One Piece Creator Drops Key Connection to Its Ultimate Treasure in the Elbaph Arc

The eponymous treasure of One Piece has been an appropriately airtight secret for the manga’s 28 years of publication so far. But that hasn’t stopped intrepid fans and insiders from sharing any precious glimpses. But one prominent account might just tip readers off in the biggest way yet.

Prominent One Piece news insider Sandman recently relayed information disclosed by the manga’s new editor, Junya Fukuda. In the details, he is told that chapter #1137, where Shamrock first appears, can only be understood for its significance if he knows what the One Piece is. Naturally, this has prompted fans to flip back to the January 2025 installment.

The One Piece’s Identity Is Tied to One Key Chapter

While this update leaves much to the imagination, One Piece has laid out precious teases of the treasure’s existence across its decades-long run. Chapter #1137 does not explicitly refer to any particular treasure, but there are several telling instances that could act as clues, or be better recontextualized once fans learn what the One Piece is.

Among the details of the chapter, there are mentions of Hajrudin’s ambition to unite the Giant tribes of the world as their king. Others quickly note that this chapter is immediately followed by the earth-shattering revelation of the Harley texts. Shamrock even declares at the end of chapter #1137 the World Government’s plans to bring Elbaph’s Giant kingdom to heel.

Alongside more fringe elements like the mass graves rendered in the chapter, these above connections allude to a constant theme of unity.

Alongside more fringe elements like the mass graves rendered in the chapter, these above connections allude to a constant theme of unity. Hajrudin wants to unite the Giants. The World Government wants Elbaph under their twisted union. The Harley even depicts unified forces facing a threat holding the Sun in its hands.

None of this outright confirms the identity of the One Piece, of course. Oda’s intent appears to be that Fukuda understands why this vision is to be unchanged, even if it is unclear to the reader. Once the One Piece is shown in its glory at Laugh Tale, chapter #1137 will easily be among the manga’s most visited chapters.

Fans Have Speculated on the One Piece for Decades

Fans know little other than that Whitebeard has affirmed to the modern world that it is real, and that when Gol D. Roger and his crew found it, they laughed so hard they cried, naming its home island Laugh Tale. Popular theories speculate on it being a spaceship, a comic book, adventures and memories, or even One Piece’s iconic sake.

Popular theories speculate on it being a spaceship, a comic book, adventures and memories, or even One Piece’s iconic sake.

Obviously, if chapter #1137 had enough of a clue about the identity of the One Piece, fans would not stop sharing it. YouTube fan accounts would farm the content endlessly until the treasure’s reveal. But for now, fans can rest assured that not only does Oda have a plan for it, but his new editor is in on the secret.