As One Piece barrels toward its long-awaited finale, one question keeps echoing across the fandom: after the inevitable clash with Imu and the World Government… will Luffy and Blackbeard finally settle things in a decisive, end-of-series battle?
With the God Valley flashback wrapping up in the manga and Imu being framed more clearly than ever as a true “final boss” for the world itself, fans are now trying to figure out where Marshall D. Teach fits into the last act of Eiichiro Oda’s story. Beebom+1
Right now, it feels like the series is carefully stacking its endgame pieces: Joy Boy, Imu, the Ancient Weapons, the World Government, and somewhere in that storm, the grinning shadow of Blackbeard.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
The God Valley Incident has become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end. Through this flashback, Oda has brought together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the mysterious Imu, turning what was once a vague historical footnote into a full-blown epic that feels every bit as grand as a modern arc. One Piece Wiki+1
Instead of being a simple piece of backstory, God Valley has exploded into a foundational event: a twisted “hunt” arranged by the Celestial Dragons, a battlefield crowded with future Emperors, and the moment that shaped the balance of power for decades. The flashback has delivered brutal fights, tragic backstories, and crucial reveals about the World Government’s darkest secrets. For many readers, this is the closest we’ve ever come to seeing the “true history” the series has teased since its earliest chapters.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
In a rare twist, a big chunk of the fandom isn’t eager to jump back to Luffy and the Straw Hats right away. Social media is packed with posts saying this flashback feels like the most thrilling One Piece has been in years, thanks to its darker tone, political intrigue, and lore-heavy storytelling.
While the Straw Hats are undeniably the heart of the series, the God Valley storyline offers something different: it’s the moment where all the legends—Rocks, Roger, Garp, Imu, the Celestial Dragons—collide and rewrite the world. Many fans describe it as watching a living history book, one that explains why the modern era looks the way it does.
The vibe is clear: if we jump back too soon, it might feel like waking up from a dream just before the best part. But that tension also highlights something important—everything we’re seeing now is pointing straight at the future showdown over the world’s throne.
A Testament to Oda’s Endgame
The hype around God Valley is also proof that Oda still has complete control over his narrative, even more than two decades in. By using a massive flashback this deep into the story, he’s not just filling in gaps; he’s rearranging how we interpret the present. The revelations about Imu, the World Government’s hidden “monster,” and the degree of historical cover-up give the Final Saga a weight that makes every future conflict feel bigger. Polygon+1
As God Valley concludes and we move back to the “present,” fans know one thing for sure: we’re done with warm-ups. The players for the final wars are set—and that’s where the looming Luffy vs. Blackbeard question becomes unavoidable.
Imu: The Enemy of the World, Not Just Luffy
Recent chapters and analysis make it clearer than ever that Imu isn’t just another villain—this is the hidden ruler of the world, the force behind centuries of erased history and brutal oppression. New details about Imu’s powers and weaknesses suggest that while terrifying, they aren’t invincible, hinting that a direct clash is inevitable. CBR+1
Imu represents the system itself: the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, and the lie of “justice” that’s shaped the entire story. Luffy’s role as Joy Boy and enemy of oppression makes him the natural opponent. But when the dust from that battle settles, there’s another pirate out there who doesn’t just want freedom—he wants the throne.
Where Does Blackbeard Fit Into the Final Saga?
Blackbeard has always been Luffy’s dark mirror: another “D,” another dreamer, but one who will gladly trample anyone to achieve what he wants. He’s already taken Whitebeard’s power, built a monstrous crew, and carved out a Yonko empire from chaos. Many fans have long believed that Teach, not Imu, has to be Luffy’s personal final opponent. Worstgen
Recent theories go even further, suggesting Blackbeard may directly intersect with Imu’s role. Some popular speculation imagines Teach attacking Mary Geoise, confronting Imu, and even stealing their Devil Fruit to become the single greatest powerhouse in history—turning him into a hybrid of “Pirate King” and “King of the World.” Game Rant+1
If that happens, then the question shifts from “Will Luffy fight Blackbeard after Imu?” to “Will the fight with Imu be the thing that turns Blackbeard into the true final threat?”
Scenario 1: Luffy vs. Blackbeard Before Imu
One popular reading of the story is that Luffy and Blackbeard will clash first, with their battle deciding who walks into the final confrontation with Imu. In this scenario, the duel for the Pirate King title happens on the way to the ultimate war against the World Government.
This would echo the rivalry between Roger and Rocks—the legendary pirate vs. the chaotic monster—only inverted. The winner between Luffy and Teach could decide whether the world is freed or plunged into even deeper darkness. If Luffy wins, he walks into the war as Pirate King and Joy Boy. If Blackbeard wins, Imu might actually see him as a dangerous piece to control or eliminate.
Scenario 2: A Temporary Alliance Against Imu
Another theory gaining traction is far wilder: Luffy and Blackbeard temporarily fight on the same side against Imu. Some fans point out that, twisted as he is, Blackbeard still believes in the right to chase one’s dreams and despises being controlled—exactly the kind of person who would hate Imu’s existence. Reddit+1
In this version, Imu’s power becomes such an immediate threat that pirates and revolutionaries are forced into an uneasy alliance. Luffy, Teach, Dragon, and others might end up targeting the same enemy, with each faction fighting for their own vision of the world. Once Imu is defeated and the “ceiling” of the world is shattered, the truce would naturally end—leaving room for one last, brutally personal Luffy vs. Blackbeard showdown.
Scenario 3: Imu Falls, Blackbeard Rises
There’s also a darker possibility: Imu is defeated not by Luffy, but by Blackbeard, who then seizes their power for himself. Some fans imagine Blackbeard as the one who storms Mary Geoise, kills Imu, and claims their abilities, becoming a monster even the World Government couldn’t fully control. Game Rant
In that case, the “final battle” shifts from liberating the world from an invisible king to stopping a visible, unstoppable tyrant—Marshall D. Teach, the pirate who turned freedom into pure domination. Luffy, as the symbol of joyful freedom, would then have to defeat a rival who has literally become the new face of the world’s oppression.
So… After Imu, Do Luffy and Blackbeard Fight?
Right now, nothing is confirmed, and Oda is famous for swerving away from the most obvious solutions at the last moment. But based on decades of setup, it’s hard to imagine a version of the ending where Luffy and Blackbeard don’t clash in some decisive way.
Imu looks like the ultimate enemy of the world—the hidden tyrant who must be overthrown for true freedom to exist. Blackbeard, on the other hand, feels like the ultimate enemy of Luffy himself—the rival who embodies a twisted version of his dream. Whether the showdown happens before, during, or after the final war with the World Government, their collision seems inevitable.
If God Valley has taught fans anything, it’s that history repeats itself in dangerous ways. Roger and Rocks once fought under the shadow of a hidden monster. This time, with Joy Boy returned and the truth of the world on the line, the stage may be set for an even bigger question:
When the World Government falls and Imu’s rule ends… will Luffy and Blackbeard be able to walk away without one last, world-shaking fight?
