Hm, I wouldn't say there will be no preamble to Luffy's final opponent. I would say, the inner workings of the World Government itself, their ultimate ideology and motivation, etc. will be revealed throughout the New World and will be fully revealed in the True History. From there, I think the conflict with the World Government and final battle would all fall into that final war Whitebeard predicted would come when the One Piece is discovered. It's kind of speculation / extrapolation. I think we're going to see more and more about the World Government's goals past and present that makes them a threat to the freedom of not only Luffy and his friends, but the entire world. Roger, from what little we can infer based on the few quotes, was a person who cared for the freedom of the world. He challenged the world, failed, and left his legacy to a successor who would inherit his will.
I guess I could be wrong about Blackbeard of course, but as it stands I don't know how he would fit as the final villain within the context of the story. He's the anti-Luffy in many ways, but that alone doesn't necessarily make him fit as the final villain. There have been a lot of stories where the final battle wasn't necessarily with the villain that was the most opposite the main hero in outlook.
@wolfwood:
I have no idea what you are talking about here.
My mistake, I was referring to the conversation between Akainu and the Gorosei in chapter 793. Their authority was superseded by the Celestial Dragons and Cipher Pol in plotting Doflamingo's fake resignation from the Shichibukai. It can be debated that they are the ultimate authority in the World Government, but given what little we actually know of the World Government, their position relative to the Celestial Dragons is speculative at best. To me, it seems that they may represent the highest rank of a secular (non-noble) individual within the ranks of the World Government; Somewhat analogous may be the role of Parliament to the Monarchy in England….if the modern government was still tasked with preserving the lifestyle and every whim of the monarchs were regarded as gospel.
It seems ultimate world authority really falls into the hands of the Celestial Dragons, whom we still know very little about. Are they all inbred like St. Charloss? It would seem not given that Donquixote Doflamingo came from among their ranks. All we know to this point is that they are the descendants of the 19 Kings that founded the World Government, but we don't really know how they are organized. I think it had largely been assumed they all were sort of just a group of spoiled brats that the World Government was forced to oversee out of tradition. However, I think the conversation in 793 offered a little more insight which reveals the Gorosei can be completely superseded. The focus of all their conversations has been maintenance of balance, status quo, not justice. In a sense, I think they're the pragmatic end of the world Government's architecture - balancing and administering world powers. The ideology, the goals, and ultimate authority on what must be done comes from the Celestial Dragons. The Gorosei find a way to maintain balance, the Tenryuubito give the mandate that balance must be maintained. The 19 Kings (20 minus the Nefertari family) guided the creation of the World Government and it seems they have continued to guide its' course over the past 800 years.
Since this topic is focused on pure speculation / conjecture, I'll elaborate a bit further. If I had to guess the course of the story going forward, I would say that I think ultimately the core conflict revolves around Luffy's primary goal, true freedom. To become Pirate King is his goal, his dream, but his purpose is his quest for freedom. Luffy seeks freedom and as a byproduct of that desire seeks One Piece. Pirates are free, the Pirate King more than anyone else. The World Government stands in the most stark contrast to this ideal. That isn't to say the moral of One Piece is that government is bad and anarchy should be spread. Rather, I think it is a question of what makes for good governance. That's not really the point of the story and I don't think Oda is going to delve too heavily into the minutia of governance, rather he'll focus on the broad strokes of conflicting ideologies.
Ultimately, I think Blackbeard is going to be a tremendously important opponent for Luffy, but I've always viewed him as Luffy's last opposition before becoming Pirate King. I kind of look at One Piece as roughly following a three act structure. That doesn't necessarily equate equal lengths (though it could), but three equally weighted segments of the story. The first half of the Grand Line which culminated with the battle of Marineford. The second, the New World, ending with the discovery of One Piece. The third act, what Whitebeard predicted as the global war that would follow the discovery of the treasure. Oda mentions that the final saga would be about 1/5 of the overall story. It's not quite 1/3 in length, but essentially I think it fits into the three act structure.
