Ultimate One Piece Luffy Future Rivals Guide (March 2026)
Who are Luffy’s biggest future rivals in One Piece? Based on my years following the series and analyzing the Final Saga, Luffy faces five major threats to becoming Pirate King: Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard), Imu, Koby, Shanks, and Buggy. Each represents a different challenge – from ideological opposition to systemic corruption to friendly competition.
As we sail deeper into One Piece’s Final Saga, I’ve been obsessing over who Luffy’s most significant rivals will be in the climactic chapters ahead. After watching every episode, reading every manga chapter, and playing countless hours of One Piece Treasure Cruise, I’ve analyzed which characters pose the greatest threat to our future Pirate King. The rivalries developing now will define not just Luffy’s journey, but the entire series’ conclusion.
In my years following One Piece since the East Blue Saga, I’ve watched Luffy overcome incredible opponents like Crocodile, Lucci, and Kaido. But the rivals awaiting him in the Final Saga represent an entirely different level of threat. These aren’t just powerful enemies – they’re characters whose destinies are fundamentally intertwined with Luffy’s dream of becoming Pirate King, much like the legendary rivalries explored in our Pirate vs Marine rivalries guide.
| Rival | Threat Level | Connection to Luffy | Final Saga Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) | Extreme | Opposite ideology pirate | Primary antagonist |
| Imu | Unknown/Extreme | World Government shadow ruler | Final boss candidate |
| Koby | High | Marine friend-rival | Roger-Garp parallel |
| Shanks | High | Mentor figure | Mysterious intentions |
| Buggy | Medium | Comedy rival Emperor | Wild card factor |
5. Buggy – The Failing Upward Emperor
I’ll start with the most unconventional rival on this list. When I first encountered Buggy in Orange Town, I never imagined he’d become an Emperor alongside Luffy. Yet here we are in 2026, and Buggy’s Cross Guild stands as one of the Four Emperor crews. What makes Buggy fascinating as a rival isn’t his personal strength – it’s his uncanny ability to fail upward into positions of power.
In my experience playing One Piece games, Buggy often serves as comic relief, but don’t underestimate his narrative importance. He represents a different path to power – one built on perception, luck, and charisma rather than raw strength. While Luffy fights his way to the top, Buggy stumbles there accidentally, making him a perfect foil to our protagonist’s straightforward approach. This contrast mirrors the power scaling dynamics I’ve seen in anime games where unexpected characters dominate through unique mechanics.
The Cross Guild’s bounty system on Marines has completely disrupted the world order, something even Luffy hasn’t achieved yet. With Mihawk and Crocodile as his “subordinates” (though we know who really runs things), Buggy commands resources that could genuinely threaten Luffy’s journey to Laugh Tale. I predict their rivalry will culminate not in a traditional battle, but in a race for the One Piece itself.
4. Shanks – The Mentor Turned Mystery
Shanks occupies a unique position as both Luffy’s inspiration and potential obstacle. After following the series for years, I’m convinced that Shanks’ recent aggressive moves – meeting with the Five Elders, attacking Bartolomeo, and actively pursuing the One Piece – signal a shift from mentor to rival. The Red-Haired Pirates aren’t just passive observers anymore; they’re active competitors for the ultimate treasure.
What makes Shanks particularly dangerous is his complete mastery of Haki. In the mobile games I play, Shanks consistently ranks as a top-tier character precisely because of his Conqueror’s Haki abilities. We’ve seen him disable Admiral Ryokugyu from miles away and split the sky with a single sword strike. If Luffy must surpass Shanks to claim the One Piece, it won’t just be an emotional challenge – it’ll be his toughest battle yet.
The community theories I’ve read on Reddit suggest Shanks might be connected to the Celestial Dragons or have his own mysterious agenda regarding the One Piece. Whether they’ll fight as enemies or compete as friendly rivals remains unclear, but I’m certain their confrontation is inevitable. Luffy must return that straw hat eventually, and I doubt it’ll be a simple handoff. This mentor-student dynamic reminds me of similar relationships in Roger’s era rivalries.
3. Koby – The Marine Mirror
Koby represents something unique among Luffy’s rivals – a parallel journey from opposite sides of the law. I’ve watched Koby transform from a cowardly cabin boy to a Marine Captain with advanced Observation Haki, and his growth rate is genuinely staggering. The Roger-Garp dynamic is clearly being recreated with Luffy and Koby, especially after studying the Admirals in Roger’s era.
Recent manga events have accelerated Koby’s development dramatically. His capture by Blackbeard and subsequent escape showcased power levels that shocked even veteran readers like myself. The community consensus places Koby on a trajectory toward Admiral rank by the series’ end, making him Luffy’s primary Marine rival as they represent the best of their respective organizations.
What I find most compelling about their rivalry is its foundation in mutual respect. Unlike Luffy’s antagonistic relationships with Akainu or previous Marine opponents, Koby and Luffy genuinely want each other to succeed – just not at their own expense. In One Piece games, their team-up attacks hint at a future alliance against a common enemy, likely Blackbeard, before their final ideological confrontation. This dynamic parallels Garp’s Impact abilities in Fruit Battlegrounds, where mentor figures maintain relevance through raw power.
