One Piece may have already shown fans Lili through a forgettable Sanji scene

This week, reputable sources leaked the alleged spoilers and raw scans for the upcoming issue of author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga series. As usual, fans eagerly started discussing these supposed events, as the series’ spoiler process has consistently been reliable compared to Shueisha’s official release.

The latest developments in chapter 1116 have sparked even more discussion among One Piece fans, particularly regarding Imu’s appearance in the issue. The enigmatic ruler of the Empty Throne was observed gazing at a picture of a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Vivi D. Nefertari. In fact, Oda seemed to draw attention to this by placing Vivi’s missing poster just a few panels after the image of the unknown woman.

Similarly, fans are speculating that this is Lili D. Nefertari, given Imu’s known interest in claiming Vivi as their own. Although this may seem like Lili’s debut appearance in the series, there was actually a scene in the Skypiea saga involving Sanji that many may have overlooked.

The Connection Between One Piece’s Skypiea Saga and the Latest Apparent Final Saga

During the Skypiea saga in One Piece, the scene with Sanji takes place as he and the rest of the Straw Hat crew are depicted diving for treasure in a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. In this scene, Sanji comes across a portrait of a woman with a harpoon piercing her head and gazes at it in silence, before the portrait is given its own panel.

Nevertheless, the woman in the portrait Imu is gazing at in chapter 1116 bears a striking resemblance to the woman in the picture Sanji had discovered. Although their facial expressions differ, most other aspects between the two bear enough similarity to suggest a possible connection.

Additionally, the discovery of this picture by Sanji in a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea, with a harpoon piercing the woman’s head, serves as further evidence for this theory. Given that Lili is missing and her whereabouts remain a mystery, it is possible that she was caught in a shipwreck caused by an enemy attack, providing a plausible explanation for both her disappearance and the harpoon in the picture.

The location where Sanji discovered this picture in the world of One Piece also adds to the credibility of the idea, as it was found on the Grand Line beyond the island of Alabasta. It is possible that Lili, on her journey back home from the Red Line, may have traveled backwards on the Grand Line rather than completing a full circle around the globe. This would have placed her in the general area of Jaya, where Sanji came across the picture. Although this method of travel has not been confirmed in the series, it has also not been disproved.

Despite the ongoing Final Saga, Oda’s modus operandi remains the same – to use seemingly insignificant details and weave them into larger plotlines. This approach is evident throughout the series, and the Skypiea saga is no exception. In fact, it serves as a crucial setup for the most significant events of the Final Saga and connects directly to its progression.

Despite the argument against this idea, it can be noted that this panel may be a bit casual in comparison to Oda’s usual foreshadowing style. Additionally, Sanji’s well-known attraction to beautiful women adds to the counterargument. While not fully disproven, it remains unconfirmed, leaving fans to anticipate if this particular Sanji scene will hold greater significance in the future.