So, I am making this thread in light of a HUGE revelation that has come from Volume 97's SBS, while also thinking of a few other things on the side.
Anyway, the SBS Q/A via Eten:
"Translated by KAIDOBOBU
Oda: Yes. But rather than saying serialization ends, I would say it’s over because the most interesting part of Luffy’s adventure, the story of what is One Piece exactly? is done at that point. Right now Wano arc is heating, but if Luffy is to leave there safe and sound, it’ll lead to a worldly development , an exciting story no one has ever read, I’ll be drawing the “Biggest War” of OP history. It’ll be very interesting!! And so, I made the announcement to notify the readers and make them realize that “this long story is actually heading towards its end”.
But, right now you should be enjoying the exciting Wano country arc. I’ll draw it with all I’ve got!!"
And here is another version of the same translation by TCB Scan's translator:
D: Odacchi! Is it true that One Piece will end in 5 years? Even if that's the case, a public statement like that is really vexing for the fans!
Many friends of mine who are fans burst into tears with this sudden announcement! I feel like shouting "How could you do this to us!?", but I don't want to stress you out. (P.N.: pari_bentham)
O: By "ending", I mean the juiciest part of Luffy's adventure.
Since that's when the mystery of "what is the One Piece?" is to be revealed.
Right now Wano is heating up, if Luffy is able to leave here in one piece, we'll get to a development that will engulf the entire world, the likes of which no one has read before - the greatest war in One Piece history.
I said what I said so that the reader's hearts would be prepared, since it'll be such a long arc, and one that will really pin things towards the finish line. That being said, I'm really enjoying writing and drawing Wano right now, and am pumped to finishing it!
So key points to be taken here:
- Oda directly avoids saying "Serialization" will end in 5 years.
- However more directly confirms Luffy's journey will end within that timeframe (give or take Oda's usual extensions of plot)
- After Wano, the plot will "lead" to a worldly development. Reading on this indicates that post-Wano will be "setting" up the Final War.
In turn, what is seemingly being suggested is the idea that Luffy's physical journey (to Laugh Tale) will come to an end within 5 or so years. The story of "what is One Piece exactly?", or the story that Oda deems to be the "most interesting part of LUFFY'S adventure" is coming to an end. By this point we will know the world's secrets, and likely most of the major revelations in the story. This also aligns with Oda's progress comments about percentage. He may have been talking specifically about Luffy's journey.
HOWEVER, it doesn't mean the story is over when Luffy's journey ends. This is extremely significant because its actually been mentioned/hinted at multiple times before in the story:
I. Rayleigh's Discussion with Robin:
Firstly, this revelation was hinted by Rayleigh:
This marks the first instance of the Roger pirates finding out everything and not being able to resolve it. In the sense that they had all "moved a little too quickly". This one is straightforward, but the next case is a actually a big one
II. Whitebeards proclamation to Blackbeard:
Even here, Whitebeard makes very straightforward claims that Teach isn't the one who will inherit Roger's will:
If you read the text, it very bluntly says that:
- Teach is not who Roger was "waiting for" or who "inherited" Rogers will
- That the person who will inherit Roger's will, a will that has been passed down even longer prior and bearing "weight of centuries of history, will challenge the world".
- That when that "someone finds THAT treasure (One Piece), the world will be shaken to its core.
This almost assuredly indicates that the person we assume is "that" person, Luffy, will find One Piece first, become PK, and THEN challenge the World Government. This almost perfectly aligns with Oda's current comments in the SBS.
Additionally, here is a big point to mention: Whitebeard himself didn't do anything and even HE knew everything from Roger. This indicates that whoever (ehem, LUFFY) is meant to do something likely needs to know "everything".
Then finally you have:
III. Roger/Oden's flashback:
Without spending too much time on this, it once against insinuates that whomever is meant to "change" the world MUST know about One Piece and virtually all of the mysteries of the world prior.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
So then, what does this say about "structure"? I think Oda, especially during this last SBS, is being ever bit as literal as he's been trying to be in his story. Which basically is:
Luffy must become Pirate King before he is able to change the world (aka, the Final War)
Aka, Luffy's journey will end, he will find One Piece, and we as the reader's will know most of the mysteries/questions when it comes to dealing with One Piece and the Void Century. Essentially learning Joy Boy's story and claiming OP will earn you the PK title.
