We have an entire month to speculate about what’s going to happen in chapter 1054 of One Piece. Chapter 1053 marked the end of the Wano arc as mangaka Eiichiro Oda announced a 4-week hiatus before a new chapter will begin the final saga of the series.
The Wano War came to a close after 20 years of oppression. The new shogun Kozuki Momonosuke took his rightful place to the throne – despite the shocking revelation of the previous shogun, Kozuki Sukiyaki, still being alive.
While Momo decided to keep the country’s borders sealed, the enigmatic Marine Admiral Greenbull entered Wano, hungry for Luffy’s head.
Luffy and Buggy (still not over it) replaced Kaido and Big Mom as Yonkos, and Robin revealed that the Ancient Weapon Pluton is in Wano.
There are several possibilities about which direction chapter 1054 can go, whether the story will continue in Wano or take us somewhere else entirely. I will list the most plausible theories in this article.
1. Admiral Ryokugyu Faces the Straw Hats
Chapter 1053 focused on Greenbull aka Ryokugyu aka Aramaki being the next enemy to the Alliance. While there might not be a proper battle between the Admiral and the others so soon after the War, it’s possible Ryokugyu will act impulsively in order to seek Sakazuki/Akainu’s approval.
One of my theories is that chapter 1054 will begin with Greenbull will take matters into his own hands and try to attack the pirates in Wano, but will be distracted or summoned back, so a full-blown fight is avoided.
I. Ryokugyu Goes After Luffy
In chapter 1053 Ryokugyu seemed determined to capture Luffy dead rather than alive.
He tells his subordinates not to let Akainu know what he’s up to; earlier on the phone, Akainu had warned him not to do anything rash.
These points are enough to make me think that Greenbull will crash the banquet Momo is throwing for Wano and then corner Luffy.
But after Luffy’s giant monumental battle with Emperor Kaido, I don’t think they’ll get a showdown just yet. After all, Ryokugyu has just entered the scene. Oda will want to build him up further before having him get beaten by or beat Luffy.
II. Ryokugyu Meets Zoro
There was an uber popular theory sometime back about Ryokugyu being Zoro’s dad. This theory began back when Greenbull was introduced just with his silhouette. People speculated that Greenbull was Shimotsuki Ushimaru and that Ushimaru was Zoro’s dad.
Of course, we now know that Ryokugyu isn’t Ushimaru. But this doesn’t rule out the fact that Ryokugyu doesn’t have any relation to Zoro.
Zoro has also been more or less absent from the action ever since his battle with King. Additionally, Oda still hasn’t given us any background lore about Zoro, which we’ve all been waiting for since the Wano arc began.
Ryokugyu might still be a Shimotsuki. He and Zoro might be descendants of the Sword God, Shimotsuki Ryuma. Ryokugyu prominently sports a sword in his reveal, so, there might be something here.
III. Ryokugyu is Stalled by Brook
Chapter 1053 gives us a glimpse of Greenbull’s Devil Fruit powers. He can create branches and roots with his body and absorb the life force from people, like nutrients from soil.
He sucks King and Queen dry as his branches pierce their bodies and sap up all that makes them whole.
An interesting theory is that Brook, who hasn’t got much spotlight in Wano, emerges and stops Ryokugyu from immediately wreaking havoc.
Since Brook is already dead and doesn’t have a body with blood and flesh, Ryokugyu can’t use his powers on him.
Of course, Greenbull would immediately overcome Brook with his mere strength but Brook can certainly serve as a distraction.
Alternatively, to stop Ryokugyu attacking, Akainu might find out that he is defying orders, and command him to retreat just before he is about to make his move on the Alliance, Luffy in particular.
Either way, I don’t see a massive face-off between Greenbull and the others so soon, even if he does intercept the Wano festival.
2. Pluton Resurrected
One of the most exciting bits about chapter 1053 was Robin and Hitetsu aka Kozuki Sukiyaki’s conversation about Pluton.
Robin says that according to the Arabasta Poneglyph the location of Pluton is somewhere in Wano Country. Sukiyaki, who is a Kozuki and thus is familiar with the language of the Poneglyphs, confirms this by saying, “Indeed, it is here.”
