One Piece: Blackbeard’s Next Target Isn't Shanks — Oda Already Dropped the Clue

Introduction

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is no stranger to foreshadowing, complex rivalries, and layered character motivations. While many fans have long believed that Shanks would be the next major clash for the fearsome Marshall D. Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard, recent developments in the manga suggest otherwise. In a surprising twist, Oda may have already hinted at Blackbeard’s real next target — and it’s not the red-haired Emperor.

This revelation has huge implications for the story’s final saga and the fate of several key characters. Let’s dive into the possible clues, analyze Blackbeard’s trajectory, and explore what this could mean for the One Piece world going forward.

Blackbeard’s History of Strategic Targets

To understand where Blackbeard might be going, we first need to look at where he’s been. Unlike most Yonko, Blackbeard doesn’t engage in fights for honor or pride — he’s purely opportunistic. Every major move he’s made has been calculated for power:

• He betrayed the Whitebeard Pirates to obtain the Yami Yami no Mi.
• He used the chaos of Marineford to claim the Gura Gura no Mi, becoming the first person with two Devil Fruits.
• He turned Hachinosu into his Yonko base and sought powerful Devil Fruit users to join his crew.
• He’s captured members of the Revolutionary Army and invaded Amazon Lily for Boa Hancock’s Mero Mero no Mi.

Each of these attacks shows a preference for targets with tactical value — not emotional vendettas. So, if not Shanks, then who would be Blackbeard’s next “useful” victim?

The Shanks Misdirection

From the very beginning, fans expected a climactic battle between Shanks and Blackbeard. Shanks warned the Gorosei about Blackbeard years ago. Their clash would have symbolic weight — representing the past versus the future of piracy. But Oda rarely delivers the expected.

While Shanks finally took the stage during the Egghead arc, showing off divine haki levels, his main concern appears to be protecting Luffy rather than clashing with Teach. Meanwhile, Blackbeard’s forces have been scattered across different missions — from kidnapping Koby to fighting Law’s crew on Winner Island.

Simply put: Oda might be intentionally baiting fans with the idea of a Blackbeard vs. Shanks showdown while subtly steering the story elsewhere.

The True Next Target: Dr. Vegapunk and the Egghead Incident

Here’s where things get really interesting. With the current manga arc focused on Egghead Island — the laboratory of Dr. Vegapunk — Blackbeard’s crew is suddenly involved in a battle for control of the island. The shocking detail? Oda has made it clear that Vegapunk’s research could destabilize the world.

Vegapunk holds:

• Secrets about the Void Century and Joy Boy
• Details of ancient weapons
• Access to high-level Pacifista and Seraphim technology
• Data on Devil Fruits and how to replicate them

For someone like Blackbeard, who has already demonstrated an obsession with Devil Fruits and dominance, targeting Vegapunk and his knowledge would be far more beneficial than clashing with Shanks.

Blackbeard’s Actions Around Egghead

During the Egghead arc, the appearance of one of Blackbeard’s ships near the island — carrying either him or his commanders — raises serious alarms. With the Marines, CP0, and the Straw Hats all converging on Egghead, it’s the perfect setting for a chaotic power grab.

Some fans theorize that Blackbeard himself will arrive at Egghead to seize Vegapunk’s tech or even Vegapunk himself. With Koby under his control (and Koby being a Vegapunk ally), Blackbeard could use this as leverage.

This makes more narrative sense than a duel with Shanks. It positions Blackbeard as the ultimate schemer — not just chasing brawls, but long-term dominance through knowledge and science.

What This Means for Shanks

So, does this mean Shanks is off the board? Not entirely. There’s still a good chance that Shanks and Blackbeard will cross paths — just not as the immediate next battle. Instead, Oda might be saving that encounter for the final war arc or as a tragic turning point in the series.

Some believe Shanks might be killed off by Blackbeard later, mirroring Whitebeard’s fate and triggering a worldwide shake-up. Others speculate that Shanks will battle another character like the Gorosei or even Luffy in the end.

Fan Reactions & Theories

Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) are full of speculation. Popular theories include:

• Blackbeard wants to extract knowledge from Vegapunk to create artificial Devil Fruits for his army.
• He’s trying to gain access to the Seraphim and replace his crew with cloned monsters.
• He’s using Koby and other captured figures as bartering chips for larger power plays.

Many fans now believe Shanks will face someone like Imu or a World Government figure, while Blackbeard continues down his dark scientist path.

Blackbeard's Endgame: A New World Order

If Blackbeard gets access to Vegapunk’s research, he could become nearly unstoppable:

• Create artificial Devil Fruits
• Replicate his unique ability to wield multiple fruits
• Clone legendary pirates using the Seraphim tech
• Destroy the Red Line or reveal the Void Century

His obsession with power isn't just personal — it’s systemic. He wants to change the entire structure of the One Piece world, not just rule it. And for that, Vegapunk is a far more valuable target than any Emperor.

FAQs

Is Blackbeard really stronger than Shanks?

We haven’t seen them clash directly yet, but Blackbeard's dual Devil Fruit powers give him a dangerous edge. However, Shanks’ haki mastery is off the charts. It’s a close call.

Why is Vegapunk so important to the story?

He’s the bridge between the world’s past and future. His knowledge could unravel the World Government’s secrets and empower the next generation of pirates — or villains like Blackbeard.

Could Shanks die before Luffy meets him?

It’s possible. Oda loves subverting expectations, and a Shanks death could spark Luffy’s final transformation or declaration of war.

Is the Egghead arc setting up the final saga?

Absolutely. With the involvement of the Five Elders, Vegapunk’s revelations, and multiple Yonko factions, Egghead may be the spark that ignites the greatest war in One Piece history.

Conclusion

While many fans continue to dream of a Blackbeard vs. Shanks epic, the smarter bet is on Oda leading us somewhere even more chaotic and unexpected. All signs point toward Vegapunk being Blackbeard’s real next target, with Egghead Island becoming a pivotal battleground in the race to control the future of the seas.

If this theory holds, Blackbeard won’t just be the strongest — he’ll be the most terrifying mind in One Piece, reshaping the world through stolen science, not brute force. And that’s a far more chilling thought than any one-on-one showdown.