Final War Arc of One Piece: Possible Parallels to Marineford’s Ending in Luffy vs. Blackbeard Showdown

The final war of One Piece is imminent, and the Elbaf arc seems poised to serve as a precursor to the climactic finale. Interestingly, it’s possible that key events leading to this ultimate conflict have already been hinted at throughout previous story arcs. This theory is grounded in the sequence and thematic parallels of the arcs that have aired so far.

The Egghead arc mirrors the Saboady arc while the Elbaf arc reflects the Amazon Lily arc. Consequently, the final war arc may draw parallels to the Marineford arc. A pivotal element in this situation could be the fate of Garp, who might share a similar trajectory to Portgas D. Ace in this arc, thereby narrowing the contest for the title of Pirate King to Luffy and Blackbeard.

Disclaimer: This article may contain potential spoilers from the One Piece manga series and presents the author’s perspective.

One Piece: Analyzing the link between the final war arc and the Marineford arc

The Straw Hat Pirate crew as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation) — The Straw Hat Pirate crew as depicted in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Egghead arc marks the beginning of the final saga of One Piece, which may conclude the series. This last arc could potentially parallel the Marineford arc, especially considering how previous arcs have mirrored those leading up to Marineford.

Egghead Island reflects the Saboady arc, with both featuring the same set of antagonists whose destinies are reversed. Likewise, there are strong similarities between the Elbaf arc and the Amazon Lily arc, particularly in the context of the nine Straw Hats being separated, analogous to the nine levels of Yggdrasil tree on Elbaf Island.

This suggests that the final war arc could closely resemble the Marineford arc in key events. The survival of Garp emerges as a critical factor, possibly paralleling Ace’s fate during the Marineford saga.

Monkey D Garp as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha) — Monkey D. Garp depicted in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Currently, Garp is captured by the Blackbeard Pirates, risking a public execution reminiscent of Ace’s execution at Marineford. This act could trigger the Straw Hat Pirates to mobilize towards Hachinose Island, the stronghold of the Blackbeard Pirates.

Thus, the climactic battle may unfold at Hachinose Island, with the arrival of other powerful fighters echoing the events at Marineford. Shanks, who played a pivotal role in ending the Marineford war, could ignite the final conflict by confronting Blackbeard at Hachinose Island.

Doflamingo as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation) — Doflamingo depicted in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

In a twist, Doflamingo’s escape from Impel Down could parallel the escape by Buggy, who may later ally with the Cross Guild. Similarly, the narrative could see a betrayal mirroring Sengoku’s sympathy for Shanks, this time through Kuzan, who may harbor ulterior motives for joining the Blackbeard Pirates.

The arrival of the three Admirals and various high-profile Marine Corps members may coincide with the entry of Garling Figarland (a current member of the Gorosei, known as the God Knights), possibly led by the enigmatic swordsman (rumored to be Shanks’ brother) and Akainu (the current Fleet Admiral).

The two-page spread as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha) — The two-page spread from the manga (Image via Shueisha)

As the God Knights enter the fray, it will likely signal the Revolutionary Army’s involvement in the battle, culminating in the entry of SWORD, with significant focus on Koby as he rushes to aid his mentor, Garp.

Notably, the assortment of characters expected to converge at Hachinose for the final showdown was hinted at in the two-page panel following Vegapunk’s message. Ultimately, the outcome of this final war may leave only the Straw Hat Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates vying for the title of Pirate King, setting the stage for a monumental clash between Marshall D. Teech and Monkey D. Luffy.

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