Who will Finally Find the One Piece?

At the end of One Piece, it is highly likely that Monkey D. Luffy will be the one to ultimately find and claim the One Piece treasure. There are several reasons why Luffy is the prime candidate to obtain the treasure, though the journey and the meaning of finding it may be more significant than the treasure itself. Here’s why Luffy is likely to reach the One Piece, and who else might come close or play a significant role in this climactic event:

1. Luffy’s Role as the Protagonist and Successor to Joy Boy:

Luffy’s journey has always paralleled the legacy of Gol D. Roger and Joy Boy. He carries the Will of D., a lineage that is historically tied to the concept of freedom, rebellion against oppression, and the pursuit of one's dreams. His carefree nature and unrelenting desire to explore the seas perfectly mirror Roger's spirit, but Luffy is more focused on freeing people from tyranny, particularly that of the World Government.

Joy Boy left behind the Poneglyphs and the treasure at Laugh Tale, likely for someone like Luffy to find. Given that Luffy is often seen as the spiritual successor to Joy Boy, it makes sense that he would be the one to complete Joy Boy’s mission by uniting the world in some way and discovering the One Piece.

2. The Straw Hat Pirates:

Luffy’s crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, have gathered allies and grown stronger as they have ventured through the Grand Line and New World. Each member of his crew contributes significantly to their success, and it’s clear that the final journey to Laugh Tale will be a collective effort. For instance:

Nico Robin's ability to read the Poneglyphs is crucial to finding Laugh Tale and uncovering the truth.

Franky built the ship Thousand Sunny, modeled after the Oro Jackson (Roger’s ship), which could be essential for reaching the final island.

Each Straw Hat has their own dreams that align with the discovery of the One Piece, symbolizing freedom in various forms (e.g., Nami's world map, Sanji’s quest for All Blue, and Zoro's dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman).

3. The Prophecy and Luffy as the "Dawn":

Throughout the story, characters like Oden, Shirahoshi, and the Minks have referenced a prophecy about the "dawn" of the world, which seems to refer to Luffy's generation. Luffy is often seen as the one who will bring about this dawn, meaning he will likely be the one to uncover the One Piece and change the world.

Gol D. Roger couldn’t complete Joy Boy’s mission because he was too early. He famously said, "We were too soon," suggesting that it would be someone in the future (like Luffy) who would finish what Joy Boy started and bring about the true revolution of the world.

4. Luffy’s Personal Drive:

Luffy’s desire to find the One Piece is deeply personal and stems from his dream to become the Pirate King. His understanding of being the Pirate King isn’t just about power or wealth—it’s about having the most freedom. This aligns with the thematic elements of One Piece, where freedom and adventure are core values.

Luffy’s motivation is pure—he doesn’t care about riches or ruling the world. He seeks the One Piece to fulfill his dream and the dreams of his crewmates, making him the rightful and deserving candidate to claim it.

Who Else Might Be Close to Finding the One Piece?

While Luffy is the clear frontrunner, several other characters or groups are in a position to challenge or help him reach the One Piece:

1. Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach):

Blackbeard is arguably Luffy’s greatest rival and poses a significant threat to reaching the One Piece. Like Luffy, Blackbeard carries the Will of D., but unlike Luffy, he is driven by greed, ambition, and a lust for power.

Blackbeard has already proven to be a major force, having stolen Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit powers, and he’s actively hunting down powerful Devil Fruits to become even more dangerous.

There is a strong likelihood that Blackbeard will clash with Luffy in a final battle over the One Piece. However, given his corrupt nature and twisted methods, Blackbeard is more likely to be the antagonist whom Luffy must defeat to reach the treasure.

2. Shanks:

Shanks holds a special place in the story as Luffy’s mentor and the one who inspired him to become a pirate. While Shanks isn’t actively seeking the One Piece, he is likely to play a pivotal role near the end of the series.

Shanks was a member of Gol D. Roger’s crew, meaning he already knows what the One Piece is. His role may be to guide or protect Luffy as he nears Laugh Tale, ensuring that the right person reaches the treasure.

There’s also the possibility of a fated confrontation between Luffy and Shanks, as Luffy promised to return Shanks' straw hat once he became a great pirate.

3. The World Government and Imu-sama:

The World Government, led by Imu-sama and the Five Elders, has a vested interest in keeping the One Piece a secret. If the One Piece is tied to the Void Century and the Ancient Kingdom, the government will likely do everything in its power to prevent Luffy or anyone else from discovering it.

Imu-sama may be the final obstacle standing in the way of Luffy reaching the treasure, and a massive conflict between the Revolutionary Army, the Straw Hats, and the World Government could be the climax of the series.

Conclusion: Luffy Will Get the One Piece

While several characters, including Blackbeard and the World Government, may try to prevent it, Luffy is the character most likely to find and claim the One Piece. His journey, motives, and connection to the series' central themes of freedom, unity, and adventure make him the ideal candidate to fulfill Gol D. Roger’s and Joy Boy’s legacies.

In the end, Luffy’s discovery of the One Piece will likely symbolize the liberation of the world from the grip of the World Government, the revelation of the true history, and the realization of his and his crewmates’ dreams. The treasure will not only cement Luffy’s status as the Pirate King but also usher in a new era of freedom for all.