One Piece is an iconic manga series that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide with its rich storytelling, complex characters, and unpredictable plot twists.
As the series nears its final, the stakes continue to rise, and every new chapter brings fans closer to the final confrontation between the Straw Hat Pirates and the forces of the World Government, along with other major players like the Blackbeard Pirates.
Chapter 1125, set for release on September 9, 2024, has already garnered attention due to some early spoilers.
The buzz around this chapter revolves not only around key developments but also about the death of Saint Saturn, one of the Gorosei, and its possible implications on the Blackbeard Pirates’ intricate plans.
Saint Saturn’s death, as shocking as it is, is more than just a momentous event in the story; it has potential ripple effects that extend far beyond the World Government’s hierarchy.
In particular, it seems to have thrown a wrench in the carefully laid plans of Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard.
His pirate crew, notorious for their ruthless ambition, might find themselves at a significant disadvantage due to the death of Saint Saturn, whose identity they had hoped to exploit.
This article enter deeper into how this event might have compromised their objectives and what it means for the future of the Blackbeard Pirates in the One Piece universe.
The Build-up to Saint Saturn’s Death
In recent One Piece chapters, the focus has shifted toward a confrontation on Egghead Island, a pivotal location for many of the ongoing story arcs.
Chapter 1107, in particular, highlighted the arrival of the Giants on Egghead Island, a significant turning point that began to tilt the balance of power away from the World Government, who until then had held the upper hand.
The presence of Saint Saturn, one of the Gorosei, had given the World Government considerable leverage in this battle.
At the same time, Luffy, the protagonist and leader of the Straw Hat Pirates, re-entered the battlefield after recovering his strength, thanks to being fed by one of his crew members.
Luffy’s rejuvenation allowed him to tap into his formidable Gear 5 abilities, and he used the Gomu-Gomu no Dawn Gatling to send Saint Saturn flying.
This set the stage for what would soon become one of the most talked-about developments in recent One Piece history.
After being flung across the battlefield and buried under rubble, Saint Saturn found himself face-to-face with two of Blackbeard’s most dangerous subordinates: Catarina Devon and Van Augur.
These two members of the Blackbeard Pirates were on a secretive mission, and they wasted no time in mocking Saturn for being so thoroughly bested by a mere pirate.
While their taunts seemed trivial at first, they were indicative of a larger plan at play. It soon became clear that the Blackbeard Pirates weren’t just there to join in the fight; they had a very specific objective in mind.
Catarina Devon, possessing the powers of the Dog-Dog devil fruit (Model: Nine-Tailed Fox), has the unique ability to impersonate others, right down to their clothes.
With a single touch, she can take on the appearance of anyone, a skill that has proven invaluable to the Blackbeard Pirates on numerous occasions.
In this instance, their goal was to steal Saturn’s identity, presumably as part of a larger scheme to infiltrate the Holy Land of Mariejois, the political hub of the World Government.
Devon, using her devil fruit powers, touched Saint Saturn’s leg, signaling that their mission was complete.
Satisfied with their work, she and Van Augur quickly left the scene, their task seemingly accomplished. This development raised many questions among fans about what exactly Blackbeard was planning.
However, as the spoilers for Chapter 1125 revealed, these plans were doomed to fail, as Saturn would not live long enough for his identity to be of any further use.
Fallout of Saint Saturn’s Death
According to the spoilers for Chapter 1125, Saint Saturn meets his end on Egghead Island.
While the specifics of his death are still unclear, it is confirmed that he was the last of the Gorosei to remain on the island, with all others having presumably left.
In his absence, a new member of the Gorosei steps in to take his place: Garling Figarland.
This shift in power within the World Government hierarchy has significant implications, not only for the ongoing battles but also for the Blackbeard Pirates and their future schemes.
With Saturn dead, the Blackbeard Pirates’ plan to use his identity for their infiltration mission is effectively nullified.
Catarina Devon’s powers are formidable, but even they cannot impersonate a dead man with any real success, at least not in the way Blackbeard had envisioned.
The idea was likely to use Saturn’s appearance to sow chaos within the upper echelons of the World Government or to access restricted areas within Mariejois. Now, however, this plan has fallen apart before it even began.
