Good afternoon, One Piece Wiki!
Since the next chapter, Chapter 1169, will be coming out on December 22, 2025, I have once again updated the three final arcs and their descriptions:
Elbaph Arc: The Straw Hat Pirates travel to Elbaph with the Giant Warrior Pirates, where a disgraced prince Loki is being held prisoner against his own wishes. Sadly, it was all a ploy orchestrated by Imu, who disguised himself as Loki to abduct Luffy into the ranks of the World Government—and all it takes is a trump card from the Straw Hat Pirates, in the form of their former member Nefertari Vivi, to bring the crew together again and rescue Luffy in exchange for her full-time position as Luffy's official diplomat and vice-captain, and then drive Imu away from Elbaph for good before the land itself is bombarded with the next Buster Call, the same tragic fate as Egghead's. Consequently, Vivi is now wanted by the World Government for her involvement in reuniting the Straw Hat Pirates under the new title of "Warrior Princess Nefertari Vivi" after leaving Morgans and Wapol behind according to the Alabasta Royal Guard led by Igaram, Chaka and Pell. (NOTE: This arc is based on the first episode of the 1994 Gatchaman OVA) Meanwhile, as the world reels from Vegapunk's shocking announcement, the Red Hair Pirates (who sacrifice themselves to stop the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus successfully destroying Egghead), Cross Guild and the Blackbeard Pirates actively search for the One Piece, and the Knights of God begin to mobilize, with their eyes set on annexing Elbaph for the World Government.
Laugh Tale Arc: Having fully recovered with their ship fully repaired, along with a permanently recruited Vivi as Luffy's full-fledged diplomat and second-in-command (as well as Vivi's pet duck Karoo as the crew's official mascot), the Straw Hat Pirates finally set out to Laugh Tale, a place where Luffy's now deceased role model, Shanks, told them where the One Piece is in his last words before he sacrificed himself back on Egghead. There, they must face off against the Blackbeard Pirates and the Cross Guild in a race over who claims the One Piece—Luffy, Teach or Buggy.
Mary Geoise Arc (the last arc of the Final Saga, as well as the final arc of the whole manga series itself, also known as the Final War Arc): With the One Piece (the legendary treasure itself that actually looks like a sword—the one weapon forged by the heavens that can harm Imu, the Five Elders, and the Knights of Gods with) in their hands, the Straw Hat Pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy, now the new king of all pirates, lead all other pirates around the world to battle as they march their way to Mary Geoise for the ultimate fight to determine the fate of the world as the devastating global war between the forces of good and evil is finally underway. There, they must face off against the omnicidal Imu, who seeks to destroy all life in the world (all which he deems inferior) using the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus and then recreate the world in his own image from scratch as a world of darkness—with Vivi as his wife! (NOTE: This arc is based on Alex Raymond's "Flash Gordon" franchise, particularly Mike Hodges' 1980 space opera superhero film, "Flash Gordon")
And now, here are some latest predictions from Chapter 1166 (or later) and beyond:
Having learned from the World Government (who presents Rocks D. Xebec's death certificate) of Rocks' death at the righteous hands of Garp and Roger, a completely devastated Loki commits suicide under a tree (the same manner as Judas Iscariot did after betraying Jesus Christ), finally fulfilling his lifelong death wish.
