Beyond the Admirals: Why Dragon’s Final War Enemy Is Stronger Than You Think

In the grand, global chess game that is the One Piece Final Saga, every piece is moving towards a final, climactic confrontation. While Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are on a collision course with Blackbeard and the World Government, the Revolutionary Army, led by the enigmatic Monkey D. Dragon, is set to play a pivotal role. Dragon’s goal is not the One Piece; it is the complete dismantling of the World Government and the overthrow of the Celestial Dragons. For his ambition to succeed, he will have to face the most formidable and powerful of all the World Government’s forces. While many fans have theorized about a final showdown with Fleet Admiral Akainu or even a duel against the Holy Knights’ Commander, Figarland Garling, the true power that stands in Dragon’s way is far more terrifying and ancient than a simple Marine.

The True Power Behind the Throne: The Elder Gorosei

The latest chapters have peeled back the curtain on the World Government’s true power, revealing that the Five Elders, the Gorosei, are not just old men in suits. They are ancient, powerful beings with terrifying Devil Fruit abilities, and each one of them is a force to be reckoned with. Their powers, which resemble awakened Mythical Zoans, have been on full display, showcasing their ability to regenerate from fatal wounds and to transform into monstrous forms. While each Elder is a powerful opponent, there is one among them who is rumored to be the strongest of all, a being with a history that is tied to the very foundations of the world. This Elder is the true enemy of Dragon.

The Gorosei are the highest-ranking authorities in the World Government, serving directly under the mysterious Imu. Their knowledge of the Void Century and their direct hand in shaping the world for the last 800 years makes them a formidable foe, not just physically, but also narratively. They are the embodiment of the oppressive power that Dragon has sworn to overthrow. A direct confrontation between Dragon and the Gorosei would not be a simple battle; it would be a clash of ideologies, a struggle between the will of a man who seeks to liberate the world and the will of ancient beings who seek to control it. The sheer power of these Elders makes them a much more compelling and dangerous opponent for Dragon than a simple Marine like Akainu, who is merely a tool of the very system Dragon is fighting against.

A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Destiny

Another strong possibility for Dragon’s final opponent is the leader of the Holy Knights, Figarland Garling. The reveal of Garling as the patriarch of the Figarland family and his alleged connection to Shanks has opened up a new avenue for a deeply personal and thematic battle. Garling is portrayed as a staunch supporter of the Celestial Dragons and a figure of immense power, so much so that he is the head of the Holy Knights, the World Government’s most feared and secret fighting force. A battle between Dragon and Garling would be a clash of two opposing forces: the man who fights for the freedom of all people against the man who protects the tyrannical rule of the Celestial Dragons. This is a battle that goes far beyond a simple political conflict. It is a confrontation between the will of D and the will of the Celestial Dragons, a fight between a father who fights for his own family and a father who fights for the liberation of the world.

While many have speculated that Garling is meant to be a final opponent for Sabo, it makes more sense for him to be a direct opponent for Dragon. Garling is the leader of the Holy Knights, and Dragon is the leader of the Revolutionary Army. Their positions are a direct parallel to each other. Thematically, a battle between these two would be the perfect way to bring the Revolutionary Army’s struggle to the forefront of the story. It would also be a great way to showcase Dragon’s true power and finally answer the long-standing question of why he is considered the “World’s Worst Criminal.”

A More Formidable Enemy Than Expected

The beauty of One Piece is that it constantly subverts expectations. While a simple showdown with Akainu would be a satisfying conclusion for many, the narrative has been building towards something much bigger and more complex. Dragon’s final enemy will not just be a strong fighter; they will be an ideological foe, a physical manifestation of the system he has sworn to destroy. Whether it is an ancient Elder with a terrifying Devil Fruit or the leader of the Holy Knights, one thing is for sure: the final battle for the Revolutionary Army will be a much more difficult and meaningful fight than anyone could have ever anticipated. The stage has been set, and the enemy is much stronger than you think.