One Piece fans, brace yourselves. Chapter 1187 drops on July 5, 2026, and it has the potential to be the single most important chapter in the entire Elbaf arc — maybe even the entire Final Saga. After Chapter 1186 delivered Brook’s heartbreaking Esperia backstory, revealed Gunko’s father, and ended with Luffy literally punching Imu in the face, the stage is set for a confrontation that has been nearly three decades in the making.
But this isn’t just about a fight. The real reason Chapter 1187 matters is because of a six-word sentence Imu uttered back in Chapter 1171 that still has the entire fandom reeling: “Elbaph is D.”
The “Elbaph Is D” Revelation Changes Everything We Thought We Knew
Let’s unpack why this statement is so devastating. For over 25 years, the Will of D. has been One Piece’s greatest mystery. We’ve gathered fragments — the D. Clan opposed the World Government during the Void Century, they carry the will of the Ancient Kingdom, and every major player in the story’s endgame either has a D. in their name or is deeply connected to someone who does.
But Imu claiming that Elbaph itself is D opens up possibilities that are genuinely terrifying for the power structure of the One Piece world:
- Every Giant could carry the Will of D. If Elbaph as a nation is intrinsically linked to the D. Clan, then the Giants aren’t just allies of Luffy — they’re his spiritual kin. This would explain why the World Government has always kept Elbaph at arm’s length despite the military advantage of having Giant soldiers.
- Elbaph could be the Ancient Kingdom. We still haven’t explored one entire realm of Elbaph. What if the missing piece of the Void Century is literally buried beneath the kingdom of warriors? The Ancient Kingdom’s connection to the Giants would reframe the entire history of the world.
- Ancient Giants are the key. Imu specifically mentioned that Ancient Giant kings like Harald were “incompatible” with the World Government. If Ancient Giant blood carries the D. Clan’s will, then Harald, Loki, and Elbaph’s royal line are the most dangerous people alive — and Imu knows it.
What Chapter 1187 Needs to Deliver
After Luffy’s punch landed at the end of Chapter 1186, we’re entering uncharted territory. This isn’t a warlord or an Emperor Luffy is facing — this is the supreme ruler of the world, the person who has been pulling strings for over 800 years. Here’s what the next chapter absolutely needs to address:
1. Luffy’s Full Power Against Imu
We’ve seen Gear 5 in action against Kaido, but Imu operates on an entirely different level. Chapter 1179 revealed that Imu possesses what appears to be the original Devil Fruit — the first one to ever exist, with three distinct forms: Devil, Hybrid, and Human. If Imu’s power predates all other Devil Fruits, then Luffy’s Nika powers might not be enough. Chapter 1187 could be where we see whether Gear 5 can truly stand against the origin of all Devil Fruit power.
2. The Domi Reversi Connection
Brook’s flashback in Chapter 1186 revealed that the Domi Reversi — the catastrophic event currently unfolding in Elbaf — has happened before. Brook witnessed it as a young man in Esperia. If the Domi Reversi is somehow tied to the D. Clan’s suppression, then the present-day crisis could be Imu’s final attempt to erase the Will of D. from Elbaph once and for all.
3. Scopper Gaban’s Arrival
Roger’s left-hand man has been teased throughout the Elbaf arc, and with Luffy now directly confronting Imu, Gaban’s intervention feels imminent. If Gaban knows the truth about the D. Clan and Elbaph’s connection to the Void Century, his appearance could be the catalyst that transforms this fight from a battle into a revelation.
Why Oda Timed This Perfectly
Eiichiro Oda has a habit of dropping the biggest bombs right before breaks. Chapter 1186 was the last chapter before Oda’s scheduled break (skipping WSJ Issue #30), which means Chapter 1187 will be the triumphant return — and Oda always delivers after rest. The man literally builds his schedule around making fans suffer during hiatuses by leaving them with impossible cliffhangers.
Consider the pattern: Chapter 1171 gave us “Elbaph is D.” Chapter 1179 revealed Imu’s Devil Fruit. Chapter 1186 had Luffy punch Imu. Each of these chapters was separated by build-up, but each one escalated the stakes exponentially. Chapter 1187 is positioned to be the payoff chapter — the one where theories either get confirmed or completely shattered.
The Three Most Likely Outcomes of Chapter 1187
Theory 1: Imu Reveals the Truth About the D. Clan
Imu has been speaking in riddles for chapters now, but with Luffy standing right in front of him, there’s no more room for cryptic statements. If Imu recognizes Luffy as Joy Boy’s successor (which the Nika fruit essentially makes him), we could get a direct explanation of what the D. Clan truly represents — and why Imu has spent 800 years trying to destroy it.
Theory 2: The Giants Awaken
If “Elbaph is D” means the Giants carry the Will of D., then the Domi Reversi could be the trigger that awakens their dormant power. Imagine every Giant in Elbaph simultaneously unlocking some ancient ability tied to the Void Century. This would completely shift the balance of power in the Final Saga.
Theory 3: Dragon Makes His Move
Monkey D. Dragon has been suspiciously absent from the Elbaf conflict. If the D. Clan connection is about to be exposed, the Revolutionary Army’s leader can’t afford to stay on the sidelines. Chapter 1187 could be where Dragon finally enters the story in a meaningful way — and the collision between Luffy, Imu, and Dragon would be the kind of moment that defines a generation of manga.
What This Means for the End of One Piece
We’re past the point of setup. The Elbaf arc is delivering on every promise Oda has made over 27 years of storytelling. The D. Clan mystery, the Void Century, Imu’s identity, the Ancient Weapons — all of it is converging right now in real time.
Chapter 1187 won’t just be another fight chapter. It’s the chapter where One Piece decides whether its ending will be a masterpiece or a disappointment. Based on everything Oda has delivered so far — the emotional gut-punch of Brook’s Esperia past, the jaw-dropping “Elbaph is D” reveal, and the sheer audacity of having Luffy punch the literal king of the world — there’s every reason to believe he’s about to stick the landing.
Mark your calendars for July 5. Set your alarms. Cancel your plans. Chapter 1187 is coming, and it might just be the chapter that answers the question fans have been asking since 1997: What is the Will of D.?
What do you think — will Chapter 1187 finally reveal the truth about the D. Clan, or is Oda going to make us wait even longer? Drop your theories in the comments below.