The most likely scenario is that Pluton is an underwater warship lying asleep beneath Mr. Fuji in the Flower Capital. Mt. Fuji is an active volcano that hasn’t erupted in years, but is capable of widescale destruction, much like the Ancient Weapons.
A good way for Oda to wrap up Wano would be to get Mt. Fuji to erupt and for someone to take control of Pluton to save Wano. This would distract us from Ryokugyu, plus involve the Marine ships surrounding Wano.
Pluton being awakened and controlled could result in Momo reopening the borders of Wano – the Government wouldn’t dare attack Wano if the country has Pluton to defend it.
The re-emergence of Pluton will draw attention to the Ancient Weapon once again, and consequently the One Piece.
Remember what Big Mom said when she was falling down the abyss after being defeated by Kid and Law? Her inner monologue to the late Pirate King Gol D. Roger. She curses him saying that he could have been clearer about where or what the One Piece is. And… she says that Wano holds some of the answers.
Wano definitely holds some of the answers. Pluton might have something to do with the One Piece.
3. Ryokugyu + Pluton + Blackbeard
Combining the theory of Pluton and Ryukugyu being distracted from facing the Straw Hats, a likely scenario is that Blackbeard enters the scene looking for Pluton.
In chapter 956, when the Reverie news breaks out, Blackbeard tells his crew to pack their bags because they are setting sail to “claim the prize” before the World Government can get to it.
Many of us believed this “prize” to be Pluton and that Blackbeard was heading towards it, somehow having gleaned its location.
If Blackbeard knows Pluton is in Wano, he could end up arriving at the same time Ryokugyu strikes the Straw Hats.
This would create a fantastic divergence with 3 major rivals stuck in a stalemate.
4. Shanks Enters the Picture
Speaking of Blackbeard, it is also possible that chapter 1054 sees the entry of Shanks, the most awaited character to be seen in action.
Additionally, the Red Hair Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates are bound to fight sooner than later. It’s been foreshadowed that the 2 Yonkos will go toe-to-toe since Marineford.
Even if Blackbeard doesn’t come to Wano, it’s the perfect time for Shanks to make an appearance.
Luffy promised Shanks that he would return the Straw Hat to him once he was stronger. When Luffy was called the 5th Emperor, Shanks said, “I think I’ll see you soon.” And now Luffy is an actual Yonko. Luffy has never been stronger than this. It’s high-time Luffy met his mentor again.
The Red Hair Pirates showing up will also mean that Usopp finally meets his dad, Yasopp, and it could be a great segue into the Elbaf arc, which might be the next arc.
Additionally, we have just finished the Four Emperors saga but it has mostly featured just Kaido and Big Mom. Having Blackbeard and Shanks show up in Wano would really make sense, whichever way Oda wants to go after that.
5. Dragon, Sabo, and the Reverie
Another character we’ve all been waiting for to show up is Luffy’s dad, Monkey D. Dragon.
We know that the Marine forces are stretched thin and a perfect explanation for this would be that the Revolutionary Army have stirred things up. Dragon, being the the Supreme Commander of the Army and the World’s World Criminal might be causing chaos to the Government outside Wano.
Oda might also dive into the events of the Reverie, something we’ve been pondering upon since forever. Ever since the Reverie news broke out in chapter 956, we’ve all been waiting for some update about Sabo.
The only thing that we know for sure is that something went down in Alabasta during the Reverie, someone died, and Sabo was involved.
Perhaps the World Government has imprisoned Sabo at Impel Down, and Dragon himself is fighting the Government in Mary Geoise. Perhaps Luffy will rescue Sabo the way Whitebeard came for Ace, and that way he’ll at least succeed in saving one brother.
6. Impel Down 2.0
A lot of fans have been hammering for another Impel Down breakout, especially after the theory that Sabo is there. Also, Doflamingo.
Doffy’s escape from Impel Down is almost inevitable because his String-String Devil Fruit is kind of tailor-made to aid his prisonbreak. And with all the chaos ensuing around the world, there’s a good chance he’ll use it to escape.
He might also team up with Blackbeard, or even with Luffy, since his goal is to rebel against the Celestial Dragons and throw Imu off the throne of power.
An Impel Down 2.0 could be a good set up for the ultimate battle against the Government.