Blackbeard is Luffy's opposite in many ways, which makes him an apt candidate to be Luffy's foremost pirate rival and the last person to stand between him and One Piece. Both are seeking One Piece, which represents more than treasure, more than history. It represents the will Roger left behind. Blackbeard can't be the man to inherit that will. I do not think he can be the one to discover One Piece before Luffy. There are a number of major events that cannot happen until the treasure is discovered - the global war, the true history, etc. All are contingent upon discovery of One Piece. Yes, a global battle could result from a corrupt individual discovering Raftel first, but it wouldn't be a struggle that represents the essence of what the journey and the story have been about. The story isn't focused on rival pirates all seeking the same treasure and fighting to make it their own. It's a quest to fulfill dreams, to live in a world where people can freely seek their dreams. That's the will Roger left behind. "As long as people seek freedom, these things shall not vanish from the Earth".
Whitebeard seemed to know who the D's are, what they represent. He knew enough to estimate Teach is not the one to inherit their will. A final battle with Blackbeard would symbolize infighting among the D's to determine which is the rightful heir to that Will which has been passed down through the ages, but wouldn't at all address what influence they should have on the world as a whole.
The Will of D, the Devil Fruit, the poneglyphs, the true history, the lost civilization, the 20 Kings, the World Government, the Celestial Dragons - I think these these are the mysteries which relate to the core mystery of One Piece.
Blackbeard's ability to harvest Devil Fruit may give him a stronger ability than any other in the world of One Piece, may make him a stronger opponent, but ideologically, I don't think he fully represents the full breadth of the story.
For Blackbear to discover One Piece, even if Luffy defeats him afterward, would be to take that discovery away from Luffy. For Luffy to discover One Piece would be to crush Blackbeard's dream. He would need to play catch up - to try to steal what was already found.
For either of them, it would not be fulfillment of their dream. Luffy and Blackbeard both want to discover One Piece themselves. They're both dreamers, they both seek to inherit the will of Roger, but only one can do so. For either, to loose and then seek to take vengeance afterward would be a betrayal of character.
I have a long held theory I refer to as the "Roger Incident", which I'll post below.
Roger Incident Theory
! I took a look at volume 12 when Dragon's introduction was accompanied by a quote from Gol D. Roger. We've heard of Roger's execution, but we really know very little about his exploits as a pirate. We know a few things about Roger:
! -His personality resembles Luffy in many ways stated by quite a few of Roger's acquaintances (Kureha, Gan Fall, Rayleigh etc.)
-He could read Poneglyphs through the "voice of all things" and delivered the message of the Poneglyphs to Raftel
-He turned himself over to be executed by the World Government after becoming Pirate King
-"My treasure is yours if you can find it. I left everything I own in that place. To find it you'll have to search the whole world" - his final words that sparked the great pirate era
-Roger had a son, Ace with Portgas D. Rogue and had a close enough relationship with Garp to trust him with his unborn child
-Many prominent pirates and world figures attended Roger's execution including Doflamingo, Moria, Crocodile, Mihawk, Shanks, Buggy, and Dragon
-Roger knew the full extent of the true history and the Will of D. and explained these things to Whitebeard before turning himself in for execution
! So now, what is this "Roger Incident"? Well, some questions remain from Roger's execution. Perhaps the most prominent detail left unexplained is the origin of the name "One Piece." Yes, we know it is the name of Roger's treasure, but it was never spoken at the execution (aside from the horrible 4kids dub). How did the entire world learn of this (Oda has said the name One Piece is significant)? Where was Roger's quote from chapter 100 spoken?
! While discussing the True History with Nico Robin, Rayleigh mentions that "We and the scholars of Ohara were too hasty." Now, we have witnessed the Ohara Incident which resulted in Ohara's destruction. The question remains though, how were the Roger Pirates too hasty? While Roger turned himself over to the Government to be executed some time after he was given the title "Pirate King" I believe that we will someday learn of an incident in which Roger rose up to challenge the world unsuccessfully, where he spoke these words: "These things cannot be stopped. An inherited strength of will, one's dreams, the ebb and flow of the ages. As long as people seek freedom in this life, these things shall exist." This line accompanied Dragon's introduction at Logue Town where he helped Luffy escape Captain Smoker "A pirate eh? not a bad idea" I believe Dragon witnessed this event and thus Roger inspired his future life as a Revolutionary. It was through this that Dragon recognized the potential his son possesses as a pirate to change the world, thus the line "A pirate eh? not a bad idea"
! The reason I included the above theory as I believe it touches on the core conflict within the series. Essentially I think it boils down to this chain of events.
