The Connection Between Kuma's Bible-like Book and Joy Boy's Tale in One Piece: A Theory

One Piece is now in its final saga, but there are still many mysteries left to be revealed about the captivating lore of the series. The long-held secrets and legendary characters are just starting to emerge, indicating that the protagonists' journey is far from concluded.

What is evident is that the various storylines and subplots in the series are interconnected, leaving no room for coincidences in the intricate world of One Piece. These fascinating flashbacks serve as the pinnacle of Eiichiro Oda's captivating and intricately detailed storytelling.

The ongoing flashback of Bartholomew Kuma not only brings emotional scenes that make fans cry but also the reveals significant information about important series issues. One particular detail highlighted in the last chapter might hold considerable importance, and this thread aims to delve into it.

Note: The resulting content has been rewritten for clarity and coherence.

Pending to One Piece chapter 1099, Kuma's book might be the key to solve the truth about the world

Bonney, Kuma, and the "Sun God"

In the world of One Piece, Nika, known as the "Sun God," holds a prominent position (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece).

During Jewelry Bonney's childhood, she was afflicted with the Sapphire Scales syndrome. Upon recovering, Kuma inquired about her desired destination for a trip. Bonney expressed her longing to visit the sky islands, as they reside in close proximity to the sun, with hopes of encountering the fabled figure known as Nika, the legendary "Sun God."

This conversation showcases the bond between Bonney and Luffy, where Luffy, having acquired a powerful transformation known as Gear 5, is believed to possess the ability to trace the legendary adventures of Nika. Unbeknownst to Bonney, she has already encountered Nika.

This revelation comes as no shock, as it was strongly hinted at in the preceding chapters. Clapp, the father of Kuma, as well as Kuma himself, had previously mentioned Nika as the mythical character who, according to the tales handed down by the Buccaneer Race, would bravely battle to liberate the oppressed.

Presently, Bonney finds herself in the clutches of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn. Alongside Sanji, Franky, and Vegapunk, she is rendered powerless and at the mercy of the villainous Celestial Dragon.

This is the perfect opportunity for Luffy to intervene and safeguard Bonney from Saturn, potentially fulfilling her dream of meeting the "Sun God." However, Luffy, exhausted from his battle against Kizaru, currently finds himself incapacitated on the ground, making the future uncertain.

In Kuma's flashback, it is crucial to highlight that Bonney discovered information about the sky islands through a book she read. Many One Piece fans have observed that this book bears a striking resemblance to the one frequently seen in Kuma's possession.

With Kuma's book, Oda might be hinting at something major

Kuma's Bible-like book (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

The symbol on Kuma's clothes in his pre-time skip appearances is also shown on the back cover of the book, while the front cover is labeled as "Bible." Despite the shared title, the content of Kuma's book is noticeably distinct from that of the Christian Bible.

Kuma made his way to Thriller Bark two years prior to the current story, where his first encounter was with Perona. Fans will recall that Kuma employed his Paw-Paw Fruit power to launch her to the Muggy Kingdom on Kuraigana Island.

Right before doing that, Kuma grasped his book resembling a Bible, and casually perused its pages, as if immersed in its contents. Unless Eiichiro Oda, the author of One Piece, randomly incorporated this scene, which seems highly improbable, it undoubtedly carries certain significance.

Given that Bonney acquired knowledge of the sky islands from the identical book, it is plausible to surmise that the tone of the aforementioned text meticulously highlights and elucidates the prominent sites within the vast realm of One Piece.

Intriguingly, Bonney further alludes to Fish-Man Island following her mention of the sky islands. Both of these locales are intricately intertwined with the enigmatic history and concealed truths of the One Piece universe.

Fish-Man Island is home to the Poneglyph, which served as a platform for Joy Boy's message to Poseidon and previously housed one of the four Road Poneglyphs. Skypiea, one of the prominent sky islands, safeguards a Poneglyph that has been under the protection of the Shandia for countless centuries.

Skypiea as portrayed in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

Fish-Man Island’s Noah and Skypiea’s Shandora are intricately connected to the main lore of the story. Notably, the kirk where Kuma and Bonney resided showcases the stylized sun symbol, which is commonly seen in cultures associated with Joy Boy and Nika.

