Eiichiro Oda has had us on a journey to find One Piece for over two decades now. From the very beginning, he confirmed his intention to make Luffy the "King of Pirates," but not in an easy way. Over time, Luffy’s thrilling adventure in pursuit of Gol D. Roger’s legacy engaged fans worldwide, connecting us with the Straw Hat Crew.
However, what if Luffy failed to find One Piece? Considering author Oda’s cunning ways to surprise his fans, he may choose someone else as One Piece’s owner over the protagonist, giving the entire fandom new theories to work on.
Here are the top five most suitable candidates from the One Piece universe in line to find the world’s most mysterious and valuable treasure if Luffy can’t.
Shanks (the captain of Red Hair Pirates):
Throughout the series, Shanks is portrayed as a goofy yet influential pirate. He was a Yonko (Emperor of the Sea) way before Luffy made a name for himself. Not to mention, his mysterious power and yet-to-be-revealed connection with Imo, one of One Piece’s prominent figures, makes him the most speculated pirate to get his hand on One Piece before Luffy.
Marshall D. Teach (the captain of Blackbeard Pirates):
It’s no doubt that Blackbeard, a.k.a. Marshall D. Teac,h is one of the best antagonists of the series. Clinging his way from a no-name kid of former Pirate King Roger’s group to being included in the ranks of Yonko, he has become a perfect villain figure, who Luffy has to face eventually.
And it would be more thrilling if the prize in line would be nothing other than One Piece. It is not surprising to me, since it may not be a strange way but a great way to reintroduce them in the series and have a fight-to-death storyline.
Big Mom (the captain of Big Mom Pirates):
It’s unlikely for author Oda to pass the previous two more suitable candidates and select Big Mom, one of the Yonkos, to be the legacy bearer of Gol D. Roger. However, a few points can make it valid.
Luffy has yet to formally fight with Big Mom in a one-on-one situation like Kaido. Plus, Big Mom's devil fruit power is arguably one of the strongest among the known pirates. And Who knows, maybe she can go beyond what has been not revealed yet, and get her hands on One Piece before anyone else.
Eustass Kidd (the captain of Kid Pirates)
When it was speculated that someone from the worst generation would carry Roger’s will, everyone believed that it was a revelation for Luffy. However, as time goes on, One Piece introduces several candidates from the worst generation as direct competitors of Luffy. Among them is Eustass Kidd, the caption of Kid Pirates.
His recent clash with Shanks raises him higher in the fans’ favorites ranking. If the author insists on making someone from the Worst Generation group be Roger’s legacy bearer, Kidd has the most convincing resume after Luffy.
Buggy the Star Clown (the Captain of Buggy Pirates)
If there is one person who defines logic and can do anything, that is Buggy the Star Clown. He’s a former crew mate of two of Yonkos, Shanks, and Blackbeard, and a former member of the infamous Roger’s Pirate group.
In a recent revelation, Buggy has joined Luffy and others in the ranks of Yonko, but the “how” is a mystery stored for upcoming work. There’s no doubt Buggy has every possibility of surprising the fandom by finding One Piece, given how lucky he’s been throughout the series.
My personal favorite theory would be a three-way battle royale between the crews of Shanks, Luffy, and Buggy. When Luffy and Shanks are locked on each other, fighting for the ultimate prize, Buggy will take One Piece under everyone’s nose. Since it’s him this kind of sketchy method will only bring more twist for the spectators.
Bonus - World Government / Navy:
If we change the question a little and include everyone beyond pirates, then the World Government-led Navy has an optimum chance to get their hands on One Piece before anyone else. They have records and corrections in every corner of the World and it wouldn’t be surprising if the true location of One Piece is one of them.
Their top-ranked Admirals are par or beyond a Yonko level. Not to mention, the series has many more mysteries to unfold, and one of them could be the treasure’s possession under the World Government which has been hidden from public attention.
It would set the perfect stage for an all-out Pirates vs World Government War, which was partially triggered during Ace’s execution.
Which one do you think will be the next big twist in One Piece?
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