#but also he was so dedicated to being the first one there. to see luffy and the crew again

[1pcii]

Roronoa '*I* am luffys number one...ME!' Zoro

[midnight-in-town]

My take on Sir Crocodile's past, including the possibility of the CrocoParent theory

(Because I can't help thinking about it, in the midst of Kuma and Bonney's heart-wrenching flashback...)

Crocodile is one of the few Warlords we still hardly know anything about, but we're bound to know about his past at some point (same for Mihawk with whom he's currently working, as well as Moria who stole like half (?) of the Rocks Pirates' corpses), starting with the panel that launched all the theories, back in Impel Down :

Thanks to Kuma's flashback, we know Ivankov used to be a slave to the Celestial Dragons up until God's Valley. As for what happened at God's Valley, we don't know the full story yet but what we know is that...

...the Rocks Pirates were defeated and disbanded by the alliance between Garp and Roger. Some (?) of them were cloned by MADS (like Stussy for a still unknown reason) and Roger then became the next biggest threat of piracy.

Their leader's name was Xebec and other people have already explained that it possibly is related to Sebek/Sobek, an ancient Egyptian deity represented either in its form or as a human with a crocodile head. And, as we all know thanks to the Alabasta arc, Sir Crocodile is strongly associated with Sobek/Sebek too.

From there, it's not a stretch to imagine that Sir Crocodile is Rocks D. Xebec's child and was also present on God's Valley, which is how Crocodile and Ivankov possibly first "met". Ivankov witnessed Rocks' defeat as well as his child's survival...

...probably thanks to Whitebeard. Because, considering how the government tracked Ace and Luffy because of their dads, it's clear that any child of Xebec would be hunted by the government just as much and, like he did for Ace, Whitebeard probably saved and offered shelter to Xebec's kid for a while.

Whitebeard saving Croc as a child on God's Valley could be the reason why Croc seemingly hated Whitebeard so much : Whitebeard saving him instead of avenging Rocks, his captain, on God's Valley and then later probably defeated Crocodile, when Croc decided to become a pirate and went after the One Piece, could explain the animosity that we saw during Marineford.

Anyway, because of God's Valley, this could be the secret Iva knows about Croc: he's the surviving child of Rocks D. Xebec, thanks to Whitebeard.

Whitebeard choosing to save him rather than his Captain and then later defeating him could also explain why Croc has strong issues when it comes to trusting others :

Another hint that Croc is related to Rocks is Blackbeard. A popular theory/understanding in the fandom is that, while Luffy inherited Roger's Will, Blackbeard inherited Rocks' (leading to the idea that Rocks vs Garp & Roger will be paralleled with Blackbeard vs Luffy & Koby). This is especially interesting, considering that Blackbeard replaced Croc as a Warlord after he was defeated and sent to Impel Down, which is when they met :

Crocodile also has a lot of "mannerisms" hinting he's a D. He's strongly interested in the Void Century, poneglyphs and the ancient weapons.

Additionally, upon learning during Marineford about Ace's and Luffy's being hunted by the Government because of their fathers, he intervened to protect them...

These acts, outside of the CrocoParent theory (see below), can be explained by Croc's own experience of being hunted because of who his father was, but also by what Ivankov said to Law, who's also a D :

To conclude, I'm a strong advocate that Sir Crocodile is actually Rocks D. Crocodile and he obviously couldn't keep his father's name, in order to avoid being hunted during his entire life by the Government.

But what about the CrocoParent theory?

Well, as much as I'm an immense and dedicated fan of this theory (full explanation here), a part of me doesn't trust Oda to be brave enough to go down that road, even if I'm also eagerly waiting for him to. :D

Whether Croc was afab or amab though, the theory that he's Rocks' kid still applies. The only difference is that, if Croc was afab, then on top of knowing about who his father was, Iva also helped Croc with transitioning, thanks to their devil fruit.

Of course, it's probably through meeting Iva that Croc then came to meet some members of the Revolutionary Army, like Dragon. He gave birth to Luffy, transitioned afterwards with Iva's help and his actions at Marineford (protecting both Ace and Luffy) are not only because he used to be hunted as Rocks' kid, but also because he just learnt that Luffy is Dragon's son and thus his own child. :))

After all, to quote Dragon in the latest chapter of Kuma's flashback...

... "a child is their parents' weak spot" seems to ring to the same bell as Croc's "if you want to protect something, do it right" (like giving up on raising Luffy and leaving him in a remote village of East Blue, to avoid him being hunted by the World Government).

Anyway, long post, sorry about it! I hope we'll know soon about Croc's past. Let me know if I missed some hints ! :D

[himezoro]

roronoa zoro's guide to relationship

before anything : tysm for your support on my first post!! i'm working on a long piece to celebrate starring the loml here. feel free to request anything your heart desires, i'll be happy to oblige ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

here's a headcanon of what a relationship with roronoa zoro would include in my opinion.

warning: gn reader, use of "you" and "them", sfw, but sexual intercourses implied! i'll write a dedicated nsfw one if you want to ;)

wc : 1,070k+.

being in a relationship with roronoa zoro would include :

being used as a body pillow. zoro is a heavy sleeper, and his s/o would be the best body pillow ever. he won't admit it, but he feels pretty sad when he's on watch duty and can't sleep alongside their s/o in their shared bed. if his s/o complains about being too hot, he would much prefer pouring an ice cold buck of water upon them rather than moving his body a little. his giant body won't move.

being teased about your habits. zoro is observant and likes a good laugh. so, he would pick on all the small (cute) things his s/o does that feel funny to him. you're sleeping with a stuffed bear ? he would tease you by arranging it in the most deranged scenes ever. you're hugging any of your newest purchase after buying them ? he would tease you by mimicking you with his bottle of sake. be prepared to be constantly teased on.

