One Piece's Elbaf arc may not have begun yet, and Luffy's missing hat in chapter 1127 is clue

Modified Sep 23, 2024 03:17 GMT

The sudden appearance of Luffy, without his iconic straw hat, in One Piece chapter 1127 is provoking massive fan speculation, as it raises questions about the actual nature of the events that are taking place. Theories indicate that the long-awaited Elbaf arc could not have necessarily started yet and that the Straw Hats might have been mesmerized by an illusion, possibly cast by Loki, the Norse trickster god.

His strange behavior and the unanswered mysteries surrounding Nami are the clues about the true, dark story behind these odd happenings that can change the Straw Hats' adventure and inaugurate a bigger one.

One Piece: Straw Hats may have come under Loki's influence

Monkey D. Luffy was not wearing his Straw Hat in chapter 1127 (Image via Shueisha)

One Piece manga chapter 1127 shocked readers with Luffy keeping aside his characteristic Straw Hat. Such a seemingly small detail has sparked a fun of theories and speculation among the fans. Could this be a sign that the Elbaf arc has not begun yet, and the Straw Hats are experiencing something worse?

One of the many popular theories is that the Straw Hats may have fallen under a hallucination or spell, most probably cast on them by the trickster god Loki. This theory further supports some of the oddities observed in these recent chapters. Luffy uses the word Gear 4 for his Gear 3 technique, which illustrates the turning away from his established abilities.

Monkey D. Luffy had a sword on his back in the latest chapter (Image via Shueisha)

It was shown that Luffy had undergone various changes in his equipment, starting with being unarmed, gradually taking a sword, and, ultimately, an axe. There was also no clear explanation of who called Nami in previous chapters, which is still an unsolved mystery.

Many fans have developed an idea that the Straw Hats are in a realm of imagination rather than Elbaf. They assume they might be trapped in an illusion or an alternate reality, maybe created by Loki, the trickster god themselves.

One Piece: Is the Elbaf arc still on the horizon?

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

If Elbaf is indeed devoid of the Straw Hats, then we can expect that the Elbaf arc, which many eagerly await, will still linger in the future. We are speculating that all the events in the recent chapters we have been seeing are merely the connecting elements of the larger Elbaf arc, and we will be preparing for an even more fierce and ambitious storyline.

Luffy's straw hat is not just a fashion accessory but also a representation of his journey, aspirations, and, ultimately, his identity as the future King of Pirates. The reason he doesn't wear it in chapter 1127, which is a definite deviation from the regular rule, could indicate that the Straw Hats are not in their original minds or that the display of their usual reality is not happening.

One Piece: The potential involvement of Loki

Loki as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory of Loki's participation in the Straw Hats' present dilemma is exceedingly captivating. Loki, the trickster deity in Norse mythology, is well-known for his capacity to twist reality and fabricate illusions. If he really has placed a curse on the Straw Hats, that could be the reason behind the irrational happenings and the loss of the straw hat.

In the event that the Elbaf arc has not yet commenced, and the Straw Hats are, in fact, caught in an illusion or alternate reality from Loki, it would hold dire consequences for the overarching story of One Piece. This might mean that Oda has bigger things in mind for the Straw Hats, with the Elbaf arc being a major pivot in their existence.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

In One Piece, the latest chapters have put fans in a frenzy of wild theories and expectations. Speculations have been rife on the missing straw hat, Luffy's capacity for new abilities, and Nami's unexplainable summoning. They all seem to indicate that the Elbaf arc hasn't actually kicked off yet and that the Straw Hats might be immersed in a kind of illusion or alternate reality, possibly arranged by Loki, the trickster deity.