Elbaf Arc isn’t just another regular arc but it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest, possibly on the level of Wano or even more important in terms of lore. It’s going to cover so many lore plot points that I honestly don’t see Oda putting too much spotlight on the Straw Hats themselves during most of it.
Nika and Joy Boy – Their connection, legacy, and possibly more clues to Luffy’s Devil Fruit.
Loki and the Giant Royal Family – Especially if Loki is tied to ancient history.
Kaido’s Backstory – If Kaido has links to Elbaf or Loki’s bloodline, then oda is gonna expand on his backstory.
Shanks and His Family – you know already
Rocks D. Xebec – More details on his rise, ideals, and death.
The God Valley Incident ? – what really happened that day did imu show up ?
Roger’s Time in Elbaf – Why was he there? What was he hiding? And what was Rocks doing in Elbaf as well?
Loki’s Devil Fruit – Possibly a powerful Mythical Zoan or something god-tier.
Advanced Conqueror’s Haki – oda will start to show more coc abilites
Imu and the World Government’s Ancient Crimes – Including Elbaf’s role in that hidden history.
History of the 20 Kingdoms or Joy Boy’s Allies – We could learn about the true origins of the Great War and the ancient alliance.
There’s so much potentially packed into this arc that I genuinely think Oda won’t focus much on the Straw Hat crew for a good portion. He’ll likely be busy delivering all this world-building and lores to finally answer it.
Also, just a personal theory:
I used to believe that Imu might end up converting some of the Straw Hats characters into her soldiers, either through devil contract
While luffy zoro usopp and robin remind safe
But honestly, considering the sheer amount of major plot threads Oda has to cover in the Elbaf arc, I’m starting to doubt there’ll be much time left to give the Straw Hats their individual moments.
There’s just too much on the table Joy Boy, Nika, Shanks, Rocks, God Valley, the origins of the World Government, Elbaf's warrior history, Conqueror's Haki , Imu’s history the list keeps growing. Oda’s going to be fully busy tying all that into elbaf arc.
That said, I think if any Straw Hat besides Luffy is going to get a significant moment in Elbaf, it’ll be Zoro.
Not only because he’s the hype aura guy, but also because there’s still narrative room for him to like
Show how close he’s getting to Mihawk’s level
Take another step toward forging his black blade
Possibly confront or surpass someone tied to the world’s top swordsmen
But even that, I’d say it’s 50/50 at best — if Oda finds time, great. If not, it may just get postponed until the final war.
As for the rest of the crew?
I honestly don’t see most of them getting any major focus this arc. Not because they aren’t important, but because the story is shifting into imu, lore-heavy territory where the spotlight is on end game characters such as shanks, imu, holy knights and world history. The crew might still get cool moments, but it won’t be development character moment like how we thought usopp is gonna get one this arc.
So yh get ready for nika piece
Nika and Joy Boy – Their connection, legacy, and possibly more clues to Luffy’s Devil Fruit.
Loki and the Giant Royal Family – Especially if Loki is tied to ancient history.
Kaido’s Backstory – If Kaido has links to Elbaf or Loki’s bloodline, then oda is gonna expand on his backstory.
Shanks and His Family – you know already
Rocks D. Xebec – More details on his rise, ideals, and death.
The God Valley Incident ? – what really happened that day did imu show up ?
Roger’s Time in Elbaf – Why was he there? What was he hiding? And what was Rocks doing in Elbaf as well?
Loki’s Devil Fruit – Possibly a powerful Mythical Zoan or something god-tier.
Advanced Conqueror’s Haki – oda will start to show more coc abilites
Imu and the World Government’s Ancient Crimes – Including Elbaf’s role in that hidden history.
History of the 20 Kingdoms or Joy Boy’s Allies – We could learn about the true origins of the Great War and the ancient alliance.
There’s so much potentially packed into this arc that I genuinely think Oda won’t focus much on the Straw Hat crew for a good portion. He’ll likely be busy delivering all this world-building and lores to finally answer it.
Also, just a personal theory:
I used to believe that Imu might end up converting some of the Straw Hats characters into her soldiers, either through devil contract
While luffy zoro usopp and robin remind safe
But honestly, considering the sheer amount of major plot threads Oda has to cover in the Elbaf arc, I’m starting to doubt there’ll be much time left to give the Straw Hats their individual moments.
There’s just too much on the table Joy Boy, Nika, Shanks, Rocks, God Valley, the origins of the World Government, Elbaf's warrior history, Conqueror's Haki , Imu’s history the list keeps growing. Oda’s going to be fully busy tying all that into elbaf arc.
That said, I think if any Straw Hat besides Luffy is going to get a significant moment in Elbaf, it’ll be Zoro.
Not only because he’s the hype aura guy, but also because there’s still narrative room for him to like
Show how close he’s getting to Mihawk’s level
Take another step toward forging his black blade
Possibly confront or surpass someone tied to the world’s top swordsmen
But even that, I’d say it’s 50/50 at best — if Oda finds time, great. If not, it may just get postponed until the final war.
As for the rest of the crew?
I honestly don’t see most of them getting any major focus this arc. Not because they aren’t important, but because the story is shifting into imu, lore-heavy territory where the spotlight is on end game characters such as shanks, imu, holy knights and world history. The crew might still get cool moments, but it won’t be development character moment like how we thought usopp is gonna get one this arc.
So yh get ready for nika piece