Hajrudin warns Luffy, despite his plan of getting Loki in his Straw Hat Pirate crew so he can rid himself of his past sins, that the real Loki is already dead and the chained one is actually an imposter trying to trick him into setting him free so he can make him the newest member of the World Government. This confuses Luffy, only to accidentally reveal Loki as Imu in disguise, in which the latter (Loki) responds with, "So, you finally said my real name, eh? Is that what I mean by unchaining me? Then I guess you're not just any Straw Hat Luffy at all..." (「私を解放してくれと頼むと、本名を教えてくれるでか？やはり麦わらのルフィあなたはただ者ではない！」)", before he ultimately reveals himself as Imu in disguise (so says a quote from Imu after revealing himself to Luffy: "You are indeed correct, Straw Hat! I am the Overlord of the World Government, Imu! (「如何にも、麦わら！私は世界政府大王イムだ！」)"), much to Hajrudin's dismay (so says a quote from Hajrudin: "Dear God, Straw Hat, what have you done?! (「おのれ、麦わら！なんってこと！」)"; followed by a reply from Luffy: "I'm sorry! I'm just as surprised as you are! (「申し訳ありません！不意を突かれたんだ！」)"). That is when Imu debuts his full appearance before Gaban, Luffy, and Hajrudin after releasing Gunko from his possession so he can take Luffy as his prisoner, forcing him to watch Egghead get destroyed by the Mother Flame (now a weaponized ammunition for Uranus) to finish the Buster Call there, a final operation which Imu approves (once York's further replication of its technology is fully complete for Imu's secret weapon: an Ancient Weapon called "Uranus") (so says a quote from Rob Lucci: "All units who participated in the Buster Call on Egghead, listen well. Now that the World Government has been compromised of its most precious secrets, Dr. Vegapunk should not have studied the Void Century to begin with - and neither did Bartholomew Kuma possess the blood of the Buccaneers...nor did the Straw Hat Pirates awaken the legendary Nika the Sun God. But starting today, Egghead is done and outlawed. So, let no one ever speak its name from this time on - because it doesn't even exist anymore. (「さて、海軍たちよ、よく聞け。世界政府は危険にさらされている。Dr.（ドクター）ベガパンクは空白の１００年を研究すべきではない。バーソロミュー・くまはバッカニア族 の血を継ぐべきではない。麦わらの一味は太陽の神ニカを目覚めさせるべきじゃない。『エッグヘッド』？─── そんな国は...元々...ないではないか...」)"); this is the first Buster Call that successfully destroyed an island (i.e. Egghead via Mother Flame-utilized Uranus) after the last one failed on Enies Lobby two years ago, and the one before that partially succeeded on Ohara twenty-two years ago (so says a quote from Imu: "I'm not going to kill you, Straw Hat. I need you to stay with me on Elbaph forever—and stop being such a dumb pirate. I promise you will never find the One Piece, ever. Dr. Vegapunk has declared an all-out war against me - and has forced my hand. So, here is my reply to him; and Straw Hat, allow me to restate my intention: All inferior life in this world...must cease to exist! And I would've kept him silent too if it weren't for you and your crew. Fortunately, my plan has only begun. Therefore, I will continue posing as Loki for the time being - but a Day of Reckoning is still near. And when that happens, it will mark the doom to all those who defy the World Government! As proof of your imminent defeat, you will now say goodbye to your role model, Shanks, as I finish the Buster Call on Egghead by turning it into nothingness! (Lilith: "Do my eyes deceive me? Or is that--?! No, it's Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates! They're the only ones left who can stop the ongoing Buster Call from finishing on Egghead!") (Zoro: "Impossible! How can they stop it?!") (Lilith: "They...can't, I'm afraid.") (Lilith: (stammering) "I-I can't bear to watch! (「み…みちゃおれん………！」)") (Nami: "Oh, God! (「しまった…！」)") (Jinbe: "Oh, no! (「まずい…！」)") (Usopp: "D-Dad... Don't die... DON'T DIE!!! (「お...お父さん...... ......死ぬな............ 