Luffy's actions in One Piece Elbaph Arc may give Koby a major promotion

The upcoming Elbaph arc in One Piece could mark a turning point not just for Luffy but for the future of the Marines. As tensions between the Marines and the corrupt rule of the Celestial Dragons continue to rise, recent events like the Cross Guild’s bounties and the Egghead Island disaster have shaken their morale.

A recent theory by X user @3SkullJoe suggests that Luffy’s actions during the Elbaph arc, particularly a potential clash with Fleet Admiral Akainu, may ignite a mutiny within the Marines. Amid this chaos, Koby, with his unwavering sense of justice, could emerge as a leader, paving the way for his rise to Fleet Admiral.

Recent events in the One Piece world can cause the Marines to retaliate against the World Government

The Celestial Dragons as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory suggests that the Marines in One Piece are heading toward a major internal conflict, or mutiny, due to its struggles with the corrupt rule of the Celestial Dragons.

For years, the Marines have been the World Government’s enforcers, following the philosophy of “Absolute Justice.” However, cracks have been showing, as many Marines have questioned the fairness and morality of blindly serving the Celestial Dragons.

Monkey D. Garp (Image via Toei Animation)

Key moments in the story highlight this tension. For example, Garp refused promotion to Admiral because he didn’t want to serve directly under the Celestial Dragons. Even Akainu, who is very strict about justice, has expressed frustration with the Celestial Dragons’ influence.

Fujitora openly opposed their corruption by revealing the Marines' role in Doflamingo’s actions, while Greenbull remains loyal to the Celestial Dragons, believing they bring stability to the world. These differences have already caused conflicts, like Fujitora clashing with Greenbull at Mariejois when the former helped the Revolutionary Army free the slaves.

Cross Guild is headed by Buggy (Image via Toei Animation)

Recent events, such as the Cross Guild’s bounties on marines and the disaster at Egghead Island, have further hurt the Marines’ morale. If the Celestial Dragons resort to extreme measures, such as executing witnesses to these incidents, it could spark outrage among the marines.

This might lead to a split within the Marines: one side (“Loyalists”) staying loyal to the Celestial Dragons, led by figures like Akainu and Greenbull, and the other (“Separatists”) following a more independent sense of justice, possibly led by Fujitora and others.

SWORD may take center stage after Akainu's downfall in One Piece series

Koby as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

SWORD, the Marines’ secret faction, could play a crucial role in this conflict. SWORD operates independently from the World Government, allowing the Marines to pursue justice without interference.

The theory suggests that Akainu may have secretly created SWORD to address corruption and keep the Marines from falling apart. However, Akainu’s potential downfall during the Elbaph arc could be the tipping point that leads to the mutiny.

Dorry and Broggy as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The battle at Elbaph could be a turning point in the story, representing a prelude to the Final War. Akainu might be drawn to Elbaph by critical information tied to Ohara, the Revolutionary Army, or Vegapunk.

This could lead to a showdown between Luffy and Akainu, in which Luffy ultimately defeats him. Akainu’s defeat would remove a key figure holding the Marines together, escalating the internal conflict.

As the One Piece world destabilizes, Koby could come out on top to lead the Marines

A snapshot of Admiral Fujitora (Image via Toei Animation)

During the Final War, this division in the Marines could play a major role, with factions fighting each other. Admirals like Fujitora and Greenbull would represent opposing sides, while Kizaru’s loyalties remain unclear. The Revolutionary Army, led by Dragon, might also push for rebellion among the Marines, adding to the chaos.

Amid this turmoil, Koby and SWORD could emerge as a stabilizing force. The theory predicts that Koby, known for his strong sense of justice and determination, would eventually take on the role of Fleet Admiral.

The Marine headquarters as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Under his leadership, the Marines would transition from enforcing “Absolute Justice” to promoting “Honest Justice,” creating a more fair and independent organization. This change would mark the end of the Marines’ blind loyalty to the Celestial Dragons and establish a new path for the future.

Final thoughts

The Elbaph arc could serve as a pivotal moment for both Luffy and the Marines, triggering a rebellion against the corrupt World Government. As chaos unfolds, Koby’s integrity and leadership may shine, positioning him to transform the Marines into a force of “Honest Justice” and ascend as the next Fleet Admiral.