however, this man won't let anyone make fun of you, and would always defend your honor (even if that third party would make fun of the same things he teases you about). he would yell at luffy and usopp so bad if they dared pulling the smallest of prank on you (remember that scene where he makes luffy drink a whole glass of water at the baratie ? yeah he'll make him drink the whole ocean this time lol)

having his hand on the small of your back while you walk. when a crewmate mentions it to him, he just huffs and acts like "it's nothing". actually, he didn't even notice it himself, but the way his hand falls on your back so naturally is beyond any scientific reasonings. this gesture alone speaks volumes about his love and affection.

making you talk about the smallest of things. roronoa zoro is not the most chattery in the whole crew, but he lives for listening to the voice of their s/o. he would ask you to read a passage of the book you're reading, talk about what you liked and disliked for hours, the latest gossip on the Sunny, anything would make him happy. his head would naturally fall on your lap as he daydreams while rocking on the sound of your honey-like voice. (he would love hearing your voice in bed)

being trusted, valued and respected. zoro would give his all to his s/o. this man is so focused on his dream and his loyalty to luffy would mean so much, that choosing commitment means he would respect and value his s/o for their personality, experiences and ethics. the second he decided it was the right decision, after a lot of introspection, his heart would be left into your hands for you to do as please. he's also really careful as to not push your boundaries, and always asks for consent for anything. anyone with eyes can see how much he adores you and values your existence.

being constantly protected. even though he respects your abilities, he cannot help but keeping an eye on you anywhere, at any times, even when you're not around. he's on high alert, constantly on watch. during combat, he would go rampage if someone dared to touch you, and i'm not talking about being hurt. if that were the case, zoro would not even be able to look at you (in scared of being too "softened") before destroying the enemy with pure sadism.

being kissed all the time when you're alone. this boy hates PDAs, which could be one of the reasons why his has his hand on your back so no one can really see lol. that does not mean he won't look at you with love and adoration in public, offering you a quick and genuine smile or wink when your eyes lock. but when alone, zoro reveals himself as a passionate lover. he would kiss you endlessly until your breath runs out, and would kiss you again when he's given the "go". his kisses would be long, and he would trap you in his huge arms the whole time, running his hands through your waist, hips, legs and ass. he won't say it, but he loves it when you cup his face during the kiss or run your fingers through his green hair. bonus if you grip on his shoulders during intimate moments, where he would kiss you harder and a tad rougher. with him drinking a lot, be prepared for some amusing kissing sessions where he could kiss you with his mouth full of sake (unless you're not drinking, which he would totally respect!!)

him showing off to sanji just to fuck with him. hell, he would lick your whole face in front of the chef if that could set him on fire. that would make him laugh his ass off.

having heated arguments. zoro is stubborn and can be impulsive. if he's in a cranky mood, he may raise his voice at his s/o for nothing important, but he would be feeling so sorry after that. he would shyly apologize in what feels like a whisper, but he would give you some space for a little time before doing so.

being told "i love you" when he thinks you're sleeping. zoro is not chatty, and again, you know he loves you, and he knows he does. anyone with eyes can see that. but sometimes, when the rythme of this life gets too crazy, or when he feels the need for you to hear these magic words and for him to vocalize his feelings, he would say "i love you" in the most intimate way possible, in the crook of your neck when you're sleeping, before pressing a kiss to your temple. little did he know, you heard it every single time. he would also say it during really intimate and slow make out sessions and intercourses. however, he would often thinks "i love them", at the most random times when he's looking at his s/o : seeing them eat ? shower ? dance ? reading ? he's loving them all the time. 24/7. (he just needs the courage to say it each time he thinks it, but then he would look like sanji and he can't have that)

being his. zoro won’t admit it but he loves knowing you’re his, and having the others know it as well. he is so proud of you, and proud to have such an amazing partner. and he would have no shame in saying he’s yours.

don't start me but zoro would be the type of guy to say "i'm not taking a shower unless it's with you" lol.

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, round 2 of bracket one

Propaganda:

For Zoro:

Literally training to be the greatest swordsman in the world. Has a special three swords technique (one blade in each hand plus one with the handle held in his teeth). I haven't read the manga or watched the anime but the live action adaptation gives me extremely gay vibes and based on the fandom things I've seen I'm not the only one

bro uses three swords. has one in his mouth. dont ask how the HELL he manages that. one day he will be the worlds greatest swordsman....after he beats the current greatest for both the titles of greatest swordsman and fruitiest swordsman. he's dramatic as FUUUCK like bro what the hell. has homoerotic fights with the local twink like everyday. directionally challenged, can and will get lost in a paper bag, doesnt know left from right...he probably cant read, too. hes too silly ngl

First of all, im in like episode 250 and so far he hasnt been shown attracted to any woman at all during the whole show so far, not even when one changed clothes in the same room as him and this is anime so you know there were other characters with bloody noses and shit. With that out of the way he wields three swords at once [two in his hands, one is his goddamn mouth dude. Its cool af trust me.] When he was little he made a promise to his best friend that he'd be the best swordsman in the world. Later she died in a tragic accident and left her sword which he still uses today. He also carries a cursed sword but he overpowers the curse with a combination of skill and sheer luck. He got stuck in a chimney. While his crewmates sail their ship he takes naps. He learned how to cut through metal by fighting a guy who could turn his body into metal blades. That's metal. He refuses to fight this liberal marine officer because she looks like his childhood best friend and its just understandably really awkward for him. He's autistic. He's a he/him bisexual lesbian. He's a gay man. He's ace/aro. He's whatever you want him to be babey!!

he has 3 swords, wields one in his mouth sometimes, his dream is to be the greatest swordsman in the world

three swords and big aroace-spec gay vibes

He not only has a sword he has *three* swords. He's absolutely gay there's no way to see this man as straight. Also one time he licked his sword for no reason and that was really funny to me so I had to mention it

Look, this man thinks about three things: Swords, His Captain, and Booze. He’s on a quest to be the worlds greatest swordsman. The Live action has a scene where he declares his undying, unwavering loyalty to his captain WHILE reaffirming his promise to be the worlds greatest swordsman. At this point His dream and his Captain are so intertwined it’s crazy. Man is so sword-y he’s got three of them. When one of his swords broke he carried its empty scabbard until he was able to give it a SWORD FUNERAL. He hears a sword is cursed and takes that as a challenge. He will literally tell his swords off for “bad behavior” when they “act up” due to being straight up cursed. He tests one by throwing it in the air and sticking his arm out to see if it is so blood thirsty and ill tempered that it will cut him. Even though he’s literally the first mate if you ask him what his role is he’s going to answer Swordsman.

