Since its return from hiatus in April 2025, One Piece‘s Egghead Part 2 has pushed the series to places that it’s never been before. From the reveal of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn’s spiderlike form to the glimpse of the God Valley Incident shown in Bartholomew Kuma’s flashback, it’s clear that Eiichiro Oda’s legendary series is closer to its endgame than ever before.

However, before the Straw Hat Pirates can advance to the next leg of their adventure, they’ll first need to escape the oversized fleet of Marines and World Government representatives outside the waters of Egghead. While Monkey D. Luffy and his crew may very well escape these dire straits on their own, there are plenty of notable One Piece characters who could arrive to aid them in their fight against the World Government.

10

Bartholomew Kuma Seems to Be Headed to Egghead

Most of the Egghead Arc’s Storytelling Points to Kuma’s Return

Bartholomew Kuma hasn’t set foot on Egghead Island since the Straw Hat Pirates & Jewelry Bonney arrived, but if there’s one One Piece character who fans expect to see before the Egghead Arc wraps up, it’s the Mad Tyrant himself. Kuma is the focus of a significant chunk of the Egghead Arc’s storytelling, and over the past few episodes, a multiepisode flashback has been dedicated to his backstory.

Between this flashback, Jewelry Bonney’s role in the Egghead Arc, and Bartholomew Kuma’s open-ended departure from Mariejois, there are a multitude of reasons for the former Warlord of the Sea to interrupt Saint Saturn’s assault on Egghead Island. Whether or not Kuma still retains enough of his former self to act remains to be seen, but for the time being, he’s the likeliest candidate to arrive on Egghead in order to save the Straw Hat Pirates.

9

Silvers Rayleigh Has Saved the Straw Hat Pirates From Kizaru Once Before

The Egghead Arc’s Parallels to Sabaody Are Abundant

Throughout One Piece‘s Egghead Island Arc, there are several parallels to the Straw Hat Pirates’ previous encounter with Admiral Kizaru in the Saboady Archipelago Arc. Although there are plenty of differences this time around, one development could help establish an even deeper connection between the two arcs: an appearance by Silvers Rayleigh.

When Admiral Kizaru attacked the Straw Hat Pirates on Sabaody Archipelago, he was stopped by none other than the former first mate of the Roger Pirates, Silvers Rayleigh. With Luffy’s crew in similarly dire straits this time around, the Egghead Arc is primed for the return of the Dark King.

8

Monkey D. Dragon May Finally Be Ready to Make His Move

The Revolutionary Army Has a Major Opportunity in Front of Them

After 1100+ episodes of One Piece, Monkey D. Dragon still remains an enigma. The leader of the Revolutionary Army and father of Monkey D. Luffy has only been in a handful of speaking roles since first appearing in the Loguetown Arc (which is borderline shocking considering Dragon’s significance in the Grand Line). Thankfully, Luffy’s father has appeared a bit more frequently since the conclusion of the Wano Arc, suggesting that he could finally make a move sooner rather than later.

The World Government has amassed a significant force at Egghead Island, including a fleet large enough to seriously damage the Marines’ military power should they be defeated. Although the Revolutionary Army likely wants to avoid direct combat with the World Government as much as possible, their arrival would almost certainly swing the tides in the Straw Hat Pirates’ favor, potentially resulting in a major victory for Dragon, the Revolutionary Army, and the Straw Hat Pirates.

7

Dorry and Brogy Could Bring the Straw Hat Pirates to the Next Leg of Their Journey

The Straw Hat Pirates Could Use Their Oversized Allies’ Strength

Shortly after the conclusion of the Wano Arc, One Piece fans were delighted to see a surprise appearance from Dorry and Brogy during a quick cutaway to Elbaph. The duo made short work of Eustass Kid’s ship with the same attack they used to clear the way for the Straw Hat Pirates’ departure in the Little Garden Arc, potentially setting up a reunion between the legendary Giant duo and One Piece‘s protagonists.

The Egghead Arc has openly hinted that the Straw Hat Pirates may head to Elbaph if they escape the World Government’s clutches, and nothing would herald their arrival better than a personal escort from their former allies, Dorry and Borgy. Additionally, their strength would be a major help against the World Government’s forces, who are on the verge of overwhelming One Piece‘s protagonists.

6

The Cross Guild Has a Bone to Pick With the Marines

Two Emperors of the Sea Could Do a Lot of Damage to the World Government

One Piece‘s Emperors of the Sea tend to operate as individual parties, and in many cases, these infamous pirates even have open contempt for one another. That said, there is a precedent for these characters to work together, which is why it isn’t out of the question for a group like The Cross Guild to arrive on Egghead Island in order to aid in the fight against the World Government.’