死ぬなーーーーー!!!!!」)") How does that feel, Straw Hat? Once I raise the Sea Level to the highest peak, I shall wash away all inferior life from every region of the world and then restart the world in my own image - with Nefertari Vivi by my side as my wife. (Luffy: "Vivi will come back to me someday rather than marry some total dictator like you!") You both have no choice! Soon, everyone will know the World Government is always right. For example, our next Buster Call, which is currently on standby, will soon erase Elbaph from existence for their defiance against my Knights of God—and that nation's destruction will be a declaration of a global war against those who wish to destroy our World Government. So, why don't you just sit back and watch your entire crew die along with the rest of Elbaph trying to 'rescue' you? I'm sure their deaths will make you change your mind."). After Vivi returns later to lead the Straw Hat Pirates in saving Elbaph from the corrupt World Government by driving the incoming Marine fleet back (thereby claim Elbaph as their territory) before the next Buster Call (a final straw for Imu due to the persistent defiance of Elbaph's inhabitants against the World Government) is initiated, the captive Luffy taunts Imu for his failure (so says a quote from Luffy: "Sorry, Imu, but it looks like you've checkmated too soon. (「残念だったな、イム。どうやらチェックメイトには早過ぎたようだ。」)"). Realizing that Luffy is too dangerous to join the World Government anyway due to him being another bearer of the Will of D., Imu tries to kill him (so says a quote from Imu: "Oh, Straw Hat, I should've known you're just another bearer of the Will of D. One of these days, your world will need cleansing. However, for turning down my offer in working for our World Government, you must die—Joy Boy! (「麦わら、やはりあなたもDの意志の持ち主ですようだ。いずれこの世界は浄化をがとなる。だがお前は世界政府での勤務を断った代償として死ぬべきだ、ジョイボーイ。」)") when the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates confront him, with Vivi leading the raid to rescue Luffy (so says another quote from Luffy: "Well now, look who came to reject your hand in marriage. Wanna try proposing to her again before we kick your ass? It's your funeral. (「形勢逆転のようだな、イム。さあ、俺たちがお前をぶっ飛ばす！」)"). Despite finally meeting Vivi face to face for the first time in his life, Imu is forced to leave Elbaph, but not before giving Vivi a holographic message saying, "Foolish Princess Vivi! You won't be sailing with the Straw Hat Pirates much longer! Sooner or later, you will marry me! I am the world! The past, the present, and the future! And you can't change history! (「愚かなるビビ姫！麦わらの一味の航海はもう長くはない！もうすぐ、お前は俺を結婚するがい！私は世界だ！過去であり、現在であり、未来でありだ！逆らう事などできぬのだ！」)"; after making a speech to Vivi, Imu disappears, leaving the Straw Hat Pirates in question whether all he says is true or not (so says a quote from Chopper in the English dub: "Wow, a real hologram!"). On the whole, the full character design of Imu is similar to Gargoyle from Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. This, as well as, on the other hand, his face would be a tribute to the late manga artist Akira Toriyama, who was lost to us all at the start of March. (NOTE: There is a full character concept of Imu designed by me on this post below.)
The anime adaptation of the whole scene where Luffy meets Loki/Imu and the Knights of God should be abridged, with Luffy refusing to unchain Loki (voiced by Daisuke Ono (who voiced Jotaro Kujo in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) in the original Japanese anime, and Steve Blum in the English dub) until he tells him where Shanks is (so says a quote from Luffy: "I refuse! In fact, I already know how I got here, so I will not unchain you until you tell me where Shanks is! (「断る！実際、私はここに来た経緯をすでに知っていでね。だから、シャンクスの居場所を言うまで君を拘束は解かない！」)"; followed by another quote from Loki: "Well then, it seems you lack the ability to understand me well enough. But once you understand my plan to end the world, only you can unchain me when others won't. But first, can you turn around for a moment, Straw Hat? (「あなたにはまだよく僕の事が分かっていないようだ。俺がいかに世界を破滅させるか理解すれば、あなたは俺を解き放つことができる唯一の人間なんだ。その前に、ちょっと後ろを向いてくれないか、麦わら？」)"), only to meet the Knights of God (consisting of the Red Hair Pirate crew's imposters) holding the Giant Children hostage (so says a quote from Shamrock: "Behold—the diamond in the rough, Straw Hat Luffy! (「見よ、原石のダイヤ麦わらのルフィだ！」)") until Luffy surrenders his hat to Shamrock, the Knights of God's commander hired to pose as his younger twin brother Shanks to trick Luffy with the Giant Children as hostages, in exchange for the Giant Children's lives spared (so says a quote from one of the Knights of God: "You've been a great pirate, Luffy. So, give our boss back his hat, because your journey to claim the One Piece and become the next Pirate King is over. (「君は偉大な海賊だった、ルフィ。