For years, One Piece fans have grown accustomed to thinking of the series as something eternal—an ever-expanding world that always seemed to have another island, another mystery, and another decade of storytelling left in it. Even when creator Eiichiro Oda openly discussed the idea of an ending, it felt abstract, like a distant horizon no ship could truly reach. But recent developments, combined with the overwhelming impact of the current God Valley storyline, have begun to shift that perception. Now, many readers believe One Piece is no longer slowly drifting toward its conclusion—it is actively sailing there.
The idea that the manga will end after its next arc has sent shockwaves through the fandom. While no official countdown clock exists, the structure of the story itself feels different. Long-running mysteries are being addressed directly, legendary figures from the past are stepping into the spotlight, and the narrative tone has grown heavier and more decisive. This is not the pacing of a series preparing to wander. It is the pacing of a story preparing to close its final chapter.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
At the center of this shift is the God Valley Incident, an arc that has rapidly become one of the most discussed and celebrated storylines in One Piece history. For decades, God Valley was little more than a whispered name—an infamous event tied to the fall of Rocks D. Xebec and the rise of some of the world’s most powerful figures. Now, Oda has finally chosen to open that locked door, and what lies behind it has exceeded nearly every expectation.
The flashback brings together legendary names such as Rocks, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the shadowy Imu, weaving them into a conflict that feels less like a traditional arc and more like a historical epic. This is not just backstory for the sake of nostalgia. God Valley reframes the entire power structure of the One Piece world, exposing the origins of conflicts that still define the present era.
What has resonated most strongly with fans is the arc’s focus on “true history.” For years, One Piece has teased the idea that the world’s official narrative is a lie carefully maintained by those in power. God Valley doesn’t just hint at that deception—it actively dismantles it. The Celestial Dragons are no longer distant villains; they are revealed as central players in a system built on control, secrecy, and erased truths. For long-time readers, this feels like the payoff they’ve been waiting for since the earliest mentions of the Void Century.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
Perhaps the most surprising reaction to the God Valley arc is how many fans are openly saying they don’t want to return to the Straw Hat Pirates just yet. In a series defined by Luffy and his crew, this sentiment would have seemed unthinkable years ago. Yet social media is filled with posts praising the flashback’s darker tone, emotional weight, and lore-heavy storytelling.
While the Straw Hats represent freedom, adventure, and optimism, God Valley offers something starkly different: inevitability. It shows a world shaped by brutal decisions, moral compromises, and clashes between titanic figures whose actions echo across generations. One widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter) captured the feeling perfectly: “If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.”
That reaction highlights how immersive the arc has been. God Valley feels self-contained yet monumental, as though readers have stepped into the mythological foundation of the One Piece universe. The concern isn’t that fans are tired of the Straw Hats—it’s that returning to lighter, adventure-focused storytelling might feel jarring after witnessing events of such historical magnitude.
Why the “Next Arc” Signals the Beginning of the End
The claim that One Piece will end after its next arc carries more weight than it might initially appear. In storytelling terms, it suggests that the series is moving away from setup and toward resolution. God Valley has done much of the heavy lifting in explaining the past. What remains is the collision between that past and the present.
There are only so many mysteries left that truly matter, and most of them are deeply interconnected. The true nature of the World Government, the identity and purpose of Imu, the meaning of the Will of D., and the full truth of the Void Century are no longer distant questions—they are active threads being pulled tighter with each chapter. Even the One Piece itself, once treated as an abstract dream, feels closer to being revealed than ever before.
This sense of convergence is what makes the “final stretch” feel real. The world of One Piece is no longer expanding outward; it is folding inward, drawing every major storyline toward a single point of resolution. The next arc, whatever its setting or name, may be the moment when the present-day Straw Hats are forced to confront the full weight of history revealed in God Valley.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
The overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding God Valley is also a testament to Eiichiro Oda’s skill as a storyteller. After more than two decades of serialization, it would be easy for a series to lose its edge. Instead, One Piece feels sharper than ever. The arc’s careful pacing, emotional gravity, and narrative ambition have reminded fans why the series became a cultural phenomenon in the first place.
What makes this moment especially powerful is that Oda appears to be honoring the long-term commitment of his readers. God Valley doesn’t feel rushed or improvised. It feels deliberate—like a story that could only be told after everything else had been put in place. Even fans who feel anxious about the end of the series often admit that if One Piece must conclude, this is exactly how it should be done: with clarity, purpose, and respect for its own history.
Some readers worry that returning to the Straw Hats might slow the momentum built by the flashback. Others believe the opposite—that this tension between past and present is precisely what makes One Piece timeless. The adventure has always been about more than finding treasure; it’s about understanding the world and choosing what to do with that knowledge.
Excitement, Fear, and the Weight of an Ending
As talk of the final stretch grows louder, the fandom finds itself caught between excitement and fear. On one hand, the promise of answers is thrilling. Fans have debated theories for years, and the idea that those debates may finally be resolved is exhilarating. On the other hand, the end of One Piece represents the closing of an era—not just for the manga, but for the readers who grew up alongside it.
God Valley has intensified those emotions by reminding everyone what One Piece does best when it is at full strength: expansive world-building, unforgettable characters, and revelations that recontextualize everything that came before. If the series truly is heading toward its conclusion after the next arc, then this moment will be remembered as the turning point—the calm before the final storm.
Whether readers are ready or not, the story is moving forward. And if God Valley is any indication, Eiichiro Oda is determined to make sure that when One Piece finally ends, it does so with the same impact, ambition, and emotional resonance that defined its journey from the very beginning.