He's dedicated his life to two things: becoming the greatest swordsman in the world and his captain, Luffy. 

He mastered the three sword style. Its his style. It would've been more swords but he could only fit one sword in each hand and one in his mouth. He wants to be the world's greatest swordsman, a deal he made with his childhood best frenemy (before she died falling down the stairs). He thought he was All That at the start and was almost completely decimated by the actual Worlds Greatest Swordsman. Now, after two years forced training with that guy, he's probably in the top tier no-doubt, and honestly could already be the best but we just don't know for sure yet. Also, did I mention: he's got the whole demon/devil imagery going on at times. And he has absolutely no sense of direction! plus is a total softie when it comes to Chopper and all the children who somehow gravitate towards him. And he loves naps!

One of the guy's main goals in life is to be the best sword fighter and he fights with three swords which I think is telling enough of his skill.

For Sayaka Miki:

my favourite scene is the one where Sayaka turns off all her pain receptors to battle the shadow witch, uncaring of the damage dealt to her body, because what is a body but a decaying vessel you must eventually abandon anyway? that was very depression of her <3 Also there’s that one time (in the rebellion movie) where Sayaka stabs herself on her own sword to release the witch that dwells within her. and then she immediately gets up to fight back to back with her girlfriend. that moment lives rent free in my head. Sayaka is so depression and I love her for it:)

SHES SO GAY ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY SHE FLIRTS W THE MAIN CHARACTER HER NARRATIVE FOIL IS ANOTHER GIRL W TBE OPPOSITE COLOR SCHEME THEYRE RED BLUE LESBIAN MOMENT YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT ELSE ??? SHE COMES TO THIS FALSE REALITY LITERALLY JUST TO SEE HER GIRLFRIEND ALIVE THEY LIVE TOGETHER AND THERES A WHOLE OUTRO SEQUENCE JUST W THE TWO OF THEM SHE STUDIED THE GAY BLADE I STG also she uses a sword 🗡️ love u sayaka

[lastoneout]

Finally saw the SBS where Oda confirms what jobs the Straw Hats would have if they lived in the real world and I cannot take this seriously. Like is he aware that most of these character's jobs are things people do in the real world?? Archeologist, meteorologist/cartographer, doctor, chef, rock star, these are real jobs. Why wouldn't they have the same jobs?? Truly baffling on every level. I refuse to accept any of these as canon.

Anyway here's my objectively correct take:

Luffy: Urban explorer. He posts stuff online but it's all really sporadic and not polished at all. Despite that he still has a moderate yet dedicated following. Not that he cares about having a following. Has broken so many laws it's ridiculous but always manages to get away. Probably lives out of a van, but despite this he does not have a driver's license. Makes money in underground fighting tournaments, but it's not about the money. Spends his free time hanging out with his friends.

Nami: Meterologist and cartographer, like she has a degree, but her "job" is being a storm chaser who has a massive tiktok + youtube following. Zeus is her assistant. The rest of the Straw Hats feature in her videos or tag along sometimes. Probably also takes sponsorships but she does vet them pretty well, and gives a lot of money to charity. Works with her family on their tangerine farm in her off time.

Zoro: Master swordsman that hangs out at his old sensei's dojo giving weird advice to the noobs, but has a "side gig" as a vigilante bcs he gets into fights with creeps at the bars he hangs out at. Luffy, Nami, and the rest of their friends are often present for these asskicking sessions, though it's mostly Luffy. Sleeps in his free time, usually in the back of or on top of Luffy's van. No one knows where he lives or if he even has an apartment in the first place. Tags along when Luffy goes exploring bcs Luffy has no idea how to be safe and someone has to make sure he doesn't end up dead on the floor of some abandoned building or stranded at the top of a cellphone tower.

Sanji: Owns a food truck ever since Zeff fired him. Probably still parks near the Baratie most days(and gets into shouting matches with Zeff when he notices), but he travels around the city. He wants to open his own restaurant but it's slow going bcs he doesnt make anywhere near as much money as he could since he keeps giving free food to pretty ladies and people who are down on their luck. Still, he always manages to scrape by. Typical yelp review says the atmosphere is shit but the food is phenomenal. Doesn't have a lot of free time but spends what he does with his friends. Terminally bitchless.

Usopp: Mad scientist who spends a third of his time building wild shit in his garage, a third working in his garden, and the rest as a playing competitive Fortnite and Overwatch. Has a small but VERY dedicated twitch following. Also he def posts bs on reddit and no one can tell if he's lying or not bcs he really is just that out there.

Chopper: Med student. Doesn't get taken as seriously as he deserves but his teachers love him. He also spends a large portion of his time patching up his friends. And he's a furry. Also I could see him having a small blog where he reviews theme parks. Spends the rest of his time hanging out with his friends.

Robin: Professional archeologist and historian. Could be tenured but she's too much of a wild card for that. Def has a criminal past but doesn't talk about it that often. Absolutely can kill a person in like 10 different ways. No one has any idea why she hangs out with a bunch of weirdos but she seems happy so w/e. Follows SO many pet blogs and tags along with Chopper when he hits the parks. Also does yoga.