さあ大頭に帽子を返しなさい。ワンピースを奪って次の海賊王になる旅は終わりだ。」)"). At the same time, Loki gives Luffy one last chance to unchain him so that he will reward him with a place in the World Government. Otherwise, he will have the Knights of God start killing the Giant Children for him (so says a quote from Loki in the English dub: "Straw Hat Luffy! A new world is dawning right before your eyes! Free me from these chains and you shall be greatly rewarded, or refuse, and all the children in Elbaph will die! If you unchain me, you will forever be remembered by my people as no longer the captain of the Straw Hat Pirate crew, but the newest member...of the WORLD GOVERNMENT!" (「麦わらのルフィ。新世界はまさに目の前だ。故にウォーランド王国を正当な支配者として取り戻す日だ。だから、最後に一度だけ頼む、麦わら。私を解放しろ、さもなければ、子供たちを殺し始める。我々世界政府の為に！」)). Luffy, however, ultimately refuses and instead, for tricking him into reuniting with "Shanks", deliberately exposes Loki as Imu in disguise (so says a quote from Luffy: "Anything you try won't make me change my mind! Only a true Sun God can bring balance to the world and not leave it in darkness! And don't you ever forget that there will be no more mercy for you this time for tricking me, Imu, Overlord of the World Government! (「どのような誘惑も私には無駄だ。真の太陽の神とは、世界に均衡をもたらし、闇の中に放置してはならないている。よく覚えておきたまえ、騙していたお前をぶっ飛ばす、世界政府大王イム！」), who willingly reveals himself in front of him (so says a quote from Loki: "When I ask you to unchain me, you say my real name—and you did, didn't you? Then you ARE the diamond in the rough I've been waiting for after all, Straw Hat Luffy! (「私を解放してくれと頼むと、本名を教えてくれるでか？やはり麦わらのルフィあなたはただ者ではない！」)"; followed another quote from Imu after revealing himself to Luffy: "You are indeed correct, Straw Hat! I am the Overlord of the World Government, Imu! (「如何にも、麦わら！私は世界政府大王イムだ！」)") and forces him to watch Egghead get destroyed by the Mother Flame (now a weaponized ammunition for Uranus) to finish the ongoing Buster Call there, along with the real Red Hair Pirates trying to stop it from finishing, only at the cost of their own lives (so says a quote from Imu: "I'm not going to kill you, Straw Hat. I need you to stay with me on Elbaph forever—and stop being such a dumb pirate. I promise you will never find the One Piece, ever. Dr. Vegapunk has declared an all-out war against me - and has forced my hand. So, here is my reply to him; and Straw Hat, allow me to restate my intention: All inferior life in this world...must cease to exist! And I would've kept him silent too if it weren't for you and your crew. Fortunately, my plan has only begun. Therefore, I will continue posing as Loki for the time being - but a Day of Reckoning is still near. And when that happens, it will mark the doom to all those who defy the World Government! As proof of your imminent defeat, you will now say goodbye to your role model, Shanks, as I finish the Buster Call on Egghead by turning it into nothingness! (Lilith: "Do my eyes deceive me? Or is that--?! No, it's Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates! They're the only ones left who can stop the ongoing Buster Call from finishing on Egghead!") (Zoro: "Impossible! How can they stop it?!") (Lilith: "They...can't, I'm afraid.") (Lilith: (stammering) "I-I can't bear to watch! (「み…みちゃおれん………！」)") (Nami: "Oh, God! (「しまった…！」)") (Jinbe: "Oh, no! (「まずい…！」)") (Usopp: "D-Dad... Don't die... DON'T DIE!!! (「お...お父さん...... ......死ぬな............ 死ぬなーーーーー!!!!!」)") How does that feel, Straw Hat? Once I raise the Sea Level to the highest peak, I shall wash away all inferior life from every region of the world and then restart the world in my own image - with Nefertari Vivi by my side as my wife. (Luffy: "Vivi will come back to me someday rather than marry some total dictator like you!") You both have no choice! Soon, everyone will know the World Government is always right. Right now, I'm about to send my Knights of God to destroy Walrus School to make way for one of my World Government's newest bases. Soon, Elbaph will be mine! So, why don't you just sit back and watch your entire crew die coming here to Elbaph to 'rescue' you? I'm sure their deaths will make you change your mind."). In the anime, Imu is voiced by Demon Kakka in the original Japanese anime, and Daman Mills (the current voice of Frieza from Dragon Ball Z/Dragon Ball Super) in the English dub.
