[Predictions] Mujiwara's 4 main rivals (predictions + matchups)

[KingHashirama]

Hello to all one piece fans on Narutobase, this thread will be regarding the Strawhat crew and their "rivals" meaning specific group of people who are set as their matches and will probably be showing down in the new world or at EOS.
Now please note, this is simply my opinion on who the rivals and how they'll play a part into it. I'll put all the predictions into the "spoiler" things so it'll be easier to navigate and read the thread.


The 4 rivals of the Strawhats:

1. Smoker and Tashigi vs Luffy and Zoro
2. Coby and helmeppo vs Luffy and Zoro
3. Kidd pirates vs Strawhats
4. Blackbeard pirates vs Strawhats

I know that Smoker/Tashigi and Coby/Helmeppo isn't going against all the crew, but the thing is they are going against the 2 of the main fighters in the STrawhats, and both are rivaleries that started pre-timeskip. I will explain my predictions regarding them and so on down below.



Smoker and Tashigi VS Luffy and Zoro:

This rivalry started at logue town as we all know. However, it hasn't been explored much until now as far a serious fight goes. But we do know Smoker is supposed to be something similar to how Garp was with Roger.

Spoiler

Analyzing:

Smoker vs Luffy - Smoker had been pawning the hell out of luffy all the way until the timeskip. wWhile in the New World luffy now is being portrayed as the stronger one out of the rivalry. Smoker's performance wasn't really that great if we compare it to the performance of the supernovas such as Luffy/Law. Smoker was in the mercy of pirates, law and strawhat pirates, and this seems to be something that has been used in the albasta arc, where Smoker really couldn't do anything about crocodile.


Tashigi vs Zoro - this had always been a Zoro pawns without even having to take Tashigi serious. I don't know why Oda is having Tashigi immensely weaker than Zoro right now. I would've assumed she'd be around Zoro's power. But clearly the case is quite different.



Prediction:

Ok so for the prediction, I will be asking for a lot, but I very well know not all of this will be happening.

1. Smoker and Tashigi's next appearance will come off as a serious threat to the strawhats and their clash in the New world, which will set Smoker into a similar light that Garp was in with Roger, as far you know the people acknowledging Garp as Roger's arch-rival and so on.

2. Tashigi becomes very close to Zoro as far as power goes, and probably end up becoming one of the strong marines by EOS.

3. Smoker should be the final MARINE opponent for Luffy at EOS. If there is any Marine that should be his last opponent from the Marines, it has to be Smoker. Know why I'm not saying Akainu? Because I myself perfer their rivalry over the whole revenge storyline of Akainu, which I hope isn't explored on by Oda. This can set Smoker as THE STRONGEST Marine at EOS VS the STRONGEST Pirate.

4. Oda should try to build up this rivalry every arc, by having something that connects both of them together as rivals. They don't need to face off each other every arc, it could simply be appearance's of Smoker talking about strawhats or him gaining fame for beating some OP pirates.


But that is it for Smoker/Tashigi vs Luffy/Zoro. Let me know what you guys think about, and let me know of your predictions regarding them.

Coby and helmeppo vs Luffy and Zoro

This isn't as serious of a rivalry as Smoker and Tashigi's. And its pretty much a 1-sided rivalry. But nonetheless, it will be epic if done properly.

Spoiler

Analyze:

1. Coby and Helmeppo's growth rate in my opinion, is superior to that of Luffy and Zoro's. Where as Luffy and Zoro started out as powerhouses, these guys were literally those fodder citizens you see standing around. And now they have learned Haki and so on..

2. Coby looks up to luffy, and has gone against him twice, and has been wrecked twice. While Helmeppo and Zoro have their own connection, of course. But have had only 1 "legit" showdown where he pawned him.

3. Coby's goal is be a strong marine that can make change and do "good". And he also looks up to Luffy as well at the sametime, probably aiming to surpass him and so on. So its kind of like Konohamaru and Naruto's situation if they were from different villages.




