One Piece: Elbaf Arc’s Main Villain Isn’t Who You Think (Here’s Why)

One Piece: Elbaf Arc’s Main Villain Isn’t Who You Think (Here’s Why)

As a seasoned gamer and avid One Piece fanatic with over two decades of manga-reading under my belt, let me share my thoughts on this fresh addition to the series: Loki, the enigmatic giant from Elbaf.

When the Elbaf Arc in the popular “One Piece” manga begins, a key character is introduced: Prince Loki from the legendary kingdom. Despite being one of the strongest giants, Loki falls short of the valiant and honorable warrior image he should uphold. He was once set to marry Big Mom’s daughter, Lola. However, their engagement ended disastrously. Sadly, this event strained Big Mom’s relationship with the Giants significantly. Even after her daughter left, Prince Loki refused to marry Chiffon, Lola’s twin sister, who bears a striking resemblance to her.

Six years ago, I was labeled as the “Cursed Prince” for slaying my father, King Herald, in a forest. The giants claim that I’ve always been up to no good and that I am the “Shame of Elbaf,” with a longer list of crimes than any other in the kingdom. But what they don’t know is that my actions were driven by a quest for power, specifically the legendary power of a devil fruit. However, my meeting with Luffy in One Piece shows there’s more to my story than just being a villain. As the tale of Loki unfolds, I hope it sheds light on my past and answers many questions about who I truly am.

One Piece: Elbaf Arc’s Main Villain Isn’t Who You Think (Here’s Why)

Loki’s First Introduction in One Piece Doesn’t Hint at Him Being Evil

Although he officially debuts in Chapter 1130, Loki was first mentioned in Chapter 858. He falls in love with Lola at first sight and appears to have genuine feelings for her as he doesn’t mind allying with Big Mom, an enemy of his race. Big Mom grew up in Elbaf, but the series has yet to reveal the reason behind her rocky relationship with the giants.

If Lola had married Loki, it could have been an ideal chance to put old disputes behind them. Yet, the soon-to-be bride fled and chose pirate life in search of genuine affection. This action strained Big Mom’s bond with the Giants, but the narrative didn’t explore Loki’s emotions any further.

In the heart-pounding Chapter 1130, I, a seasoned gamer, find myself face to face with a young Yonko. This chap introduces himself as none other than the Sun God – a title that rings deeply within the lore of Elbaf, where the revered figure of Nika, or the Sun God, carries immense cultural and historical weight. The Giants hold Nika in high esteem, viewing him as a symbol of freedom. It’s almost unbelievable to think that someone who grew up knowing the significance of this god would dare to use his name to commit abhorrent acts.

One Piece: Elbaf Arc’s Main Villain Isn’t Who You Think (Here’s Why)

Luffy’s Trust Proves Why Loki Isn’t the Main Villain of One Piece’s Elbaf Arc

As a gamer, I’d rephrase that as: When I met Loki, the usual clash between hero and villain didn’t unfold. Instead, we ended up having an unusual rapport. I even dozed off on top of him, despite his haughty demeanor. Despite Loki needling me about my mentor Shanks, it didn’t lead to any major conflict. In fact, he attempted to strike a deal with me, offering info about Shanks in return for his release.

In Chapter 1132, Luffy, who is usually open and truthful, tries unsuccessfully to deceive Gerd on behalf of Loki. Loki wished to keep their encounter secret, so Luffy obliged. Despite his straightforward nature, Luffy isn’t skilled at lying and only does so when necessary.

For some unexplained reason, he often finds himself in tricky positions with the notorious prince. Over time, Luffy has proven his skill at discerning people’s true natures and intentions. He possesses an intuitive knack for this. Consequently, Luffy’s faith in Loki and his lack of suspicion towards him suggest that Loki might not be as malevolent as he is perceived to be.

One Piece: Elbaf Arc’s Main Villain Isn’t Who You Think (Here’s Why)

Loki Doesn’t Pose a Serious Threat to Luffy

Although Loki possesses remarkable abilities akin to that of a legendary devil fruit, he currently doesn’t present a significant danger to the Yonko. Approximately six years ago, prior to obtaining the power of a devil fruit, the World Government placed a substantial bounty of 2.6 billion berries on his head. However, Luffy’s Gear 5 ability makes him formidable. His strength is equivalent to what he believes himself capable of, allowing him to overpower even the world’s strongest creature, Kaido. Luffy has the power to alter both his body and his environment to outmatch his adversaries.

In his Gear 5 form, he’s utterly unbound, making it challenging even for a formidable foe like Loki to cause him significant harm. During the Egghead Incident Arc, Luffy held his ground against the Gorosei, some of the most powerful figures in One Piece. Consequently, any incoming antagonist needs to demonstrate they can pose a real threat to the young Yonko.

In the current phase of “One Piece,” we’re venturing into the second arc of the Final Saga. This means the trials ahead for the Straw Hat crew might seem trivial compared to their past experiences. It’s evident that a main antagonist being quickly defeated doesn’t exactly heighten the story’s suspense. However, Loki is still a relatively fresh character in “One Piece,” and it seems that creator Eiichiro Oda has significant plans for this infamous prince, suggesting he will play a crucial role as the story unfolds.

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2024-12-11 01:39