2. Imu – The Hidden Sovereign
Imu remains One Piece’s greatest mystery, but I’m convinced they represent the ultimate systemic evil Luffy must overcome. As the secret ruler of the World Government, Imu embodies everything Luffy opposes – tyranny, oppression, and the erasure of freedom. While we know frustratingly little about Imu’s powers, their ability to casually destroy entire islands suggests strength beyond conventional measure.
From a narrative perspective, Imu connects to the Void Century, the Will of D., and Joy Boy’s original failure. I believe Imu was Joy Boy’s rival 800 years ago, and now Luffy, as the new Joy Boy, must finish what his predecessor started. The fact that Imu keeps a frozen straw hat in Mariejois can’t be coincidence – there’s a deep historical connection to Luffy’s journey.
The community remains split on whether Imu or Blackbeard will be the final villain. After analyzing the story structure, I lean toward Imu representing the ideological final boss – the embodiment of oppressive order that Luffy’s chaotic freedom must overcome. However, their battle might be more political and revolutionary than purely physical, requiring Luffy to unite the world against the World Government itself. This systematic approach to power reminds me of how crews with the most Devil Fruit users demonstrate organizational strength.
1. Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) – The Antithesis
Blackbeard stands alone as Luffy’s ultimate rival. Everything about Teach opposes what Luffy represents – where Luffy values friendship, Blackbeard betrays; where Luffy fights fairly, Blackbeard cheats; where Luffy brings liberation, Blackbeard brings destruction. I’ve analyzed their every interaction, and the philosophical opposition runs deeper than any other rivalry in the series.
Blackbeard’s unique position as the only person with two Devil Fruits makes him mechanically fascinating in One Piece games. In Anime Last Stand tier rankings, Blackbeard-inspired characters consistently dominate due to their versatility. His Darkness Fruit negates other Devil Fruit powers while the Tremor Fruit provides unmatched destructive capability. Community theories suggest he’ll acquire a third fruit – possibly a Mythical Zoan – to complete his power set.
Their rivalry extends beyond personal conflict to their crews. The Blackbeard Pirates perfectly mirror the Straw Hats, with each member serving as a dark reflection of Luffy’s friends. The Ten Titanic Captains versus the Straw Hat crew represents the series’ ultimate crew battle, something I’m desperately excited to see adapted in future One Piece games.
What makes Blackbeard especially dangerous is his strategic intelligence. He’s orchestrated every major move – from capturing Ace to stealing Whitebeard’s power to becoming an Emperor. While Luffy acts on instinct, Blackbeard plans decades ahead. Their inevitable clash won’t just determine who becomes Pirate King, but what that title means for the world.
Gaming Appearances and Community Impact
These rivalries have profoundly influenced One Piece gaming. In One Piece Treasure Cruise, banner events featuring Luffy versus Blackbeard consistently break revenue records. The Koby and Luffy friendship/rivalry dynamics create unique gameplay mechanics in Pirate Warriors 4, where they can either assist or oppose each other depending on story choices.
I’ve noticed that games increasingly emphasize these rival dynamics through special animations, dialogue, and power interactions. When you pit Luffy against Blackbeard in Burning Blood, unique pre-fight conversations play out. Similarly, Mihawk in Anime Last Stand demonstrates how rival characters receive special treatment in gaming adaptations. These gaming implementations often inspire tier list discussions in anime games where rival dynamics determine character rankings.
Community Theories and Predictions
The Reddit community has developed fascinating theories about these rivalries’ conclusions. The most popular suggests Luffy and Koby will temporarily unite against Blackbeard, recreating the God Valley incident where Garp and Roger fought Rocks. This would beautifully parallel their mentors’ history while maintaining their fundamental opposition.
Another compelling theory proposes that Shanks will test Luffy’s worthiness through combat, but not as an enemy – rather as a final examination before the One Piece. Given Garp’s Impact abilities in Fruit Battlegrounds, we see how mentor figures in One Piece maintain their relevance through raw power rather than just wisdom. These theories often influence anime game tier lists where community speculation shapes character rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Luffy’s strongest rival in the Final Saga?
Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) stands as Luffy’s strongest and most dangerous rival. His dual Devil Fruit powers, strategic intelligence, and ideological opposition make him the primary antagonist of the Final Saga.
Will Shanks fight Luffy in One Piece?
Based on recent manga developments, a confrontation between Shanks and Luffy seems inevitable. Whether it’s a test of worthiness or genuine competition for the One Piece, their mentor-student relationship is heading toward conflict.
How strong has Koby become compared to Luffy?
Koby has grown tremendously but still trails behind Luffy significantly. However, his rapid development and advanced Observation Haki suggest he’s on track to become Admiral-level by the series’ end, making him a legitimate future rival.
Conclusion
As we approach One Piece’s conclusion, these five rivals will define Luffy’s final journey to become Pirate King. Each represents a different aspect of his growth – Buggy the chaotic luck, Shanks the surpassed mentor, Koby the opposite path, Imu the systemic evil, and Blackbeard the dark mirror. I’m convinced that overcoming these rivals won’t just make Luffy Pirate King, but will fundamentally reshape the One Piece world.
Whether in manga, anime, or the games we love playing, these rivalries promise epic confrontations that will define anime history. From mobile games like One Piece Treasure Cruise to Roblox experiences featuring classic Marine characters, these rival dynamics continue shaping how we experience One Piece across all gaming platforms. The Final Saga isn’t just ending a story – it’s delivering on decades of rivalry buildup that will cement Luffy’s legend forever.