Prediction:

1. Oda will most likely have 1 big clash between the 2 marines and the 2 strawhats. This clash will showcase their friendship and etc.

2. The Clash should happen a before Luffy becomes the Pirate King. There is no need for them to have 2 serious fights, thats more suited for someone like Smoker. Just 1 serious fight, where the development of all 4 of the characters is showcased. And you know maybe hit some flashbacks to show how far they have made it and so on.

3. I see Coby at EOS luffy's level, but a bit below Smoker in power. And Helmeppo would be a bit below Tashigi in power.

Blackbeard vs Strawhats

The classic "revenge" rivalry. Though mostly a 1-sided "revenge" rivalry. And probably the most anticipated Pirate crew vs Pirate crew rivalry for the strawhats, from the fans.

Spoiler

Analyze:

1. Blackbeard is a man who plays an important part in the Death of Luffy's brother.

2. Unlike Luffy, Blackbeard is a cunning dude. Who is pretty similar to Kid, as far as killing people goes. He also knows when the right time is to make a move.

3. Luffy has shown a great dislike for Blackbeard, as seen in their little showdown.

4. Though the first time they met, Luffy was at BB's mercy. However, Luffy's growth rate is also superior to Blackbeard's, so the gap in their strength won't be for long.

5. Blackbeard is a Yonko, the same group of people that Law/Kid/Luffy/Hawkins/Apoo are going to overthrow.



Predictions:

1. Blackbeard should be set up as the last Yonko that Luffy defeats. I also think Blackbeard shouldn't be the one who kills Shanks, i think Shanks' death can be used by another member of the supernova. But if BB does end up being the one to kill off Shanks, then there is nothing wrong with that. As it'll only hype up the confrontation between the 2 more.

2. I don't want ,or see blackbeard being the last Pirate Luffy faces before or after becoming Pirate King. However, I do want him to be the big bad villain he faces before his final fight. Because that'd set up as the surpassing of Shank's generation by the young stars like Law/Hawkins/Kidd/Luffy and so on, (i'm strictly talking age here guys lol).

3. Match ups for the fight:

- Luffy vs BB

- Zoro vs Shiliew

- Sanji vs Liffitte

- Ussop vs Van Augur

- Chopper vs Doc Q

- Franky vs Jesus

- Nami vs Catarina Devon

- Brook vs Vasco Shot

- Robin vs Avalo Pizarro

KID PIRATES VS STRAWHATS

Oh man oh man oh man. This is my favorite out of the supernova rivalry out of the supernova, and just in general as far as Luffy's rivalry against Pirates goes. This is not similar to Smoker vs Luffy or Blackbeard vs Luffy. However, I'll explain why this has such a good set up and potential, to pull the best Pirate crew vs Pirate Crew fight in the manga.

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

Spoiler

Analyzing:

1. Eustass Kidd was introduced as the highest bounty out of the supernova. Post-timeskip Luffy now leads the bounty game. Killer had a bigger bounty than Zoro pre-timeskip. Post-timeskip, Zoro now has the superior bounty. So clearly there is that bounty trade off.

2. The match-up. Kidd has a crewmate who seems to be his first mate in the supernova, while Luffy also has a crew who is acknowledged as Luffy's first mate by other supernovas in the supernova. So each crew has 2 highly dangerous dudes on their teams, (not saying other people in their crews aren't dangerous..)

3. Kid's passion for Pirate King is very strong. He was killing anyone who dared to laugh at his dream. And of course, he now leads the new alliance that he has. Similar to how luffy's passion is very strong for pirate king, and puts his footdown, when other people claim they'll be pirate king. And he is currently the "face" or the "leader" of his alliance.

4. There are 4 named people from his crew, that match up with Luffy's main 4 fighters.

5. Luffy and him are the youngest out of the supernova.


Predictions:

1. I personally am hyped more for this fight than any other pirate showdown. And want the fight to happen as the final Pirate battle before luffy becoming pirate King.

