One Piece’s Elbaph Arc Sets Up Major Haki Upgrades for Straw Hats

As the final battles of the Elbaph arc unfold in the One Piece manga, Eiichiro Oda has set the stage for the Straw Hat Pirates to gain some serious Haki power-ups. This development gives us insight into the crew’s positioning as we approach the series’ endgame.

According to Game Rant’s analysis of the arc’s direction, several Straw Hats are gearing up for Haki enhancements as the confrontations in Elbaph heat up. This fits into a larger trend Oda has been developing in the Final Saga: mastery of Haki is increasingly becoming the standard that differentiates top-tier fighters from the rest.

Zoro looks like the first to benefit from this change. Screen Rant pointed out that Zoro’s next major power-up has been hinted at, and it seems to revolve around a Haki breakthrough, rather than a new sword or technique. Since Zoro’s Conqueror’s Haki was confirmed during Wano, fans expect that Elbaph will fine-tune his ability to use it, bringing him closer to Mihawk’s level.

This development aligns with a broader shift in One Piece’s power dynamics. Comic Book Resources recently highlighted five ways Haki is reducing the importance of Devil Fruits in the Final Saga. This change makes these upgrades more impactful than your average mid-arc power boost. If Haki is becoming the main measure of strength, the Straw Hats need to seize these opportunities before the series heads into its final conflicts.

This comes on the heels of a two-week period filled with significant manga developments. On July 10, fans saw two Straw Hats reach what many are calling “god-tier” status. Additionally, a chapter from July 8 addressed Gear 5’s crucial weakness after four years of fan speculation. Oda is clearly ramping up the crew’s growth in a short timeframe, suggesting that Elbaph serves as the last major power-scaling arc before we dive into the endgame.

For fans who enjoy the story through gaming, One Piece Odyssey — developed by ILCA and published by Bandai Namco — is the latest major video game in the franchise, launched in January 2023. The game boasts 80% positive reviews based on 1,832 Steam ratings. However, its current player count of 40 indicates that it has mostly run its course with players. The mixed reception shows that the manga’s momentum hasn’t sparked a renewed interest in gaming.

By The Numbers

One Piece Odyssey Release Date	January 13, 2023
Steam Review Score	80% positive
Total Steam Reviews	1,832
Current Steam Players	40
Current Steam Price	$39.99

Community feedback around One Piece Odyssey has turned sour since its launch. One reviewer on Steam stated: “this game made me want to pull my hair out, EVERYTHING is padded for time, it even stalls you from picking up collectible items. I paid 3 cents for this and I still wouldn’t recommend it at that price.” Complaints about pacing recur in negative reviews, highlighting a design flaw that discounts haven’t resolved.

What To Watch

• Which Straw Hats get confirmed upgrades. Zoro seems to be the front-runner, but Sanji, Usopp, and Nami have also been mentioned in recent chapters. Keep an eye on whether Oda spreads the upgrades across the crew or focuses them on the main fighters.
• Whether Haki continues to push Devil Fruits aside. If the Final Saga keeps its current path, expect more chapters showcasing Haki mastery as the key element in high-stakes battles — impacting how Luffy’s Gear 5 evolves.
• A new One Piece game announcement. With the manga in its final arc and the anime retaining steady global interest, Bandai Namco has a solid reason to greenlight a new title. One Piece Odyssey’s shrinking player base opens up opportunities for a fresh game that captures the Final Saga’s narratives.