The official salute for the World Government is, "Glory to the World Government (「世界政府に栄光あれ！」; 'Sekai seifu ni eikōare!')", which should be first said by the Knights of God in the anime after seeing Loki reveal himself as Imu in disguise in before Luffy.
The Zoan-type Devil Fruit used by Loki/Imu is the Keitai Keitai no Mi (aka Shape-Shape Fruit), which allows the user to take the form of other characters (either male or female) to trick their enemies, perfect disguises including deceased characters. Since Imu is actually a non-binary shapeshifting mutant, he uses the Keitai Keitai Fruit to switch between the forms of a man and woman often, just like Berg Katse from Gatchaman.
Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates finally arrive on the disintegrating Egghead to face off against the Five Elders (in the stead of Luffy, Dorry and Brogy) to inform them to stop the ongoing Buster Call on Egghead while accusing them of the death of Dr. Vegapunk (so says a quote from Shanks: "You have spilled the blood of the innocent. Explain your actions! (「お前たちは罪のない人々の血を流した。説明をしなさい！」)"). However, when the Five Elders refuse to stop the Buster Call, implying that all life on in the world is inferior according to Imu and must "cease to exist", the Red Hair Pirates try to stop the Buster Call themselves, only to sacrifice themselves by getting themselves killed by the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus in the process (so says a quote from Shanks: "Gentlemen, we are ready to fight! Let this be our final stand! (「野郎共、今こそ最後の抵抗を！」)").
In the anime adaptation, after Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates are killed by the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus along with Egghead erased from existence, Zoro inspires the Straw Hat Pirates with one of Luffy's initial goals to recruit the ten people in his crew, revealing that there is only one person left to complete it (so says a quote from Zoro: "As long as Shanks will be missed, there's no need to mourn. We should still have faith in Luffy. He knows what he's doing (「我々は嘆いてはならない。まだルフィを信じなければある。」) (Sanji: "How can we stop the World Government? (「どいゆことか？」)") Did you forget, curly brow? It goes back two years ago. That's when Luffy's first goal is to gather ten of the most powerful people to build our crew the moment he started his journey from his hometown of Windmill Village. Me, you, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook and Jinbe have become the first nine people who recruited so far, and that leaves only one last person left to complete our crew. Who could it be? (「二年前、故郷のフーシャ村から旅を始めたルフィの最初の目標は、最強の仲間を10人集めることだった。ゾロ、ナミ、ウソップ、サンジ、チョッパー、ロビン、フランキー、ブルック、ジンベエの9人はこれまでに仲間になった。そして、残すはあと1人。それは誰だろう？」)"), only for the Straw Hat Pirate crew to notice Vivi's signal coming from Elbaph, a sign of reunion that obliges them to dock there so she can reintroduce herself publicly, officially swearing her full allegiance to them as their official permanent diplomat and second-in-command so she can lead them into rescuing Luffy from Imu, much to Morgans' and Wapol's shock.
After escaping from the World Government and its supreme leader, Imu, Nefertari Vivi eventually comes out of hiding from Morgans' airship (in an outfit that resembles the Alabasta Royal Guard's uniform but equipped with a shield (that works as a boomerang, a la Captain America) and sword, a la Xena) to reunite with the Straw Hat Pirates on Elbaph so she can reintroduce herself to everyone, officially swearing her full allegiance to them as their official permanent diplomat and second-in-command (the tenth and final person to join Luffy's crew) (so says a quote from Vivi: "Communists of the World Government, if I may speak freely to you; I was born and raised in royal blood in the Kingdom of Alabasta, a majestic desert kingdom in Paradise located in the first half of the Grand Line. I know why you are looking for me, so you can take me back to Mariejois and make me your sexual slave for all I care, and my father's spirit will still live on inside me for all time. However, good reason or not, nobody frames Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, of a murder he did not commit on Egghead and gets away with it, or my name is not...Vivi Nefertari, Princess of Alabasta! (Morgans: "Oh no, what is she doing?! (そ、そんな！)") (Wapol: "Princess Vivi just pledged her full allegiance to the Straw Hat Pirate crew! (「ビビ姫は、麦わらの一味に永久に復帰した！」)") Let this be a warning to communists everywhere: the time has come for us, the Straw Hat Pirates, to rise up and settle this issue once and for all! (Sanji: "SHE'S ALIVE!!! (「ビビチュワーーーン！」)") (Usopp: "It's a miracle! (「ビビ！」)") (Nami & Chopper: "We missed you, Vivi! (ビビ！)") (Franky: "Ow! A super family reunion, I'll say! (「アォ！