2. I think Oda might try to start building up both of these guys as the 2 rising stars, above the rest in their generation ( out of the supernova, so not counting Blackbeard). So he has that hype going in, when they clash.

3. I'm hoping they have 1 clash before becoming Yonko level, and 1 after taking down all 4 Yonko.

4. The match ups for the 4 main fighters:

- Luffy vs Kidd
- Zoro vs Killer
- Heat vs Sanji
- Wire vs Ussop.

Thanks for reading guys, and please leave your predictions regarding these 4 rivals of the strawhats, and what you think might happen to them in the future.

And the discussion question:

- Who is the better Pirate Rival for the strawhats Kidd or BB?

- Who is the better Marine rival Coby/Hel or Smoker/Tashi?

- Who would you prefer as the final villain for the strawhats A PIRATE or a MARINE?

​

 

[Hexuze]

Smoker is Luffy's rival so you can cross out Coby of list. I don't feel like Zoro recognizes Tashigi as a rival like the way Tashigi looks up to Zoro. I'm not sure about Zoro tbh, maybe when we get the Wano arc, we'll see Zoro form a fierce rivalry with another swordsman.

 

[KingHashirama]

Smoker is Luffy's rival so you can cross out Coby of list. I don't feel like Zoro recognizes Tashigi as a rival like the way Tashigi looks up to Zoro. I'm not sure about Zoro tbh, maybe when we get the Wano arc, we'll see Zoro form a fierce rivalry with another swordsman.

Mostly, because Tashigi isn't on Zoro's level or anywhere near it. And thats why I predicted that Oda should have Tashigi set up near Zoro's level or so, in her next clash with Zoro.

Idk, in the Wano arc, it'll probably just be something like how he was against Bones. Develop his swordstyle further and be done.

 

[Vandenre1ch]

I doubt Smoker is Luffy's Garp or rival. Coby is way more of a rival...Luffy's first one too.

BB is the final villian most likely.

 

[KingHashirama]

I doubt Smoker is Luffy's Garp or rival. Coby is way more of a rival...Luffy's first one too.

BB is the final villian most likely.

Garp - defiant of higher-ups

Smoker - defiant of higher-ups

Garp - older than Roger

Smoker- Older than Luffy


Garp- collided many times with roger

Smoker - currently the marine with the highest number of clashes with Luffy


Idk, bro but seems like a pretty good set up for him to be garp.

What are your predictions on the Coby vs Luffy near EOS time?

 

[Bimbonium]

I'm also looking forward to Luffy vs Kidd, for Smoker to be Luffy's rival he'll need to have better CoA than Luffy EoS(whatever EoS means) since he's DF won't help him and that isn't likely , with Coby's growth rate and the fact that he's being trained by Garp he might end up as Luffy's rival if he gets a haxx DF, as to Zoro vs Tashigi and Zoro vs Helmeppo, I feel any thing that'll make Tashigi and Helmeppo get to Zoro's level will be far fetched

 

[Vandenre1ch]

Garp - defiant of higher-ups

Smoker - defiant of higher-ups

Garp - older than Roger

Smoker- Older than Luffy


Garp- collided many times with roger

Smoker - currently the marine with the highest number of clashes with Luffy


Idk, bro but seems like a pretty good set up for him to be garp.

What are your predictions on the Coby vs Luffy near EOS time?

Garp disliked Roger to the point where he almost hated him. It was a pure rivalry. Smoker doesn't dislike Luffy and is simply bound by duty. Every time we Smoker, he sees how much of a good person Luffy is and questions the WG.

Coby is Luffy's Garp and his first ever rival. Coby even declared that he will be the one to catch Luffy. Hell, Coby is being trained by Garp himself while Luffy was trained by the PK's right hand.

