One Piece chapter 1097 hints at an epic clash between Dragon and Akainu

Fans can get a sneak peek into One Piece chapter 1097 before its official release on November 6, 2023. This chapter reveals some intriguing details about Monkey D. Dragon's mysterious past. Despite most of his early life being kept secret, it is now unveiled that Luffy's father was once a Navy officer before establishing the notorious Revolutionary Army. This raises the possibility that Dragon may have had a personal connection with Sakazuki "Akainu," the current Fleet Admiral of the Navy.

Nowadays, Akainu and Dragon lead two opposing organizations - the Navy, which serves the World Government, and the Revolutionary Army, which seeks to overthrow it. Given their high-ranking positions and rumored connection, it is highly likely that Akainu and Dragon will soon find themselves on a collision course.

The big reveal in One Piece chapter 1097 teases an amazing fight between Dragon and Akainu

Two of the biggest names in the One Piece world

Renowned as the "World's Worst Criminal," Monkey D. Dragon stands as the founder and commander of the Revolutionary Army. This influential military organization serves as the sole opposition to the oppressive World Government, steadfast in their mission to overthrow its tyrannical rule.

Dragon, the offspring of the renowned "Marine Hero" Monkey D. Garp, stands unparalleled amongst Navy officers, second only to Gol D. Roger. As the father to Monkey D. Luffy, a formidable young pirate captain who has ascended to the ranks of the Four Emperors, Dragon's combat abilities remain shrouded in mystery. Serving as the eminent leader of the Revolutionary Army and displaying a prodigious natural talent akin to both Garp and Luffy, his skill surpasses even the most formidable and elite warriors.

Prior to the time skip in the One Piece series, Sakazuki, also known as "Akainu," is depicted in the image provided by Toei Animation. As a formidable Navy officer, Akainu possesses the Mag-Mag Fruit's devastating powers, which grant him the ability to incinerate and liquefy objects with ease.

Due to the immense offensive capabilities bestowed by this Devil Fruit, Akainu is renowned as one of the most formidable and perilous individuals in the world of One Piece. In the Marineford battle, which occurred two years prior to the current narration, Akainu displayed his overwhelming might, establishing his dominance on the battlefield.

With ease, he outmatched and eliminated Portgas D. Ace, a renowned figure among the Whitebeard Pirates known for his formidable strength. Additionally, Akainu dealt a fatal blow to Edward Newgate, commonly known as "Whitebeard," a supremely powerful entity hailed as the strongest man in the world.

The current Fleet Admiral of the Navy is Akainu (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece).

During their intense battle, Whitebeard utilized the devastating power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to unleash two consecutive blows against Akainu. It is important to note that the Emperor not only strengthened these strikes with the use of Haki, but also fueled them with his overwhelming anger, resulting in attacks far more potent than the norm.

As a side effect, Whitebeard's second strike on Marineford was so devastating that it forcefully split it into two. However, Akainu managed to withstand the initial assault and swiftly bounced back from the second blow. Despite the immense destructive force behind those attacks, Akainu stood his ground and proceeded to wreak havoc on the battlefield.

In a merciless manner, he obliterated formidable opponents such as Jinbe and Ivankov. Single-handedly, Akainu managed to repel all of Whitebeard's Commanders, with the exception of Ace and Jozu. This notable feat includes defeating Marco and Vista, along with the additional presence of the former Warlord Crocodile.

During the time skip, Akainu became the Marine Fleet Admiral after winning a fierce fight against fellow Admiral Kuzan "Aokiji," who was vying for the same position.

Dragon and Akainu are implied to have some shared past

The deadly Devil Fruit wielded by Akainu perfectly aligns with his merciless personality (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece).

Akainu and Dragon, leaders of the Navy and the Revolutionary Army respectively, are destined for confrontation. Their motivations to eradicate one another are rooted in their divergent ideologies. Dragon embodies compassion and empathy, while Akainu epitomizes cruelty and heartlessness.

Akainu, a staunch believer in Absolute Justice, has no qualms about sacrificing innocent lives or resorting to immoral actions in order to eliminate illegal activities. His actions during the Ohara Incident involved the killing of numerous innocent civilians, and even during the Paramount War, he did not hesitate to take the lives of his own subordinates.

It is apparent that Akainu harbors a deep-seated animosity towards Dragon. In the midst of the Paramount War, the aspiring Fleet Admiral devoted a significant portion of his efforts towards relentlessly pursuing and attempting to eliminate Luffy, placing it as his utmost priority.

In Marineford, Akainu, depicted in the image via Toei Animation from One Piece, deviated from his focus on Ace, a prominent figure in the Whitebeard Pirates and the son of Gol D. Roger. Instead, he prioritized pursuing Luffy. Pertinently, it is worth mentioning that the primary mission of the Navy during the Paramount War revolved around the implementation of Ace's execution.

