Oda announces an important development for Elbaf Arc

This article contains spoilers for One Piece's Elbaf arc.

Summary

• Shanks' brother arrives in Elbaf, which could spell possible doom for the country

• Elbaf could face an attack orchestrated by the World Government using the ancient weapon Uranus

• Oda announces major developments for Elbaf Arc in One Piece that fans can look forward to in 2025.

One piece is currently on hiatus, but that certainly doesn't mean fans have nothing to look forward to. Thanks to Jump Festa 2025, fans received Oda's annual message, and this time he announced certain developments surrounding the Elbaf Arc. Oda's message focused on several aspects of this story arc and announced various developments. And of course one of these developments affected the country of Elbaf itself.

Fans know that this storyline is going to be absolutely huge and has the potential to be the best in the entire series. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise to fans that this message needs to be analyzed and the true hidden meaning that Oda left behind needs to be understood.

Oda's Jump Festa 2025 message

• Oda left a big message during Jump Festa 2025

• Oda teased future events in Elbaf

It's no surprise that Oda left a very long and cryptic message for fans during Jump Festa 2025. Normally, Oda addresses fans directly during Jump Festa and uses this opportunity to announce various exciting events for the coming year. Excitement among fans remains high. He did something similar this year too, and it's no surprise to any fan. Here's what Oda had to say One piece Jump Festa stage:

SUUUUUUUUUUUUUPER!!! Yao-san! I will never forget my memory of the day you took me to that Kamabakka-like bar! Thanks for being Franky for so long!! No matter where you go, you will always be our nakama!! And Subaru-san, I look forward to having you on board!! And with that: Hello everyone at Jump Festa!! Eiichiro Oda here – physical, primitive and glamorous. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the anime, and from the opening of the Harajuku store to the launch of the One Piece BASE app*, there has been a whirlwind of events, and before you know it, 2024 will be coming to an end to. I would like to thank our large team of employees! Fan Letter was so good too! But what impressed me most was my first visit to South Africa, where the live-action series is filmed. As previously reported, I was touched by the love the cast and crew have for One Piece and filled with a new sense of determination.

People ask me, “Why are you putting so much effort into a live-action adaptation when One Piece is already popular all over the world?” Yes, it may be quite well known internationally in the manga and anime world. But if you were told there was a bigger playground out there in the world, wouldn't you want to explore it? That's why I put my best into manga, anime, movies and live action!! And so the team is planning various projects and announcements for One Piece next year. Please look forward to the continuation of the anime series. And with a more contemporary approach, it will certainly be easier for everyone to enjoy.

As for the manga, we've finally arrived in Elbaf! It's a relaxed kingdom, but the tranquility is shattered by the arrival of a certain man! Meanwhile, there will be turmoil in other seas too! And finally this one guy is going to start shaking up the world!

Take a deep breath now, because soon you may not be able to breathe anymore! Look forward to a SUUUUUUPER year of One Piece in 2025!

The vast majority of Oda's message centered around Kazuki Yao, Franky's voice actor, who recently announced he was stepping down from the role due to health reasons. Oda also addressed One Piece Live Action, but fans were really most interested in his message about the Elbaf Arc.

It's already been made clear in One Piece that the Final Saga won't just focus on the Straw Hat Pirates, but individuals far beyond that. As such, the Elbaf Arc will likely focus on other Yonko as well, but the biggest development will certainly take place in the land of the Giants.

Who is the mysterious man coming to Elbaf?

Shanks' brother has already arrived in Elbaf

Regarding Elbaf, Oda made it clear that there has been peace in this land recently, but that peace is being shattered by the arrival of a certain man. Apparently this particular man is Shanks' brother, who was seen arriving in the country at the very end One piece Chapter 1134. The fact that this exact panel was teased on the Jump Festa 2025 stage further emphasizes that Oda was referring to him. Why exactly Shanks' brother was sent to Elbaf and what exactly he plans to do there remains to be seen.

I want to talk to you about a certain pirate! – Shanks' twin

However, fans already know that he will cause chaos on this island. This is simply because Oda himself has stated that Elbaf's peace will be shattered by his arrival.

This essentially means that Shanks' brother will fight in this land or, even worse, pave the way for a World Government invasion or attack on Elbaf. There are certainly many possibilities here, but what can be said with certainty is that Elbaf is currently facing doom, and Shanks' brother could be the harbinger of that doom.

Why the arrival of Shanks' twin spells Elbaf's downfall

Elbaf could soon face his Ragnarok

Elbaf may have enjoyed peace over the past few years. But now everything will be different. It's very likely that Elbaf is on the World Government's target list, and that could simply be due to Luffy's presence in the country. Luffy's identity as Nika is very well known among the Five Elders and at the same time among Imu. The latter definitely wants Luffy gone, and one of the main reasons he executed Saturn was simply because he let Luffy go. But while Saturn failed in his task, Imu might have simply decided to send someone else to his tent.

Our world as we know it will end! – Vegapunk

This is precisely why Shanks' brother and another mysterious, hooded individual were sent to Elbaf. Now, it's interesting to note that these two people probably don't have the power to destroy the entire country and also defeat Luffy. They may be here on a more complex mission, one that involves orchestrating a full-scale attack on Elbaf, possibly using the ancient weapon Uranus. It must be remembered that the World Government now has more Motherflame than ever before, and while the previous shot that wiped out Lulucia was just a test shot, Elbaf could now be essentially completely wiped out. This could be made possible by none other than Shanks' brother, and this would help him fight Nika and essentially destroy him for good. Things are definitely heating up in Elbaf, and if there's one thing fans can take away from Oda's message, it's that Ragnarok is already on the way.

One Piece can be read via Viz Media. The series is officially available for fans to read for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The release date for the next chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1135, is January 3, 2024.