Franky: Automotive mechanic who specializes in absolutely absurd modifications. Like flamethrowers and shit. Probably wants to build some sort of car mecha but no one can tell if he's serious or not. Has been banned from most places of buisness bcs he refuses to wear pants. Can be found hanging around Sanji's food truck or with Luffy and his van, constantly begs them to let him do wild shit to both. Sanji says no. Luffy says yes.

Brooke: Lead of a popular local band. They sell out concerts and he has a respectable YouTube channel where he posts covers and original stuff(though he's old and the others have to help him with computer stuff). Is hardly ever seen without his massive dog Laboon, who also is the band's mascot.

Jimbe: Bro he's retired(used to be a union leader and an activist) and spends most of his time ferrying Luffy around in his van. Also helps Nami out and has def saved her life a few times. Her audience adores him, which he gets a kick out of, but he doesn't have any social media of his own. A bit of an adrenaline junkie but it comes and goes. Surfs and does martial arts in his free time, but his priority is to enjoy life and have fun with his friends.

Disagree if you want but you AND Oda can meet me on the pit about it <3

[mjrtaurus]

Luffy would be 7 when Lucci joined the Bloodfeather Pirates which means it's highly likely that he first saw Lucci napping on the deck in leopard form and leapt onto him like "KITTY!!! 🤩" (frankly it's a miracle Lucci didn't instinctively eviscerate the boy, has his haki dipped that much in such a short amount of time?)

Naturally Dragon isn't quick to trust strangers around his little chick, but the months pass and Lucci finds that a considerable amount of the time he isn't spent killing is being dedicated to watching his captain's cub. His very loud, very grabby, very hyperactive cub. It mostly consists of Lucci doing his own thing while occasionally looking up to see if the kid is in danger of falling overboard or messing with something he shouldn't be. Of course Luffy talks incessantly to him, but Lucci never gives him any response beyond a grunt of acknowledgement. Maybe an "I see" if he's feeling particularly chatty.

It's puzzling to Lucci why this kid lacks Dragon's bloodthirstiness. Lucci was trained to fight from the time he could walk. So were most of his fellow CP agents. What reason would a man as brutal as Dragon have not to do the same?

One time when some mountain bandits (not anyone from Dadan's crew) decided to pick on someone who wasn't their own size, Lucci knocked them into the woods and tore their throats out while Luffy got his bearings a good distance away. He also didn't understand why Dragon was so insistent the boy not witness carnage, but those were captain's orders and Lucci was nothing if not obedient.

Lucci doesn't know what it was that made him break his usual silence while he carried the boy back to Foosha on his back. Maybe it was Luffy's whimpers that he would become strong someday no matter what.

To that, Lucci replied "Your enemies will die screaming one day. Perhaps by your hand. Or your father's. Or mine. But they will die"

Lucci finds that a particular trick that Luffy finds endlessly amusing is his skill of ventriloquism. He makes Hattori “talk” to the boy when his own responses would be… distressing. Through throwing his voice, he can be anyone and anything he wishes, from Dragon’s vultures and Crocodile’s fruitwani to the opal eyed Amaru figurehead of the Mantaro.

Years later, when the Straw Hat Pirates sail out to meet them on the newly built Thousand Sunny, Luffy asks Lucci if he made the Merry talk to them, or if the Klabautermann story that Franky told them all after leaving Water 7 was true.

Lucci tells him no. He did not make the Merry talk.

Meanwhile, Dragon and Crocodile hear this and think about the fierce jaws of the Sobekneferu, and the call from them that saved her dying captain’s life.

Lucci… does not understand Luffy. Perhaps that’s where this unbidden fascination stems from. This boy has no hand that guides him. He looks to the glory of a dead man and strives to take up his mantle and surpass him. He is boundless, resilient, and free…

And now that he’s older, he’s talking him into sparring matches. Him. The assassin that had been sent to kill his father. The man who felt more suited to talk to him through the beak of a pigeon.

Was this little cub… trying to teach him how to play?

[becausesomething]

A cold heart cannot be warmed (Law x Reader)

Sinopse:

After the worst generation has conquered the long-awaited new era, the long-awaited future arrives for everyone. Where dreams can finally be realized and lived. However, there are hearts that are stuck in the cold of the past, which not even the warmest love is capable of melting.

WC: 2K

Relationship established between Law and Reader. It unfolds after the new era has been conquered and established.

"You can leave it, I'll finish cleaning the kitchen", I take the cloth that Sachi had in his hand and continue what he was doing. However, both he and Penguin didn't like leaving things half done so they finish what they were doing, leaving only the tables to clean.

"I'll take the food to the captain, he forgot again" Penguin was starting to place some plates of onigri leftovers on a tray. I let out a loud sigh "If he's hungry he'll show up, it's not like we're still in a fight against time, he might as well remember that his crew still exists...", unfortunately the words end up coming out in a slightly more aggressive tone than I liked. "Calm down, we know how he is, he just gets lost in his own world", he continues what he was doing but Sachi stops him, and then comes to meet me and puts his hand on my shoulder "Tomorrow we will arrive in Lvneel, we will be on land will bring good things" I grab his hand and look towards them both, in the vague hope of finding some comfort from the loneliness I felt, before returning to focus on what I was doing "How many times have I heard broken promises... I could understand when we had the objectives until the new era arrived, and after a lot of effort and struggles we manage to see this new world". I feel their eyes on me and that feeling that once again caused unnecessary concern, "Sorry, I'm just tired, and you know how I get when I spend too much time inside the polar tang. Go and rest, when I finish this I'll take you him what you prepared Penguin". In unison, they say see you tomorrow and don't forget to rest, and leave that space, lefting me alone. I sit down heavily in my chair, slump onto the table, and let out the sounds of frustration.

