Barring Bonney, who is very likely traveling with the crew to Elbaf, and Urouge, who may end up having some ties to the island or a sky island above it since hes the last Supernova, Bege technically has narrative ties to the island via Lola, who’s story may come down to dealing with the hatred that the giants had for her mother and potential reunion with her siblings (Big Mom Pirates) and even Nami. Not only this, but stake in Pudding’s capture as well, since Pudding seemed to look up to Lola.
Then you have Drake, who is a SWORD member with Koby, who also seems to have assumedly rescued Hawkins (?). Considering Drake’s mission is still unknown with Sword, he may have focus with them here if Blackbeard is also present, due to Garp.
Apoo is the outlier, with no direct connection but he does seem to be running around with either 1 or multiple Ancient Giants, so who knows what happens to him.
Finally you have Kid, Killer and Law. The former 2 are already technically on Elbaf, though their status is unknown, and we have no idea where Bepo swam to. I suspected another island, but swimming to Elbaf is just as likely imo. The key point I want to make about them is their ominous reactions to the Burned Scar Man, who is the next topic. If they react this way, then surely they known him, which might mean we will hear more about him from either character, because narrative supports them both not letting more on then they know (meaning we should know in the future from them).
Not to mention the people who defeated them are Blackbeard and Shanks, so to get some more on that would make sense.
9. The Burned Scar Man
With the topic of this character being referenced multiple times, including the 4th Road Poneglyph, it makes a lot of sense for him to be involved in Elbaf. Typically when Oda lays on the mystery of codename characters (Mr. 0 and Joker to be precise), their relevancy tends be sooner rather than later. Considering the Burned Scar Man is the target of all Yonko and this thread is mainly focused on the idea of everyone fighting in Elbaf, it would make sense to involve him next arc.
The main question really revolves around Oda will involve him. Will someone chase him to Elbaf? Is he already there in the middle of Warland?
What of his identity? Could this be the pirate Shanks talks about with the Gorosei? Maybe this God Valley flashback helps with finding this out. If Rocks is engulfed by flames and believed to be dead, could it be him? Is it Daavy Jones or some other type of Fishman? Many theories are possible.
What is his crew comprised of? Level 6 escapees? Former Roger/Whitebeard/Rocks pirates?
10. Rocks/Rocks Clones
The final faction is similar to what is mentioned above about the Burned Scar Man. God Valley is heavily tied to Kuma and Egghead, which means the narrative for Rocks is getting much closer to relevancy.
You also have the fact that Vegapunk has cloned a Rocks pirate through Stussy, who is tied to not only them, but the Underworld, who may be tied to Cross Guild. With this, there is a reasonable expectation that there are more clones, since Weevil is implied to be a failed one and Stussy is “Successful Clone #1”
The question is, to what capacity? Maybe the Burned Scar Man and Rocks are one in the same?
11. The Revolutionaries and World Government
There is also the potential these factions get involved as well, but I’m still keen on them being more involved in things beyond the direct fight for One Piece. Theres very little connection between the Revolutionary Army to anyone but Kuma or Vegapunk for example. Their only antagonistic connection is with the World Government itself. Conversely the same issue issue exists with Imu, Gorosei and God Knights. They currently have no active plotlines with anyone save for Kuma/Vegapunk.
Oda has way too many characters with way too many threads tying each together that, if he were to not address mostly everything in a 200+ chapter arc, we will either have One Piece for 15 more years or never finish it. With Elbaf around the corner, and a myriad of characters tied to it, AND essentially all other major characters to them, it is becoming increasingly evident that Elbaf itself may last years with its conflict.
Either this or its the island after where much of this carries forward, but I’m willing to bet it’s here. Again though, this is not suggesting Blackbeard and/or Shanks cant survive the conflict if need be, to give Luffy a closer fight at Laugh Tale, but maybe thats also reserved for the World Government in the end, who knows.
*by Paperchampion23
