Why Blackbeard Vs Shanks is coming soon, explained

This article contains spoilers about the Elbaf Arc of One Piece.

Key points

• Shanks and Blackbeard's roles in the final saga revealed.
• Elbaf's story arc sets the stage for the inevitable battle between Shanks and Blackbeard.
• Blackbeard and Shanks will soon clash to shock the world of One Piece.

The final saga of One piece saw a lot of attention paid to the likes of Blackbeard and Shanks. These are two powerful individuals that fans know will be very important in this segment of the story and for good reason. Both Blackbeard and Shanks have a deep rivalry that not even fans know the extent of. They know each other very well and Shanks really knows the threat that Blackbeard actually poses.

In the Paramount War story arc, a fight was set up between these two and fans have been waiting to see it happen ever since. Now, in the final saga of One piecebut potentially to Elbaf as well, this battle could finally happen and fans can't wait to see it take place.

The roles of Shanks and Blackbeard in the final saga

• Shanks and Blackbeard had remained on the sidelines until now
• Oda finally reveals the main players of the final saga

Shanks and Blackbeard are both key players in the final saga of One Piece. These are both characters that Oda used sparingly in the early parts of the series, because they had bigger roles to play in the final Saga. Right now, both Shanks and Blackbeard are part of the Four Emperors, and while Shanks is certainly the one with the highest bounty, Blackbeard is right behind him. These are two monstrously powerful individuals and characters whose strength is almost unmatched. Before the events of the Wano Country story arc, Shanks, the red-haired emperor, was on the sidelines and not doing much. It was almost as if Shanks was waiting for something to happen before making his move. Once Luffy defeated Kaido, Shanks declared his goal to reclaim the One Piece and beat everyone else. Now he is an active player in the battle for One Piece and fans can't wait to see him join the fray.

It's not time to fight yet! – Blackbeard

Likewise, Blackbeard is more active than ever. He became emperor about a year ago and has continued to go from strength to strength ever since. Blackbeard has amassed more infamy and, at the same time, more power for himself and his crew, and he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. At this time, Blackbeard is a tremendously powerful enemy that anyone can face in battle, and he continues to grow stronger and stronger, aiming to become the king of the entire world.

Curiously, Shanks has been searching for Blackbeard for quite a while now, and this fight could very well happen soon. Readers can't wait to see it happen, and it will be amazing to see them clash, especially if it happens in the Elbaf Arc.

Because Elbaf will be the eldest of Shanks and Blackbeard

Winner takes all in a clash of emperors

Naturally, fans believe that Blackbeard and Shanks will continue to fight at some point. However, not many would think that this clash between these two powerful individuals will happen in the Elbaf Arc of One Piece. However, that's where the story is going right now. As fans know, Shanks has been stalking Blackbeard ever since the events of Wano. When Shanks was on the shores of Wano Country, he was there to prevent Blackbeard from attacking the next generation, because he feared he would be nearby. When Shanks left Elbaf, once again, he sought out Blackbeard because he wanted to go and face him before he did enough damage. Right now Shanks is sailing the seas somewhere and his destination is unknown. He's already dealt with Bartolomeo, which means he'll most likely go to Blackbeard now.

Was Shanks here? What business did he have with you? – Luffy

Of course, Blackbeard himself has his own goals. As fans know, he left with his crew quite recently and whatever he has in mind has to do with the siege of Marijoa. Fans don't know exactly what Blackbeard plans to do, but it's very likely that when he embarks on this mission, he will be intercepted by Shanks.

These two are on track to clash sooner rather than later, and this might just be the point where they collide properly.

Of course, fans might think it's too early for these two monsters to clash, but One Piece is already at the end of the game and Luffy is incredibly close to reclaiming One Piece. Elbaf could be the arc where he discovers where the last Road Poneglyph is, meaning bigger fights need to happen right now.

The inevitable fight between Shanks and Blackbeard

Shanks Vs Blackbeard is coming soon

The battle between Shanks and Blackbeard is inevitable and will be one of the biggest in One Piece. However, this fight may not go as many fans expected. As it stands, most fans believe that the battle between Shanks and Blackbeard will see Shanks fall and Blackbeard emerge as the victor. However, this is likely not to happen. This is because Shanks must also fight against Luffy, and this reunion that has been built since the first narrative arc of the story, must come, no matter what. Luffy can't meet Blackbeard before fighting Shanks, because if that were the case, then a battle between Shanks and Blackbeard wouldn't make much sense, as Luffy definitely wouldn't lose to fellow Yonko.

Likewise, Blackbeard cannot fight Luffy before fighting Shanks because Luffy will defeat him, and if he wants to claim victory against Shanks, then he will have to fight him first. Fans also know, at the same time, that Luffy and Shanks will meet in Elbaf, because this is the territory that Shanks is protecting, and Oda has been hinting at their reunion in this country for a while now. Basically, this implies that Blackbeard and Shanks will meet in battle very soon and completely shake the entire world of One piece.

As for how the battle between Shanks and Blackbeard will go, no one can say for sure what Oda intends to do. But the fact that Blackbeard can't fall to Shanks means that, at the very least, he won't die. At the same time, Shanks cannot fall to Blackbeard before meeting Luffy, which means their battle could be a stalemate, or Blackbeard will be saved by someone or something and lose sight of Shanks. . That said, this fight will be absolutely incredible from start to finish, with both monsters showing their full strength right from the start. This is also the place where Oda will explain the past of these characters and, in doing so, fans will discover a lot about Blackbeard's strange body, his ability to hold two devil fruits and, at the same time, also about his past.

Shanks' purpose and almost everything else about his character will be revealed to fans for the first time. On top of all this, fans will see an exhilarating battle that could become the best yet One piece had to maintain to this day, and it can be said with certainty that this fight will shake not only the world One piecebut also the fandom.

One Piece Chapter 1132 New release date

One Piece is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The release date for the next chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1132, is set for November 17, 2024.