スーパー家族の再会だ！」)") (Brook: "Your Majesty, this is the first time I get to see you. Which reminds me, could you perhaps show me your panties? (「陛下様、お目にかかるのは初めてです。そういえば、パンツ見せてもらってもよろしいですか？」)") (Nami, Usopp, Sanji and Chopper: (kicking Brook on the head from above) "DON'T COAX HER!!! (「見せるかっ!!!」)") (Brook: (weakly after a kick on the head) "Sorry... (「ごめんなさい!!!」)") Sorry to keep you guys waiting for two years, but you're all a sight for sore eyes. So, shall we go rescue Luffy together, hmm?" (Zoro: "Yes—that time is now. (「うん。今こそ時なのだ。」)")). As the Straw Hats later rest in Elbaph, Vivi gets her first official wanted poster (with a bounty of thirty million berries) for helping the crew escape from Egghead under the new title of "Warrior Princess Nefertari Vivi" (presented by the Alabasta Royal Guard led by Igaram, Chaka and Pell). Even so, Vivi reassures Igaram that things will be different the way she sees it, revealing her new dream to succeed to her father's throne as the new Queen of Alabasta after she helps Luffy claim the One Piece. Meanwhile, having reunited with Vivi after recovering back in Alabasta, Karoo, her pet duck, also joins the Straw Hat Pirate crew as their permanent mascot after Chopper temporarily took the role of the Straw Hat Pirates' mascot over the last two years.
To save Luffy and reunite his Straw Hat crew, Vivi steals one of Morgans' private planes (which is later modified into the Red Dragon VI by Franky in honor of Shanks and his Red Hair Pirates) and flies off to Elbaph to help prevent a World Government invasion, even having heard Morgans' plan to bring her back to Imu back at Mary Geoise.
With Vivi (and Karoo) rejoining the Straw Hat Pirates—and this time, permanently—along with the introduction of the Red Dragon VI, these two respectively miraculous events could lead to not only a theatrical film called Episode of Vivi: Pirate Princess—a remake of the Arabasta Saga (essentially a "what if" story) featuring Nico Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbe and the Thousand Sunny (who were not present in the original version) which opens post-prologue with the Straw Hat Pirates doing their own fashion show before battling the Marines as usual—but also a TV Special called Episode of Shanks: Luffy's Hero, where Luffy tells Vivi the story of his role model Shanks while they are taking the Red Dragon VI on a test drive after the air vehicle itself is presented before the Straw Hat Pirate crew by Franky.
In the anime adaptation, after Shepherd Sommers is defeated by Gaban, Imu contacts the Knights of God through Manmayer Gunko (via telepathy) to scold them for failing to claim Elbaph for him (so says a quote from Imu: "IDIOTS! How the hell could you let us all down?! (Sommers: "Please, have mercy on us, Your Excellency! We promise we'll make it up to you!") No! I need you back at the Holy Land immediately. Mary Geoise is under attack by the Revolutionary Army. And if the entire capital burns to the ground without the giants lending us their power, my loss of authority will be on all your heads. Meanwhile, it's time I show the power of a god!"
After being driven out of Elbaph along with the Knights of God, Imu returns to Mary Geoise to check on the Five Elders (so says a quote from Imu: "Now that the giants think we've been finally driven off their land, we can continue with our plans to purify the Blue Planet. (「五老星諸君。時は来た。いよいよ青色の星を全ての劣った生命から浄化する時が来ました。」)"). Once the Five Elders announce that the test run of the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus on Egghead is successful (so says a quote from Saint Figarland Garling: "Yes, sire. Our next Mother Flame test back on Egghead was successful thanks to the modifications provided by York. All that is left now is your coming wedding with Princess Vivi Nefertari of Alabasta. (「ははっ。ビビ姫がエルバフで麦わらの一味と共に隠れていたことがついに判明しました。では、どのようにして姫を麦わらの一味から引き離せばよろしいでしょうか？」)"), Imu orders the Five Elders once again to retrieve Vivi and bring her to him (so says another quote from Imu: "Then we must find her, quickly—before the Straw Hat Pirates become aware of our hidden agenda. (「ビビが欲しい。麦わらのルフィが回復す前に。」)"), to which the Five Elders agree to do despite Vivi's newfound headstrong fighting abilities (so says Saint Figarland Garling's response to Imu request: "It will be done. Glory to the World Government! (「ははっ。世界政府に栄光あれ！」)").
