As most of the fanbase believes, the Straw Hat Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates will fight for the title of the Pirate King’s crew.
As I believe this fight will be the one that ascends the Straw Hats into their fullest potential, these fights will address the weaknesses of the Straw Hats, within which they will likely have power-ups and become more well-rounded fighters. These fights will further allow them to settle any vendettas that they may have against particular Blackbeard Pirates (in some cases).
There will be some predictions about new crewmates of Teach’s based upon recent events and likely future events in the Manga. You must also remember that we are aware that the Blackbeard Pirates are all trying to acquire Devil Fruits if they do not already have them – therefore, it is likely that most members will acquire Devil Fruit powers if they do not already. It is only the logical conclusion, since we have seen them acquiring fruits.
Without further ado let’s get into the theory!
#1- Captain Marshall D. Teach
Known abilities: Gura Gura no Mi, Yami Yami no Mi, Busoshoku Haki and Kenbunshoku Haki, insane durability
Opponent: Monkey D. Luffy – Captains/Revenge
Developments: Recently we have learned that Luffy has the legendary Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika devil fruit ability that once Joy Boy had. This devil fruit was so powerful that it’s nearly a Toon Force ability that gives Luffy enough freedom to do almost anything he wants. And Blackbeard is the only character who can counter this freedom and power, with its darkness that can turn everything to nothing.
It makes so much sense that Blackbeard specifically searched for Darkness Logia, when there are also other powerful Logia abilities in One Piece. It was probably for countering an absurd and a very powerful Toon Force-like ability.
#2- First Fleet Commander Jesus Burgess
Abilities: Armament Haki, likely use of Observation Haki, no Devil Fruit
Opponent: Roronoa Zoro – De facto first mates/right hand men
Developments: It had been theorised for a while that Shiliew would receive the Kira Kira no Mi due to the fact he seems to be set up as Zoro’s opponent and the fact Mihawk could not cut Jozu. It was implied with Daz’s fight with Zoro that he would eventually cut diamond. It has now come to pass that Shiliew has the Suke Suke no Mi instead. This likely leads this foreshadowing from Alabasta to need to apply to a totally different character altogether. The fact that the Blackbeard Pirates are pursuing the former Whitebeard Pirates leads me to believe that the bulk of their new abilities can be found in their crew already.
Therefore, as the most prominent melee fighter amongst the Blackbeard Pirates and their 1st ship commander (essentially being Marshall D. Teach’s first mate), it makes sense that Zoro will fight Burgess despite the fact he is not a swordsman. Though I personally believe there may be a 2v2 fight between Zoro + Sanji and Shiliew + Burgess in future or perhaps an opponent swap between these two pairs.
#3- Second Fleet Commander Shiliew
Abilities: Master Swordsman with the Suke Suke no Mi
Opponent: Vinsmoke Sanji – Left-hand men
Developments: Initially, I thought he would be Zoro’s opponent, but the striking similarity of invisibility based powers between himself and Sanji, as well as things explained above in Burgess’ section, now lead me to believe he will be Sanji’s opponent. Though I did also mention the possibility of a 2v2 or of an opponent-swap situation as well as both pairs seem like they could match against each other in either combination. I believe this is not too far-fetched. Based on what we have seen from the glimpse of his power we saw in Impel Down, he also appears to be a speed-based fighter.
Shiryu has always had stealthy abilities even before receiving the Suke Suke no Mi, being able to reach the control room in Impel Down without being noticed by surveillance snails, so a fight with Sanji seems oddly destined. This also means, i bet, he will have insane Observation Haki as we expect Sanji will as well.
