The end of One Piece‘s epic tale is approaching, and the identity of Luffy’s final opponent is currently unknown, but there are at least five individuals who’d each bring an emotional and narratively brilliant conclusion to the future Pirate King’s story. Some villains, such as the secret ruler of the World Government, Imu, presented themselves well into the series, but other contenders for the role of Luffy’s final boss in One Piece have been a part of the story since the beginning.

Throughout the many chapters of One Piece‘s manga, Luffy has grown significantly since shoving off from Dawn Island. The indecisive and naive young man traveled the seas and grew into a formidable Pirate Emperor in only a few years. His growth came with the help of his beloved Straw Hat crewmates, but along the way, he made just as many, if not more, formidable enemies.

As Luffy’s crew has traveled the world and liberated several islands from the oppressive rule of cruel pirates and the brutal regime of the World Government, powerful enemies have been made that will make the quest to find the One Piece much more difficult. Here are the top 5 candidates likely to stand in Luffy’s way as the final obstacle he’ll face before One Piece‘s story ends, and not all of them are villains.

5

Revenge Against Admiral Sakazauki Would Be A Dish Best Served Hot

Akainu’s Form Of Justice Must Be Challenged

When the Marine Admirals were first introduced in One Piece, they represented the pinnacle of strength that seemed nearly untouchable. However, during the Marineford arc, the Magma-Fruit-wielding Admiral Akainu “aka Sakazuki” not only showed off his cataclysmic power but also used it to take away someone Luffy loved, his big brother Portgas D. Ace. The tragic twist instantly put the intimidating Admiral on a growing list of characters fans want to see defeated by Luffy.

The War of The Best more than earned its name when several of One Piece‘s most powerful characters clashed at the Marine’s headquarters of Marineford. The terrifying capabilities of Akainu’s Magma Devil Fruit made a considerable impression on fans. His Logia abilities make it nearly impossible for him to be hit by anyone unskilled with haki, and haki users capable of damaging him can easily meet their end by getting too close to his lava. Sakazuki can create meteor-like projectiles and easily reshape the landscape, making him a real challenge for anyone who disagrees with his form of justice.

Post-time-skip arcs dramatically expanded One Piece‘s world by introducing increasingly powerful foes that the Straw Hats would need to overcome. Akainu was promoted to the role of Fleet Admiral of the Marines, but his role as Luffy’s ultimate final villain feels more unlikely as the scale of the series progresses. Even though Luffy getting revenge against Akainu for the death of Ace would be a satisfying moment, Luffy seems more poised to face someone higher up on the World Government’s hierarchy of power or someone who has been developing along with Luffy’s character since the beginning of the series.

4

Gol D. Roger Had Garp, Monkey D. Luffy Has Koby

Koby Has Become One Of One Piece’s Strongest Characters, and He’ll Likely Get Better

Before Luffy met Nami and even Zoro, he ran into the skinny and cowardly Koby. Their short time together inspired and pushed the young man to pursue his dreams of becoming a Marine. Even though Koby’s dream seemed like the direct opposite of Luffy’s to become the King of the Pirates, the two formed a touching friendship. However, as both characters pursue their dreams, their friendship develops into something more of a rivalry that could mirror the incredibly satisfying final battle between Naruto and Sasuke at the end of that series.

After joining the Marines, Koby and his new friend Helmeppo made a strong impression on Vice Admiral Garp. The Marine hero Garp always wanted his rebellious grandson Luffy to become a Marine, and each time fans saw Koby’s progression, he seemed more like the Marine that Garp always wanted his grandson to become. Especially during the Egghead Island arc, which saw the mindblowing results of Koby’s harsh training regiment that made him capable of punching a hole in a mountain. His powerful haki is also matched with an acute mastery of sensory haki, which will likely improve even further.

After being rescued from Blackbeard’s headquarters and hearing Dr.Vegapunk’s world-changing message, Koby’s future in One Piece‘s story seems more uncertain than ever. It’s unlikely that he’ll want to side with the unjust actions of the World Government, an opposition to extreme justice that nearly got him killed by Akainu. If the World Government and its Marines see a dramatic restructuring from the events of One Piece‘s final saga, it will likely need a new Fleet Admiral, a position that Koby seems destined to obtain and a role that’d demand a Pirate rival like Luffy to pursue, mirroring the relationship Garp and Gol D. Roger shared.

3

Shanks Represents A Level For Luffy To Surpass Unless Someone Beats Him To It

The Defeat Of Eustass Kid Made Shanks An Active Obstacle In Obtaining The One Piece

Luffy’s life and the story of One Piece would have been much different if Shanks hadn’t sacrificed his arm to save the young boy’s life. By the time the events of One Piece‘s first chapter took place, Shanks had already become an accomplished pirate, and since then, he’s developed into one of the closest pirates to reaching Laugh Tale and claiming his former captain’s treasure, the One Piece. People following the series know he has some steep competition. While the story begins with Luffy getting the straw hat from Shanks, it may very well end with him giving it back.

