The One Piece may be a fruit, but not a Devil Fruit

*The One Piece has always been one of the biggest mysteries in Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. Many fans have different ideas about what it could be, but one interesting theory by Reddit user @Upstairs_Ad3515 suggests that the One Piece might be a fruit, not a regular Devil Fruit, but a special “Fruit of Knowledge.”

This fruit may hold incredible wisdom and the power to change the world and bring people together. The theory explores Joy Boy’s actions, Gol D. Roger’s discovery at Laugh Tale, and how the World Government may have tried to hide its existence to maintain control.

Note: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Gol D. Roger’s discovery at Laugh Tale in One Piece

Gol D. Roger as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

When Gol D. Roger and his crew reached Laugh Tale, they may encountered a message left behind by Joy Boy. from the Void Century. According to this theory, the message may have been like:

“Hi Roger my name is Joyboy. I lived a thousand years before your time and I know you will arrive but unfortunately you will not be able to obtain the One Piece as it takes 1 thousand years to fully ripen and it is not ready yet and I am sorry but you will not be able to eat it when it ripens. The one who will eat it will be the Joy Boy of your time who is yet to be born.”

Roger’s reaction, described as laughter, could have stemmed from a mix of irony and awe. He may have found it amusing that the treasure he sought was out of reach, while simultaneously marveling at how Joy Boy seemed to know him as if they were old friends. This connection left Roger longing for a time when he and Joy Boy could have lived together and shared their journeys.

This also explains Roger’s famous statement about being “too early” and his hope that someone in the future, possibly his son, might find the One Piece. Roger recognized that the Fruit of Knowledge and the fate it represented belonged to a future Joy Boy, someone destined to complete what Joy Boy himself had begun.

One Piece: Joy Boy’s legacy and the Void Century

Joy Boy’s actions during the Void Century take on greater significance when viewed through this lens. A thousand years ago, Joy Boy may have consumed the Fruit of Knowledge, granting him an unparalleled understanding of history, human nature, and future events.

Despite this wisdom, he realized he could not win the war of his time. Instead, he devised a plan for the future, leaving behind messages, artifacts, and tools to guide the next Joy Boy toward success.

For example, the theory posits that Joy Boy left a “haki knot” on Emeth, the ancient Iron Giant, instructing it to use it at the appropriate time to aid his successor. Joy Boy’s foresight ensured that his legacy would endure, empowering Luffy, the Joy Boy of the current era, to finish what he started.

Another aspect of this theory draws inspiration from Norse mythology, where Odin sacrificed an eye to gain wisdom. Similarly, Luffy may be required to make a significant sacrifice to claim the One Piece. Losing an eye in this process could transform him into the iconic “pirate with an eye patch,” a detail series creator Eiichiro Oda has teased for years. This sacrifice would symbolize Luffy’s ultimate evolution and willingness to endure hardship for the sake of uniting the world.

Devil Fruits and the World Government

The Gorosei and Imu as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory further explores the broader implications of Devil Fruits in the series. The World Government, aware of the Fruit of Knowledge and its power, may have labeled all Devil Fruits as “devil’s power” to discourage their use.

By instilling fear and mistrust, they sought to suppress the potential for these fruits to empower individuals to challenge their rule. The Fruit of Knowledge, as the ultimate Devil Fruit, would be particularly dangerous in their eyes. Whoever consumes it would gain the wisdom necessary to unite the world, dismantling centuries of oppression and division.

Final thoughts

Snapshot of a Devil Fruit (Image via Toei Animation)

The idea that the One Piece is the Fruit of Knowledge ties together many elements of the series. It explains Roger’s laughter, Joy Boy’s foresight, the significance of Devil Fruits, and even hints about Luffy’s eventual transformation. As the series builds toward its climax, this theory provides a fitting and thought-provoking interpretation of the treasure that has captivated fans for over two decades.