The Cross Guild has already made themselves major enemies of the World Government by openly placing bounties on the heads of notable Marines, so there notoriety wouldn’t necessarily rise by adding themselves to the mix on Egghead. Whether or not their arrival would entail rescuing the Straw Hat Pirates or simply attacking the World Government remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that Crocodile, Dracule Mihawk, and Buggy the Clown all have their own reason to pick a fight with Saint Saturn and the other World Government representatives on the island.

5

Sabo’s Attacks on the World Government May Not Be Over

The Revolutionary Army’s Rising Star Has Obvious Motivation to Save His Brother

Over the past few months, Sabo has been one of the busiest characters in One Piece. The Revolutionary Army’s Chief of Staff has saved the people of Lulusia Kingdom and led a direct assault on Mariejois since parting ways with the Straw Hat Pirates at the end of the Dressrosa Arc, so it wouldn’t exactly come as a surprise for him to make a dramatic return — especially since Luffy’s current opponents are also the archnemesis of the Revolutionary Army.

In addition to his personal connection to One Piece‘s main character, Sabo is also actively fighting a war against the World Government that would be majorly impacted by the Straw Hat Pirates’ escape from Egghead Island. This, coupled with the fact that Sabo’s Logia-type Devil Fruit makes it incredibly easy for him to travel across the Grand Line, makes it completely feasible that Sabo and his brother get to share another heartwarming reunion in the near future.

4

Germa Kingdom Could Have the Manpower to Stall the Fleet Outside Egghead

Sanji’s Family Leads the Only Maritime Nation in One Piece

Buster Calls have proven themselves to be capable of destroying entire islands, but even those gargantuan displays of force pale in comparison to the fleet that the World Government has amassed in their assault on Egghead Island. St. Saturn’s forces are larger than those of entire nations, which is why it may literally take a nation for One Piece‘s main characters to survive their current circumstances.

The Straw Hat Pirates have close bonds with a couple of major nations, but none have more mobility than Sanji’s estranged family in Germa Kingdom. Even if Judge Vinsmoke doesn’t have much affinity for his sea-faring son, he almost certainly doesn’t want Sanji captured (or worse) by the World Government — especially if Judge thought his involvement could benefit his own machinations.

3

Dr. Vegapunk’s Brains Are the X-Factor of the World Government

Egghead’s Creator May Outthink the World Government Yet Again

At this point in the Egghead Part 2, it’s clear that Dr. Vegapunk has cast his lot in with Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. The two are on the same side of the fight against the World Government, so when it comes to One Piece characters who could potentially save the Straw Hat Pirates from total defeat, the Grand Line’s most brilliant scientist is a clear choice.

Time and time again, Dr. Vegapunk has proven himself to be one of the most intelligent and quick-thinking characters in One Piece. Therefore, if there’s anyone who fans should expect to devise a scheme to escape the World Government, it’s him. Unfortunately, in order to do so, Vegapunk with have to outthink even himself, as York has aligned herself with the World Government in hopes of becoming a Celestial Dragon.

2

Big Mom & Kaido’s Return Seems to Be an Inevitability

The Former Emperors of the Sea Are No Fans of the World Government

From a narrative perspective, One Piece‘s Wano Arc concluded with the decisive defeats of Charlotte Linlin and Kaido. However, as fans of Eiichiro Oda’s long-running series are no doubt aware, the author is notorious for bringing back characters after they’ve seemingly perished, and there are few characters who would have more dramatic returns than former Emperors of the Sea.

If Big Mom and Kaido were to return to One Piece‘s story in the near future, there’s no telling what the duo would think about their defeats. Though it may be hard to imagine after their spirited battles in the Raid on Onigashima, Charlotte Linlin and Kaido are much more likely to side with fellow pirates than the World Government — especially if Kaido sees Luffy as the reincarnation of Joy Boy.

1

Shanks’ Arrival Would Change the Landscape of the Grand Line

The Red-Haired Pirate May Be Ready to Strike

Of all the figures in the Grand Line who are currently unaccounted for, none are more beloved by One Piece fans than Red-Haired Shanks. The Emperor of the Sea has been a part of the series since the very beginning, and over time, he has repeatedly proven himself to be far more important (and powerful) than fans initially realized. After scaring off Admiral Ryokugyu and one-shotting Eustass Kid, it’s clear why the arrival of the Red Hair Pirates instantly ended the Summit War at Marineford years ago.

While Shanks has stated on multiple occasions that it’s not time for him to see Luffy yet, he already intervened at the end of the Wano Arc by running off Ryokugyu. To further muddy the waters, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn has now shown his hand as an instrument of evil, potentially giving Shanks the signal that he was looking for. Either way, Shanks’ previous location of Elbaph is not far from Egghead, making it all the more possible that he involves himself in the World Government’s affairs once again.