Fans of One Piece are eagerly anticipating the many thrilling battles set to unfold in the Elbaf arc, especially as the Seven Warlords of the Sea are gathering. Previously, the Warlords only operated from the sidelines, making it easier for the Straw Hat crew to handle their tasks.
The direct involvement of the Warlords, regardless of their strength, has created an atmosphere unlike the previous arcs, where the main antagonist was clear and evident. The characters introduced in Elbaf may be entirely new, changing the dynamics for Luffy and his crew.
How Oda Introduces Main Characters in Major Arcs of One Piece
When it comes to significant characters in a One Piece arc, Oda often builds up their presence before they officially appear. For example, in the Arabasta arc where Luffy battles Crocodile, there was substantial buildup for Mr. 0 as the primary antagonist. Similarly, Skypiea introduced Enel rather quickly, and Water 7 did the same with Lucci and Gecko Moria from Thriller Bark.
Right after the time skip, Doflamingo was introduced at Punk Hazard, and Kaido was prominently featured as the main antagonist at the end of Dressrosa. However, in Elbaf, it is difficult to predict who the main character will be. The Warlords are indeed formidable, but no one in the crew can be confidently labeled as Luffy’s opponent with 100% certainty. Fans are simply left wondering who will face whom, which adds an element of suspense.
Additionally, the new characters introduced often create new challenges for Luffy. For instance, Kuro was stronger than Buggy, Krieg was stronger than Kuro, Arlong was stronger than Krieg, Crocodile was stronger than Arlong, and Enel posed a significant threat compared to both Crocodile and Lucci, completely overshadowing Luffy.
Similarly, Moria pushed Luffy to become even stronger, and after that, the pressure mounted during the Sabaody Archipelago arc. In the New World, we see main antagonists like Caesar, Doflamingo, Cracker, and Katakuri, with Kaido ultimately being the most powerful among them.
Following Kaido, Oda introduced Imu, a mysterious figure whose power even Luffy had to flee from. However, after Imu, Luffy must face the Warlords, but they are significantly weakened. Oda often does not write this way. The central point to note here is that the main character of the Elbaf arc has yet to be revealed.
The Main Character of the Elbaf Arc Could Be Imu
If Elbaf truly has yet to unveil its main character, then fans might see someone appear right after the battle with the Warlords. It is crucial that the main character Luffy must face is on par with Imu and could even be stronger than the Celestial Dragons.
The reasoning is that Luffy needs to confront an even stronger foe and face more challenging battles; otherwise, the storyline will become monotonous. There is no way a character like Imu will appear here anytime soon, at least not at the moment. However, it is highly likely that Imu will make an appearance through another character like Gunko.
Consider the scenario where Gunko is utilized as a temporary vessel for Imu, which would make this development more compelling.
Whether Oda will allow Imu to take action in the Elbaf arc remains to be seen, but the Warlords certainly require more support. The battle alongside Gaban, Luffy, Loki, Sanji, Zoro, Dorry, and Brogy will not only involve the three Warlords but could involve all of them. Even the three Dorrys might fall against this formidable adversary. To further amplify the stakes and intensity, Oda may need to introduce an additional character even more powerful.
Source: Gamerant
