Why Time Might Flow Differently In Elbaf, Explained

This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.

Key Takeaways

• Louis Arnot’s message hints at time flowing differently in Elbaf.
• A longer stay in Elbaf may lead to drastic changes in the outside world.
• Elbaf’s unique time flow could impact global events in One Piece.

Elbaf is one of the most important places in the One Piece world and the fact that Oda teased it over two decades ago is proof of that. Finally, One Piece has entered the Elbaf Arc in the Final Saga, and fans know that this Arc is going to be absolutely majestic. A lot of mysteries surrounding Elbaf are still under wraps.

Oda wants to preserve the mysterious sense of this island and he will slowly go on to unravel everything about it. But, as always, Oda loves to drop hints and he has done that here as well, with him having revealed a massive one pertaining to the passage of time being different in Elbaf in One Piece chapter 1132. Fans are now wondering whether time in Elbaf might actually flow differently from what is perceived in the outside world and what that means for the adventure of the Straw Hat Pirates.

The Hidden Message In Louis Arnot’s Note

• Louis Arnot warned explorers to not stay for too long in Elbaf
• Arnot tells explorers that they won’t regret ‘lost time’ in Elbaf

In One Piece chapter 1132, the character of Louis Arnot was brought up once again. It was revealed to the fans that Louis Arnot had visited Elbaf previously and that his visits to the country were rather productive. According to Arnot, Elbaf is a land full of tremendous beauty, with lush forests, and absolutely magnificent giant beasts, insects, and geography to match all that. According to him, explorers coming to Elbaf wouldn’t regret the lost time there. However, Arnot did go on to warn fellow explorers who would come to Elbaf, and his warning was simply that they shouldn’t overstay their visit to the country at all. On the surface, this doesn’t look like something deep. After all, it could simply be that Arnot was warning the fellow explorers about not staying too long there because of its erratic politics or because the Giants are often known to be warmongers. They are the mightiest race in the world after all, and staying there for a long time might incite their wrath.

Explorers won’t regret their lost time in the country of Giants! – Louis Arnot

However, this, although a possibility, is not likely. From what the fans have seen from the Giants, they are very strong, but also very welcoming people. Explorers coming to Elbaf would likely not have anything to fear from the Giants as long as they are friendly. Arnot’s message seems something deeper.

The fact that Louis Arnot told fellow explorers to not overstay their welcome in Elbaf means that staying there for a long time is problematic for some reason. Then, when this statement is combined with what Anrot mentioned previously, about explorers not regretting the lost time in the country, one comes to the conclusion that in this country, time might actually be lost. This is precisely why the idea of Elbaf having time that flows differently exists.

Could Time Flow Differently In Elbaf?

The Flow Of Time Might Be Different In Elbaf

The idea of time flowing differently in Elbaf is a very strong one and it is possible that Oda will go on to elaborate upon it later down the line. While it is unknown if this truly is the case or not, the fact is that one cannot deny that this could be true. In the world of One Piece, time can be erratic. For instance, there are some prehistoric islands in the world of One Piece that are said to be stuck in time. There, it is likely that time doesn’t flow differently, but something about the island allows prehistoric life to still exist. Similarly, in the land of Wano, fans were introduced to the concept of time travel, although this was using a Devil Fruit power. As such, the world of One Piece can be considered to be so grand that the concept of a country where time flows differently isn’t out of place at all. Fans might actually get to see this in the Elbaf Arc, as the story progresses.

The fact is that Louis Arnot specifically asked the fellow explorers to not regret their lost time in the country. This suggests that for one reason or another, explorers might feel that they went on to lose time when they were in Elbaf. This would only make sense if time in Elbaf flows differently than time outside Elbaf. This would also explain why Louis Arnot went on to warn fellow explorers that they should not overstay their welcome in Elbaf, because if they did, the world outside would change drastically.

This is a very strong idea that could gain further credence as One Piece moves forward. It would also affect the world of One Piece in many ways, and the consequences of the stay of the Straw Hat Pirates in Elbaf could then be far-reaching.

How Would A Different Time Flow Affect Elbaf?

Elbaf’s Time Flow Could Bring The War Ever-Closer

If time in Elbaf flows differently, which is likely to be slower than the outside world, then, Elbaf will greatly affect things moving forward. For one, fans need to keep in mind that Elbaf is likely going to host the Straw Hat Pirates for about a week or two. This is usually the time frame that the Straw Hat Pirates spent on the major island. Wano Country took up a couple of weeks, and Whole Cake Island also took a few weeks, including the journey to and from the island as well. As such, Elbaf will likely last for a couple of weeks as well, which means that a week here could result in months of time having flowed outside the country.

This also means that the events outside the world of One Piece would have changed dramatically once Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates depart Elbaf. For instance, the war against the World Government could have already begun and Dragon could have struck already. Similarly, the major battle between the other Emperors, such as the likes of Shanks and Blackbeard, and even Buggy, among others, would have progressed greatly. Depending on how long the Straw Hat Pirates stay in Elbaf, and whether time there truly does flow differently, the world of One Piece could have descended into chaos completely once the Straw Hats leave the island. For the Straw Hats itself, this won’t affect them in any way, but once they do leave the island, things will be very different and they will be forced to act immediately, possibly even going on to enter the Final War itself.

Of course, this is just an idea in the initial phases. It remains to be seen if Oda continues to drop more hints along these lines and gives more backing to this idea or not. It remains to be an exciting idea, but at this point, that is all it is. Fans will have to wait quite a bit to see why Louis Arnot asked fellow explorers to not regret the lost time in the country and why they should not stay there for too long.

One Piece is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus apps. The release date for the next chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1133, is set to be December 8, 2024.