Tl;dr: Give or take 5 years, Luffy's journey will finish, but One Piece won't end. It will continue dealing with its final conflict for years to come.
Off topic but throwing this on the side. How I think the remaining structure may go. This part is entirely subjective to the reader, but I'd like to include it here:
- Wano will finish eventually. Kaido and BM will fall (but perhaps BM has more story to be told at Elbaf)
- Luffy and crew will go to Elbaf and/or several more islands/reach the physical end of Grand Line (Lodestar)
- During this time period, Blackbeard and the WG will incite the world shifting conflict in the form of gearing up for War.
- Luffy and crew will head to Laugh Tale. This, by some order, will lead to Luffy vs. the Blackbeard Pirates. I personally think Blackbeard is NOT the Final Antagonist
- Luffy will become PK/Learn True History/Obtain One Piece
- Luffy will "carry centuries of history on his back" and begin the Final War against the WG
- Luffy will defeat both Akainu and Im during and towards the end of the War's climax
- Luffy will defeat Shanks (!?) at the end of the story
Now, understandably, some of you might be thinking "what the hell" about that last point, but I'm actually dead serious. I have mixed reservations about what I believe Shanks to be in One Piece. I don't think he's as "good" as people think. Better yet, I think his character will be revealed to be morally grey.
Lets get a list going of "why" I think this:
- Nearly every point Luffy is mentioned, Shanks gets into a very serious/competitive/almost "evil" or dark looking face (not saying he's actually EVIL, I'm just saying that's how it looks). Either Shanks simply just wants to fight Luffy, or there is something deeper here that Oda has been setting up.
- Shanks was able to stop, full front, a war just by out of pure respect from Sengoku. That has to mean something. It could mean "respect" just because Shanks is possibly not a very violent pirate, sure. But then this last point is what threw me off.
- Shanks has met with the Gorosei, the same people who entirely committed Genocide of the Oharans and call for further "cleansings". This I don't understand. If the point of Roger's journey to finding One Piece to "change" or "save" the world, presumably from the WG, and if Shanks is supposedly Roger's protégé, why on earth would Shanks secretly meet with the very people Luffy is destined to stop? The same people the Revolutionaries want to stop? The same group who erased the person who is allegedly orchestrating Luffy's will?
- Shanks also seems to have been born at the EXACT timeframe of God Valley (39). It almost seems that Roger took a baby from there. Perhaps 2 since Buggy is the same age. Why?
- Shanks is the one named character that is entirely important to the plotline of One Piece that has been here since Chapter 1. His character and passing of the strawhat are entirely central to Luffy's character. Unlike Blackbeard, Akainu or Im, Shanks has been present since the beginning, since Oda already had thought of One Piece's ending....
So I also have another point and that is through the concept of trying to figure out Luffy and Zoro's opponents post-Wano. Lets say this order is true hypothetically:
- Blackbeard (at Laugh Tale)
- Akainu (Beginning/Middle of the Final War at New Marineford)
- Im (Middle/End of the Final War at Mariejois/Destruction of FI)
- Shanks (End of the Final War at God Valley)
So with Zoro:
- Shiryu is a good guess right? Zoro does not seem to be good at observation Haki, might make a great Swordsman battle for Zoro being his Achilles heel.
- Fujitora. Once again, if Luffy faces Akainu, it would be probable that Zoro faces his Swordsman based Admiral?
- Monk Gorosei. If Luffy is destined to fight Im (assuming Im is a combatant), this Gorosei fits the mold to be Zoro's opponent. The man allegedly has Shodai Kitetsu, being the same design as Sandai and Nidai.
- Mihawk. Thats right, being the ONLY character Shanks seems to associate with outside of his own crew, Mihawk may very well be Zoro's opponent here. It fits into the mold that Zoro vs. Mihawk is Zoro's last battle. It fits in to the fact that Mihawk just lost his Shichibukai title. Being that the world is about to go in a very drastic direction, it would make sense if Mihawk allied with Shanks at this moment.
You can also fit this mold into what could also complete Usopp's character, in terms of dealing with his father or surpassing him (since his father is his idol)
Just something to think about....
