Summary
Now that theOne Piecemanga hasconfirmed that Garp survived Kuzan’s attackon Hachinosu, the only question that remains is who will save him, Luffy or Koby? After his mission to rescue Koby forced him into a battle with Kuzan, Garp was left severely injured but managed to escape death. For Blackbeard, this twist was a stroke of good fortune. Though he captured Koby as leverage to strike a deal with the World Government, Garp is a far greater bargaining chip. As the Navy’s “Hero” and a living symbol of justice, Garp holds incomparable value, both for his reputation and the message his capture sends to the Marines.
But the real question is: who will save Garp? While both Luffy and Koby have strong motivations, it’s uncertain which one of them will actually free Garp from the Blackbeard Pirates.Luffy couldn’t save Ace during Marineford, so rescuing Garp would allow him to rewrite the traumatic memory of losing a beloved family member. On the other hand, Koby’s potential role is equally compelling; he could prove himself worthy of his mentor’s trust and emerge as the next “Hero of the Marines,” inOne Piece,carrying Garp’s torch into the future.
The Case for Luffy’s Rescue Mission
Luffy’s bond with Garp has always been one of love and rebellion. Although Garp trained him in his youth, pushing him toward the Marines, Luffy’s choice to become a pirate has put them on opposite sides of the law. Yet, there is no denying the deep respect and affection Luffy holds for his grandfather. He won’t hesitate for a second todrop everything and go rescue his old man. Plus, the emotional weight of seeing another loved one in danger—especially after Ace—could spur Luffy into action, bringing him face-to-face with Blackbeard for a personal vendetta.
Luffy’s recent encounters withthe Marines on Egghead Islandhave shown he’s more than willing to take on powerful enemies. However, taking on Blackbeard on his home turf would be a huge risk. Blackbeard and his crew are formidable, and a direct assault could risk Luffy’s life and the well-being of his crew. That said, Luffy has often chosen the more dangerous path when a loved one is in peril. While Luffy’s crew might worry about the odds, they may also rally behind him, recognizing that this is an intensely personal fight. If Luffy does make a move, it would be a declaration of war against Blackbeard.
The Argument for Koby’s Rescue Mission
Koby’s journey from a timid Marine recruit to a skilled hero has been one of the most interesting arcs inOne Piece. Under Garp’s mentorship, Koby has transformed into a brave and capable Marine with a strong sense of justice. Recently,Koby even debuted his own flashy technique, Honesty Impact.
For Koby, rescuing Garp would be a defining moment in his career. The fact that Blackbeard tried to use him as leverage is enough proof of his rising status, and rescuing Garp could solidify Koby’s position as one of the Navy’s brightest soldiers. He hasalready become the new Hero of the Marines, like Garp became after the God Valley Incident, and may play the same role in Luffy’s story that Garp did in Roger’s.
WG Can’t Ignore Garp Like They Ignored Koby
With Garp’s life hanging in the balance, the Marines may have no choice but to launch a rescue mission. Garp is not just any Marine; he’s a symbol of strength and honor within the Navy. Leaving him in Blackbeard’s hands could tarnish the Navy’s image and demoralize its ranks. This could lead to a large-scale Marine operation against Blackbeard’s stronghold, potentially spearheaded byhigh-ranking figures such as Sengoku or even Akainu.
Will It Be Luffy, Koby, or the Entire Marine Force?
It seems most likely that Oda will have Koby be the one to save Garp, allowing him a defining character arc that cements his growth and independence as a hero of the Marines. While Luffy rescuing Garp would indeed be poetic—especially if, unlike the Marineford arc, he has the full support of his crew—this moment may simply come too soon in the final saga.
Blackbeard remains one of Luffy’s ultimate rivals, and it’s hard to imagine him facing such a formidable opponent before the journey to theOne Piecereaches its final climactic stretch. Besides, Luffy’s priorities lie with completing his odyssey, and he may not even know of Garp’s capture until after the battle ends.
This path not only gives Koby the spotlight he’s earned but also sets Luffy and his crew on a path to train even harder for the inevitable battles ahead. The theory right now is that each of the Straw Hats faces challenges in their respective Yggdrasil realms—training opportunities that could prepare them for the harsh reality of the final war.
