Summary
As the Final War ofOne Pieceinches ever closer with each passing chapter, the board is gradually being set for what this inevitable conflict will look like. This war will represent the concepts of freedom and control, with Luffy and the Straw Hats, along with all of their allies, seeking to overthrow the villains and usher in a new dawn, while the World Government wants to continue the order that has been followed for the past 800 years.
As such, currently, the side of the pirates is looking quite formidable, since all the islands that the Straw Hats have liberated over the course ofOne Piecewill ally with them. While this may seem favorable,the forces of the World Governmentare nothing to dismiss, since some of the setting’s most important and powerful characters will face the heroes at the end, so let’s break down who they are.
Notable Characters
Akainu, Kizaru, Fujitora, Garp (former), Ryokugyu
When it comes to the main opposing force in the series, the Marines essentially act as the primary defenders of law and order in the world as the exact opposites of the pirates. Although the Marines comprise of some truly noble and righteous characters, the organization itself was founded to be the military wing of the World Government, enforcing their laws throughout the planet. Because of this, they have been directly responsible for some of the most reprehensible acts in history,such as the Ohara Incident.
Pirates are evil? Marines are righteous? These terms have always changed throughout history!
In the Final War, the Navy is going to be the primary group that the pirates are going to fight against as the foot soldiers of the World Government. Due to the Navy having some of the most powerful characters in the series, namely the Admirals who act as the World Government’s answer to the Emperors, they seem to be the perfect counter to some of the most powerful heroes.
Lucci, Kaku, Blueno, Kalifa, Stussy (former)
Any good government agency needs intelligence, and the World Government has the various Cipher Pols to fill this role. Numbered 1-9, theCipher Pols are the main intelligence agenciesworking for the Celestial Dragons, fully subscribing to their belief of supremacy and often going in as double agents sent to gather valuable intel or to destroy their enemies from the inside.
We’re intelligence officers… we don’t care who we face if we have orders.
The best example of this was in the Water 7 arc, where members of the CP9 at the time infiltrated the Galley-La company to grab the blueprints for Pluton for the World Government. While the need for such intelligence in the Final War may not seem important on the surface, they could prove essential by acting as allies for the pirates only to help bring them down from the inside.
S-Hawk, S-Snake, S-Bear-, S-Shark
The Warlords of the Sea were considered to beone of the Three Great Powersof theOne Pieceworld as powerful pirates who went against convention to ally themselves with the World Government in exchange for impunity to do whatever they wanted. However, following the time skip, this system was eventually disbanded due to the unruly nature of these pirates. Seeing how powerful the Warlords truly were, the World Government was unwilling to give them up as an asset.
Their power is so influential that the peace of the world would crumble if these three powers became unbalanced.
This led to them funding Dr. Vegapunk’s Seraphim project. These are essentially cyborgs made with Green Blood, giving them the same abilities as the Warlords that they replaced which makes them one of the World Government’s most valuable assets in the Final War. Their strength is incredible and they can even use specific Devil Fruit powers that make them even more deadly. On top of this, there are also the Pacifista, who are cyborgs made in Bartholomew Kuma’s image, and all of these androids are controlled by the World Government.
Shamrock, Gunko, Sommers, Killingham
Out of all the forces of the World Government, none are asterrifying and dangerous as the Gods' Knights. This is the premier fighting force of the Celestial Dragons, comprised of only the strongest among them and led by the Supreme Commander, whose strength and authority is the greatest of them all. More than this, they are also the police force of Marijoa, with the Supreme Commander being the only one with the authority to punish other Celestial Dragons upon any deemed transgression.
Our real battle will start when they mobilize the Gods' Knights.
At the current moment, St. Figarland Shamrock is the Supreme Commander of the Gods' Knights, and judging by the contextual clues about him, it can be surmised that he is at least as powerful as Shanks. The other shown members are incredibly formidable in their own right, as Elbaf has shown just how strong them and their specific Devil Fruit powers are, with St. Limosiv Killingham’s Devil Fruit in particular being strong enough to raise an entire army. In the Final War, the most important of Luffy’s allies will face these warriors.
One Piece, Chapter 233, “The World’s Greatest Power”
St. Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, St. Shepherd Ju Peter, St. Marcus Mars, St. Topman Warcury, St. Figarland Garling, St. Jaygarcia Saturn (former)
Among the forces of the World Government, none are greater in power and authority than the Five Elders. Of course, Imu is the true mastermind at the top of this organization who controls everything, but the Gorosei are the leaders of the world as far as the public is concerned.They are incredibly powerful Celestial Dragonswho have been raised to the highest rank by Imu and have been given even greater power because of this, as was seen in the Egghead arc.
It’s imperative that we snuff out something this problematic.
These characters have been granted the mysterious ability to transform into ‘Yokai’, which are very similar to Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit powers, and are the users of some of the strongest Haki in the setting. In the Final War, five of the most powerful of Luffy’s allies will face these villains, as the Gorosei also represent the highest echelons of power inOne Piecethat will also provide the peak to the journeys of their opponents. The best example of this is Nusjuro’s inevitable clash with Zoro, as the former is likely the true World’s Strongest Swordsman.
Story Arc
Reverie
At the close of the fabled Void Century, Joyboy was defeated and the entire world was plunged into centuries of inequality and suffering at the hands of the ruling class.On top of all of this is Imu; Joyboy’s greatest enemy and the one who sits atop the Empty Throne as the one responsible for everything that has transpired since the Void Century ended. Oda has been building up to this villain for years now and it is clear that at the end of the series, Imu will be the greatest test for Luffy to overcome.
Mu will show thee the dominion of God!
At the current moment, the jury is still out on who the final villain of theOne Piecestory will be, with fans being conflicted over Blackbeard and Imu. Whatever the case may be, it’s clear that Imu is portrayed as the greatest evil in the world and has been so for the past 800 years following the close of the Void Century. Because of this, they stand as the final test for Luffy when it comes to getting rid of the current world order to bring a new dawn for the world and freedom to all of its people.