It has been 2 years since the crew was almost annihilated in the confrontation with Blackbeard, if it wasn't for everyone's quick action and teamwork to save Law and escape. After a few months, we met the Straw Hats again and a new alliance was formed to defeat him. 1 year ago, Luffy became the pirate king and we lost the race to find the one piece. However, no one could be sad because that person was the breath of hope that the world needed. And in a matter of weeks more changes began to happen within the crew of the heart pirates.Ikaku discovered she was pregnant, and with Hakugan they decided it was time to settle down, start building a new life, dedicate themselves to their new family and went to live on an island in the South Blue. It was a huge celebration with the birth of that girl, who was going to be a disgrace for her parents, it also meant a farewell that weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. 

This was followed by Uni's unexpected wedding, which was the result of falling in love at first sight, and it all happened so quickly that it left everyone amazed that he would give up everything for love despite knowing that it was always what he secretly believed and wanted. Jean Bart was the last to follow his own path, after being inspired by Usopp's stories and seeing the island of Elbaf with his own eyes.

My relationship with Law matured, and we spent so many nights in the room or on the deck, when we weren't submerged, talking about our own future, all the challenges we went through, after seeing cycle's close and trying to deal with the departure of the companions who were our family. It's something that brought us even closer together and fought readjustment. However, he managed to remain even more distant than before, spending days locked in his office with books and research, looking for the best island that the heart pirates could call their own. I tried my best to bring him to reality and I know that he saw and heard me, until he entered into that cycle again. No matter how much effort, affection and understanding he showed, I felt that it was often in vain and I needed something concrete and solid."Let's find an island and start building our future, maybe our own family, the time has come", those were the words that echoed in my mind, that kept the fire in my heart alive, that kept me fighting for what tomorrow would bring us.But no island was enough. We continued to be pirates in an era of conquering a name that we already had, but with each mission that appeared, it was where he put all his effort into compensating for the emptiness that sometimes weighed on the submarine. We continued to follow our captain with the same passion, but those words changed something in me. I wanted to experience the future that we could only dream of a few years ago, but that now was finally possible.

The sound of a chair being dragged next to me and a warm hug bring me back to reality. His arms wrap around and pull me against him, "You're lost in your world again, what's the reason this time?" I wanted to scream that it was him, but the words were stuck in my throat and an unexpected cry took over. I comfort myself in that hug, in an attempt to stop the tears that are already falling. "Why are you crying, sweetie? Did something happen?", I squeezed him tighter before placing a light kiss on his lips. "I'm here in a wait that never ends, being understanding and like everyone else dealing with the silence that came with their departure. My heart screams for the future you promised but that is never good enough for you", the fingers wipe away my tears, making my body shiver with that touch that I fell in love with, in the same circumstances I found myself in now. "I promise it will be the last island we visit and then I will make a decision", the look was sincere but I could hear the uncertainty in his voice, however it comforted me that he came looking for me and hugged me.I could protest those words, but we would get into an unnecessary conversation again, and I wasn't the only one who knew because it seemed like he was reading me at that moment. "What do you say if we go to the control room and expel Bepo?", he raises his eyebrow, that malicious smile appears, my weak point where I wasn't able to maintain my position.

That person to whom I gave my heart and who showed and helped me reach my potential as a crew member and wife of the death surgeon, was now in front of me arguing with Bepo. He explained it in the simplest way and without going into details to leave us alone, but you could see the veins of the little patience he had, and no matter how much time they shared, he wanted to maintain his friend's innocence. "Bepo, we want the space because we're going to make love with that magnificent view", the pale skin turns red and the hands quickly hide the features in the cap, while Bepo just puts his paws on his face happily and smiles to leave the space, but before saying some of his aye-captain to Law, leaving him now even more frustrated. "tsc, can't you be less direct?!", I grab his hand and pull him towards me, like the first day I met him I kept getting lost in those grey eyes "You know I don't, besides it's not that the reason we came here and you asked to leave us alone?" He returns the attack and grabs my waist "I need you!", his lips close to mine with a determination to only let go again to breathe as needed.

We had spent the last four days on the island, and I honestly felt like this place had always been my home. The characteristics of the island, the climate, the different cities reminded me of the island where I was born. The residents welcomed us from the moment we set foot on land, which only increased that feeling. Our name lived up to us and with those smiles, I knew that our legacy would go continue in history.

I was returning from the city along the paths laid out in the forest when in seconds I found myself on the deck of the Polar Tang thanks to his room "What took you so long? We have to leave in a few hours" I place my hand on his face and intertwine our fingers with the other "I need you, but I am no longer able to postpone a future that you don't want to come... For me, it has arrived and we are anchored in it. Law, I love you, and I know you love me too. In all the conversations about the future, I really wanted to believe that it was what we both wanted, but your actions say otherwise. Nothing will ever be enough because deep down you don't want to be stuck in one place or really build a family with me, because you're afraid that everything will disappear in a matter of hours and you'll be alone", shock takes over his features but I feel him squeezing his fingers and that confirms the words. "It's okay, I understand. Facing change is anything but easy, however, our friends who we consider family are choosing their own path, as they were always supposed to. I will never forget...", "No, it's not okay! Don't even think about finishing that sentence... I just need more time to consider, find a place for all of us", "This choice isn't up to you, it's up to each one of us" I hug him and give him time until he separates us.

"I need to experience the reality that you have always told me about, both in the past and in the future. My decision has been made", I held back the tears with all the strength I had left. Obviously I didn't want our story to end there, but I also couldn't stand being aimless and what I wanted not to be taken seriously."Don't leave me. It's true, I'm afraid and I'm terrified every time we stop on an island because of what happened now. You are my strength, and the one who always made me look forward. Please...", he grabs my wrist and forces me to look at him, which makes me can't take it anymore and my body gives in to the emotion "I have to think about myself. You're here, but loneliness has also started to take part when you go in search of excuses that only exist in your head. I can't stand feeling this way and having to hold on to the moments when you remember that I exist" I try to let go and calm the crying that made me feel like the worst person in the world. "This is hard enough, but I've always been honest with you", "Is this really what you want? Staying here?" In one of his affectionate gestures, he wipes my tears and leaves a heavy kiss on my lips, before hugging me "You are the woman of my life, I really love you for the person you are".