 

[KingHashirama]

Garp disliked Roger to the point where he almost hated him. It was a pure rivalry. Smoker doesn't dislike Luffy and is simply bound by duty. Every time we Smoker, he sees how much of a good person Luffy is and questions the WG.

Coby is Luffy's Garp and his first ever rival. Coby even declared that he will be the one to catch Luffy. Hell, Coby is being trained by Garp himself while Luffy was trained by the PK's right hand.

I'm sure his duty doesn't require him to enter the new world, to chase luffy down when there are stronger marines there . And , its not really that he realizes how good of a guy Luffy is. Its simply he gains respect for them. His viewpoint on capturing luffy still hasn't changed despite seeing him do all this good stuff. He is still wants to hunt down luffy. As for questioning the WG, what do you mean? I always saw him just outright being defiant, and not really "questioning" what the higher-ups wanted.

Coby can't be Luffy's Garp as he looks up to Luffy. Garp never looked up to Roger.

 

[Vandenre1ch]

I'm sure his duty doesn't require him to enter the new world, to chase luffy down when there are stronger marines there . And , its not really that he realizes how good of a guy Luffy is. Its simply he gains respect for them. His viewpoint on capturing luffy still hasn't changed despite seeing him do all this good stuff. He is still wants to hunt down luffy. As for questioning the WG, what do you mean? I always saw him just outright being defiant, and not really "questioning" what the higher-ups wanted.

Coby can't be Luffy's Garp as he looks up to Luffy. Garp never looked up to Roger.

Parallels don't have to be 100% alike. By that logic, why is Crocus not a reindeer? Why is Luffy a pirate and not a marine? Smoker is bound by duty and pride. The only reason he chases Luffy is because Luffy is the first pirate to ever escape him. Smoker mostly sees it as a good challenge.

Smoker had a black n' white perspective on good and evil. In Alabasta, Smoker got his first direct taste on WG cover ups and told them to eat shit. In Marineford, he thought Absolute Justice was crazy and dumbfounded at how bloodthristy the marines were after killing WB and Ace. In Punk Hazard, he learned that there some real shitheads in the WG and got angry when GR called the SHs evil.

Lets not forget Tashigi...she freakin' begged Nami, a pirate, to let her watch over the drugged kids in Punk Hazard. Their justice is more so being redirected towards the WG itself.

 

[KingHashirama]

Parallels don't have to be 100% alike. By that logic, why is Crocus not a reindeer? Why is Luffy a pirate and not a marine? Smoker is bound by duty and pride. The only reason he chases Luffy is because Luffy is the first pirate to ever escape him. Smoker mostly sees it as a good challenge.

Smoker had a black n' white perspective on good and evil. In Alabasta, Smoker got his first direct taste on WG cover ups and told them to eat shit. In Marineford, he thought Absolute Justice was crazy and dumbfounded at how bloodthristy the marines were after killing WB and Ace. In Punk Hazard, he learned that there some real shitheads in the WG and got angry when GR called the SHs evil.

Lets not forget Tashigi...she freakin' begged Nami, a pirate, to let her watch over the drugged kids in Punk Hazard. Their justice is more so being redirected towards the WG itself.

But Crocus and Chopper isn't a parallel. What do you mean why luffy is a pirate and not a marine?

Smoker isn't bound by duty lol. He has constantly showed defiance against the higher-ups regarding his duty, and has continued to do stuff that are outside of his duty. "Pride", samething that Garp had when going against roger. He also reminds him of the pirate king. Also, where did you get the part about Garp disliking roger soo much, that it was near him hating roger? (might've overlooked it, hence why i'm asking).

Smoker never had a Black n' white perspective. He is the guy who does what he feels is right. In Albasta, despite knowing luffy and them beat corcodile, he continued to say "PIRATES will always be Pirates". The WG being corrupt is something Garp knows as well, Idk why you think that'd be the first time Smoker found out the WG is filled with corruption. Yes, because they aren't evil. Just like Garp never called Roger a "devil" or "evil" like other people did. But he also knows Luffy is the criminal who is 50% responsible for helping dangerous criminals, who have killed innocent people, escape.