Anyway, the SBS Q/A via Eten:
"Translated by KAIDOBOBU
Oda: Yes. But rather than saying serialization ends, I would say it’s over because the most interesting part of Luffy’s adventure, the story of what is One Piece exactly? is done at that point. Right now Wano arc is heating, but if Luffy is to leave there safe and sound, it’ll lead to a worldly development , an exciting story no one has ever read, I’ll be drawing the “Biggest War” of OP history. It’ll be very interesting!! And so, I made the announcement to notify the readers and make them realize that “this long story is actually heading towards its end”.
But, right now you should be enjoying the exciting Wano country arc. I’ll draw it with all I’ve got!!"
And here is another version of the same translation by TCB Scan's translator:
D: Odacchi! Is it true that One Piece will end in 5 years? Even if that's the case, a public statement like that is really vexing for the fans!
Many friends of mine who are fans burst into tears with this sudden announcement! I feel like shouting "How could you do this to us!?", but I don't want to stress you out. (P.N.: pari_bentham)
O: By "ending", I mean the juiciest part of Luffy's adventure.
Since that's when the mystery of "what is the One Piece?" is to be revealed.
Right now Wano is heating up, if Luffy is able to leave here in one piece, we'll get to a development that will engulf the entire world, the likes of which no one has read before - the greatest war in One Piece history.
I said what I said so that the reader's hearts would be prepared, since it'll be such a long arc, and one that will really pin things towards the finish line. That being said, I'm really enjoying writing and drawing Wano right now, and am pumped to finishing it!
So key points to be taken here:
- Oda directly avoids saying "Serialization" will end in 5 years.
- However more directly confirms Luffy's journey will end within that timeframe (give or take Oda's usual extensions of plot)
- After Wano, the plot will "lead" to a worldly development. Reading on this indicates that post-Wano will be "setting" up the Final War.
In turn, what is seemingly being suggested is the idea that Luffy's physical journey (to Laugh Tale) will come to an end within 5 or so years. The story of "what is One Piece exactly?", or the story that Oda deems to be the "most interesting part of LUFFY'S adventure" is coming to an end. By this point we will know the world's secrets, and likely most of the major revelations in the story. This also aligns with Oda's progress comments about percentage. He may have been talking specifically about Luffy's journey.
HOWEVER, it doesn't mean the story is over when Luffy's journey ends. This is extremely significant because its actually been mentioned/hinted at multiple times before in the story:
I. Rayleigh's Discussion with Robin:
Firstly, this revelation was hinted by Rayleigh:
This marks the first instance of the Roger pirates finding out everything and not being able to resolve it. In the sense that they had all "moved a little too quickly". This one is straightforward, but the next case is a actually a big one
II. Whitebeards proclamation to Blackbeard:
Even here, Whitebeard makes very straightforward claims that Teach isn't the one who will inherit Roger's will:
If you read the text, it very bluntly says that:
- Teach is not who Roger was "waiting for" or who "inherited" Rogers will
- That the person who will inherit Roger's will, a will that has been passed down even longer prior and bearing "weight of centuries of history, will challenge the world".
- That when that "someone finds THAT treasure (One Piece), the world will be shaken to its core.
This almost assuredly indicates that the person we assume is "that" person, Luffy, will find One Piece first, become PK, and THEN challenge the World Government. This almost perfectly aligns with Oda's current comments in the SBS.
Additionally, here is a big point to mention: Whitebeard himself didn't do anything and even HE knew everything from Roger. This indicates that whoever (ehem, LUFFY) is meant to do something likely needs to know "everything".
Then finally you have:
III. Roger/Oden's flashback:
Without spending too much time on this, it once against insinuates that whomever is meant to "change" the world MUST know about One Piece and virtually all of the mysteries of the world prior.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
So then, what does this say about "structure"? I think Oda, especially during this last SBS, is being ever bit as literal as he's been trying to be in his story. Which basically is:
Luffy must become Pirate King before he is able to change the world (aka, the Final War)
Aka, Luffy's journey will end, he will find One Piece, and we as the reader's will know most of the mysteries/questions when it comes to dealing with One Piece and the Void Century. Essentially learning Joy Boy's story and claiming OP will earn you the PK title.
