One Piece’s Marineford Arc parallel is coming, but not how fans think

Modified Oct 24, 2024 07:38 GMT

One Piece’s Marineford Arc parallel is coming, but not how fans think (Image via Toei Animation)

One narrative concept that mangaka Eiichiro Oda has often used in the post-time-skip section of his One Piece manga series is certain arcs or events paralleling those of the pre-time-skip. The latest and most recognizable of these parallels is the Egghead and Sabaody Archipelago Arcs, which feature many obvious and apparent similarities, parallels, and inversions.

Likewise, many One Piece fans believe that a post-time-skip version of the Marineford Arc is coming. This belief was only strengthened by the recent reveal of Monkey D. Garp’s status as alive, but one of Blackbeard’s prisoners on Hachinosu Island. While a Marineford Arc parallel is likely coming given this, it may not be what fans are expecting given Blackbeard’s other apparent schemes.

Blackbeard’s plans for Dragon’s Revolutionary Army tease another use for Garp in One Piece

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One Piece chapter 1126 not only revealed Garp’s status as Blackbeard’s prisoner but teased what Blackbeard wanted to use him for. Initially, this appears to be in negotiations with the World Government to make Hachinosu Island an affiliated nation. This was Blackbeard’s original plan for Koby, whom Garp sacrificed himself for to ensure his freedom.

However, chapter 1126 then reveals what Laffitte has been up to as the rest of the Blackbeard Pirates have been making their own moves. He’s shown to be at the Umit Shipping Company headquarters, observing the Revolutionary Army’s siege on Mariejois and its effects. Blackbeard’s orders for Laffitte heavily implied that whatever he’s doing there, it’s undoubtedly related to the Revolutionary Army’s siege of Mariejois.

Specifically, the One Piece community at large believes Blackbeard intends to aid the World Government and Celestial Dragons via Caribou’s Devil Fruit powers. Whereas the Revolutionary Army’s siege prevents food from reaching Mariejois, Caribou’s powers can deliver massive amounts of food simply by transporting his own body. Given that the siege is attacking transportation methods, this is an offer the World Government can’t refuse.

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However, this would also make Garp effectively useless for negotiations since Blackbeard will have already curried significant favor with the World Government and Celestial Dragons. Enter the Cross Guild, who have a bounty of 3 billion Beri placed on Garp’s head. Blackbeard will likely give Garp to the Cross Guild to collect this price and use it to further his own schemes.

Garp, meanwhile, will now be in a similar situation to what Portgas D. Ace was in during the Marineford Arc. However, whereas the pre-time-skip version saw pirates fighting Marines to free one of their own, the post-time-skip will see the positions switched. This would also give Koby and other SWORD members the chance to right their wrongs at Hachinosu and ensure both Garp and Koby’s rescues alike.

This also makes sense as it frees up Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hats to fight the Blackbeard Pirates, who make much more sense for them as opponents. It’s also more sensible for Luffy to pursue his own dreams rather than delay them to rescue his grandfather. This would also serve as another parallel via Garp doing his duty as a Marine during the Marineford Arc, and Luffy sticking to his pirate ways in the post-time-skip parallel.

In summation

Koby will likely lead the charge against the Cross Guild in the eventual rescue mission for Garp (Image via Toei Animation)

With Blackbeard clearly planning to earn the World Government’s favor by solving their Mariejois siege problem, his next best use for Garp is the Cross Guild’s bounty. This is what will lead to a second Marineford War given the threat the Cross Guild already poses to the Marines and World Government. It also allows Luffy and the Straw Hats to fight Blackbeard’s crew, further highlighting how likely the above path is for the series’ future.