Devil Fruits are a pivotal part of the lore in One Piece. Ever since Luffy recklessly ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, it was established as one of the biggest mysteries in its world. They work in strange ways and nobody knows how they came to exist, except for Vegapunk.
The Elbaph Arc of One Piece has unfolded more than enough lore onto the readers. Not only has the Sun God Nika become more relevant than ever but so has the history of this universe.
It’s gradually exposing what happened during the Void Century. The Harley and the Ancient Mural tell the tales of the past and the present. In particular, the Second World drops a major hint that the Forest God is the one who created Devil Fruits to counter the evil.
If Vegapunk’s theory about Devil Fruits is true, the first Devil Fruit has always been with us since the beginning of One Piece.
The first Devil Fruit might have been the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika
Devil Fruits give their users unique abilities at the cost of losing their ability to swim. You’d think that would discourage them from becoming pirates but apparently not. However, according to Vegapunk, Devil Fruits are the manifestation of people’s hope.
Kozuki Toki, being from the Void Century, also confirms that they’ve been around for hundreds of years. The description of the First World in the Harley doesn’t mention any Devil Fruits but does talk about the Sun God, Nika. His legend has been passed down for centuries.
Second World is the key to the Devil Fruits’ existence. In some translations, it talks about the Forest God taming the demons or sending them forth. Since the Harley use very poetic language, a single translation will not be accurate. This is the official translation by VIZ translator Stephen Paul:
Within the void there was breath.
The Forest God tamed demons and the Sun spread the fires of war.
Those of the half-moon dreamed.
Those of the full-moon dreamed.
Man killed the Sun and became God, and the Sea God stormed.
And they will never meet.– One Piece, Chapter 1138
Demons is a synonym for devil and tamed here could suggest the Forest God contained them into fruit. Therefore, bringing forth Devil Fruits.
If the first Devil Fruit popped up during the Void Century, it had to be the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. Since they must’ve practiced slavery and those who were enslaved heard tales of their savior, the people’s hope manifested into the first-ever Devil Fruit.
Freedom is one of the biggest themes in One Piece
Along with dreams and adventure, Eiichiro Oda has consistently made freedom a key theme. Since slavery is a devastating reality in One Piece, it’s a common wish many have. The people of the Void Century must’ve been facing the same.
If it’s rampant in the present timeline of One Piece, it’s unimaginable what the World Government did back in the Void Century. Joy Boy acquired the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika at some point and led the war. It must have been the slaves hoping for freedom who manifested the Devil Fruit.
The first Devil Fruit being the Nika one aligns with themes of One Piece. Oda wouldn’t have made Vegapunk say that otherwise, nor crafted the Harley without dropping a subtle hint. It also connects back to Luffy who we know fights for freedom.
One Piece is available on VIZ Media and Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
