This arc Luffy is defeating Kizaru. Imo that is a direct buildup to Akainu being the next villain.
The fall of an admiral to a yonko is something I don't believe has happened in OP. At least not in recent times. This would be a monumentous defeat for the WG and the Gorosei simply can't ignore it. They need to save face by taking out Luffy. Meaning they need to let Akainu off his leash.
We saw something very similar to this in WCI. In WCI, Luffy beat BM's rhm, Katakuri. BM subsequently appeared in wano and was the penultimate fight of that arc.
However, I think it is very apparent that Akainu is much too important to be relegated to BM status. I think there is a decent chance he could be the villain of elbaf.
This also explains why Elbaf seems to be set up as the next meeting point for the captain trio. Kid is likely already on Elbaf and Bepo has a big chance of carrying Law there, due to Elbaf's proximity to Winner island. If there was ever an enemy that Luffy needs allies for, Akainu and the marines would be it. Even if we get Zoro and Sanji fighting admirals instead of Kid and Law, you still have the issue of the seraphim. Law vs S-Mingo and Kid vs S-Gecko would be decent fights, even if the captains stomp, you would probably need someone of their caliber to take those guys out.
Also, I feel like we could see another Gorosei featured in Elbaf. This time being Nasujuro. That way you could have Nasujuro beat Mihawk, take his title, setting up Zoro's final battle. Zoro fans will hate me for saying this, but unless you think Mihawk will switch sides and work for Imu, this option is still on the table.
Anyways, for me its now or never with Akainu. Luffy is beating Kizaru this arc. If Akainu isn't next, then Luffy will likely surpass him off-screen and Sabo will be the one to take him out in the final war.
The fall of an admiral to a yonko is something I don't believe has happened in OP. At least not in recent times. This would be a monumentous defeat for the WG and the Gorosei simply can't ignore it. They need to save face by taking out Luffy. Meaning they need to let Akainu off his leash.
We saw something very similar to this in WCI. In WCI, Luffy beat BM's rhm, Katakuri. BM subsequently appeared in wano and was the penultimate fight of that arc.
However, I think it is very apparent that Akainu is much too important to be relegated to BM status. I think there is a decent chance he could be the villain of elbaf.
This also explains why Elbaf seems to be set up as the next meeting point for the captain trio. Kid is likely already on Elbaf and Bepo has a big chance of carrying Law there, due to Elbaf's proximity to Winner island. If there was ever an enemy that Luffy needs allies for, Akainu and the marines would be it. Even if we get Zoro and Sanji fighting admirals instead of Kid and Law, you still have the issue of the seraphim. Law vs S-Mingo and Kid vs S-Gecko would be decent fights, even if the captains stomp, you would probably need someone of their caliber to take those guys out.
Also, I feel like we could see another Gorosei featured in Elbaf. This time being Nasujuro. That way you could have Nasujuro beat Mihawk, take his title, setting up Zoro's final battle. Zoro fans will hate me for saying this, but unless you think Mihawk will switch sides and work for Imu, this option is still on the table.
Anyways, for me its now or never with Akainu. Luffy is beating Kizaru this arc. If Akainu isn't next, then Luffy will likely surpass him off-screen and Sabo will be the one to take him out in the final war.
