The struggle between the corrupt World Government and radical pirates is the defining conflict in One Piece, and the battles that stem from these and other opposing factions are the guiding force of the story. The popular manga remains unfinished, but its final chapters are rapidly approaching, leaving fans on the edge of their seats for their most anticipated fights to finally take place during the series’ pinnacle war. The best candidates for the final fights fans can expect to see in One Piece‘s closing sequences are those between the strongest heroes and villains or the fiercest rivals.

Certain fights like the rematch between Roronora Zoro and Dracule Mihawk have been teased throughout the series, but others that appear in the Final Saga may be far more unexpected. Now that One Piece is in its end game, many characters are powered up with Devil Fruit powers, refined Haki, or supernatural strength, all of which promise explosive performances from Marines, pirates, and revolutionaries alike. The strongest figures in the One Piece world are set to face off in what will surely be unforgettable sequences that influence the outcome of the series.

10A Battle Between the Two Greatest Swordsmen is Imminent

Roronoa Zoro vs Dracule Mihawk

The first encounter between amateur pirate Roronoa Zoro and Warlord of the Sea Dracule Mihawk sets up the future for a rematch between the two swordsmen. Zoro and Mihawk become known as the Pirate Hunter and the Marine Hunter respectively, a nod to the parallel between their trajectories as the greatest swordsmen in history. Although their relationship grows to support a mentorship during the series timeskip, Zoro has a lot left to prove if he is to unseat Mihawk as the greatest swordsman of the Grand Line.

Dracule Mihawk has earned his status as a legendary pirate through his clashes with the powerful pirate Shanks and other conquests that have led him to claim one of twelve special-grade swords. Zoro has acquired his own powerful swords and Haki throughout his journey, eventually becoming known as the fearsome King of Hell. History will be made on the day the swords of the Cross Guild’s Dracule Mihawk and the Straw Hats’ Roronoa Zoro.

9Blackbeard & Luffy Are Destined to Collide as Enemies

Blackbeard vs Monkey D. Luffy

Monkey D. Luffy doesn’t know he’s meeting the pirate who will become one of his biggest enemies when he crosses paths with Blackbeard in Mock Town early in the series. Both characters have achieved noteworthy status as Emperors of the Sea and aim to become the next King of the Pirates by claiming Gol D. Roger’s long-lost treasure, the One Piece, setting them up as opponents well before their feud grows personal.

Blackbeard plays a massive role in the death of Luffy’s brother, Ace, which is undeniably the most devastating event of the Straw Hat Pirate’s life. Involvement in Ace’s loss and an alignment against the Red Hair Pirates makes Blackbeard one of the Straw Hat’s biggest foes. As the journey along the Grand Line brings the Emperors ever closer to the One Piece, Blackbeard and Monkey D. Luffy are almost certain to match up in a long-awaited showdown to decide who will become the next King of the Pirates.

8Shanks & Blackbeard’s Unseen Battle Needs a Rematch

Red-Haired Shanks vs Blackbeard

The Red Hair Pirates are the most influential yet unseen crew throughout the One Piece plot. Their off-screen scuffle with the Blackbeard Pirates remains one of the greatest mysteries in the series because of its alleged connection to the haunting scar that marks Shanks’ face. If it’s true that Blackbeard dealt the blow that scarred Shanks, then the two Emperors of the Sea already have one major reason to settle the scores before other factors come into play.

Blackbeard and Shanks both lead powerful crews in pursuit of the legendary One Piece, but even the nature of their crews puts them at odds. The Blackbeard Pirates pillage strong Devil Fruits for its members while the Red Hair Pirates are rumored to reject the use of Devil Fruits among their crew. Although Shanks’ talent is well-respected, even he may fail to endure the supernatural strength of Blackbeard’s Dark-Dark Fruit at full power.

7Usopp & Yasopp Should Finally Face Off as Snipers

Usopp vs Yasopp

Straw Hat Pirate Usopp sincerely respects his father, Yasopp, as a great warrior and pirate despite his limited involvement in Usopp’s life. Yasopp is the talented sniper of the esteemed Red Hair Pirates, mirroring Usopp’s trajectory to become the Straw Hat Pirates’ revered Sniper King.

Usopp has a lot of maturing to do before he earns the right to claim the same status afforded to his father for being part of the powerful Shanks’ pirate crew. Although Usopp has come a long way as a character by improving his slingshot skills and fighting confidence, his courage still falters when the Straw Hat Pirate becomes insecure. Usopp hasn’t completely earned his coveted identity as a warrior yet, but demonstrating his skill against his talented father, Yasopp, could prove the Straw Hat’s value as a crewmate beyond a doubt with a good showing.

6Luffy’s Father & Grandfather Have the Most Exciting Family Feud

Monkey D. Garp vs Monkey D. Dragon

Monkey D. Luffy’s family tree includes several powerful figures, but loyalty to opposing factions makes two of his family members particularly interesting. Monkey D. Garp, Luffy’s grandfather, rises to Vice Admiral status among the Marine ranks, and his son, Monkey D. Dragon, is more well-known as the leader of the Revolutionary Army than as Luffy’s father.

