them! — Nico Robin upon seeing Admiral Aokiji, One Piece Chapter 319
Without the Straw Hat Pirates in the mix, Luffy was on his own for the very first time in his journey, and he went through unimaginable pain to try and rescue his brother. Each page turn and each clash in this arc was incredibly exciting for all the fans, and that is precisely why Marineford ended up making One Piece the most-selling manga in history. The sales of One Piece exploded following this arc, and it hasn't hit the same heights ever since. However, all that might change after the events of the Elbaf arc, because a new Marineford arc is finally set to begin, and fans absolutely cannot wait for it.
After Elbaf, A New Marineford Arc Could Begin
- Oda Has Set Up A Pirate-Navy Confrontation Again
Most fans might be confused as to how a new Marineford arc can begin after the conclusion of Elbaf, but to see how that happens, fans only need to look at the other major players in the One Piece world aside from the Straw Hat Pirates.
As far as the Straw Hat Pirates are concerned, it is quite clear that their goal right now is to just acquire the last Road Poneglyph and then find their way to the final island, that is Laugh Tale. Other developments happening in the world are way more important right now, and quite easily the most exciting ones concern Blackbeard.
From now on, this will be ONE PIECE! I will draw all the mysteries left in this world that I have been hiding until now. It's going to be really interesting. Please fasten your seatbelts. Thank you so much, I hope you keep up with me a bit longer. — Eiichiro Oda, One Piece
Most recently, Blackbeard got his hands on Captain Koby of the Marines. When he did that, Blackbeard proposed a deal with the World Government. He would offer the Government Koby in exchange for official recognition from them as a country for the Pirate Island. In essence, Blackbeard wanted to negotiate a big compromise from the Government and for them to allow a pirate to run circles around them. This was never going to happen, and Kuzan quite clearly pointed that out.
One Piece: Oda Sets Up Monkey D. Garp's Execution
Garp might die in One Piece's final saga. Oda has already set up his execution.
However, Blackbeard still wanted to press ahead with this plan because he knew that if he made this entire ordeal public, the Navy would be disgraced either way. Much to his luck, Blackbeard got an even bigger prize after losing Koby, and that is Garp the Hero. While Koby was a Hero as well, Garp is an even bigger Hero that the Marines absolutely cannot ignore.
Blackbeard's plan is quite simple. He wants to enter negotiations with the World Government, but he wants to do so publicly. In other words, the negotiation will be broadcast to the entire world, and Blackbeard will ask them to give him country status for the Pirate Island in exchange for Garp. The Navy would be in a very difficult position because if they accept that, the entire world will see them as bending to the will of a pirate, and their reputation will be in tatters.
On the flip side, if they do not accept this, the Navy will have abandoned their number one Hero. The only way around this for the Navy is to attack the Blackbeard Pirates head-on, and for a war to erupt between the two factions over the capture of Garp. This is precisely why a new Marineford arc is coming, and all of it stems from Blackbeard and his conniving personality.
The Biggest Players Will Play A Major Role Soon
- The Biggest Battle Royale In One Piece Will Begin Soon
Once negotiations between the Navy and the Blackbeard Pirates break down, the outcome can only result in a war between the two factions. This time around, it is possible that the Navy will attack the Pirate Island, and the situation will be the exact reverse of the Marineford arc of One Piece. As such, the biggest players of the One Piece world will make a move here, because they will all have a stake in it.
For example, Luffy cannot simply allow his grandfather to die, and so he will most likely make a move to protect him. Similarly, fans might even see Dragon get involved in some aspect because, at the end of the day, when he was imprisoned by the Marines following the events of God Valley, it was Garp who freed him. At the same time, Shanks cannot be ignored here either because he has a big stake in whatever Blackbeard does, and wants to stop him at all costs.
As such, the upcoming arc of One Piece is going to be incredibly chaotic, and some of the biggest players are going to be involved in it directly. For the very first time since the Paramount War of One Piece, fans will see all-out fighting once again, and it will surely be a spectacle worth witnessing.
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece focuses on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas to lay claim to the grand treasure known as the One Piece. The manga is currently in its Final Saga. One Piece will be featured in this week's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date of One Piece Chapter 1171 is January 18, 2026. In Japan, One Piece drops at 12AM JST on Monday, which is 11:00 AM EST, or 8:00 AM PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps. Doing so will ensure that fans always support the author.