One Piece: Did the tides of history shift 22 years ago?

Eiichiro Oda, the well-known creator of the incredibly popular One Piece series, has a strong affinity for numbers. A notable example of this is the unveiling of Luffy's Gear 4 transformation in chapter 783, which interestingly mirrors chapter 387, where the Gear 2 form was first introduced.

These numerical references also have significance in Oda's approach to determining bounties for characters. Instead of solely assessing a character's achievements, standing, and actions, Oda incorporates puns into these calculations. An illustrative case is Roronoa Zoro's recent bounty of 1,111,000,000 berries, which is directly linked to his birth date (11/11).

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Oda often uses numbers in a playful manner, but there is one particular coincidence in the One Piece manga that suggests these references may have a deeper significance beyond just being puns.

A major detail of One Piece's numerology that might have gone unnoticed

The year that possibly changed the series

Exactly 22 years ago, One Piece author Eiichiro Oda orchestrated a chain of pivotal events that shaped the present narrative. Whether this synchronicity is mere happenstance or harbors deeper implications, that particular year holds immense significance in the recent annals of the One Piece universe.

The number 22 in numerology is known as the "Master Builder," symbolizing balance, harmony, and spiritual wisdom. It suggests the need to align actions with the soul for greater achievements and opportunities. This concept relates to significant events that occurred in the One Piece world 22 years ago, holding importance for their future outcomes.

The hunt for the son of the Pirate King

Gol D. Roger and Portgas D. Rouge (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

After achieving the title of Pirate King, Gol D. Roger eventually turned himself in to the Navy. In response, the World Government commanded the Marines to thoroughly investigate every location Roger had once ventured in hopes of finding any potential descendants.

Obedient to these directives, the Marines ruthlessly disposed of any children deemed likely to be the offspring of the Pirate King. The birth of Roger's son, Portgas D. Ace, was made possible through the immense sacrifice of his mother, a woman named Portgas D. Rouge.

To conceal the link between her son and Roger from the World Government, Rouge managed to sustain her pregnancy through sheer determination.

Portgas D. Ace (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

After a long wait of twenty months, she finally gave birth to her child, whom she named Ace, after Roger's cherished sword.

Tragically, Rouge's immense exhaustion resulted in her passing away. Honoring her sacrifice and in accordance with Roger's personal request, Monkey D. Garp took on the responsibility of caring for Ace without revealing his true lineage.

Ace's defeat at the hands of Blackbeard would make him a crucial character, as it would trigger the Paramount War in Marineford. This significant event had far-reaching consequences that caused tremendous turmoil in the world of One Piece.

The Ohara Incident

The Buster Call on Ohara (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

Upon discovering that the Ohara scholars were engaged in researching the ancient Poneglyphs, the World Government issued a directive to unleash a devastating Buster Call on the island. Gripped by paranoia that the dark secrets of the Void Century could be exposed, the Five Elders commanded the annihilation of the entire nation.

One of the scholars, Clover, became one of the initial casualties, as he was eliminated by the Five Elders before he could disclose the identity of the Great Kingdom. This ancient nation was obliterated during the Void Century by a powerful alliance, whose descendants now make up the Celestial Dragons.

The assault on Ohara escalated into a horrific genocide, resulting in the near-total destruction of the island and the merciless slaughter of its inhabitants, including those who were not involved in the research. Among the few fortunate survivors were Nico Robin and, as recently unveiled, Jaguar D. Saul.

This event seems to be tied with the change of mind that led Monkey D. Dragon, the son of Garp, to leave the Marines and openly rebel against the World Government.

The liberation of the Sorbet Kingdom

This image depicts Monkey D. Dragon alongside Vegapunk from 22 years ago (Image via Shueisha/Colored by JLjarx).

The payment known as the Heavenly Tribute is an obligatory fee that all nations affiliated with the World Government are required to pay to the Celestial Dragons. Despite the potential hardship it may cause, each country is compelled to fulfill this tribute, even if it means pushing their people to the brink of starvation.

Bartholomew Kuma's flashback unveils his escape from God Valley and his eventual settlement in the Sorbet Kingdom alongside Ginny. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted by the oppressive reign of the new monarch, King Bekori. Under his absolute rule, the kingdom begins to suffer, particularly due to the burdensome Heavenly Tribute imposed on its people.

Those unable to meet their tax obligations face imprisonment. As if this weren't enough, Bekori further divides the kingdom by turning the southern region into lawless territory, where its inhabitants are vulnerable to enslavement.

Luckily, the newly-formed group the Freedom Fighters, led by Monkey D. Dragon and Emporio Ivankov, came to Sorbet and successfully overthrew Bekori, liberating the people of the country from the oppressive rule of the wicked king.

The establishment of the Revolutionary Army

Toei Animation's One Piece featured Kuma, Dragon, and Ivankov in this captivating image.