Before, while, or after dying, Shanks tells Luffy that the legendary treasure, the One Piece, is left in Laugh Tale by Gol D. Roger, and Luffy, determined to turn the tide of the coming global war, agrees to find it there once he and his crew recover from either the Egghead Incident or the battle for Elbaph despite asking himself in confusion if Shanks's legacy will actually live on in his heart for all eternity (even though Luffy was supposed to give his prized Straw Hat back to Shanks once he becomes a great pirate).
During a funeral for Shanks and his Red Hair Pirate crew, Luffy gives a powerful eulogy based on his ideas for peace, freedom, and justice, which goes like this: "For many years from the days we were born, we have lived under the thumb of the World Government. When it rains, Gol D. Roger, the late Pirate King, weeps for the pain we have felt at the hands of our many enemies we've faced before. When the wind blows, Roger pushes us to march into battle against those who persecute us. When it thunders, Roger demands we rip the shackles of doubt from our minds and fight with courage. We fight not just for today but for the future. And we will not rest until we claim the One Piece. Because once the One Piece is ours—I'm gonna be King of the Pirates. May Shanks and his crew rest in peace—ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Amen. (「世界政府の支配下で、我々は生まれてから長い年月を過ごしてきた。雨が降るたび、故海賊王ゴル・D・ロジャーは、以前対峙した数多の敵の手によって味わった我々の苦痛に涙を流す。風が吹くたび、ロジャーは俺たちを迫害者たちとの戦いに駆り立てる。雷鳴が轟くたび、ロジャーは疑念の鎖を断ち切り勇気をもって戦うよう命じる。僕らは今日のためだけでなく、未来のために戦う。そしてワンピースを手にするまで休むことはない。なぜなら、ワンピースが手にすれば、海賊王に俺はなる。シャンクスとその仲間たちが安らかに眠れますように。灰は灰に、塵は塵に。アーメン。」)"
In the anime adaptation of Shanks' and the Red Hair Pirates' funeral scene, Brook plays "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes during the funeral for Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates.
In the anime adaptation of Shanks' and the Red Hair Pirates' funeral scene (during its climax), we look back at Luffy's past with Shanks from 12 years ago (including the scene where Luffy stabbed himself in his left cheek) once again.
After the funeral for Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates, Vivi approaches Luffy to apologize for not helping his role model out of Egghead sooner before the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus annihilates them out of existence along with that previous place the Straw Hat Pirates visited before the Egghead Incident, which is the reason why she wanted to reunite with the Straw Hat Pirates to help clear Luffy's name. Luffy accepts Vivi's apology and later treats her with a toast to celebrate her full allegiance to the Straw Hat Pirates in favor of the late Loki (though Vivi gets drunk in the process, a la Usagi Tsukino, causing Jinbe to request she goes to the next room to see if she's okay).
The Kuja Pirates, the Giant Warrior Pirates, and the Bonney Pirates become the newest additions to the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, with their captains, Boa Hancock, Dorry, Brogy and Jewelry Bonney, taking their roles as their representatives.
Along the way to Imu while storming the Mary Geoise, Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates discover Monkey D. Dragon already lying dead before them. Finally meeting his father for the first and last time, Luffy buries him honorably and thanks him for giving him and his crew time to come to Mary Geoise to finish what he started long ago, i.e. overthrowing Imu and restoring peace to the world.
