As One Piece delves deeper into its Final Saga, it becomes increasingly clear that Luffy will have to face off against Blackbeard at some pivotal moment. Whether it’s because of the Road Poneglyph or not, it’s certain that their clash will serve as a tribute to Ace’s death. However, even with the incredible power of Gear 5, it’s hard to say whether Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates can truly defeat Blackbeard and overcome his overwhelming strength.
Nevertheless, the Elbaf arc in One Piece may just provide Luffy with the perfect opportunity to confront Blackbeard, especially with Loki being depicted as a “western general” who could ultimately change the game for the Straw Hats. Chapter 1136 of the manga shows Luffy, Zoro, and Nami embarking on a journey to find the key to free Loki from a complex situation.
According to the agreement between Luffy and Loki in Chapter 1131, Loki has expressed that he wishes to annihilate any opposing forces that Luffy chooses to confront in order to secure his own escape. Now, the three Straw Hats are on a path to fulfill this task. Thus, Loki may indeed have to act according to the agreement he has made, with Blackbeard being Luffy’s most viable option.
One Piece hints that Loki could be a crucial ally for Luffy in the fight against Blackbeard
While Luffy’s journey to free Loki clearly aims to gather more information about Shanks’ whereabouts, there’s a possibility that Loki may “owe a debt” that weighs heavily on his freedom. With Law and Kid having been eliminated, the only remaining foes on Luffy’s treasure-hunting path are Shanks and Blackbeard.
Luffy is well aware that he has no ill will towards Shanks, and instead, he desperately wants to reunite with him, which makes Blackbeard the only choice if Luffy is forced to face an adversary to eliminate Loki as per the latter’s request.
Though Loki has been portrayed as a notorious character known as the “royal prince of betrayal,” it is essential to note that Luffy firmly believes Loki is a good person. This belief could potentially lead to an alliance between them, enhancing their chances of success. Luffy’s abilities have never resulted in failure before. Even though he has heard troubling stories about Loki’s immoral actions in recent chapters, Luffy still trusts Loki’s character and believes he will uphold their agreement.
The true power of Loki remains undisclosed in One Piece
The only remaining question is whether Loki truly possesses the strength to stand against Blackbeard or not. Up until now, the Elbaf arc has revealed very little about Loki’s abilities, aside from the fact that he is rumored to be the reincarnation of a legendary villain passed down through the Elbaf royal family.
Much of Loki’s “bad reputation” has contributed to his depicted strength, with Chapter 1136 revealing that Loki was involved in a significant battle assisting Shanks against several Emperors. The most recent chapter also shows two of the Four Emperors engaging in a fierce battle at Elbaf, which highlights Loki’s considerable power.
It can be said that, while Loki has yet to fully demonstrate his capabilities, he will undoubtedly be a key ally for Luffy if he gets the chance to escape and earn Luffy’s trust. The Elbaf arc of One Piece is sure to provide many opportunities for Loki’s character development, and the upcoming chapters may radically alter fans’ perceptions of him in the One Piece universe.