This stylized sun symbol is prominently displayed in Fish-Man Island, Skypiea, Arabasta, and even in the emblem of the Poneglyph creators, the Kozuki Family. The presence of this symbol in the kirk is compelling, and it leads to intriguing possibilities.

The kirk was managed by Kuma's family, who were known to have ancestors who were Buccaneers. Considering the fact that the book was stored in such a location, it is possible that it contains a compilation of information gathered and handed down by the Buccaneers.

As stated by Saint Saturn, the Buccaneer Race had once committed a particular crime against the World Government. Though the details of their wrongdoing are not specified, it is evident that the Buccaneers were despised by the oppressive institution and this sentiment persists.

The eerie woman on the book's cover

Nefertari D. Lili was the queen of Arabasta 800 years ago (Image via Shueisha/Colored by JLjarx)

The book's cover features a woman with a sun shining behind her. While it is currently just a speculation, there is a strong possibility that the woman portrayed is Nefertari D. Lili. Lili, an ancestor of the Nefertari Family, has recently been unveiled as one of the carriers of the enigmatic initial D. She held the title of queen of Arabasta approximately 800 years ago, during the mysterious Void Century.

As part of an alliance consisting of twenty monarchs, she played a crucial role in the downfall of the Ancient Kingdom, resulting in its complete eradication from historical records. This alliance later evolved into what is now recognized as the World Government, prompting its leaders to relinquish their respective kingdoms and settle in Mary Geoise, assuming the title of Celestial Dragons.

However, unlike her counterparts, Queen Lili adamantly declined to embrace this new lifestyle and expressed her desire to return to Arabasta. Tragically, she mysteriously disappeared without a trace, and all records pertaining to her existence were meticulously erased from the annals of history.

According to Imu-sama, Lili played a crucial part in the global dissemination of the Poneglyphs. It is highly plausible that she achieved this by harnessing the powers of the Paw-Paw Fruit, which would have facilitated her worldwide travels while transporting these monumental stones.

The theory is strengthened by the fact that the Paw-Paw Fruit was associated with cats. When Kuma explained his Devil Fruit to the Straw Hats, Nico Robin believed that this ability would be more fitting for a cat rather than a bear, which is the animal that Kuma is clearly connected to.

Arabasta, the country ruled by Queen Lili, is heavily influenced by the history and culture of Ancient Egypt, where cats and feline symbolism are prominently emphasized.

Assuming that 800 years ago, Lili possessed the Paw-Paw Fruit and utilized it to disperse the Poneglyphs worldwide, it is evident that she made the deliberate choice to ally herself with Joy Boy.

The Poneglyph in Skypiea (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

This would clarify why the World Government, intent on concealing the events of the Void Century, deliberately erased any record of her existence. It would also explain why Lili mysteriously appears on the cover of the book that has been inherited by a family of Buccaneers.

Having explored various locations worldwide with the aid of the Paw-Paw Fruit's powers, it can be assumed that she visited numerous places, including the ones where she left behind the Poneglyphs. These locations notably include Fish-Man Island and Skypiea, the same places that Bonney discovered through reading the book discovered in Kuma's quarters.

Despite their intriguing nature and strong reliance on evidence, these theories can only be regarded as speculation until the manga confirms the true state of affairs. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that the core mysteries of One Piece's lore are interconnected. Given that the proposed connection could potentially explain and unite numerous storylines, while staying true to the main plot, it holds the potential to be more than just a mere suggestion.

Keep up with One Piece manga, anime, and live-action as 2023 progresses.

Editor's P/S

In the captivating world of One Piece, the final saga has set sail, promising to unravel the intricate mysteries that have captivated fans for years. Among the plethora of unanswered questions lies the intriguing connection between Kuma's Bible-like book and the legendary tale of Joy Boy. This thread aims to explore the potential significance of this connection and its implications in the overarching narrative of One Piece.

The revelation that Bonney discovered information about the sky islands through a book she read, which bears a striking resemblance to Kuma's Bible-like book, has sparked a wave of excitement among One Piece enthusiasts. The symbol on Kuma's clothes in his pre-time skip appearances is also prominently displayed on the back cover of the book, further solidifying the connection between the two. The fact that Kuma was seen casually perusing the book before launching Perona to the Muggy Kingdom on Kuraigana Island suggests that it holds substantial importance in the overarching storyline.