Promises that he would after those words were made but never fulfilled. Days gave into weeks, which became months, and ended up years. The heart pirates continued to exist, being a family that met from time to time, but without their captain who made the choice to isolate himself from the world.

It was Corazon's love that made Law become a death surgeon, it was the passion he experienced with the woman that he thought we would share his life forever, overcome the greatest battles and ghosts of his life. But both were still not enough when it came to facing the fear of a past that had left marks on a heart, which was in a closed safe in the office of a yellow submarine that continued to sail aimlessly.

Find more stories here and here xoxo

english is not my first language, even thought I use it more than my native tongue. I try my best to adapt it 🫣

[wavytam]

Sanji’s Celestial Connections: His Race, and the Mysteries of One Piece

This post evolved from a simple attempt to connect Sanji with the imagery of the Sky to, perhaps, my current guess/theory on the nature of his powers and his role in the story of One Piece.

Throughout the manga Sanji has been given intriguing abilities and qualities, making him not only a proficient fighter but, more importantly, an empathetic and talented cook. As the story of One Piece progressed, Oda also revealed the amount of thought he put not just into Sanji's personality but also into his backstory. However, the origins of some of these abilities still remain somewhat vague—even after an entire arc dedicated to his past. Maybe this mystery might be intentional, tied to the significant role Sanji is destined to play by the end of the story.

This mystery is what I will try to analyse here and in future posts before the manga ends and they are (hopefully) unraveled — again, if all of this was intentional on Oda's part.

The topics I will cover:

Elbaf: The Underworld, the Sun, and the Heavens

Heaven and the Religion of One Piece

Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell

Sky (空) vs. Heaven (天): Science vs. Religion

Sanji’s Connection to the Heavens

The Mysterious Circular Energy and The Power of Fire

Sanji’s Race and the True Power of the Vinsmokes

Sanji, Devil Fruits and the Lineage Factor

The Will of Love

The Devil and Angels

Sanji’s Transformations

The Blue Demon of the Sea Science

Heavenly Warrior of Love

The All Blue

Disclaimers:

a) This post is purely made for fun, so don’t take it too seriously! I’m focusing on a character who isn’t the main protagonist of One Piece, so I might give him more attention than Oda himself (probably) plans to;

b) Secondly, I'm aware that this is a big tinfoil theory. It's up to you if you want to read it, and I’d be grateful if you did, even if it's a bit of a crazy reach. And even if you don't believe in any of what I proposed I hope it at least helped you with finding your own conclusions about Sanji;

c) Many points, especially regarding Sanji potentially being from a [spoiler]-related race have already been mentioned by other One Piece fans. I’ll address all the evidence (even the repeatedly discussed ones) to make this post as complete as possible — I’ll also leave links at the end to these and other interesting fan theories regarding the topics mentioned! While each theory may reach different conclusions (including my own), they all offer rich, insightful perspectives on Sanji and the world of One Piece. See which one resonates with you the most and if you come to a different conclusion!

Feel free to share your views and theories in the comments.

Now, let's get to it (I warn you, this post is long).

Almost a year ago, I wrote another post discussing the possible connections between Nami and Sanji with the imagery of the Sky, similar to how Luffy is often associated with the Sun and Zoro with Hell. That post has been on hiatus: I hadn’t finished reading the entire manga and I needed to go through the entire story to spot any missed clues or details that might discredit my theory.

However, I felt that what I’ve observed in the anime, as well as through Oda’s interviews and other fan analysis, was enough to create a new post specifically about Sanji and his significance to One Piece.

The decision to write this post came after reading chapter 1132, where we saw how Elbaf is divided. These divisions comprise a group of symbols that appeared earlier in the story, which I believe Oda may use for a future revelation.

But first, let's talk about these divisions.

Elbaf: The Underworld, the Sun and the Heavens

Acording to Brogy:

I think it’s worth noting that, depending on the translated sources, different words are used for these levels:

Heaven/Astral (天界, Tenkai)

Sun/Sunlit (陽界, Yōkai)

Dead/Underworld (冥界, Meikai)

From what I’ve seen, the official (VIZ) translation seems to use: Astral/Sun/Underworld—Levels.

However, for this post, I will use the Heaven/Sun/Underworld classification, and you’ll understand why as you read on.

Since I won’t go into much detail about the Sun and Dead levels (otherwise, this post would be twice as long), let’s focus only on the upper level—which also seems to be the most mysterious of the three: the Realm of Heaven.

By no means am I a proficient Japanese translator, so to help me, here are the translations I found on Google for the kanji used for the Realm of Heaven in the manga:

天界 = tenkai = means "heavenly realm" in the context of Buddhism.  The kanji 天 means "heaven/sky" and 界 means "world." So, the world (界) in the sky or heaven (天) is the "heavenly realm."

Because 'heaven' is a word more associated with religion (and you will understand why I’m bringing up religion), I will use this term for most of the post. However, the word 'astral' will appear in future topics as well as the term ‘sky’.

On Twitter and Youtube, people are already discussing what these realms might represent, and of course, many have realized that Underworld and Sun are symbols used for both Zoro and Luffy in the Wano Arc.

Zoro as the King of Hell (also known as the Underworld) and Luffy as the Sun God Nika.

I don’t believe this necessarily means they’ll be directly connected to these specific places during the arc but I do suggest that Oda:

a) Still needs to address the religious aspect of the One Piece world.

b) Has been using the imagery of Sky, Sun, Sea, and Hell so frequently that there could be a meaningful reason behind it.

Heaven and the Religion of One Piece

Firstly, regarding topic A: Oda often draws from religious and mythological symbols to create characters, islands, and story arcs—examples include Sengoku, Neptune, Noah’s Ark in Fishman Island, and the Ark Maxim in Skypiea. This interest seems rooted not only in his curiosity as a creator but also in influences from other storytellers like Hayao Miyazaki, who incorporates global myths and religions into his works.