But why do you believe Coby is like that? He is strictly bound by duty and nothing more to capture Luffy. I'm sure Garp wasn't buddy buddy with Roger, something coby was with luffy. And i'm deff sure there wasn't a huge gap between Roger and Garp from the start, like there was with luffy and coby.


Tashigi did beg Nami, yes. But it was for the betterment of the kids.And then she continues to serve the Marines, while knowing about the corruption of the marines.

Their justice is directed at the WG? what do you mean?

 

[Tobi98]

Usopp is a main fighter?

 

[KingHashirama]

Usopp is a main fighter?

Yea.

4 people with haki in the strawhats: Luffy/zoro/Sanji/Usopp

 

[LitzSabr]

Garp disliked Roger to the point where he almost hated him. It was a pure rivalry. Smoker doesn't dislike Luffy and is simply bound by duty. Every time we Smoker, he sees how much of a good person Luffy is and questions the WG.

Coby is Luffy's Garp and his first ever rival. Coby even declared that he will be the one to catch Luffy. Hell, Coby is being trained by Garp himself while Luffy was trained by the PK's right hand.

Garp didn't hate roger.

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

A declaration would do nothing since both has done that and none of them is ever going to catch luffy. Though Smoker has actively pursued luffy all the time and while Coby is nowhere to be seen.

 

[pnbhatta]

Pirate king Luffy vs Fleet Admiral Smoker.......

 

[KingHashirama]

Pirate king Luffy vs Fleet Admiral Smoker.......

ahahahah that'd be epic, if he did become FA. But I think, Oda will probably be going for Coby as a FA. Since Smoker is the "wild one", no pun intended.

 

[Vandenre1ch]

Garp didn't hate roger.

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

A declaration would do nothing since both has done that and none of them is ever going to catch luffy. Though Smoker has actively pursued luffy all the time and while Coby is nowhere to be seen.

Sigh.......

Garp disliked Roger to the point where he almost hated him. It was a pure rivalry. Smoker doesn't dislike Luffy and is simply bound by duty. Every time we Smoker, he sees how much of a good person Luffy is and questions the WG.

Coby is Luffy's Garp and his first ever rival. Coby even declared that he will be the one to catch Luffy. Hell, Coby is being trained by Garp himself while Luffy was trained by the PK's right hand.

 

[Bogard]

Smoker has been surpassed and there is no reason why he'd suddenly catch up. Coby has potential though but the fact that Fujitora is currently presented as someone chasing Luffy doesn't make it unlikely that he'd take that role although i personally think he'd end up being Zoro's marine opponent

 

[Hexuze]

ahahahah that'd be epic, if he did become FA. But I think, Oda will probably be going for Coby as a FA. Since Smoker is the "wild one", no pun intended.

Agreed. Smoker just wants the power to make changes (

You must be registered for see links

). I can imagine that he may be given the offer of becoming FA but rejecting it, just like how Garp rejected becoming an admiral.

Admiral White Hunter sounds so beast.

 

[pnbhatta]

ahahahah that'd be epic, if he did become FA. But I think, Oda will probably be going for Coby as a FA. Since Smoker is the "wild one", no pun intended.

I think coby can be an admiral, while smoker being the fleet admiral.....

 

[LitzSabr]

Sigh.......

Doesn't differ much tbh. If he couldn't bring himself to even hate a certain pirate, means that roger definitely had earned his respect just to some extent. Luffy and smoker has a pretty similar relation.
Again Garp was someone who pursued roger all the time like smoker has done with luffy. How can coby be Luffy's Garp when he has done nothing compared to smoker. Coby has great potential but as of now he doesn't deserve to be called Luffy's rival.