For the past few decades, the One Piece story has taken the world by storm, eventually becoming one of the most successful and beloved franchises, not only in the anime industry, but across all mediums. What initially started as the journey of an eccentric young pirate eventually transformed into a globe-spanning adventure with conspiracies and secret histories around every corner.
When this shift in One Piece’s storytelling eventually became the norm, it was clear that everything that the story had been building up for so many chapters was leading to a massive Final War that would concern every inhabitant of the planet. As such, there are some major players in this conflict whose strength is being saved for it, so let’s take a look at who they are.
7
Akainu Is One Of The Strongest Marines In History
Fleet Admiral of the Navy
Akainu is one of those One Piece characters whose strength is difficult to place, particularly because he is spoken of as being on the highest levels but hasn’t fully been shown in many combat situations. Still, being the Fleet Admiral definitely counts for something, and his performance in Marineford, particularly against Whitebeard, cements him as one of Luffy’s greatest foes.
Many even believe that, due to his desire to rid the world of evil, as well as his position as the Fleet Admiral, Akainu may have even become a wielder of Conqueror’s Haki, which would end up making him an even bigger threat in the Final War. In any case, he is set to be one of the major antagonists that Luffy will have to face in the end.
6
St. Figarland Shamrock Has Some Amazing Powers
Supreme Commander of the Gods’ Knights
One of the most popular theories regarding Shanks was confirmed earlier on in the Elbaf arc, which was of him originally being a Celestial Dragon by birth and having an evil twin brother. Although Shamrock made his first appearance at the start of the arc, it wasn’t long until he was called back to the Holy Land in order to keep the peace there.
As such, Shamrock’s strength can only be speculated upon, since he didn’t see any combat. However, due to him belonging to the legendary Figarland family as well as having a powerful sword with a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, many believe Shamrock is also a user of Advanced Conqueror’s Haki like his brother, and will be a terrifying opponent in the Final War.
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5
Dracule Mihawk Is Zoro’s Ultimate Goal To Reach
The World’s Greatest Swordsman
As the world’s greatest swordsman, Mihawk is spoken of in the same breath as Shanks, especially since the two of them are rivals and are considered to be equally powerful. From the early days of One Piece, Mihawk’s strength and swordsmanship have set him apart from everyone else, and he currently exists as the ultimate goal that Zoro has to reach before the series ends.
Despite his sparing appearances throughout the series, Mihawk is one of the heads of Cross Guild, which makes him incredibly close to finding the One Piece treasure. Coupled with his unmatched Haki prowess and his unparalleled skill with a blade, Mihawk’s role in the Final War will be one of the most important, particularly when it comes to Zoro’s own journey.
4
Shanks Is Luffy’s Biggest Inspiration
Captain of the Red Hair Pirates
Just as Mihawk represents Zoro’s ultimate goal, Shanks fills this role for Luffy, since one of the biggest reasons why the young pirate set out to the seas was to return Shanks’ hat to him. Over the course of One Piece, Shanks has had very brief appearances at random moments, though in those moments, he has cemented himself as being on the highest level of power.
With swordsmanship that rivals Mihawk and arguably the greatest Conqueror’s Haki we have seen since Joyboy himself, Shanks is nothing short of a powerhouse who has yet to go all-out in any combat scenario. He will arguably be Luffy’s most important ally in the Final War, which is why Oda has explicitly been saving him for so long.
3
St. Figarland Garling Is Now An Elder Celestial Dragon
Warrior God of Science and Defense
Back in the days of the old generation, Garling led the strongest force on the side of the World Government as the Supreme Commander of the Gods’ Knights. Of course, his strength wasn’t quite on the level of his peers, such as Xebec, Roger, or Garp, but it was still great enough to keep him as the unchallenged commander of this force for decades.
In the modern era, however, Garling has seen an insane rise in power after the events of the Egghead Island arc, which saw the death of Jaygarcia Saturn and Garling taking his place. Likely armed with a Yokai transformation like the others, Garling and the Elders represent the greatest subordinates and generals that Imu will have in the Final War of One Piece.
2
Monkey D. Dragon Is Still A Massive Mystery
Leader of the Revolutionary Army
Although countless nations and factions in the One Piece world have been fed up with the World Government for ages, only one has ever taken the fight to them and put them on the back foot. This is what the Revolutionary Army did under Dragon’s command, as they are implied to have attacked the Holy Land to reduce it to flames and ruin.
Dragon has always been speculated as having the greatest power that would only be shown in the Final War to confirm him as the strongest character in the series. From Wind Logias to storm-controlling Paramecias to Rain God Zoans, Dragon’s Devil Fruit ability is the topic of some of One Piece’s most heated debates, and once he makes his move in the Final War, he will certainly stand as arguably the strongest character in One Piece.
1
Blackbeard Remains The Series’ Biggest Wildcard
The Ultimate Villain
While the entire world is embroiled in the ultimate war against the forces of Imu and the World Government, Blackbeard and his crew are silently plotting in the shadows. Their aim is still a mystery, but it can be seen that Blackbeard is set to be the true final villain of One Piece, especially since he plans to become the Pirate King.
The truth of this can only be speculated on, since Blackbeard is yet to make his move or even show his full power in a proper combat scenario. However, due to having the strongest Logia and Paramecia fruits, the common theory is that he will swoop in at the last moment to take Imu’s Devil Fruit, becoming the ultimate villain at the end whose strength will simply be unmatched in the Final War.
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