Blackbeard One Piece Theory: Will He Replace Imu Sama and Rule the World?

I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About Blackbeard — And It’s Not Just the Laugh

Hey, I’m Riku Sakamoto — the guy behind AnimeLaw, and like most longtime fans, I’ve learned one hard truth in One Piece: if something seems crazy… it’s probably coming true. Which brings me to this theory that’s been keeping me up at night:

What if Blackbeard doesn’t just want to become Pirate King Its not just a Blackbeard One Piece — what if he wants to replace Imu Sama and rule the world?

It sounds wild, I know. But with the way things are unfolding in the Final Saga, and how One Piece has layered its villains, I truly believe that Blackbeard might be aiming to sit on the Empty Throne — and reshape the entire world in his twisted image.

Let’s dig into the clues, the setup, and why Blackbeard might actually be a bigger endgame threat than even Imu.

First, Let’s Talk About What We Know

In the world of One Piece, power is everything. And Blackbeard, aka Marshall D. Teach, isn’t just chasing power — he’s strategically collecting it.

• He stole Whitebeard’s Gura Gura no Mi, giving him the power to destroy islands.
• He already had the Yami Yami no Mi, which nullifies other Devil Fruit abilities.
• He’s been attacking islands tied to knowledge and secrets — like Baltigo and Amazon Lily.
• He knows how to manipulate timing — letting others wear each other down before he strikes.

This isn’t just a pirate chasing fame. Blackbeard is building an empire. And unlike Luffy, who wants freedom, Blackbeard wants control — on a global scale.

Why Replacing Imu Sama Fits Blackbeard’s Ambition

Let’s be honest: Blackbeard doesn’t want to be just another Yonko. That’s small-time for him. From the beginning, his goal has always seemed different from Luffy’s.

Luffy wants to be Pirate King because it’s the freest title in the world.

Blackbeard? He wants to be king of everything.

He doesn’t fight for ideals. He fights for advantage. And what’s the ultimate advantage in the world of One Piece?

Becoming the one who controls the map, the marines, the truth — the position Imu Sama secretly holds.

Blackbeard and the Empty Throne

The Empty Throne at Mariejois is a symbol of peace — but in reality, it’s a throne that Imu occupies in secret. Now imagine what it would look like if Blackbeard got there.

He wouldn’t sit quietly in the shadows. He’d announce it. He’d rule loudly and proudly. He’d become the ultimate tyrant, using both physical and political power to crush any resistance.

And in doing so, he’d do what the World Government spent 800 years trying to prevent — publicly replacing the system with himself at the top.

The D. in His Name Is No Coincidence

It’s worth remembering that both Luffy and Blackbeard share the D. initial — the so-called Will of D. People with this name are described as the natural enemies of the Celestial Dragons and the gods of the world.

But here’s the twist: while Luffy embodies the liberating side of the Will of D., Blackbeard might represent the corrupted version — one that seeks not to destroy tyranny, but to become the new tyrant.

In many mythologies, the devil doesn’t destroy heaven — he tries to take the throne. That’s exactly the vibe Teach gives off.

Imu Sama vs. Blackbeard — A Battle of Shadows?

Now here’s the spicy part.

Everyone’s expecting Imu Sama vs. Luffy to be the final ideological showdown — and I still believe that will happen. But what if Blackbeard takes down Imu first?

Think about it:

• Blackbeard has the power to destroy entire islands — like Imu
• He’s targeting locations with historical value, like the World Government did
• He’s willing to betray anyone, at any time, for gain
• He might already be seeking the final Road Poneglyph (or hiding one)

If Blackbeard gets to Mariejois first — during the chaos of the Final War — he might not just fight Imu. He might replace them. Quietly or violently.

And that sets up Luffy vs. Blackbeard not just as a Pirate King rivalry — but as a battle for the soul of the world.

Supporting Clues and Symbolism

Let’s break down a few other clues that support this theory:

1. Blackbeard’s Flag

Three skulls. Could represent his three motives:

• Pirate King
• Ultimate power via Devil Fruits
• World dominance

Or possibly: Three personalities (as hinted by Marco), one of which might be calculated enough to pull off a political takeover.

2. His Base on Hachinosu (Pirate Island)

Why does this matter? Because Hachinosu was once ruled by Rocks D. Xebec — the only pirate who we know tried to take on the Celestial Dragons and rule the world.

And who does Blackbeard resemble most in the current timeline?

Exactly.

3. His Method of Winning

Blackbeard never takes the direct route. He waits, lets others fight, and swoops in at the perfect moment. That’s exactly the kind of strategy needed to usurp Imu Sama — while the Straw Hats, Revolutionaries, and Marines are distracted.

What Happens If He Succeeds?

If Blackbeard replaces Imu Sama, even for a short time, the entire final arc flips on its head.

• He’d command the Marines (or at least disrupt their chain of command)
• He’d weaponize ancient tech or the remaining Celestial Dragon tools
• He could bury the truth of the Void Century all over again — or rewrite it

And worst of all, he might finally become what the World Government pretended to be: a unifying force under absolute control.

Which means Luffy wouldn’t just be fighting to be free — he’d be fighting to undo Blackbeard’s new world order.

This isn’t just a theory for drama. It fits perfectly into One Piece’s running theme: freedom vs. control, dreams vs. domination.

When Could This Happen?

If you’re asking when all of this could go down — I’ve actually broken that down in detail in my article on when One Piece might end. Based on Oda’s pacing, number of arcs left, and what still needs to be revealed, we’re likely 2–3 major arcs away from the true finale.

That gives just enough time for Blackbeard to make his final move… and either rise or fall before the last curtain closes.

Final Thoughts: Blackbeard One Piece Endgame Just Got Way Darker

Look — I don’t think it’s too far-fetched anymore.

Blackbeard in One Piece isn’t just a pirate. He’s a symbol of what happens when ambition eats everything else. And if anyone in this story would betray the heavens, sit on a throne not meant to be sat on, and dare the world to stop him… it’s Teach.

Whether or not he replaces Imu Sama directly, the intention is there. And I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the final chapters, we see him almost succeed — just before Luffy breaks through with one final, ridiculous, freedom-filled punch.

Until then, I’ll be keeping both eyes open. And maybe sleeping with one closed… just like Blackbeard.

FAQ: Blackbeard One Piece Theory

Q: Does Blackbeard want to be Pirate King or world ruler?
Possibly both. While his stated goal is to be Pirate King, his actions suggest a desire for far greater control — maybe even replacing the World Government entirely.

Q: Could Blackbeard defeat Imu Sama?
It’s possible, especially during the chaos of the Final War. Blackbeard is known for exploiting timing and opportunities rather than brute strength alone.

Q: Is Blackbeard the final villain of One Piece?
He may be the final personal rival for Luffy. Whether he appears before or after the Imu conflict is still up in the air — but his role is clearly endgame material.

Q: What is Blackbeard’s connection to Rocks D. Xebec?
Many fans believe Blackbeard inherited Xebec’s dream of ruling the world. He even set up base on the former Rocks territory — Hachinosu.

Q: How could this affect One Piece’s ending?
If Blackbeard replaces Imu Sama or tries to, it could lead to a two-stage finale: one fight for global dominance, and another for the future of freedom itself.