Elbaf Holds the Key — But What Happens After?
If you’ve been following the Elbaf Arc since it kicked off in April 2026, you know the Land of Giants is shaping up to be the most consequential setting in One Piece’s 29-year run. We’ve seen Luffy step foot on the island that every pirate in the world dreams of reaching. We’ve watched the Straw Hats navigate a world of colossal warriors, ancient grudges, and secrets that stretch back to the Void Century. But here’s the question keeping fans awake: what happens when Elbaf ends?
At Jump Festa 2026, Eiichiro Oda dropped a bombshell that fundamentally changed how we think about One Piece’s endgame. He confirmed that the Elbaf Arc will conclude in 2026, and the Straw Hats will move on to not one, but two more major arcs before reaching Laugh Tale. Two more. In a series that’s already approaching 1,190 chapters, that’s either incredibly exciting or absolutely terrifying — depending on how you look at it.
The Road Poneglyph on Elbaf — The Missing Piece
We’ve known since the Whole Cake Island Arc that Elbaf holds one of the four Road Poneglyphs. Big Mom tried and failed to claim it, and the giants of Elbaf have guarded it for generations. But Oda’s confirmation that Elbaf is ending soon means one thing: the Straw Hats are about to get their final Road Poneglyph.
Think about what that means. For nearly three decades, Oda has been scattering breadcrumbs across the Grand Line. The Road Poneglyphs — those ancient red stones that, when combined, reveal the coordinates to Laugh Tale — have been the ultimate MacGuffin of the series. We’ve seen Robin decipher three of them. The fourth one, sitting on Elbaf, is the last piece of the puzzle.
When Luffy finally reads all four Road Poneglyphs together, it won’t just be another power-up moment. It will be the moment that transforms Monkey D. Luffy from a pirate chasing a dream into a pirate who actually knows where the One Piece is buried. That shift — from wandering to purposeful navigation — changes everything about how the Final Saga plays out.
The Loki Connection — Why Elbaf’s Road Poneglyph Is Different
Here’s where things get really interesting. Prince Loki, introduced early in the Elbaf Arc, isn’t just a colorful side character. The anime episodes that aired in mid-2026 showed Luffy’s group entering Aurust Castle, where Road — the giant warrior — explains the history of the battle between Harald and Loki. In the Underworld, Gunko wounds Loki. These details are not random.
The Road Poneglyph on Elbaf is likely tied to Loki’s story in a way that goes beyond simple location data. What if the Road Poneglyph doesn’t just tell you where Laugh Tale is, but also what you need to survive getting there? The Void Century secrets, the Ancient Weapons, the Will of D. — all of these threads might converge in the message that Elbaf’s Road Poneglyph carries.
Robin has always been the crew’s key to understanding Poneglyphs. But Elbaf’s Road Poneglyph could require more than translation. It might require understanding the giant tribe’s oral history — the stories passed down through generations that no written record captures. That’s where Loki, Road, and the other giants become essential. They’re not just allies in battle. They’re the living memory of the world.
Two Arcs Between Elbaf and Laugh Tale — What Could They Be?
Oda’s revelation that there are two major arcs after Elbaf has fans spinning theories faster than a Marineford battle. The most compelling theory? The first arc after Elbaf isn’t Laugh Tale — it’s the confrontation with the World Government.
Think about it. Once the Straw Hats know the coordinates to Laugh Tale, they still have to deal with the forces trying to stop them. The Holy Knights, the Five Elders, Imu — all of them have been positioned as the ultimate antagonists. A massive conflict between the Straw Hat alliance and the World Government makes narrative sense. It raises the stakes, it tests everything Luffy has learned, and it gives every crew member a chance to shine in the biggest battle of the series.
And then — only after that conflict is resolved — the Straw Hats sail to Laugh Tale for the final arc. The actual discovery of the One Piece. The truth of the Void Century. The meaning of Joy Boy’s message. The end of a story that started in 1997.
Some fans speculate that one of these arcs could take us to the Red Line itself — the massive continent that surrounds the world and separates Paradise from the New World. The Red Line has been a physical and symbolic barrier throughout the entire series. Breaking through it, literally or figuratively, would be the ultimate metaphor for Luffy shattering the world order.
Where Each Straw Hat Stands Before the Endgame
The beauty of Oda’s endgame plan is that every Straw Hat has unfinished business that ties into the larger story:
- Luffy needs to become the Pirate King — but more importantly, he needs to understand what being Pirate King means. It’s never been about the treasure. It’s about freedom.
- Zoro’s promise to Kuina and his pursuit of the title of World’s Greatest Swordsman will reach its climax. Against who? Mihawk? Or someone far more dangerous?
- Nami’s dream of mapping the entire world takes on new meaning when the destination is Laugh Tale — a place no map has ever accurately charted.
- Robin’s quest to uncover the true history is literally the key to reaching Laugh Tale. She’s the most important crew member in the final saga, and Oda knows it.
- Sanji’s All Blue might be connected to Laugh Tale itself — the convergence point of all the world’s seas.
- Franky’s dream of sailing his ship to the end of the world is about to come true in the most literal sense possible.
- Brook’s promise to Laboon and his connection to the wider world — including potential ties to the Void Century through his past life — could be more relevant than ever.
The One Piece Itself — What Are We Actually Looking For?
This is the question that’s defined One Piece from day one. What is the One Piece? Is it a mountain of gold? A weapon? A message? A joke?
Oda has confirmed the One Piece is a “physical reward” — which means it’s something tangible, not just an abstract concept. But that doesn’t mean it’s simple. The greatest treasures in One Piece have never been about material value. The Will of D., the inherited will, the dreams passed from one generation to the next — these are the real treasures of the One Piece world.
My theory? The One Piece is the complete, unredacted history of the Void Century — recorded by Joy Boy himself. The treasure isn’t gold. It’s truth. And the “reward” is what that truth unlocks: the power to reshape the world.
When Luffy finds the One Piece, he won’t just become the Pirate King. He’ll become the person who finally breaks the cycle of oppression that’s defined the One Piece world for 800 years. That’s the kind of ending that makes a 35-year manga worth every single chapter.
Chapter 1187 Is Coming — And Everything Changes
With Chapter 1187 expected on June 28, 2026, we’re about to get our next piece of the Elbaf puzzle. Every chapter now is carrying the weight of the series’ endgame. Oda isn’t padding. He’s not introducing pointless filler arcs. Every page is moving the story toward its inevitable, glorious conclusion.
The Elbaf Arc has been the calm before the storm. We’ve been exploring, learning, and building up the world one more time before everything comes crashing down. And when it does, when the Road Poneglyph is found and the path to Laugh Tale is revealed, One Piece will enter its most intense, most emotional, most unforgettable stretch.
We’ve waited 29 years for this. The end is closer than it’s ever been. And honestly? I don’t think any of us are ready for what Oda has planned.
What Do You Think?
Is the Road Poneglyph on Elbaf going to reveal more than just coordinates? Will the two arcs after Elbaf include a war against the World Government? And what do you think the One Piece actually is? Drop your theories below — because honestly, the fan community’s predictions are almost as entertaining as the manga itself.
