Based on what we know right now, the end of Wano should lead to the beginning of One Piece's final few arcs. With that, we all come to speculate how future events will occur and what the potential combat match-ups for the Straw Hats will be.
Regarding Luffy specifically, it seems there are 3 main villains that people like to bring up:
However, I personally don't think Luffy will fight all of these people. Even if the endgame heads towards a gigantic war, I can't see Luffy getting to fight more than 2 of these prospective enemies, given the nature of One Piece and how Oda has conducted things in the past.
In fact, I would say that the only guaranteed fight for Luffy in my eyes is Blackbeard, because it's a pre-determined match-up that's existed all the way back since Jaya. With Imu, we don't yet know whether or not he's actually a skilled combatant. In Shanks' case, we don't yet know whether or not he will end up as an ally for the Straw Hats. In Big Mom's case, we don't even know how big her role in the story will be going forward. In fact, there's even a possibility that she ends up as an ally herself.
The difference with Akainu is that he will most definitely be an enemy to the Straw Hats (and their allies) in some way. But if both Akainu (and his marines) and the Blackbeard pirates end up being involved in the final war, which they almost certainly will, how will Luffy fight both Akainu and Blackbeard? Some people might bring up Blueno from EL, but I just can't get behind the idea that Luffy would take out someone as strong as Akainu right before engaging Blackbeard. I mean I suppose it's possible in order to show just how ridiculously strong Luffy has become, while contrasting it with how strong Blackbeard will be by the time Luffy gets to him. However, my gut tells me that this won't be the case.
Based on that, is there a chance that someone other than Luffy will defeat Akainu first? Will it be Blackbeard himself? Dragon, Sabo?
TL;DR:
Luffy has too many prospective opponents and I don't think he will get to face all of them. I'm 100% certain he will face and defeat Blackbeard, but I have doubts about the others, and I'm specifically on the fence about Akainu. Is there someone else who will/can take out Akainu, and if so, who is it?
Regarding Luffy specifically, it seems there are 3 main villains that people like to bring up:
- Imu
- Blackbeard
- Akainu
However, I personally don't think Luffy will fight all of these people. Even if the endgame heads towards a gigantic war, I can't see Luffy getting to fight more than 2 of these prospective enemies, given the nature of One Piece and how Oda has conducted things in the past.
In fact, I would say that the only guaranteed fight for Luffy in my eyes is Blackbeard, because it's a pre-determined match-up that's existed all the way back since Jaya. With Imu, we don't yet know whether or not he's actually a skilled combatant. In Shanks' case, we don't yet know whether or not he will end up as an ally for the Straw Hats. In Big Mom's case, we don't even know how big her role in the story will be going forward. In fact, there's even a possibility that she ends up as an ally herself.
The difference with Akainu is that he will most definitely be an enemy to the Straw Hats (and their allies) in some way. But if both Akainu (and his marines) and the Blackbeard pirates end up being involved in the final war, which they almost certainly will, how will Luffy fight both Akainu and Blackbeard? Some people might bring up Blueno from EL, but I just can't get behind the idea that Luffy would take out someone as strong as Akainu right before engaging Blackbeard. I mean I suppose it's possible in order to show just how ridiculously strong Luffy has become, while contrasting it with how strong Blackbeard will be by the time Luffy gets to him. However, my gut tells me that this won't be the case.
Based on that, is there a chance that someone other than Luffy will defeat Akainu first? Will it be Blackbeard himself? Dragon, Sabo?
TL;DR:
Luffy has too many prospective opponents and I don't think he will get to face all of them. I'm 100% certain he will face and defeat Blackbeard, but I have doubts about the others, and I'm specifically on the fence about Akainu. Is there someone else who will/can take out Akainu, and if so, who is it?
