One Piece has entered its final stretch, which means the confrontation with the manga's ultimate villain is approaching. The problem is, his identity remains unknown. However, three names immediately come to mind when we think of the antagonist, but there can only be one, and Eiichiro Oda may have found him.
Akainu: A Story of Revenge
The events at Marineford changed One Piece forever, as well as everyone involved. This is obviously the case for Luffy, who saw Ace die before his eyes, but also for the person who committed this act: Akainu. Since the arc, the admiral has been battling Aokiji on Punk Hazard for the position of commander-in-chief, which he ultimately obtained. Akainu is now on the front lines hunting down pirates and the revolutionary army, making him a major threat.
Currently, Akainu acts like a bureaucrat, sending his vice-admirals to conflict zones. He only got up from his chair when Kuma wreaked havoc in Marie Geoise. However, there is no doubt that he will become active again. His connection with Luffy and Sabo, who represent his natural enemies, foreshadows a major confrontation. The problem is that a fight against Aokiji, or even Koby, seems more logical at the moment. The latter has already opposed his superior, and his dream of leading the Navy means he will one day have to dethrone him. Luffy could play a role in this fall, but the hero currently has other priorities.
Imu: The One Who Must Be Dethroned
Appearing eight years ago, Imu has established himself as a major antagonist. As head of the World Government, he appears to be the ideal candidate for the final battle. Several groups could oppose him, including some old enemies. Furthermore, his connection to Nika, and therefore to Luffy, reinforces his status as the ultimate enemy, the one who shaped the world of One Piece.
Imu has been particularly active in recent weeks. By controlling Gunko, he directly intervened on Elbaf Island. Chapters 1150 and 1151 demonstrate his full power, as he rallied the giants to his cause. He plunged Elbaf into total chaos, but the heroes should soon intervene. All this suggests that the battle against Imu is closer than we thought. With such a sudden rise to prominence and a decisive confrontation on the horizon, one might wonder if Eiichiro Oda has chosen to bring forward an event that was originally supposed to happen later. This may only be a taster, but given the forces at play on Elbaf, the outcome of this fight could change a lot of things.
Blackbeard: Luffy's rival
If there's one villain who's been keeping a low profile lately, it's Blackbeard. He's quietly continuing his path to One Piece, notably attacking Boa Hancock for her power, or Law's crew to recover copies of Road Poneglyphs. Even though he hasn't appeared since the events of Elbaf, Blackbeard remains a central character, and he could well be, more than anyone, the manga's final antagonist.
With Imu now on the battlefield, the way remains open for Blackbeard to be the final enemy of One Piece. A logical hypothesis, not only because of his danger, but also because he embodies the dark reflection of Luffy. Both share the same goal: to become the king of the pirates. To do this, they must seize the One Piece. We can therefore imagine a final confrontation on Laugh Tale in a decisive duel for the treasure.
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