One Piece has entered territory that fans have been theorizing about for over two decades. With the Elbaf Arc reaching its explosive climax in Chapter 1185 and Chapter 1186 on the horizon, Eiichiro Oda isn’t just wrapping up one saga — he’s quietly assembling the board for the most consequential conflict in the series’ history. The pieces are all there: two new Yonko-level pirates rising in Elbaf, Luffy’s Grand Fleet expanding beyond anyone’s expectations, ancient weapons stirring, and Imu’s true power finally on display. When the dust settles on Elbaf, the Great War won’t just be coming — it’ll already be underway.
Two New Yonko-Level Pirates Just Entered the Board
The biggest development buried in recent chapters is that One Piece is officially introducing two new characters who operate at Yonko-level power during the Elbaf Arc. This isn’t speculation — it’s been confirmed by the manga’s own narrative framing. For a series that has traditionally kept the Emperor count at four, the sudden emergence of two additional powerhouses of this magnitude is a deliberate signal from Oda that the world order is about to shatter.
Think about what this means. The current Yonko — Luffy, Buggy, and Blackbeard — already represent an unstable power balance. Adding two more figures who can compete at that level doesn’t just change the math; it changes the entire game. These aren’t random newcomers either. They’re being introduced in Elbaf, the land of giants and warriors, during the Final Saga’s most pivotal arc. Every detail points to them playing a central role in the endgame.
Who could they be? Theories range from a resurrected or redefined legend from the Void Century to a giant warrior whose power has been building since the earliest mentions of Elbaf’s might. What we do know is that their introduction coincides with the Fall of Esperia Kingdom in Brook’s flashback — a connection that almost certainly isn’t coincidental.
Luffy’s Fleet Is Getting a Massive Upgrade
While everyone’s focused on the new Yonko-level threats, Oda is simultaneously building Luffy’s counterbalance. Multiple recent reports confirm that Yonko Luffy is officially upgrading his Grand Fleet after Elbaf, with new additions being made to his alliance that will significantly expand his influence across the seas.
This is critical. The Great War won’t be won by Luffy’s Straw Hat crew alone — it was never going to be. What Oda has been building since the Dressrosa Arc, when the Grand Fleet first pledged loyalty to Luffy, is a counter-force capable of challenging the World Government’s military might. Each new arc has added pieces to this puzzle, and Elbaf appears to be the arc where the final major pieces fall into place.
The giants of Elbaf have historically been among the most feared warriors in the One Piece world. If Luffy secures their full allegiance — and the events of the current arc strongly suggest he will — his Grand Fleet gains an army of literal giants. Combined with the existing fleet commanders and their crews, we’re looking at a naval force that could genuinely rival the Marines’ total strength.
The Esperia Kingdom Connection: A Missing Link to the Void Century
Brook’s flashback in Chapters 1185 and 1186 has revealed the destruction of the Esperia Kingdom — and this isn’t just another tragic backstory. The timing and context strongly suggest that Esperia’s fall is directly connected to the Void Century and the Ancient Weapons that Oda has been teasing since the Skypiea Arc.
Queen Candelle’s meeting with the Gorosei, as revealed in the latest chapter previews, is perhaps the most explosive revelation in recent One Piece history. A queen from a fallen kingdom, meeting face-to-face with the Five Elders who govern the world? That’s not a random diplomatic encounter. That’s a thread connecting the past to the present, and it suggests that Esperia’s destruction was orchestrated — or at least sanctioned — by the World Government.
If Esperia held knowledge about the Void Century, the Ancient Weapons, or the true nature of the One Piece itself, its destruction would have been a priority for Imu and the Gorosei. Brook’s presence at the heart of this story — his “greatest loss” as the raw scans describe it — positions him as far more central to the endgame than anyone anticipated.
Imu’s True Power Has Finally Been Revealed
Perhaps the most terrifying development of the Elbaf Arc is that Nerona Imu — the secret sovereign of the One Piece world — has finally revealed both his true face and his abilities in Elbaf. The implications are staggering.
Imu possesses a terrifying combination of advanced Haki and what appears to be an incredibly powerful Devil Fruit ability. The fact that this character has been pulling strings from the shadows since the series began, and is now actively demonstrating power that could potentially one-shot most characters in the series, raises the stakes to an unprecedented level.
