The final panel of One Piece Chapter 1138, featuring the Harley texts and the mural from the Void Century, is a treasure trove of lore that Eichiro Oda has masterfully crafted. It is clear that Oda is weaving a mythical narrative to further expand the mystery of the Void Century and the nature of the One Piece world. Let’s break down the Harley texts and theorize on the implications for the Void Century and the worlds described
Analyzing the Three Worlds
1. The First World: Fire and Forbidden Sun
Text Analysis:
“Within the earth, there was fire. Mankind succumbed to greed and touched the forbidden Sun. The enslaved prayed, and the Sun God appeared. The earth god raged, and with its serpent of hellfire, shrouded the world in death and darkness. And they will never meet.”
This passage points to the origins of the One Piece world, depicting an ancient conflict between celestial entities—Sun God, Earth God, and a serpent of flames. It describes humanity’s fall due to greed, possibly linked to some forbidden power Mother Flame) or knowledge (reminiscent of the Devil Fruits’ origin). The enslaved praying to the Sun God could hint at the beginning of liberation themes, tying directly to the mythology of Nika, the Sun God.
Theory:
- The First World may have been the age of the primordial gods, a time when humanity was subjugated by divine powers. This could explain the “forbidden Sun”—perhaps a powerful source of energy or creation force tied to the Ancient Kingdom.
- The Earth God(IMU) could symbolize stability or destruction, enraged by humanity’s greed. The serpent could represent the early manifestation of chaos, similar to how Uranus or Pluton might have been destructive forces used in ancient conflicts.
- The separation of the gods (“They will never meet again”) suggests a major schism between divine entities, possibly setting the stage for the subsequent wars.
2. The Second World: Breath in the Void
Text Analysis:
“Within the void, there was breath. The forest god tamed demons and the sun spread the fires of war. The half-moon dreamed, the full moon dreamed. Man killed the sun and became god, and the sea god stormed. And they will never meet.”
This text describes the Second World, where humanity’s defiance reaches its peak, and war engulfs the land. The mention of the Forest God taming demons could tie to Elbaf and the Great Tree (the Adam or Eve Tree). The idea of humanity “killing the sun” could symbolize overthrowing the divine powers of the Sun God to claim godhood for themselves, which leads to conflict with the Sea God.
Theory:
- This could be the Void Century, an era where humans rebelled against divine forces. The rise of the Ancient Kingdom may have been humanity’s attempt to create a utopia free from the rule of gods.
- (Luna means moon in Japanese) The “half-moon” and “full moon” references are likely symbolic of the Lunarians (half-moon) and Minks (full moon), Maybe half moon is referring to ‘D’ as it looks like a half moon, moon people as enel went to moon and met moon people there or perhaps different groups of people aligned with celestial bodies. Their dreams may represent a vision for freedom or unity.
- The Sea God storming could connect to Poseidon and its control over the Sea Kings, suggesting that a catastrophic flood or war ravaged the planet. This aligns with theories of the Red Line’s creation or destruction.
3. The Third World: Chaos and Promised Dawn
Text Analysis:
“Within the chaos, there was emptiness. The inconvenient remnants recall the promised day and hear the voice of the fractured moon. The Sun God dances and laughs, guiding the world to its end. The sun returns and brings a new morning. And they will surely meet.”
The Third World sets up the current timeline, where chaos reigns, but remnants of the past still remember the “promised day.” The fractured moon likely refers to the remnants of previous wars or civilizations (possibly the Lunarian race, Kouzuki or the Moon Kingdom mentioned in Enel’s cover story). The Sun God “guiding the world to its end” might foreshadow the arrival of Joy Boy/Nika/Luffy, whose destiny is to bring a new dawn.
Theory:
- The Third World represents the era of pirates and the rise of Luffy as the embodiment of Nika, the Sun God. The “promised day” likely refers to the prophecy of the “Dawn of the World,” where the oppressed (such as the Fishmen, Minks, etc.) will achieve freedom.
- The “fractured moon” could symbolize shattered alliances or the scattered descendants of the Ancient Kingdom.
- The new dawn could represent Luffy uniting the world under one banner, defeating the World Government, and restoring the balance disrupted by centuries of war.
Overarching Implications for the Void Century
The Harley texts strongly suggest that the Void Century was a time of immense conflict between humanity and divine forces, leading to the rise of the Ancient Kingdom. The First World and Second World could represent cyclical conflicts where humanity’s hubris leads to destruction, echoing the idea that history repeats itself.
The Third World hints that the cycle may finally be broken with the return of the Sun God (Joy Boy) and the promised dawn. This aligns with the recurring themes of liberation, freedom, and unity.
Key Theories Based on the Panel
- Elbaf’s Role: The Adam Tree seen by Franky is likely tied to the Forest God. Elbaf could have been a stronghold of the gods in the First World but later became humanity’s ally.
