One Piece: Oda quietly reveals the genius behind Luffy's final power-up and Pirate King legacy

Time of India

11-05-2025

Credits: Crunchyroll & X
With
One Piece
getting close to its
Final Saga
, fans around the world are more eager than ever to uncover the mysteries around Luffy's growth. After being trained by the legendary
Silvers Rayleigh
during the time skip arc, many have wondered—who could possibly guide the future Pirate King next? According to recent insights and subtle hints from series creator
Eiichiro Oda
, Luffy may already be on course to meet—or has already met—his next mentor figure.
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One Piece has always been centered on adventure, friendship, and freedom, Luffy's growth has also come from the guidance of powerful figures, like Rayleigh's role in helping Luffy master Haki was important for preparing him for the New World. But now, as the battles grow more intense and the enemies more godlike, Luffy's path seems to demand an even bigger growth for him to achieve his goals.
One Piece: A mentor beyond the expected
Eiichiro Oda has a long history of hiding major plot seeds in plain sight, and it seems he's done it again. Recent chapters of the manga suggest that
Dr. Vegapunk
, the genius scientist from Egghead Island, may be the one to take on the role of Luffy's next major mentor—though not in the traditional combat sense.
Now Vegapunk is expanding Luffy's understanding of the world itself. With their interactions, Luffy is getting exposed to the hidden truths about the
Void Century
, the nature of Devil Fruits, and even the secrets of Joy Boy and the ancient weapons which will help him and his crew to win the final battle against the world government and Imu.
Credits: Crunchyroll
This intellectual mentorship aligns with the Final Arc of the One Piece, where battles are not just won with fists, but also with the knowledge, legacy, and understanding of history. Oda is showing that the future Pirate King doesn't just need to be strong—he needs to understand the world he's going to change.
Luffy's Gear 5 transformation is linked to the mysterious Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika—which is yet to be fully explored. Vegapunk, being the world's leading expert on Devil Fruits, might hold the answers Luffy requires to fully master this power. If Rayleigh was the one who unlocked Luffy's Haki potential, Vegapunk could be the one to unlock the entire truth of his devil fruit.
What this means for the final saga
As One Piece barrels toward its climactic chapters, Luffy's evolution is critical to the story's endgame. With Blackbeard, Imu, and the World Government still looming large, Luffy will need every edge he can get—not just in strength, but in strategy.
Vegapunk's role as a mentor in the series could redefine what it means to be a mentor in One Piece. Vegapunk may have never picked up a sword or thrown a punch, but his influence on Luffy's journey could be just as important as Rayleigh's. More than a teacher of power, Vegapunk could be Luffy's teacher of truth.
And that's fitting. In a series where inherited will and understanding the past are central themes, Oda seems to be making a statement: true leadership comes not just from being the strongest, but from knowing what's worth fighting for.
With Egghead Island rapidly becoming one of the most lore-rich arcs in the series, it wouldn't be surprising if Luffy emerges from it not only stronger, but wiser, armed with the knowledge to bring about the final era of change.
One Piece fans should keep their eyes peeled—because in Oda's world, every conversation, every glance, and every clue could be part of Luffy's next great leap forward.