As One Piece sails toward its long-anticipated endgame, a new wave of excitement is sweeping the fandom — and this time, it isn’t just about ancient history or forgotten legends. With the story heading toward Elbaf, the land of giants, a growing number of fans believe that the final member of the Straw Hat Pirates’ crew will be introduced there — and even more boldly, that this newcomer will one day surpass Roronoa Zoro himself. In a series known for unlikely dreamers rising to impossible heights, this idea doesn’t feel outrageous — it feels like One Piece.
And yet, this speculation is emerging at a time when the story is dominated not by the Straw Hats, but by the God Valley flashback — one of the most dramatic and lore-rich arcs One Piece has ever delivered.
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. Eiichiro Oda’s exploration of this long-mysterious event has brought together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the enigmatic Imu — creating a flashback that feels more like a grand historical epic than a side story.
The arc dives deep into the power struggles that shaped the modern world of One Piece, revealing long-hidden secrets about the Celestial Dragons and the early days of piracy. For many, it’s a rare glimpse into the “true history” of the world — something fans have been waiting for since the manga’s earliest chapters. Every reveal feels heavy with consequences, retroactively reshaping how readers view past events.
At the same time, the God Valley narrative has subtly laid the groundwork for what comes next. As the curtain lifts on the world’s hidden past, the Straw Hats move toward the future — and toward Elbaf, where the next potential Straw Hat awaits.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
Surprisingly, many readers say they don’t want to go back to the Straw Hat Pirates just yet. Social media platforms are full of fans expressing that this arc feels like the most thrilling part of One Piece in years — with its dark tone, intense storytelling, and lore-heavy revelations. While Luffy and his crew are the heart of the series, the God Valley storyline offers something entirely different: a look at the legends and events that shaped everything we know.
One fan summed it up best on X (formerly Twitter):
“If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.”
That sentiment highlights a unique moment in the fandom — the past has briefly become more captivating than the present adventure. Yet once the flashback inevitably ends, the narrative will rejoin Luffy, and that’s where the conversation turns toward Elbaf and the possibility of the final Straw Hat recruit.
Elbaf: The Perfect Stage for the Final Straw Hat
Elbaf has been teased since early in the series, and its reputation is legendary: the strongest nation in the world, home of mighty giants, warriors, storytellers, and heroes of mythic stature. Usopp’s dream is deeply tied to Elbaf, but fans have long suspected something more — that Elbaf would not simply be a location, but a turning point.
This is where many theorize the final crewmate will appear.
In typical Oda fashion, the Straw Hats’ last member will likely arrive not as a perfect warrior, but someone with a dream only the Pirate King’s crew can help achieve. Whether a giant warrior, a royal figure, or an unexpected young prodigy, many readers believe this character will have extraordinary growth potential, setting up an eventual rivalry — or surpassing moment — with Zoro.
“Surpassing Zoro” — What Does That Really Mean?
Claiming anyone will surpass Zoro is bold. As Luffy’s right hand and future world’s greatest swordsman, his role in the crew is undeniable. But in One Piece, “surpass” doesn’t always mean “replace.”
It can mean:
- surpassing him in a specific field
- becoming stronger in raw physical power
- developing a more feared reputation
- playing a more decisive role in the final battles
- representing the next generation overtaking the old
Zoro himself is built on the idea of surpassing legends. It would be thematically fitting for another character to follow that same path, not to diminish Zoro, but to echo the story’s core message: dreams exist to be exceeded.
If the final member comes from Elbaf, a land of overwhelming strength, it isn’t hard to imagine someone with the natural power to rival even Zoro’s monstrous capabilities — especially once honed alongside the Straw Hats.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
The enthusiasm surrounding the God Valley flashback underscores Eiichiro Oda’s enduring genius as a storyteller. After more than two decades, he continues to surprise fans by revealing layers of history that connect generations of pirates, marines, and rulers. The arc’s pacing, emotion, and scope have reminded readers of One Piece’s golden era — a blend of mystery, world-building, and drama that few series can match.
Even as some fans fear that returning to the Straw Hats will slow the story’s momentum, others believe this balance between past and present is what makes One Piece timeless. Oda weaves legacy and destiny together: the giants of the past shape the heroes of today, and the heroes of today inspire those of tomorrow.
Which is exactly why the idea of a final crewmate surpassing Zoro resonates so strongly.
It isn’t about disrespecting Zoro’s journey — it’s about continuity of dreams. Just as Zoro once stood in the shadow of Mihawk and vowed to overtake him, someone new may one day stand in Zoro’s shadow with the same burning determination.
The Final Straw Hat and the Road to the End
As the Final Saga unfolds, each new revelation feels heavier than the last. The God Valley Incident is redefining the world’s past. Elbaf is poised to reshape its future. And somewhere in the middle stands the Straw Hat crew, still incomplete — at least for now.
When the story does reach Elbaf, it may deliver:
- the long-awaited final Straw Hat
- the full truth of the giants’ connection to history
- massive escalating stakes for the final war
- character growth for Usopp and others
- and possibly, the moment a new star begins to rise beyond Zoro’s horizon
Whether or not the final crew member truly surpasses Zoro remains to be seen. But the mere possibility has electrified the fandom — because One Piece has always been about people who aim higher than the sky, no matter who stands in their way.
And if there is any world where someone could one day surpass the man who will become the world’s greatest swordsman, it is the world Eiichiro Oda has built — where dreams are limitless, legends are born from nothing, and the next great warrior might be waiting in Elbaf, ready to join the final voyage.