In addition, it is noteworthy that Akainu consistently addresses Luffy as "Dragon's son" throughout the battle, rather than using his name. This is particularly remarkable considering that Akainu referred to Luffy in this manner even before Sengoku made the public announcement about his true parentage.

Equally intriguing is the fact that Akainu and Dragon share the same age, both being 55 years old. Akainu joined the Navy 32 years ago, implying that he and Dragon were likely colleagues in the Marines for approximately a decade, as Dragon left the organization no more than 22 years ago.

Dragon, depicted in this image by Toei Animation from One Piece, emerges as the savior who rescues Luffy from the clutches of Smoker.

Considering Dragon's innate capabilities, it is highly plausible that he held a noteworthy position within the Navy, much like his counterparts, the renowned officers Borsalino "Kizaru," Kuzan "Aokiji," and Sakazuki "Akainu." Thus, it is reasonable to surmise that he attained a similar prestigious rank as a Vice Admiral.

Dragon and Akainu may have collaborated on several occasions in the past. However, as time went by, Dragon developed a strong animosity towards the World Government, while Akainu's disdain expanded to encompass pirates and outlaws in general.

Eventually, Dragon chose to depart from the Navy and assumed leadership of the Revolutionary Army. In contrast, Akainu remained within the organization, ascending through the ranks to become an Admiral, and ultimately assumed the position of Fleet Admiral, presently leading the Navy.

Considering his limited presence in the series, Dragon has become closely linked to wind and storms. When he appeared in Rogue Town, a sudden storm blew away the scaffold where Buggy was preparing to execute Luffy.

Bartholomew Kuma, Monkey D. Dragon, and Emporio Ivankov (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

The content fragment

Given Dragon's turbulent and free-spirited personality, wind-related power suits him perfectly. It is well-known that wind symbolizes change, which aligns with Dragon's desire to revolutionize the One Piece world.

It is highly probable that Dragon possesses the abilities of a formidable Devil Fruit, similar to the Logia of wind or a Mythical Zoan power that enables weather manipulation. This is a characteristic commonly shared by Marine Admirals.

It is possible that Dragon, being the son of Garp, was initially intended to become an Admiral while serving in the Marines. However, upon realizing that the Navy did not uphold justice, Dragon chose to abandon the organization and defy the World Government.

Subsequently, he established the Freedom Fighters, which later transformed into the Revolutionary Army. Akainu might have perceived Dragon's actions as a betrayal, leading to a profound animosity towards him.

A fated confrontation

Unlike the friendly rivalry depicted between Shanks and Mihawk or Roger and Whitebeard, Akainu and Dragon likely have a deep-rooted hatred for each other. However, it is possible that they still hold a modicum of respect for one another.

In fact, both harbor a certain contempt for the Celestial Dragons. However, only Dragon actively strives to overthrow them, whereas Akainu, albeit with barely concealed disdain, continues to work under their authority.

Nevertheless, the Fleet Admiral and the leader of the Revolutionary Army are bound to collide. Akainu's dreadful deeds during the Ohara Incident could potentially explain why Dragon chose to step down from the Marines.

It is conceivable that a battle between these prominent figures in the One Piece universe could be a rematch, suggesting that they may have previously crossed paths if Akainu was dispatched to discipline or capture Dragon for deserting the Marines.

Supposedly, One Piece is arranging for every member of the Monkey D. family to engage in a confrontation with one of the renowned "Color Trio," the initial three Admirals who possess Logia Devil Fruits.

In the upcoming developments of One Piece, readers and viewers will witness exciting fights between characters. Garp's epic battle against former Admiral Kuzan, also known as "Aokiji," and Luffy's intense duel with Borsalino, referred to as "Kizaru," were the highlights of the series. Looking ahead, there is a strong possibility that Dragon will soon engage in a thrilling confrontation with Sakazuki, known as "Akainu." To experience all these captivating storylines, make sure to follow the progress of the One Piece manga, anime, and live-action adaptation as we move forward into 2023.

Editor's P/S

One Piece chapter 1097 hints at an epic clash between Dragon and Akainu, two of the most powerful and influential figures in the series. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army and Luffy's father, was once a Navy officer before establishing his own organization. This revelation suggests that he may have had a personal connection with Akainu, the current Fleet Admiral of the Navy.

Given their high-ranking positions and rumored connection, it is highly likely that Akainu and Dragon will soon find themselves on a collision course. This upcoming showdown between Dragon and Akainu has the potential to be one of the most exciting and significant battles in One Piece history. Both characters are incredibly powerful and have a lot at stake, so the outcome of their fight could have major implications for the future of the series. I can't wait to see how this battle unfolds and what it means for the world of One Piece.