! -The void century, ancient weapons, 20 Kings….I can only venture vague guesses as to what actually transpired.
! -The history of the void century was recorded with the Poneglyphs which were passed down to civilizations around the world for preservation
! -The World Government has gone to great lengths to keep that history secret, even 800 years later when past misdeeds wouldn't have much bearing unless they could influence the lives of people living in the present
! -Roger discovered this message, challenged the world, but was unable to affect the change he desired. He was a terminally ill man, unfit to lead a revolution, and thus turned himself in and chose his final words to inspire a successor, one to inherit his Will, the Will of D that has been passed down over the generations, to rise up and challenge the world and accomplish what he could not.
! From there the story of One Piece begins with Luffy, inspired by Shanks to seek freedom and pursue Roger's legendary treasure. Blackbeard is the antithesis of Luffy in the pursuit of this dream. His crew, his 'allies', etc. are all tools he uses to make his dream come true. What makes Luffy the one to inherit Roger's will, his greatest strength is his ability to make allies around the world. This is what makes Blackbeard his opposite - BB also seeks freedom, also seeks One Piece. Their goals are the same, but their methodology is completely opposite. In that sense, I don't see how their battle can follow the discovery of One Piece. Blackbeard's goal / purpose, his ultimate drive and motivation is not the opposite of Luffy. The World Government acts to create a world where people can't live freely and seek their dreams.
! We haven't yet seen the inner workings of the World Government itself. We've seen the worst of their potential at Ohara. Goa is said to be a microcosm of their ideology and structure. Governance itself isn't evil or wrong, but an institution which upholds a class system in which nobility is revered as deity to rule over the common people is certainly in the wrong. At the least, I think Oda would assert that idea. Ultimately, the World Government's structure needs to be upended which I think will be the thrust of the global war rather than a byproduct of a conflict between pirates.
! To be a pirate isn't the purpose itself, it's the means. To be a pirate is Luffy's means to freedom. As such, I don't think it's a necessity that Luffy's final opponent be a pirate. Rather, I think it's most important that enemy stand in opposition to his ultimate goal.
! One Piece itself, more than treasure, more than history, more than just inherited will - an object so paramount, so volatile it will not only cause conflict between Luffy and the World Government, Luffy and opposing pirates, but will bring about a global war. There will be those on either side. I've actually considered that despite Luffy's role in liberating Dressrosa, ultimately I think they will fall on the side of the World Government as a result of Fujitora's actions. I think there will still be those who chose the stability and structure offered by the World Government, regardless of the means which are used to maintain that order, regardless of their ultimate drive and purpose. I think Oda has always done a very good job of portraying these types of struggles as not being clear cut and dry, black and white. I think ultimately we as the readers will ideally side with Luffy, but ultimately there will still be good characters, good people, who side with Luffy's opposition. This World War won't fall down to just plain good vs. evil, but a struggle between two ideals otherwise it wouldn't be enough to incite the entire World. Many nations must still side with the World Government.
! What will One Piece itself actually be? I can't even venture a guess. I think it encompasses, but is more than the true history, the rio poneglyph, etc.
! As for the true history, I think ultimately the reason it's so significant - it reveals an ongoing plan for the world. The clash continues between the descendants of the lost civilization and the 20 Kings. If the Will of D was inherited through the ages, so too was the will that clashed against them centuries prior. Whatever that ancient struggle may have been, it will resurface in the modern age. Lest Blackbeard be an usurper, one who claims the name D, but actually bears the will of the 20 Kings, I don't think he perfectly represents that core struggle. I think the Celestial Dragons do stand most opposed to Luffy, the Will of D, the Lost Civilization, and I think there is a strong possibility that there is structure to their ranks we are as of yet unaware. Keeping in mind we're still learning about the World Government, I don't think it's out of the question that Reverie, other major events will reveal more and more and one will emerge as paramount among the Celestial Dragons, one who bears the will of the 20 Kings through the ages. Imaging them to be somewhat akin to illuminati, reshaping a new world order. They need to maintain balance because the ones who stand elite among their ranks, still seek to determine what is best for the world - how to reshape and re-imagine the world. It's the opposite of freedom, but enticing to some. There is the stability, structure, and guidance of being lorded over by the few nobles who claim themselves to be Gods.
