The Elbaf arc in One Piece is reshaping everything we thought we knew. With Imu descending in person, Loki overwhelmed, and the arrival of the Rain God Zaza in chapter 1182, the final stages of One Piece are darker than ever.
Especially, the current situation of the Straw Hat crew echoes one of Luffy’s most painful memories: the tragedy at the Sabaody Archipelago. Could this be the catalyst for Luffy to awaken a new, even more terrifying form beyond Gear 5?
Elbaf: A Mirror of the Sabaody Tragedy
Why is this theory stirring so much excitement among fans? The answer lies in the extreme deadlock Oda has crafted. In chapter 1180, Imu easily blocked Zoro’s King of Hell attack and severely wounded him using a mysterious Omen ability. Even Sanji failed to harm Imu, while the Holy Knights increasingly gained the upper hand.
Things got worse in chapter 1181 when Loki, Elbaf’s last hope, was pierced through the chest by Imu’s Nemesis sword. Despite transforming into a dragon and unleashing the powerful Thorheim attack, Loki couldn’t turn the tide. If Loki falls right before Luffy’s eyes after Zoro and Sanji have been defeated, Luffy’s mind could completely break, just like when he witnessed Ace’s death or helplessly saw his crew vanish at Sabaody.
When Nika’s Will Fully Takes Over Luffy
Since Gear 5’s debut, Oda has dropped hints that Nika is more than just a power-up. Luffy laughs uncontrollably and behaves strangely even in life-or-death moments. The Five Elders confirmed that this Zoan-type Devil Fruit has its own will, and Nika might be the most dangerous entity among them.
The theory suggests that if Luffy falls into utter despair at Elbaf, Nika’s will could seize full control of his body, rather than just partially awakening as in Gear 5. This explains why Oda keeps emphasizing themes of divinity, demons, and domination with Imu’s appearance.
Imu and Nika represent opposing extremes. One embodies control and fear, the other freedom and liberation. If Joy Boy from 800 years ago was defeated by Imu, then the key to victory might not be Luffy simply growing stronger, but becoming the true incarnation of Nika. However, the cost could be losing the identity of “Luffy” forever, making way for the ancient god.