So I don't think it’s not far-fetched to assume Oda might use religious themes to shape the origins and powers of key characters, particularly those of the Monster Trio.

But before diving into Sanji’s connection to this theme (it’s all connected, I promise), we must first discuss religion’s role in One Piece.

To conclude the story, Oda must address the spiritual framework of the One Piece world, an element largely unexplored despite the series' rich political, military, social, and historical layers. Religion remains a mysterious yet essential piece of the puzzle, and Elbaf’s deeply religious culture makes it the perfect setting to uncover the origins of Nika and other deities.

I believe the Heaven Realm in Elbaf will serve as a pivotal turning point for the final arcs, both during the crew's time in Elbaf and their subsequent journey to Laugh Tale.

Why the Heavenly Realm? In many cultures, Heaven is where gods and souls reside. I suspect the Straw Hats will venture into this realm and uncover the truth about Nika and, perhaps more importantly, the origin of Devil Fruits.

While science partially explains Devil Fruits at Egghead, their name alone suggests a parallel with the Forbidden Fruit or the Tree of Life from Christian mythology. Why not extend this symbolism to their origin within One Piece’s spiritual framework?

Lastly, I suspect the One Piece treasure is inherently tied to these religious aspects. To reach Laugh Tale and fully understand its significance, I believe the crew must grasp the connection between Nika’s identity, Devil Fruits and religion which will also reveal the greater truths of the Void Century.

Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell

Now, regarding topic B, where have we seen the Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell group before Elbaf to make me think they are somewhat important?

I’ve mentioned this in previous posts (which I will link below), but I’ll briefly cover it here for context.

We saw Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell present in:

Big Mom’s weapons:

The Sun: Prometheus

The Sword/hat: Napoleon (This is a bit of a stretch, but Zoro has the sword Enma, the King of Hell in Japanese mythology—so swords could symbolize Hell, indirectly?)

The Clouds: Zeus/Hera (gods of the Sky)

The strongest fighters of the Pirate King (Jimbei, Sanji, Zoro):

Jimbei, the Knight of the Sea

Sanji, son of Sora (Sky)

Zoro, son of Tera (Earth) (Hell is considered to be located under the earth in many cultures, including Greek and Japanese)

For this one, I’ll take a huge guess and say that Luffy’s mother could have a name related to the Sun, or deities that represent it. Maybe Sun in another language like Sonne (German), Sól/Sunna (Nordic goddess of the Sun), Amaterasu (perhaps a variation of it), or even Inti, the Incan Sun god.

The Ancient Weapons:

Uranus (God of the Sky)

Poseidon (God of the Sea)

Pluton (Pluto/Hades, God of the Underworld/Hell)

Obviously, these groups don’t always contain the same elements (sometimes it’s Sky/Sun/Hell, other times it’s Sky/Sea/Hell), but I think they appear too frequently to be a coincidence. So, considering this, we can speculate that the presence of these four symbols could mean something Oda has been planning to address for a long time.

As they were once again used to describe the Levels of Elbaf, people are discussing whether Heaven represents Nami or Sanji, as Underworld could represent Zoro, and Sun could represent Luffy.

I’ll put on my tin foil hat and say it represents both. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, I wrote a long theory about this topic, BUT there's nothing stopping Oda from using only one of them to represent it.

For this post, I’ll say it’s Sanji. Why? Simple: It’s a shonen manga, and I believe that whatever the Sky/Sun/Hell symbols represent, they’ll likely make the Pirate King and both of his Wings even more powerful fighters for the upcoming war.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Nami will be just as important (please, I really want that!!), but probably in a different way than Sanji, Luffy, and Zoro. Her power-up might come from a different source, and she might use it differently than Sanji/Zoro/Luffy would use theirs.

Anyway, if my hypothesis is correct, Sanji might once again have a big connection with the Heavens (using Elbaf and other elements I will mention later) and the Sky (using his mother’s name as a basis).

But before that, let’s clarify the difference between the words Sky, Heaven, and Astral.

Sky (空) vs. Heaven (天): Science vs. Religion

Based on the Oxford Dictionary and other sources:

Sky refers to the physical expanse above Earth, including the atmosphere, outer space, clouds, and stars. Derived from the Old Norse word ský, meaning "cloud," it has a more scientific connotation. The Japanese kanji for "sky" is 空 (sora).

Heaven, on the other hand, carries a celestial or religious meaning, often signifying a divine or spiritual realm considered the dwelling place of deities. However, it can also refer to the physical "heavens," meaning the sky or celestial sphere. The kanji for "heaven" is 天 (ten).

Paradise is represented by the term 天国 (tengoku), which refers to the afterlife where souls reside in peace. This kanji is used in One Piece when Zoro promises his name will reach the Heavens (tengoku). However, I will not focus on this term here, as it relates more to Zoro, the underworld, and his connection to Kuina.

Before we end this topic, we also have to talk about the ‘astral’ term, which is another word used to refer to the kanji 天.

Astral relates to the stars, celestial bodies, or the cosmos. It often has a scientific or mystical connotation, focusing on the physical or metaphysical aspects of the universe. While 天 can describe the celestial sky or cosmos, the usage of "astral" typically emphasizes the stars and planets, which might lean more toward 星 (hoshi — single star) or 宇宙 (uchuu — cosmos).

Interestingly, I believe Oda uses the words 空 (sora) and 天 (ten) closely enough in One Piece that they might represent the same concept: the astral plane. Why? In his world, as in ours, science and religion coexist in a chaotic yet complementary way, often blurring the line between them.

In fact, in the real world today there are several concepts or groups that blend religion and science, often seeking to reconcile or find common ground between the two.

For instance, in evolutionary creationism (which has Christian roots), the Sun—a star made of hydrogen and helium—is viewed as both a natural object, created and guided by God to sustain life through scientific processes, and a symbol of divine providence and order in the universe.

