One Piece chapter 1154, titled “Not Even Death Can Stop It,” truly exploded onto the scene, plunging fans deeper into Elbaf’s tragic past and unveiling earth-shattering secrets about Rocks D. Xebec.
Yamato Continues a Mysterious Journey with an “Uninvited Guest”
The cover story continues “The Journey of the Oni Child, Yamato,” following Yamato as she explores Wano Country. Surprisingly, O-Chō and Kikunojo lead Yamato, along with Ulti and Page One (two now-free members of the Beasts Pirates), to visit a previously unknown ruined tomb. This grave belongs to “a hero born in the West Sea and raised in Ringo,” hinting at a significant yet untold character.
Elbaf: Haunted by Disaster and Loki’s Rejection
The chapter opens with a brief recap of Big Mom (Charlotte Linlin) as a child, destroying a warrior village and killing the elder Jorul Beard. Following this, Elbaf suffers a series of devastating disasters: a massive blizzard ruins crops, leaving the giants unable to hunt or fish, plunging the land into terrible famine.
Amid this turmoil, young Loki returns to the castle, but Queen Estrid (his mother) refuses to see him. Loki tries to embrace her and even breaks down her door, but she rejects him with hatred. Desperate, Loki screams as soldiers drag him away.
Estrid cruelly declares: “It’s all his fault! Because I didn’t kill him at birth, this country is cursed! Take him away! Never let that monster near me! Blind his eyes! Otherwise, everything will be doomed! The end of this land is near!”
Facing natural disasters, Elbaf nears destruction. The people plan to attack Hajrudin due to his ties with “the cursed prince Loki,” but King Harald returns just in time to protect Hajrudin and Ida.
Harald persuades the people to accept aid from human nations he has diplomatic ties with, who have loaded ships with food to help the giants, emphasizing a spirit of sharing.
Tragedy continues as Queen Estrid dies just before Harald’s return to Elbaf (with a scene showing Harald mourning at her funeral). Ida then moves to the Underworld and opens a bar, the same place where Colon and Shanks meet in the present. While King Harald works on rebuilding the country, Loki grows up abused by Estrid’s younger brother, who is later killed by a creature from the Underworld. To avoid trouble, soldiers blindfold Loki, telling him he has an eye disease.
The Galleyra Secret and a Historic Meeting with Rocks D. Xebec
The scene shifts to 56 years ago at Jarul’s home. Harald and Jarul discuss conflicts between giants and the World Government. Jarul asks Harald: “Were you at Levely when that incident happened?” Harald confirms he snuck in as a guard but laments that no one heeded his warnings, and if the murder hadn’t happened, he might have been caught.
Jarul then asks about the “Galleyra,” a group of giant shipwrights. Harald thought they were just legends, but Jarul insists they were real and captured. Over 100 giant warriors, including ancient giants, vanished. Harald suspects the World Government, but Jarul only says “a great enemy once existed in the past,” and that history sank beneath the sea on a fateful day.
Jarul also hears rumors that some Galleyra members are frozen somewhere. Illustrations show Galleyra warriors, at least two resemble the frozen giants Nami and Chopper saw on Punk Hazard, confirming an incredible connection.
The story jumps to 48 years ago. After a monster attack on the village, young Loki sees Hajrudin with friends and flees, jumping from the Human World into the Underworld. He falls hard, removes his blindfold, and cries, saying, “Not even death is possible.”
Suddenly, a distant mountain is split in two, and a voice shouts: “What the hell is going on with this island? Where’s the entrance?” A group approaches Loki, including Shiki, Edward Newgate (Whitebeard), Buckingham Stussy, and a mysterious man.
Rocks D. Xebec Revealed: Blackbeard’s Father Unveiled
On the final double-page spread, the mysterious man is revealed as Rocks D. Xebec! His face strongly resembles Blackbeard (Teach), from his eyes, nose, mouth, to his spiky black and white hair, earrings, and a scar or tattoo on the left side of his face. His build is large like Teach’s but leaner.
The chapter ends with an official introduction of Xebec:
Harald met this man at “Levely” eight years ago. During that event, he escaped after killing a Navy admiral… He is currently one of the World Government’s most wanted criminals with a huge bounty.
Xebec asks Loki: “Alright! Answer ‘Yes’ to both my questions, kid! That’s the answer I’m looking for. One! Is this the land of the giants, Elbaf? Two! Is Harald here?”
The official introduction confirms Rocks D. Xebec as the captain of the Rocks Pirates and Blackbeard’s father, one of the Four Emperors.
Chapter 1154 delivers a true shockwave for One Piece, clarifying Elbaf and Loki’s past while officially introducing Rocks D. Xebec and his surprising blood connection to Blackbeard. The next chapter will release next week, featuring a Jump cover and a double color page.