7. Buggy Messing Up the Outside World
Morgans and then Ryokugyu confirmed that there is something big going on outside Wano. If the Revolutionary Army aren’t completely to blame, I can think of one other person who might be wreaking havoc and messing up the world system.
It’s yo’ boy, the Genius Jester and newly appointed Yonko, Buggy.
If there’s one thing we know Buggy can do, it’s incite a rebellion. We saw him orchestrate the riot at Impel Down which led to thousands of dangerous escapees.
He formed several alliances with different pirates and crews, which led to him gaining more money, more power, and more influence.
We know that Buggy somehow escaped the Marines after the abolishment and capture of the Shichibukai. It’s not such a stretch to believe that Buggy might have convinced the remaining ex-Warlords that if would be in their best interest to team up against the World Government.
With his Buggy Delivery and ever-increasing fleet, crew, and notoriety, Buggy has most probably totally messed up the order and structure laid down by the Nobles.
Chapter 1054 might spotlight Buggy’s rise to Emperor – what he’s been up to all this time and why the world outside Wano is such a mess.
8. More Joy Boy Lore
Luffy was revealed to “be” Joy Boy, and thanks to Morgans, his wanted poster has a picture of him in Gear 5: Nika. So, everyone knows that Nika has resurfaced in the New World. The Gorosei also are aware that Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Mi is actually the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
But Zunesha disappeared after Joy Boy disappeared – as in, after Luffy’s Gear 5 died down. I don’t want the Joy Boy discussions to cease just because the action is over. Oda has to tell us what Joy Boy exactly is.
All we know is that Joy Boy has returned and that Luffy is him – or was, in that moment.
The start of a new saga is a great moment for Oda to indulge us with some more Joy Boy info. Other characters are also definitely wondering what took over Luffy in his final bout with Kaido. A full explanation is definitely due!
9. A New Era
More along the lines of point #8, chapter 1054 might spell out the beginning of a new era, the “age of smiles”, as Doflamingo had put it.
Big Mom and Kaido’s defeats is in part the fall of the old era, and the new generation is already making bold strides towards establishing the dawn of a new age.
With Luffy’s Sun God Nika symbolism, chapter 1054, which is the beginning of the end, i.e., the final saga, is the perfect time to roll out all the elements that will literally draw us to the end of the series.
We can expect more foreshadowing and more reveals – including the secrets of the God Valley incident, what happened in the Void century, the history of the Ancient Weapons, the Will of D., the giant Straw Hat, and other untold mysteries.
10. Timeskip
I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a timeskip after the end of the Wano arc.
The last timeskip was after Ace died, at the end of the Marineford arc. 2 years passed by and we were only shown glimpses or hints of what went down during them. The Straw Hat crew grew stronger during the 2 years and took time away to prepare for the new world.
Granted, the previous timeskip was planned in a way that the characters themselves kind of knew that they would be away from the action; the end of Wano is full of cliffhangers, right in the midst of things.
A timeskip would frustrate a lot of fans, but it might be a way for Oda to give us an exposition with various narrative arcs for different characters. The timeskip would have to be way shorter than 2 years though, so I’d say maybe a month maximum.
11. New Straw Hat Bounties
Chapter 1053 revealed that Luffy, Kid, and Law have individual bounties placed at 3 billion berries each. But this just reveals the bounties for the 3 captains; what about the other Straw Hat bounties?
Sanji defeated Queen and Zoro defeated King; the rest of the Straw Hats took down the Tobi Roppo. Their bounties will also see a definite hike.
The collective bounty for the Straw Hat Pirates is going to increase twofold because of their role in taking down not 1, but 2 Emperors of the Sea.
12. Yamato’s Pirate Status
We still don’t know whether Yamato is an official Straw Hat. The fact that Oda hasn’t had Luffy and Yamato talk about it yet is making me suspicious.
Chapter 1054 will tell us whether or not Yamato will indeed be joining the Straw Hat Pirates on their adventures.
13. Conclusion
Hardly a week has passed since chapter 1053 released and there are already so many One Piece theories cropping up over the internet.
I can guarantee there will be a part 2 of this theory list as the fandom collectively thinks of more predictions.
14. About One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.
The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!
Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.
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