Tl;dr: Give or take 5 years, Luffy's journey will finish, but One Piece won't end. It will continue dealing with its final conflict for years to come.
Post automatically merged:
Off topic but throwing this on the side. How I think the remaining structure may go. This part is entirely subjective to the reader, but I'd like to include it here:
- Wano will finish eventually. Kaido and BM will fall (but perhaps BM has more story to be told at Elbaf)
- Luffy and crew will go to Elbaf and/or several more islands/reach the physical end of Grand Line (Lodestar)
- During this time period, Blackbeard and the WG will incite the world shifting conflict in the form of gearing up for War.
- Luffy and crew will head to Laugh Tale. This, by some order, will lead to Luffy vs. the Blackbeard Pirates. I personally think Blackbeard is NOT the Final Antagonist
- Luffy will become PK/Learn True History/Obtain One Piece
- Luffy will "carry centuries of history on his back" and begin the Final War against the WG
- Luffy will defeat both Akainu and Im during and towards the end of the War's climax
- Luffy will defeat Shanks (!?) at the end of the story
Now, understandably, some of you might be thinking "what the hell" about that last point, but I'm actually dead serious. I have mixed reservations about what I believe Shanks to be in One Piece. I don't think he's as "good" as people think. Better yet, I think his character will be revealed to be morally grey.
Lets get a list going of "why" I think this:
- Nearly every point Luffy is mentioned, Shanks gets into a very serious/competitive/almost "evil" or dark looking face (not saying he's actually EVIL, I'm just saying that's how it looks). Either Shanks simply just wants to fight Luffy, or there is something deeper here that Oda has been setting up.
- Shanks was able to stop, full front, a war just by out of pure respect from Sengoku. That has to mean something. It could mean "respect" just because Shanks is possibly not a very violent pirate, sure. But then this last point is what threw me off.
- Shanks has met with the Gorosei, the same people who entirely committed Genocide of the Oharans and call for further "cleansings". This I don't understand. If the point of Roger's journey to finding One Piece to "change" or "save" the world, presumably from the WG, and if Shanks is supposedly Roger's protégé, why on earth would Shanks secretly meet with the very people Luffy is destined to stop? The same people the Revolutionaries want to stop? The same group who erased the person who is allegedly orchestrating Luffy's will?
- Shanks also seems to have been born at the EXACT timeframe of God Valley (39). It almost seems that Roger took a baby from there. Perhaps 2 since Buggy is the same age. Why?
- Shanks is the one named character that is entirely important to the plotline of One Piece that has been here since Chapter 1. His character and passing of the strawhat are entirely central to Luffy's character. Unlike Blackbeard, Akainu or Im, Shanks has been present since the beginning, since Oda already had thought of One Piece's ending....
So I also have another point and that is through the concept of trying to figure out Luffy and Zoro's opponents post-Wano. Lets say this order is true hypothetically:
- Blackbeard (at Laugh Tale)
- Akainu (Beginning/Middle of the Final War at New Marineford)
- Im (Middle/End of the Final War at Mariejois/Destruction of FI)
- Shanks (End of the Final War at God Valley)
So with Zoro:
- Shiryu is a good guess right? Zoro does not seem to be good at observation Haki, might make a great Swordsman battle for Zoro being his Achilles heel.
- Fujitora. Once again, if Luffy faces Akainu, it would be probable that Zoro faces his Swordsman based Admiral?
- Monk Gorosei. If Luffy is destined to fight Im (assuming Im is a combatant), this Gorosei fits the mold to be Zoro's opponent. The man allegedly has Shodai Kitetsu, being the same design as Sandai and Nidai.
- Mihawk. Thats right, being the ONLY character Shanks seems to associate with outside of his own crew, Mihawk may very well be Zoro's opponent here. It fits into the mold that Zoro vs. Mihawk is Zoro's last battle. It fits in to the fact that Mihawk just lost his Shichibukai title. Being that the world is about to go in a very drastic direction, it would make sense if Mihawk allied with Shanks at this moment.
You can also fit this mold into what could also complete Usopp's character, in terms of dealing with his father or surpassing him (since his father is his idol)
Just something to think about....
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