! Essentially, I think that's what the story boils down to ultimately. Dreams, Inherited Will, Freedom. These ideals were likely the core of the conflict which arose centuries earlier and will be brought full circle into the present when Luffy rises up as Pirate King to challenge the world. I can't venture to guess all the specific intricacies of the plot - how the weapons were related, etc. My theory is pretty simple - the will of both the 20 Kings and the Lost Civilization have been passed down. 800 years ago, the 20 Kings prevailed, the Lost Civilization was voided from the pages of history, and the World Government emerged. Their will has influenced the world for centuries. Their descendants have posited themselves as unholy Gods, Celestial Dragons to place humanity under their feet so that they can continue standing at the top. They seek the opposite of true freedom - stability through governance, absolute rule. Their motivation isn't mustache twirling evil. Rather, as with all good villains, they believe themselves to be fully justified in their actions. They consider themselves true nobility, fit to rule as Gods. That ideology infected the mind of Donquixote Doflamingo as we've just seen. The will of D has been passed down, "God's" natural enemy; As such, I think the meaning of D. is quite simple. If the Celestial Dragons posit themselves as gods, then the D's are the devils who stand to oppose them. As a byproduct of this theory, I think the devil fruit truly do contain souls, making the myth of which Kaku and Kalifa spoke grounded in reality. The Devil Fruit I think contain the souls of the lost civilization. It would certainly explain why only one of each ability can exist at a time. As such, I think One Piece possesses tremendous power - is it the ability to replicate this process wherein the devil fruit were created? Was it the D's or the 20 Kings that used this power? I can only guess at this point.
! The core battle of One Piece - a battle between "Gods" and "Devils" in the past and in the present. What is the best course for the world, to protect people's freedoms? Ancient weapons, devil fruit, One Piece - weapons to fight that battle. Nobility, Pirates, Marines, Warlords, Emperors even 'gods' and 'devils', all just titles. What is at stake is the world's freedom. These are battles fought among people of great will, fitting with the theme of what Haki represents in the series. Should it be left to men to assume the roles of gods and rule over the world, asserting their will upon others. Should freedom, dreams, be left for the individual to decide for themselves? What happens when an evil individual uses that freedom to pursue dreams at dramatic cost as is the case with Blackbeard? What happens when the ruling elite make noble choices? Who should hold tremendous power like the ancient weapons, potentially the One Piece? I think these are questions that a true King, the Pirate King, must answer. Rayleigh asserts that Roger may have been too hasty in challenging the world. Luffy must be more prepared to decide what is the right course of action, what to do with the tremendous will he inherits. A battle with Blackbeard is a battle to claim that inheritance, to realize that true freedom allows for people like Blackbeard to act of their own accord. But such is the cost of choice. Is that a gift that God has given? Can men who claim themselves to be Gods lay claim to that freedom for themselves and enforce it upon others?
! Blackbeard is the final opposition to become Pirate King - who could be a more fitting final opponent before reaching the legendary treasure, finding Raftel? Kaidou, Big Mom, Shanks, Law, or Kidd? None fit quite as well as Blackbeard and his crew.
! The World Government, the political authority which assert themselves as Gods, the Celestial Dragons who inherited the will of the 20 Kings - I believe they are the true villains of the series. The World Government alone connects all the central themes and mysteries of the series. As a future King Luffy will bear the will of D, the lost civilization, the devils who are the "god's" natural enemies, and decide what to do with One Piece and thereby the world. He must make this decision after having faced Blackbeard - someone who in every way idealizes the same things as Luffy, but uses completely evil and unjust means to seek his goals. Should he break the shackles of the World Government to allow people like Blackbeard, true devils, their freedom? Are false gods ever justified if it means reigning in true devils even if the means used to do so come at great expense to everyone else as well? This is a question the entire World must answer, but Luffy must lead the charge after having inherited Roger's will and treasure. One Piece itself, whatever it may be, is the key to the direction Luffy and the world must take.
! Sorry if there is some repetition in my post. I didn't take time to go back and proofread.
Nothing exists; even if something exists, nothing can be known about it. Even if something can be known about it,