- Void Century’s Wars: The Second World’s war involving the Sea God and humans overthrowing the Sun God might explain why the Ancient Weapons (Pluton, Poseidon, Uranus) were created—to balance power against divine entities.
- Joy Boy’s Destiny: Joy Boy (and now Luffy) inherits the will of the Sun God, tasked with breaking the cycle of war and fulfilling the promises made to the oppressed races.
Visual and Symbolic Details in the Panel
The mural itself is packed with imagery:
- Serpent of Hellfire: Likely a representation of chaos, akin to Pluton or an ancient weapon.
- The Sun and Moon: Recurring celestial themes tie to Lunarians, Minks, and possibly the Moon People.
- Chaotic Battles: Suggesting the cyclical nature of destruction across eras.
Key Characters and Elements Identified
Imu
- Imu is depicted as potentially the “God of the Forest” or “the God of the Earth”. Their position as the shadow ruler of the World Government ties them to celestial themes and the destruction of the Ancient Kingdom.
- Their involvement in maintaining world order could reflect a desire to prevent the return of the Sun God.
Joy Boy and the Sun God Nika
- Joy Boy’s connection to Nika places him at the center of the rebellion in the Void Century. His promise to the Ancient Kingdom and the Kozuki Clan persists through the Poneglyphs.
- The Sun God’s dance symbolizes joy, hope, and freedom—themes central to Luffy’s journey.
Emet or Franky Shogun
- Emet might represent a figure or entity tied to crafting and machinery, possibly a historical precursor to Franky’s creations. This could imply ancient technology from the Void Century being rediscovered in modern times.
The Moon and Lunarians
- The fragmented moon mentioned in the Third World ties to Lunarians and the Mink Tribe, both of whom draw power from celestial cycles.
- The destruction or fragmentation of the moon could symbolize the fall of the Lunarians during the Void Century.
The Kozuki Clan’s Role in the Void Century
The Kozuki Clan’s name (“Kozuki” = “Light” + “Moon”) and crest (a heron) hint at their deep connection to the Void Century and celestial motifs. Their mastery of eternal stone crafting and their role as Poneglyph creators places them as central figures in preserving the Ancient Kingdom’s legacy.
Light and Moon Symbolism
- The Kozuki name combines “light” (Sun) and “moon,” symbolizing their intermediary role between celestial powers.
- Their connection to the Mink Tribe (through the moon’s Sulong transformations) and the Ancient Kingdom suggests they acted as mediators during the Void Century.
The Heron Crest
- The heron symbolizes wisdom, grace, and freedom, reflecting the Kozuki’s mission to preserve knowledge and truth.
- Herons are migratory birds, paralleling the Kozuki’s dissemination of truth through the Poneglyphs.
Guardians of Knowledge
- By creating the Poneglyphs, the Kozuki ensured the truth of the Void Century survived despite the Ancient Kingdom’s fall.
- Their alliance with Joy Boy and protection of Pluton suggest they played an active role in resisting the 20 Kings’ rise to power.
Connections to Ancient Weapons and Geography
Pluton and Wano’s Isolation– Wano’s natural barriers and connection to Pluton indicate the Kozuki’s role in safeguarding critical resources from the World Government. The decision to isolate Wano might have been a strategic move to prevent Pluton’s misuse.
The Red Line and the Serpent of Hell– The Red Line is depicted as a monumental structure with scars and a serpent of hellfire. This could symbolize the ancient conflict between the Ancient Kingdom and the forces that created the World Government.
The Moon’s Fragmentation– The fragmented moon in the Third World might hint at an ancient catastrophe, possibly caused by the Ancient Weapons or a celestial war involving the Lunarians.
Wordplay and Oda’s Symbolism
Kozuki as the Bridge Between Sun and Moon– The Kozuki’s role as light bearers aligns them with the Sun God Nika, while their moon symbolism connects them to the Lunarians and Minks. This duality underscores their role as mediators of celestial forces.
Heron as Freedom and Wisdom- The heron’s migratory nature symbolizes the Kozuki’s dissemination of truth and their burden to protect history across generations.
Fragmented Moon and Lunarians– The fragmented moon could signify the Lunarians’ fall or a celestial conflict during the Void Century. This imagery ties directly to the themes of chaos and renewal in the Third World.
Conclusion
The Harley texts and mural in Chapter 1138 are not just lore—they are a blueprint for the entire One Piece narrative. The mythology Oda has crafted intertwines divine conflicts, humanity’s ambition, and the eternal struggle for freedom. The First World sets the stage, the Second World brings humanity to its knees, and the Third World promises hope with the Sun God’s return. The Void Century, in this context, is the key to unlocking the future, and Luffy’s journey is destined to bring the dawn that was once promised.