The climax of the final arc focuses on the Straw Hat Pirates hunting down Imu in Mary Geoise, only to be thrown around by him like playthings (so says Imu's final words before Luffy kills him completely: "Straw Hat, you and your crew have made it this far just to try and defeat me—but it looks like you couldn't stop my grand plot. Only 1 minute and 30 seconds to go until the world is purged! (「私を倒すためにここまで来たのか、麦わらの一味よ。どうやら大計画を阻止することはできなかったようだな。世界を浄化まであと1分と30秒！」)"). Despite the odds stacked against them, they manage to track Imu to his last refuge, the Empty Throne (where Imu is hosting a wedding between him and Vivi, only for the latter to ensnare him for the rest of the Straw Hat Pirate crew (so says a quote from Vivi: "Haha! I can't believe you fell for that one hook, line and sinker! (「あはは！騙されたな！」)"), forcing a furious former to ultimately call off their wedding for good since Vivi is revealed to be another bearer of the Will of D. (the "D." in the "Will of D." actually stands for "Democracy", which should be revealed in the English dub) alongside Luffy (ultimately sentencing Vivi to death for her deceit along with the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates), much to the crew's satisfaction before their final battle against Imu), where Luffy, supported by his crew, manages to destroy Imu and the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus with the Gomu Gomu no Flaming Sword using the One Piece while in his "Gear 5" form (before Imu ends the world with the Mother Flame-utilized Uranus) (so says a quote from Luffy: "I am...Monkey D. Luffy, King of the Pirates...and this world...doesn't belong to you...and it never will. And that is why...you dictator...I'm gonna...I'm gonna...FIX THIS WORLD! Leave us! GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR WORLD!!! (「俺は…海賊王モンキー・D・ルフィだ…そしてこの世界は…お前のものじゃない…絶対に。だから…だから貴様だ…俺に…俺に…この世界を救うんだ！出て行け！！！こんな世界から出て行けーーーーーーー！！！！！」)") - only at the cost of his and his crew's lives. This is the ultimate price for Imu to pay of manipulating mankind for so many millennia. After Luffy's and his Straw Hat Pirates' last fight ended with the destruction of Imu and his Mother Flame-utilized Uranus, the spirit of Shanks (and the rest of all the Straw Hat Pirate crew's deceased loved ones) eventually appears and pulls the fallen Straw Hat Pirates to safety in heaven (so says a quote from Shanks: "Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbe, Vivi, and Karoo - thank you all. The darkness has been destroyed. And light is free to shine once more. Now, we can rewrite the future together. So, let's go! We're in this together now! Come fly with us, Straw Hat Pirates! Spread your wings wide! A new age of peace starts now! (「ルフィ、ゾロ、ナミ、ウソップ、サンジ、チョッパー、ロビン、フランキー、ブルック、ジンベエ、ビビ、カルー...... ありがとう、野郎共。暗闇は破壊された。そして光は再び輝きを放つことができる。今、共に未来を再構築しよう。さあ、出庫だ！一緒にやれるさ！共に飛ぼう、麦わらの一味！その翼を広げて！平和の新時代が今始まる！」)"). In the end, the spirit of the Red Force, Shanks's ship, frees the Thousand Sunny and the Straw Hat Pirates aboard as both ships and its crews ascend to heaven together. This climax is based on the final episode of Gatchaman Fighter.
In the aftermath of the Straw Hats' final battle with Imu, there is a conversation with between Koby (having witnessed Luffy destroy Imu with the One Piece in awe) and Sengoku (based on a post by @Panda D Queen almost a year ago), ending with Sengoku giving a eulogy to Luffy that ends with: "The One Piece was a legendary sword forged by the heavens long ago to protect life - and at the hands of a hero, it has fulfilled its purpose. (「ワンピースは大昔、生命を守るために天が鍛えた伝説の剣であり。勇者の手によってその目的を果たした。」)".
In the epilogue of One Piece, Koby becomes the new president of the reestablished World Government to restore the entire world to its former splendor by reuniting all twenty kingdoms under his reign of eternal peace and happiness for all species in the world, while the One Piece is kept safe within the forbidden vault of the rebuilt Mary Geoise, never to be released unless darkness rises again. At the same time, the reestablished World Government is looked down upon from the heavens by Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew, whose dreams are now beyond reality.
So, what do you think of my updated predictions for the final three arcs for this manga series? Please let me know on the comments below.
Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.