Still, there may be some residual benefits for the Blackbeard Pirates. As suggested by the spoilers, the World Government is unlikely to publicly announce Saint Saturn’s death, perhaps in an effort to maintain appearances and prevent mass panic.
If this is the case, then Blackbeard and his crew might still be able to exploit Saturn’s identity, albeit in a more limited capacity.
For instance, they could use it to intimidate or manipulate other pirates or factions who are unaware of the Gorosei member’s demise.
But as far as Blackbeard’s grand ambitions to infiltrate Mariejois are concerned, this particular avenue seems to have been firmly closed off.
Blackbeard Pirates: A Pattern of Failure?
This latest setback for the Blackbeard Pirates is hardly an isolated incident.
Throughout the series, fans have seen the crew, led by the ever-calculating Marshall D. Teach, devise elaborate schemes only to see them unravel in spectacular fashion.
While Blackbeard himself has achieved significant milestones, such as acquiring two powerful devil fruits and becoming one of the Yonko, many of his plans have ended in failure or incomplete success.
One of the more recent examples of this was his attempt to steal the powers of Trafalgar Law, a fellow pirate with one of the most coveted devil fruits in the One Piece world.
Law possesses the Ope-Ope no Mi, a fruit that grants him the ability to manipulate space and perform a wide range of medical and combat techniques.
Blackbeard’s plan to capture Law on Wiener Island seemed foolproof, but it ultimately fell apart.
Similarly, his attempt to capture Boa Hancock, another pirate with a powerful devil fruit, was thwarted on Amazon Lily.
In both instances, Blackbeard underestimated the opposition and left without achieving his objectives.
The failures didn’t stop there. During the same confrontation with Boa Hancock, Blackbeard and his crew were surprised by the appearance of Silvers Rayleigh, one of the most feared pirates of the previous generation.
Despite his advanced age, Rayleigh still commanded enough respect and power to force Blackbeard into a retreat, further solidifying the pattern of incomplete victories and missed opportunities for the crew.
Even the battle against Law saw another unexpected twist, as Bepo, Law’s loyal mink crewmate, transformed into his Sulong form and dealt a significant blow to Blackbeard’s forces.
This incident once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of Blackbeard’s schemes and the recurring theme of his overconfidence leading to near failure.
What Does This Mean for Blackbeard’s Future?
Given the number of times Blackbeard’s plans have either fallen short or been completely thwarted, some fans have speculated that Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, may be setting the character up for an even more significant fall in the future. A
lternatively, these failures might be part of a larger narrative arc in which Blackbeard’s missteps ultimately serve as stepping stones to a greater success.
Blackbeard’s history as a pirate has been one of high risk and high reward.
He is someone who is willing to gamble everything for a shot at ultimate power, whether it’s by betraying his former captain Whitebeard, infiltrating Impel Down to recruit new crewmates, or challenging the World Government itself.
His ambition knows no bounds, but his arrogance may also be his undoing.
Each time Blackbeard’s plans falter, it reinforces the idea that, despite his formidable strength and cunning, he is not invincible.
In fact, his repeated failures may be hinting at a larger downfall or reckoning to come as the story reaches its climax.
At the same time, Blackbeard’s setbacks also contribute to the tension and unpredictability of One Piece.
Just when it seems like he is on the verge of achieving his goals, something or someone always stands in his way.
This unpredictability makes him one of the most compelling antagonists in the series.
It also keeps fans on the edge of their seats, wondering when or if he will finally succeed in realizing his grand ambitions.
As the series moves toward its inevitable final, the fate of Blackbeard and his crew remains one of the most intriguing unresolved plotlines.
While Saint Saturn’s death may have thrown a wrench in his immediate plans, it is unlikely to deter Teach for long.
He is a pirate who thrives on adversity and has shown time and again that he is willing to adapt and change course when necessary.
Whether Blackbeard’s repeated failures are a sign of things to come or merely temporary setbacks, one thing is certain: his role in the final act of One Piece will be pivotal.
Whether as Luffy’s ultimate rival or as a wild card in the battle against the World Government, Blackbeard’s ambition and cunning make him a force to be reckoned with.
Saint Saturn’s death may have momentarily derailed his plans, but the Blackbeard Pirates are far from finished.
In the end, One Piece remains a story about the pursuit of dreams, and few characters embody that pursuit as fiercely as Marshall D. Teach.
