Speculations Zoro matchup for Elbaf ?

[Fn Lucci]

There's also a possibility that Oda is already wrapping up Elbaph, that would explain why the threats are being eliminated and HK seem not so threatening anymore. And we still need to see what Imunko is capable of. I think Loki&Luffy will meet them very soon, either the upcoming chapter (more likely) or the chapter after that one (if we get more SHP moments, but less likely because Oda always highlights Luffy).
Once we see how strong Imunko is, we can probably guess how Elbaph will continue.

A lot of people seemed shocked that we came out of the flashback with so much momentum but... I don't see why. This is such a typical trick that I've been really searching for evidence that it's not the same old thing. Of course the straw hats will come out of the gate hot before they meet significant challenges. With Loki especially it looks like a complete squash. It'd be so weird for Oda to play that straight.

It would probably mean the abrupt ending of Loki's development after Imu has already set its sights on Nidhoggr. I just can't believe that's the case right now. Gunko being a completely willing vessel has no way to challenge the combined might of two "gods" but even she has an internal conflict.

Some of these ideas make Elbaf sound like Zou, a pitstop. But I can't believe Elbaf wouldn't be way more significant.

 

[Devilbat]

A lot of people seemed shocked that we came out of the flashback with so much momentum but... I don't see why. This is such a typical trick that I've been really searching for evidence that it's not the same old thing. Of course the straw hats will come out of the gate hot before they meet significant challenges. With Loki especially it looks like a complete squash. It'd be so weird for Oda to play that straight.

It would probably mean the abrupt ending of Loki's development after Imu has already set its sights on Nidhoggr. I just can't believe that's the case right now. Gunko being a completely willing vessel has no way to challenge the combined might of two "gods" but even she has an internal conflict.

Some of these ideas make Elbaf sound like Zou, a pitstop. But I can't believe Elbaf wouldn't be way more significant.

It would've been an easy pitstop if there were no challenges from the outside, but now it seems like yet another "save the island" arc. It was planned long ago, when we first saw the giants, and I also believe Elbaph is going to be important. Maybe Oda is combining the two :)

 

[Mr.9000]

Yeah, I'm personally against convenient match ups because they're not quite how Oda works. At least in the sense that it's like, "oh you're somebody's secret brother, too? Alright I'm your huckleberry." But there are definitely reasons in the story why opponents are drawn to each other. I like the Cerberus vs Santoryu thing but it doesn't change how I feel about the match up because I think Zoro would be drawn to any strong opponent with a sword. That's not a convenience, it's his whole MO.

I don't believe that Shamrock's exit from the Elbaf story is permanent if only because the regular knights are cooked. DR Loki, the only conceivable threat right now, doesn't give the plot much to work with. Power wise he could possibly take on every single person at once, but I don't see Oda writing a story like that.

same here. I dnt see oda going that route when the outcome is predictable if it’s DR Loki. Just going to be Oars again

I expect Shamrock return to Elbaph with reinforcements.

Just wondering whos going to be the matchup for luffy

 

[FutureWarrior123]

Sommers is still the most obvious pick

He needs to train his Conquerors Haki somehow this arc and it ain't against Imu.

 

[Dark Knight Sanji]

Sommers is still the most obvious pick

He needs to train his Conquerors Haki somehow this arc and it ain't against Imu.

Exactly we have scholars thinking someone who had no idea what his power was has somehow mastered it in like a gondola ride.

 

[Fn Lucci]

same here. I dnt see oda going that route when the outcome is predictable if it’s DR Loki. Just going to be Oars again

I expect Shamrock return to Elbaph with reinforcements.

Just wondering whos going to be the matchup for luffy

I posted and then wondered if Oars might come up. The thing is even if Oda wanted to make another Oars, it's a massive disservice if that's the main idea for Zoro because in that same arc we had his considerably more important fights with Ryuma and Kuma.

I'd like to see more than one guy show up here if only because Loki would be a much bigger extraction mission than the kids. Any two knights should actually be better than Shamrock himself for such a mission, if Oda wants to do that and save the Figarland for something later. I mean what kind of dumbass would Imu be if he corrupted Loki and just let Luffy have a chance to revert him back to normal.