For playing such a vital role in Luffy’s life of piracy, Shanks does not have much screen time in One Piece‘s overall storyline, but that changes substantially after Luffy’s earn’s his own Pirate Emperor ranking. During the Egghead arc, Shanks violently switched from a background character into a much more active role in the race for the One Piece. Since Shanks challenged Luffy to bring his hat back once he became a great pirate, excitement for their reunion has grown to be palpable.

The ultimate clash between the Straw Hats and the Red Hair Pirates would be the perfect way to pay off all of Luffy’s efforts and make good on a promise that’s taken many years to fulfill. Luffy versus Shanks seems like a satisfying and narratively safe direction for the final arcs of One Piece to deliver. However, author Eiichiro Oda habitually surprises audiences with emotional and intense plot twists. One twist could have Shanks get defeated before Luffy can give him the straw hat back, and the top two contenders for Luffy’s final boss could do just that.

2

Luffy Can Bring Liberation To Imu’s Decades Of Oppressive Rule

The Ultimate Secret Ruler Of One Piece’s World Government Isn’t Revealed Until Chapter #906

The World Government’s Five Elders seemed like the ultimate villains that One Piece was building for Luffy to defeat at the end of the series. However, that changed when the mysterious Elders collectively bowed to the true ruler of the world, Imu. Mysterious and powerful are understatements regarding the figure who has been controlling the world for hundreds of years. For all that time, the leader of the vile Celestial Dragons has used their influence and powers to commit several genocides, perpetuated slavery, and more of humanity’s worst sins.

Imu’s actions have been so vile that they are a character that must be dealt with if One Piece is to have a satisfying ending. Little is known about the full extent of their abilities, but once the true events of the Reverie were revealed, the secret leader of the world’s fearsome might present itself. After Sabo interfered with the Elders and Imu’s attempt to kill Alabasta’s King Kobra, Imu’s small and slender silhouette morphed into an enormous humanoid blob with highly mobile and sharp devil-shaped tails that easily pierced Vivi’s father and nearly killed the incredibly swift Sabo.

With the broadcast of Dr.Vegapunk’s message and the likely failure of the Five Elders on Egghead Island, World Government Ruler Imu will likely have a dramatic response to the confirmed resurgence of Luffy’s Sun God Nika Devil Fruit and the Joyboy moniker. Joyboy was said to be history’s first pirate who spread happiness and freedom to the world. Imu, who has been pulling the strings and controlling the world from the shadows, seems like the perfect final foe for Luffy and his sun god status. However, Imu’s throne could be stolen by another who seems destined to clash with Luffy.

1

Blackbeard’s Darkness Has Been Growing With Luffy’s Light

Marshall D. Teach Has Been The Most Disruptive Pirate Of One Piece’s Shores

Since Marshall D. Teach (aka Blackbeard) was first introduced in the Jaya Arc, he was presented as the opposite of Luffy. While their first meeting saw the two disagreeing about restaurant food, their grudges would quickly escalate after Blackbeard captured and turned Ace into the Marines. That action triggered The War of the Best, which resulted in a dramatic shift for the Marines, the death of Pirate Emperor Whitebeard, and Teach gaining access to one of the world’s most powerful Devil Fruits, which evolved him from being a significant threat to a massive obstacle that many failed to overcome.

Blackbeard became the first person in the One Piece series to wield two Devil Fruits. While Teach’s Pirate crew of world-class criminals each uses an overpowered Devil Fruit, he has made sure that two of the best would belong to him. Blackbeard uses the Darkness Fruit with difficult-to-counter gravitational attacks, which have proved capable of nullifying the powers of other Fruit users. After Marineford, he gained the Quake Fruit, which can create catastrophic earthquakes capable of obliterating entire islands. It’s a horrific combination of abilities in the hands of an impulsive and clever Pirate hungry for Imu’s throne.

With Blackbeard’s powers and crew growing to be among the strongest in the world, it’s difficult to argue that he seems like Luffy’s greatest threat in claiming the One Piece. The Egghead arc insinuates that Teach’s crew is preparing for their captain to become something more than the Pirate King, the ruler of the world. It’s a goal that history’s most dangerous Pirate, Rocks D. Xebec, also sought to accomplish and a role that Imu has held for centuries. Still, even if Blackbeard takes Imu’s throne, he and Luffy seem destined to clash in One Piece‘s finale as soon as they met.