One Piece chapter 1128 all but proves Elbaf Arc's villains will be the Holy Knights

One Piece chapter 1128 has proven to be an incredibly informative issue to the point of being invaluable in deciphering the road ahead for the Elbaf Arc. It confirmed that the East Blue Straw Hats’ current surroundings weren’t Elbaf and suggested that the group’s current location isn’t Elbaf.

Arguably, the biggest piece of evidence in One Piece chapter 1128 stems from the appearance of the Sun God, who seems to be a Giant dressed up in a unique outfit. However, fans have likely met this character before as one of the Holy Knights at God Valley. This, in turn, sets up the Holy Knights as the Elbaf Arc’s true villains, Nefertari D. Vivi’s reunion with the crew, and more.

One Piece chapter 1128’s Sun God size difference, explained

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While the so-called Sun God’s introduction is a key piece of evidence for this idea, it also brings with it a key counterpoint. This is the fact that the Sun God is shown to be much larger than the Holy Knight seen on God Valley. Thus, it’s likely that the Sun God is a Devil Fruit user whose ability can shrink others, doing so to Luffy and co. This explains the Giant-like appearance they have in One Piece chapter 1128.

This would also explain the various animals seen inside and outside of the Sun God’s cage. It’s not that the animals are giant, but rather that the people inside the cage have been shrunk to a size significantly smaller than a grasshopper. Lastly, it explains why the Sun God’s size (relative to the Straw Hats) makes them seem larger than even Oars.

Such a development also explains how the Thousand Sunny was separated from the Great Erik without anyone else on the Giant Warrior Pirates’ ship noticing. Thus, it’s likely that the Straw Hats aren’t in Elbaf yet and are being held captive on the ship of the Sun God, who is really a Holy Knight. It’s also the most realistic explanation in the series and why a title card declaring the crew having arrived at Elbaf hasn’t appeared yet.

The Straw Hats are almost certainly not in Elbaf as of One Piece chapter 1128 (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece chapter 1128 further suggests that the Straw Hats aren’t Elbaf via several subtle clues. One of the most significant is Nami’s dialogue about how they could still be getting misled about where they are. Combined with the fact of the Sun God’s dubious size being the biggest reason why it’s believed the crew is in Elbaf, it seems more likely that they aren’t in Elbaf yet.

This is further supported by the fact that, other than the cat known as the Great Iskat, there seems to be nothing special about the animals in the Sun God’s Temple. Even the Ear God ended up being a normal rabbit, confirmed via the Monster Trio eating it and Sanji thus having cleaned and butchered it.

Had there been something special he discovered about the Ear God, it likely would’ve been made known by now. With this in mind, it seems likely that the Sun God is just a Holy Knight who captured the Alabasta crew members and kept them on his ship. In turn, this confirms that the Straw Hats aren’t in Elbaf but have been shrunken by a Devil Fruit power. However, it also teases the Holy Knights as the Elbaf Arc’s villains.

The Holy Knights become the Elbaf Arc’s villains by pursuing the three Road Poneglyphs they need

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The foundational reason as to why the Holy Knights will be the Elbaf Arc’s villains stems from what the Straw Hats’ goal in Elbaf will be: to claim the final Road Poneglyph. The group is nearing the end of the New World, and the Egghead Arc set up the final race for the titular treasure in its final chapters, which preceded the Elbaf Arc’s start.

There’s an additional significant setup regarding the final Road Poneglyph heading into the Elbaf Arc, but the most notable is the Man Marked by Flames. This man is rumored to be in possession of the final Road Poneglyph, which many speculate to be a famous pirate. However, the series has teased the fact that the person in question could be a World Government member. This was likely deliberate by mangaka Eiichiro Oda.

With this in mind, current information as of One Piece chapter 1128 suggests that the Man Marked by Flames is a World Government member whom fans haven’t met yet. This person also needs to fit several criteria, including being strong enough to guard the final Road Poneglyph, narrative significance, and a reason to be involved in the Elbaf Arc.

One Piece chapter 1121's double spread (Image via Shueisha)

The only currently known character who could fit all of these criteria is the silhouetted character who appeared in the final double spread of chapter 1121. Firstly, he’s shown to have a sword similar to the design of the central character in the silhouetted Holy Knights group. It’s also likely that this person is the new leader of the Holy Knights following Garling Figarland’s promotion to Gorosei, thus giving them narrative significance.

They would be considered a World Government member given this title. This would also suggest them to be incredibly powerful, given what fans know of the Holy Knights as of One Piece chapter 1128. Going back to the chapter 1121 double spread, this also ensures the Gorosei and Holy Knights are represented via Garling in this character. This also ensures every major endgame group is represented in the spread.

As for why the Holy Knights and their leader, the Man Marked by Flames, would go to Elbaf, it makes perfect sense, given what’s known about the group. Firstly, it seems that the Holy Knights are the personal warriors of the Celestial Dragons who fight their battles on the Blue Sea. More likely than not, they regularly carry out these missions and battles to ensure their strength.

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This would explain why the Man Marked by Flames is rumored to sail on the Blue Sea and why the Sun God has captured Luffy and co as of One Piece chapter 1128. It also makes sense for them to have been on the Blue Sea during the series’ contemporary events, given comments on their retaliation against his Revolutionary Army.

However, Dragon is about to have his own hands busy with the Blackbeard Pirates, who are seemingly plotting against the Revolutionary Army. The Holy Knights would likely be aware of this and thus shift their focus to the Straw Hats, given the Straw Hats’ role in the Egghead Incident. It’s also likely known that the Straw Hats have three of the four Road Poneglyphs.

There’s also the fact that the chapter 1121 double spread suggested that whoever finds the One Piece would control the world’s fate. If this is truly the case, it gives the World Government a vested interest in actually finding it for themselves, not just stopping pirates from discovering it. This gives further reason for the Holy Knights to divert to Elbaf and capture the Straw Hats, as seen in One Piece chapter 1128.

In conclusion

Imu and the Gorosei's wrath is coming for the Straw Hats, and One Piece chapter 1128 sets up the Holy Knights to deliver it (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece chapter 1128 suggests that the Sun God is a Holy Knight and Devil Fruit user who shrunk the Straw Hats to kidnap them. He likely did so because the Holy Knights’ new leader is the Man Marked by Flames, who has the fourth Road Poneglyph. The Man Marked by Flames is also likely the mystery character from the chapter 1121 double spread.

The chapter 1121 double spread also suggested that the World Government has a vested interest in finding the One Piece for themselves. Thus, this explains why the Holy Knights targeted Luffy and co - the Straw Hats have three Road Poneglyph rubbings. This will lead to the group becoming the Elbaf Arc’s villains via the Straw Hats fighting the group for the final Road Poneglyph they need to reach Laugh Tale.

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Edited by Joseph Brogan