The Freedom Fighters gained two new members, Kuma and Ginny, after successfully liberating the Sorbet Kingdom. Shortly after, the Revolutionary Army was formed by Dragon, Kuma, and Ivankov.

The Revolutionary Army emerged as the sole faction challenging the World Government, determined to dismantle the corrupt governance of the Celestial Dragons. This formidable military organization is divided into five sub-groups, with each group operating in a specific region: Grand Line, East Blue, West Blue, North Blue, and South Blue.

During a certain period, Ivankov was apprehended by the Marines. Simultaneously, Kuma, for undisclosed reasons, joined the ranks of the Seven Warlords and eventually consented to become a mindless cyborg under the command of the World Government, courtesy of Dr. Vegapunk.

The Revolutionary Army at present, as shown in Toei Animation's One Piece, witnessed Ivankov's reintegration into its ranks following their venture into Impel Down two years ago. Leading the organization is Dragon, with Sabo serving as his trusted ally and second-in-command.

The Revolutionary Army played a significant role in several pivotal events, particularly the notable assault on Mary Geoise during the recent Reverie. This attack resulted in significant advancements in the storyline.

Dragon, an individual with strong idealistic beliefs, yearns to liberate the entire world from the oppressive control of the World Government. Consequently, it is highly anticipated that the Revolutionary Army is strategically biding their time, awaiting the opportune moment to execute a decisive action during One Piece's ultimate saga.

Shiki escaping Impel Down

Shiki (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

Following Gol D. Roger's execution in Rogue Town, Shiki initiated an attack on Marineford, only to be ultimately defeated and subdued by the formidable duo of Garp and Sengoku. Despite his best efforts, Shiki proved no match for these legendary Marines, their clash proving destructive enough to decimate half of Marineford.

Following his defeat, Shiki was promptly imprisoned within Impel Down. Unexpectedly, 22 years ago, he miraculously managed to escape, inexplicably severing his chained legs. Since then, no prisoners held within the confines of Impel Down had successfully executed an escape, until the recent mass breakout just prior to the Paramount War.

In place of his legs, Shiki began utilizing his two swords, Oto and Kogarashi, as prosthetic limbs. Given that the occurrences depicted in the movie One Piece: Strong World are not considered canon to the main storyline, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing how a legendary figure like Shiki will be entangled in the present events.

Gaimon arriving on the Island of the Rare Animals

Captured within this image is Gaimon alongside the iconic duo of Nami and Luffy, as depicted in the animated series One Piece produced by Toei Animation.

Two decades and two years prior to the current events within the One Piece narrative, Gaimon found himself setting foot upon the enigmatic Island of the Rare Animals. Although this occurrence may appear disconnected from the main plot of One Piece, it possesses significant value as it grants insight into the extraordinary essence that defines Eiichiro Oda's captivating tale.

Gaimon, a covetous pirate solely driven by the pursuit of plundered gold, arrived on the island in his quest for riches. Scaling the highest cliff on the island, he stumbled upon a multitude of treasure chests. Unfortunately, due to a twist of fate, he unwittingly tumbled into an empty chest that lay beneath.

Unbeknownst to Gaimon's shipmates, they set sail without him as he failed to make his presence known. Condemned to a perpetual hunch and severely restricted movement, Gaimon languished in his confined prison within the chest.

At one point, Gaimon shared his story with Luffy and Nami. Deeply moved, Luffy selflessly offered to scale the towering cliff and retrieve the chests for him. Unfortunately, to Gaimon's dismay, all the lockboxes were found empty.

Gaimon's realization that he had made a permanent change in his life with no gain brought him to tears. However, he made a firm decision to devote the remainder of his days safeguarding the island's precious wildlife from poachers, which he considered as his true treasure.

Though Gaimon may appear as a mere comic character, he signifies something far more profound. He devoted his life to safeguarding a treasure that he wasn't certain even existed and came to value peace and companionship above any material riches.

In this story, One Piece conveyed the message that the worth of a treasure solely lies in the perception of people. Eventually, Gaimon encountered Sarfunkel, a woman who was also trapped in a barrel. The two formed a relationship and have since cohabited on the island. Stay updated on the advancements of One Piece manga, anime, and live-action throughout 2023.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find it fascinating to explore the hidden numerical secrets in One Piece. Eiichiro Oda's deliberate use of numbers adds depth and complexity to the narrative, hinting at a grand design that ties various events and characters together. The significance of the number 22, representing balance and spiritual wisdom, suggests that the events that unfolded 22 years ago were crucial in shaping the current storyline.

The birth of Portgas D. Ace, the son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, and the subsequent Buster Call on Ohara were pivotal moments that set in motion a chain of events that continue to impact the world of One Piece. Ace's sacrifice and the Marineford War highlighted the themes of loyalty, family, and the indomitable spirit of freedom. The Ohara incident, on the other hand, unveiled the dark history of the Void Century and the World Government's lengths to suppress the truth.