The Marines are the military arm of One Piece‘s World Government, and their most important duty is to keep the forces of pirates and revolutionaries at bay. Garp’s duty as Vice Admiral puts him in direct opposition to Dragon as the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, which works to unseat the very power that the Marines serve. As pirates, revolutionaries, and Marines prepare to lay their lives on the line in the pinnacle battle to influence the world’s future, a father-son face-off between Garp and Dragon becomes ever more likely.

5The Flame-Flame & Mag-Mag Fruits Are Fated to Meet Again

Sabo vs Fleet Admiral Akainu

The history of the Mag-Mag and Flame-Flame Fruits are forever intertwined after Admiral Akainu kills Fire Fist Ace during the Summit War at Marineford. Ace’s brother and high-ranking revolutionary, Sabo, comes to carry the torch for the Flame-Flame Fruit, and a confrontation between Sabo and Akainu grows more inevitable as tensions between the World Government and the Revolutionary Army intensify.

Both Logia-type Devil Fruits are empowered by similar red-hot strength, and this close match between their abilities leaves room for their users’ other talents to shine. Sabo’s impulsive whims and Akainu’s rigid pragmatism make for an intriguing match-up to watch unfold on the battlefield. A battle sequence between the two promises to deliver not only as an ideological clash between a revolutionary and a Marine but as the moving act of a man risking his life to avenge his brother’s death.

4Koby & Luffy Must Consummate Their Rivalry With a Real Battle

Koby vs Luffy

Monkey D. Luffy and pink-haired Koby pledge to meet again as rivals after they survive a dangerous encounter with Captain Alvida and her crew of pirates in the East Blue. Despite their bond, they acknowledge that their paths as a pirate and a Marine will force them to face each other as enemies in the future whether they like it or not.

Koby and Luffy have distinct personalities, furthering the existing divide between their competing loyalties for and against the World Government. Caution characterizes Koby’s every decision while Luffy couldn’t be more whimsical, creating an interesting contrast between their character trajectories. As different as the two characters are, their similar motivation to deliver justice that serves everyday people promises to make the long-awaited consummation of their rivalry an exciting debacle.

3One Legendary Unseen Fight May Be Revealed in the Final Saga

Gol D. Roger & Monkey D. Garp vs Rocks D. Xebec

The corruption of the World Government is evident in its erasure of important historical events, like the God Valley Incident that happens decades before protagonist Monkey D. Luffy’s birth. Government officials cleverly suppress the involvement of Gol D. Roger in the encounter by bolstering the reputation of one of its own, Monkey D. Garp. In reality, Roger and Garp temporarily set aside their rivalry to join forces against the notoriously cruel pirate Rocks D. Xebec — but it remains unpictured in One Piece‘s manga and anime.

The Rocks Pirates are present on the island of God Valley to deliver enslaved people to a disturbing event called the Native Hunting Competition during which Celestial Dragons hunt the captives for sport. Garp and Roger combine their strength to overpower Rocks, with the former becoming known as the Hero of the Marines in the wake of the victory and the critical contribution of the latter buried along with the island that seems to disappear after the God Valley Incident. With other important elements like Shanks’ introduction related to the God Valley sequence, Rock D. Xebec’s unseen defeat remains a highly anticipated reveal for fans.

2A Battle Between Good & Evil Will Ensue When Luffy & Imu Meet

Monkey D. Luffy vs Imu

It’s clear that Monkey D. Luffy is destined for greatness as One Piece‘s main character, but one of his critical antagonists isn’t introduced until the later stages of the series. The reveal that a mysterious figure named Imu secretly sits on the World Government’s highest throne, meant instead to be reserved as the Empty Throne, remains an indisputably disruptive debut for fans. Monkey D. Luffy has yet to shy away from any formidable villain to cross his path on the dangerous journey to claim the coveted One Piece treasure, and Imu would surely be no different.

The nature of Imu’s power and even his existence is still largely a mystery, his pinnacle stature within the World Government’s structure is enough to signal his immense strength. As the highest-ranking world official, Imu is a core force behind the atrocious actions of the government, giving Luffy more than enough reason not to hold back on his opponent in what would be a massively influential fight between the two undeniably powerful characters.

1A Clash of All Four Emperors Would Be Electrifying

Buggy the Pirate vs Blackbeard vs Monkey D. Luffy vs Red Hair Shanks

Beyond the series-defining conflict between the World Government and its enemies is another influential conflict among the strongest pirates to determine who will succeed Gol D. Roger by claiming his long-hidden treasure, the One Piece. The Four Emperors of the Sea are so powerful that even the government recognizes their strength by limiting their encounters with these dangerous pirates.

Blackbeard beats Monkey D. Luffy and Buggy the Clown to become one of the Four Emperors, but Red-Haired Shanks precedes all of them. Shanks and Buggy share a special connection to the One Piece as pirates who grew up on Gol D. Roger’s ship, and Shanks eventually becomes Luffy’s mentor before he sets off on his own. Luffy and Buggy have the most similar trajectory as pirates for most of the series, but all Four Emperors could end up dueling it out for the One Piece in an epic showdown in the story’s final arcs.

One Piece