According to a One Piece theory, Akainu might be friends with Dragon which would make Luffy’s revenge against him even more difficult.

One of the most important names in Luffy’s list of opponents in One Piece is Navy’s Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, also known as Akainu. Akainu has been responsible for some of the most wicked instances in the series, with Ace’s death being the most horrible of them all. This is why, Luffy hates him to the core and will surely take revenge for his brother’s death.

Akainu | Credits: Toei Animation

Akainu’s character is quite complex and while he is portrayed as the villain of One Piece, he actually plays the role of an anti-hero. One speculation that proves this is his alleged friendship with Dragon, which might lead him to betray the World Government. He is not entirely evil in his need to follow justice, but the ways that he implemented in doing so have made him one of the biggest antagonists in One Piece.

There is a theory that proves that Akainu might be a part of the battle on Elbaph and Luffy might finally face him. However, if Luffy defeats him, it would be painful in a way that Luffy might take down one of his father’s friends, who is speculated to motivate the Navy to fight against the World Government in One Piece.

Akainu Might Turn Against The World Government

Since the beginning of One Piece, Akainu has been portrayed as a rude and arrogant Navy Admiral who doesn’t care about anything else other than justice. He is firm in his methods and is willing to go to any lengths to make sure that justice is served no matter what. However, this does not mean that he agrees with the World Government’s methods at all.

In fact, there have been many instances in One Piece where he is seen questioning the orders given by the World Government and criticizing them. This hatred of Akainu towards the World Government has given rise to a theory that states that Akainu might betray the World Government and motivate the Navy to fight against them.

Monkey D. Dragon Talks About Him Being in the Navy | Credit: Viz Media

This theory is based on the speculation that when Dragon was in the Marines, he was in the same batch as Akainu, as both of them were training to become Admirals. The two realized the injustice served by the World Government, and while Dragon decided to change it from the outside (forming the Revolutionary Army), Akainu decided to stay within the Navy and bring the change.

Luffy’s Revenge Against Akainu Might Be Emotional

According to the popular One Piece fan page @3SkullJoe, there is a big possibility that Akainu might be a part of the battle on Elbaph and would face Luffy head-on. This is because Elbaph might reveal big details about the Incident of Ohara, and Akainu was a big part of that. Therefore, Akainu might attack Elbaph and could very well be the main antagonist of the One Piece arc.

Akainu Killing Ace | Credit: Toei Animation

If this happens, he is bound to face Luffy, and Luffy will leave no stone unturned in defeating Akainu because he is the one who killed Ace. However, if the above-mentioned theory becomes true and Akainu turns out to be Dragon’s friend from the past, it would add an emotional and painful element to the foreshadowed One Piece narrative.

In the end, it all depends on Eiichiro Oda and how he plans to portray Akainu’s character in One Piece. He might have to choose between Akainu’s connection with Dragon or Luffy’s revenge against Akainu for killing Ace.