One Piece: Will Elbaf finally be Usopp’s arc? Explored

It has been a long-held dream of One Piece fans to witness the Straw Hat Pirates’ journey to Elbaf, and that dream is now becoming a reality. As their time on Egghead draws to a close, the Straw Hats are preparing to depart from Dr. Vegapunk’s technologically advanced island and embark on their voyage to the legendary home of the Giants.

The highly anticipated Elbaf Arc is expected to be captivating. Fans are eagerly awaiting the arc, which will focus on Usopp and his journey to prove his bravery and competence as a fearless sea warrior.

Despite being constantly hinted as the ideal setting for Usopp to shine, Elbaf’s potential remains uncertain. With the way One Piece author Eiichiro Oda has approached past arcs, it is clear that nothing can be assumed.

The Excitement of One Piece Fans Awaits Usopp’s Moment to Shine

At this point in the series, Usopp needs to step up his game

One Piece often uses Usopp's character for comic relief (Image via Toei Animation) — One Piece often uses Usopp’s character for comic relief (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite Eiichiro Oda’s declaration that Usopp is and will always be the weakest member of the Straw Hat Pirates, it is evident that the son of Yasopp was never intended to be a strong fighter. However, through his own determination, Usopp has developed into a capable warrior.

In the One Piece series, the sharpshooting Usopp has consistently relied on his intelligence to outsmart and deceive enemies who are clearly more powerful than him. While he did assist Otama in gaining control over the Gifters, this accomplishment may not measure up to the impressive feats achieved by his fellow Straw Hat crew members, such as Nami and Chopper who have also proven themselves as skilled fighters.

As a Yonko crew, the Straw Hat Pirates have gained a high status, with the exception of Usopp who has not yet displayed his skills in a battle against a formidable adversary.

When needed, Usopp can stand up and fight with valor (Image via Toei Animation)

Theoretically, Usopp could become a formidable long-range fighter if he combines his newly unlocked Observation Haki from Dressrosa with his already impressive marksmanship skills. However, his progress since the events of Dressrosa has been minimal, if not completely stagnant.

Although he is considered one of the “East Blue Five”with Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Sanji, Usopp’s story is not given the same level of attention as the other initial members of the Straw Hat Pirates.

In the beginning of One Piece, he was portrayed as a skilled fighter who could bring value to the crew during battles. Usopp’s character is often overlooked in terms of writing, yet he beautifully represents the fragility of a regular human in a world filled with powerful adversaries.

Despite not being as well-known as fighters like Luffy and Zoro, Usopp’s goal was never to defeat other opponents, but rather to conquer his own fears. This is a relatable and genuine aspect of his character. If given the opportunity to visit Elbaf, he could finally overcome his insecurities and emerge as the courageous and fearless warrior he has always aspired to be.

Elbaf Must Give Usopp His Long-Awaited Moment Of Glory

Elbaf as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Usopp has formed a close relationship with the Giants of Elbaf, starting with his friendship with Dorry and Brogy. He was amazed by their strength, integrity, and code of honor. He also connected with Oimo and Kashii, convincing them to join the Straw Hats and their allies. And lastly, he became friends with Hajrudin.

In essence, every time One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda introduced Giants into the Straw Hat crew’s journey, he ensured that Usopp would have some form of interaction with them. This further highlighted Usopp’s connection to Elbaf in the overall storyline. Through his friendships with influential Giants, Usopp’s reputation in Elbaf should have already been established, leading the locals to warmly welcome him with great honor.

The Giants of Elbaf are Usopp's friends (Image via Toei Animation) — The Giants of Elbaf are Usopp’s friends (Image via Toei Animation)

As the Elbaf Arc progresses, it is possible that Usopp will finally showcase his skills to the Giants, marking the peak of his personal growth. For the long-nosed deceiver, fulfilling his aspiration of becoming a “mighty warrior”in front of his greatest idols would be the ultimate development.

Despite the high expectations, there are doubts among many fans that Elbaf will give Usopp the recognition and attention he deserves. This is not surprising, as similar situations have occurred with Zoro in Wano and Franky in Egghead. Fans had hoped for these two Straw Hats to take center stage in their respective arcs, but the manga took a different direction.

Despite Zoro’s impressive display of strength in Wano, fans were let down by the fact that the green-haired swordsman was left with numerous unresolved plotlines. As Wano is renowned for being the homeland of exceptional swordsmen, fans had high hopes for what the future would hold for Monkey D. Luffy’s loyal second-in-command.

Despite showcasing incredible focus and impressive moments, such as his mastery of Advanced Conqueror’s Haki, Zoro’s storyline left fans feeling disappointed as he did not have a rematch with Kaido. Additionally, his relationship with the Shimotsuki Family was not fully explored, particularly in regards to his connection with the legendary “Sword God”Shimotsuki Ryuma.

Despite the fact that it did not occur in Wano, there will come a time when Zoro will undoubtedly achieve even greater accomplishments. This also applies to Franky, as he did not receive the anticipated technological advancements after encountering Vegapunk on Egghead, much to the disappointment of many fans.

Despite using Vegapunk’s projects to enhance his cyborg body during the two-year time skip, there were some fans who were disappointed that Franky did not take this process to a higher level. However, his impressive performance during the Egghead Arc lessened their disappointment.

Usopp reaffirming his dream (Image via Toei Animation)

To be fair, Zoro’s and Franky’s aspirations have never been directly related to Wano and Egghead, respectively. Franky’s ambition to build a ship that can travel around the world is not closely connected to Egghead. However, Usopp’s personal growth has undeniably been intertwined with Elbaf.

Therefore, it is only fitting for the sniper’s development to occur on the Giants’ island. However, there is a chance that Oda may choose to focus the Elbaf Arc on Luffy and the legend of Joy Boy, as there are significant connections between the Giants and the story of Nika. Nevertheless, fans can anticipate that Usopp’s moment to shine has finally arrived.

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