Heres a fun crackpot theory. At this point, its pretty safe to say Kizaru is our next major foil. And admittedly, yes, we dont entirelt know who or what will be featured at Elbaf, so its hard to determine what the actual next plotline is.
But outside of this, I truly can see Blackbeard AND Akainu being the next focal points, together, for several reasons:
1. They were, for all intents and purposes, the main orchestrators for events at Marineford, therefore, would receive the most payoff in closing that loop together.
2. They received, as a duo, a focused chapter from Jinbe updating the events of the world to Luffy
3. Interstingly enough, both "Admirals" (Kizaru and Kuzan) under them served as key focal points roughly at the same time, both in Egghead and Fullalead. Both of them have subordinates in Egghead as well.
4. The connective tissue that is Kuzan honestly may force Oda to feature the Fleet Admiral where Kuzan eventually ends up going next with Blackbeards crew, especially if there is history there that needs to be explored.
5. Finally, one of the biggest things for me is just purely battle logistics. Luffy has defeated a Yonko (with initial help) and is likely defeating an Admiral this arc. Barring Elbaf's possible separate issues, the next logical step is an evidently stronger Admiral (Akainu) and Yonko (Blackbeard) with their subordinates (Admirals and presumably the stronger YCs than Kaido or Big Mom). Theres only so much you can portray Fuji or Shiryu as the next logical steps for Zoro without being forced to use Mihawk first (which imo, breaks the logic considering who Mihawk is). We have no idea how much more Luffy is meant to escalate in power post Kizaru, but its difficult to ascertain between these 2 powers who is actually meant to fall first.
I am trying to leave Shanks and Imu out of the discussion (to keep it focused on this topic), so if you think either lose before or after these 2 is up to you. But I do think the former (and CG) will also be involved in the 4th Poneglyph "War" along with the Marines if that makes sense
Tldr: Akainu and Blackbeard have more narrative connections than people think, and ultimately I can see it suggesting they fall together, with Luffy claiming the 4th RP and being able to head to LT (barring whatever involvement anyone thinks Shanks or the WG also have in this).
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But outside of this, I truly can see Blackbeard AND Akainu being the next focal points, together, for several reasons:
1. They were, for all intents and purposes, the main orchestrators for events at Marineford, therefore, would receive the most payoff in closing that loop together.
2. They received, as a duo, a focused chapter from Jinbe updating the events of the world to Luffy
3. Interstingly enough, both "Admirals" (Kizaru and Kuzan) under them served as key focal points roughly at the same time, both in Egghead and Fullalead. Both of them have subordinates in Egghead as well.
4. The connective tissue that is Kuzan honestly may force Oda to feature the Fleet Admiral where Kuzan eventually ends up going next with Blackbeards crew, especially if there is history there that needs to be explored.
5. Finally, one of the biggest things for me is just purely battle logistics. Luffy has defeated a Yonko (with initial help) and is likely defeating an Admiral this arc. Barring Elbaf's possible separate issues, the next logical step is an evidently stronger Admiral (Akainu) and Yonko (Blackbeard) with their subordinates (Admirals and presumably the stronger YCs than Kaido or Big Mom). Theres only so much you can portray Fuji or Shiryu as the next logical steps for Zoro without being forced to use Mihawk first (which imo, breaks the logic considering who Mihawk is). We have no idea how much more Luffy is meant to escalate in power post Kizaru, but its difficult to ascertain between these 2 powers who is actually meant to fall first.
I am trying to leave Shanks and Imu out of the discussion (to keep it focused on this topic), so if you think either lose before or after these 2 is up to you. But I do think the former (and CG) will also be involved in the 4th Poneglyph "War" along with the Marines if that makes sense
Tldr: Akainu and Blackbeard have more narrative connections than people think, and ultimately I can see it suggesting they fall together, with Luffy claiming the 4th RP and being able to head to LT (barring whatever involvement anyone thinks Shanks or the WG also have in this).
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