Imu isn’t just a political figurehead anymore. Imu is a combatant. And that means the Great War won’t just be a conflict between armies — it will feature a direct confrontation between the highest powers in the world. Luffy, as the Sun God Nika and the heir to Joy Boy’s will, appears to be the only force capable of standing against Imu’s ancient authority.
The Gods of the Void Century: Sun God Nika vs. Imu
One of the most compelling theories emerging from the Elbaf Arc centers on the pantheon of gods from the Void Century. The Final Saga has continuously expanded this mythology, and the current ranking among fans and analysts places Sun God Nika — Luffy’s awakened Devil Fruit form — as the strongest force in the One Piece world, even above Imu.
This isn’t just about power levels. It’s about ideology. Nika represents liberation, joy, and the breaking of chains — everything Imu and the World Government stand against. The Elbaf Arc, set in the land of warriors who value honor and freedom above all else, is the perfect battleground for this ideological war to crystallize into physical conflict.
As we’ve seen throughout One Piece, the most powerful abilities in the series are tied to the user’s will and convictions. Luffy’s unwavering commitment to his friends’ freedom, combined with the power of Nika, positions him as the natural counter to Imu’s centuries of oppressive control.
What Comes After Elbaf: The Two Arcs Oda Has Already Set Up
Here’s where things get truly exciting for fans. Multiple credible sources confirm that Eiichiro Oda has already lined up two major arcs after Elbaf. The Elbaf Arc is reaching its climax, but the Final Saga is far from over.
What could these arcs cover? Based on the narrative threads Oda has planted, the most likely candidates are:
- The Ancient Weapon Arc: With all three Ancient Weapons (Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus) now identified or hinted at, an arc centered on securing or confronting these weapons is almost inevitable.
- The Final Island / Laugh Tale Arc: The ultimate destination. After everything built up through Elbaf and beyond, reaching Laugh Tale and uncovering the truth of the One Piece will be the emotional and narrative climax of the series.
These arcs won’t be simple adventures. They’ll be the final movements in a symphony that Oda has been composing since 1997. Every reveal in Elbaf — from the new Yonko-level characters to Brook’s Esperia connection to Imu’s power display — is a note in that symphony building toward a crescendo.
The Great War Timeline: Why It Starts After Elbaf
So when does the Great War actually begin? All evidence points to the immediate aftermath of the Elbaf Arc. Here’s why:
- The World Government is losing control: The revelation of Imu’s existence, the growing power of Luffy’s alliance, and the destabilization of the Yonko system have created a power vacuum that demands resolution.
- All major players are converging: Between the new Yonko-level pirates in Elbaf, Luffy’s expanding fleet, Imu’s active involvement, and the Ancient Weapons coming into play, every faction with a stake in the world’s future is being drawn to the same conflict.
- The ideological battle has been defined: Freedom vs. control, the will of D. vs. the authority of Imu, the legacy of Joy Boy vs. the World Government’s hidden history. The Great War isn’t just a fight — it’s a reckoning.
What This Means for the Straw Hats
Every Straw Hat has a role to play in the coming conflict. Luffy will lead the charge as the liberator. Zoro will face whatever swordsman stands in their way. Nami’s navigation skills will be essential for the naval warfare ahead. Usopp’s connection to the giants of Elbaf could prove crucial. Sanji’s abilities will be tested against increasingly powerful opponents. And Brook — with his Esperia Kingdom ties and his “greatest loss” — may hold the key to understanding the Void Century itself.
This is why the current moment in One Piece is so electric. We’re not just reading another arc. We’re watching the convergence of twenty-seven years of storytelling into a single, focused beam of narrative energy pointing toward the Great War.
The Bottom Line
One Piece Chapter 1185 and the upcoming Chapter 1186 aren’t just exciting individual installments — they’re accelerants. Oda is pushing the story forward at a pace we haven’t seen since the Paramount War, and the implications are massive. Two new Yonko-level pirates, an expanded Grand Fleet, the fall of Esperia Kingdom, Imu’s revealed power, and two more arcs already mapped out after Elbaf.
The Great War is coming. And based on everything Oda has shown us in the Elbaf Arc, it’s going to be the most spectacular payoff in manga history.
What do you think the two new Yonko-level characters’ identities will be? And which Arc after Elbaf are you most excited for? Drop your theories in the comments below!