In One Piece, the Sun is (most probably) also a star made of hydrogen and helium, and it is also used to represent the Sun God Nika.

Similarly, the sky has long been religiously associated with the dwelling place of gods and, scientifically, UFOs or aliens. When we look up—especially at the night sky—we see not only clouds but celestial bodies such as the Moon, stars, comets, and distant planets. These elements have often been linked to divinities and otherworldly beings in many cultures.

This association likely explains why the sky gained religious (or heavenly) symbolism for many cultures, as it represents a place above us, seemingly out of reach, where deities might dwell—whether Olympus, Asgard, or Takama-ga-hara, depending on the religion in question.

To make this mixture even more complex, regarding the gods from Mesopotamian cultures (the Annunaki), there are ancient texts that describe them as coming from the skies. Today, many conspiracy theorists suggest these “gods” were actually aliens or an advanced civilization that came from another planet and taught humanity astrology and science.

If I’m not wrong, the movie Prometheus (the prequel to Alien) actually explores this exact narrative.

Whether this theory is true in our world or not, this topic does not come into discussion here lol. I'm only addressing this because I think Oda, who seems to be quite interested in researching history and religion, might be using these theories in his story.

I mean, isn’t this theory kind of what is happening to be true in the world of One Piece? Remember what Enel found out in his visit to the Moon? (Keep this part in mind; it will be important later on, and I’m sure you already know why!)

And will you look at that! As I was searching for links to post about the Anunnaki here I found a reddit page that talked exactly about them in connection with One Piece!! I still haven’t read it, but here is the link if you are interested. There is also the reference to Laputa, Hayao Miyazaki's movie that Oda used as a reference as well which brings up very similar themes.

So in One Piece, I think Oda blends science and religion much like how they coexist in our world, enriching his story. He weaves gods, devils, and divinity into his narrative while also providing scientific explanations, as seen in Punk Hazard and Egghead.

In conclusion, for this post, I will treat "sky", "astral' and "heaven" as complementary concepts, merging into a single idea which is a spiritual world. (Only for this post!)

Sanji’s Connection to the Heavens

Now, what does this have to do with Sanji?

Well, throughout the manga, many people have noticed that Sanji—through his family, moves, or even gags—seems to have a peculiar connection to elements associated with the sky or heavens, whether in religious, astronomical, or celestial contexts, especially regarding Christian themes.

Let’s list some of these elements:

Stars (Stargazing): Sanji displays a notable interest in stargazing, as shown in a few cover pages. In one example, he is inviting Nami to gaze at the stars with him, as seen in the cover page of chapter 1089.

Shooting Stars: In the anime, Sanji’s newest power-up (Ifrit Jambe) resembles a shooting star or a comet streaking across the sky.

Lucky/Miracle Star: Usopp once joked that Sanji was born under a miracle star—and as we all know, Usopp’s jokes or lies often have a way of becoming true. In Japanese folklore and astrology, celestial events (like the appearance of a bright star or comet) were often seen as omens of significant births or changes.

UFOs: Oda once drew a UFO-like object with Sanji’s face on it. Also, in the cover page of chapter 533, Sanji appears to be stargazing with a Mink, seemingly looking for UFOs. Interestingly, there’s a UFO in the background as well.

Space: Sanji lived for a long time on a ship called the Orbit. The term "orbit" is used to describe the motion of a celestial body around another. (Keep that information for later)

Sky Walk: Although this ability was originally called Moon Step (as used by Jabra), Sanji renamed it Sky Walk. When explaining how he acquired this skill, he said he ran until he “flew to the sky”—using the kanji for sora (空) in Japanese.

Son of Sora ("Sky"): This one speaks for itself.

Angel/Lunarian: In Wano, Sanji has been linked to the Lunarian race, who resemble classical depictions of angels in Christian art (not the biblically accurate ones, but more like those seen in traditional paintings). While I don’t think that Sanji is a Lunarian, he might belong to a equally rare race—possibly one connected to the heavens. I’ll explore this idea further later.

Fire/Hell: Sanji’s ability to ignite himself with flames when angry ties him to the element of fire. Anger, in many contexts, represents a response to injustice and revolt. In the Bible, fire symbolizes God’s wrath, passion, purification, and judgment. Sanji even created a move called Hell’s Memories, invoking imagery of eternal judgment and punishment associated with hellfire. There's another meaning for fire that I will talk about in later topics. Also, refer back to the Stargazing section and the titles Oda chose for the cover pages of chapters 533 and 575, which feature Sanji stargazing— Voiceless Rage and Inferno Hell. Hmmmmm.

Son of Judge and Sora / Divine Judgment: Sanji has increasingly embraced the role of enforcing "laws," acting as a kind of jury, judge, and executioner ever since the awakening of his Germa genes in Wano. This could parallel his father’s name, Judge, and his ancestry, while also aligning with the concept of divine judgment—a judgment coming from the skies(Sora). Interestingly, in the recent Elbaf arc, Nami used “Lightning Blast,” a thunderstorm coming from the skies, as Divine Retribution to punish the Giant Road. A curious observation for my other theory.

So, when I say that Sanji has a stronger connection to the heavens, religion and astronomy than previously thought, I believe these elements make the case clear.

As if that weren’t enough, Oda has made another important connection: he compared Sanji’s eyebrows to energy associated with the movement of celestial bodies such as planets, the Sun, and the Moon (Orbit). This will be our next topic of discussion. 

The Mysterious Circular Energy and The Power of Fire

Taken from the SBS of Chapter 55 (Baratie Arc) D: Why does Sanji-san’s eyebrow curl up at the end? Is it for fashion? Make it clear!! O: Hey! You there, sit down! Now listen! Everyone lives in circles! The sun, the moon, and the Earth all spin in circles! And if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning, the planet would be covered in tidal waves! It would be terrible! Now remember that Sanji’s eyebrow channels that same powerful circular energy! Reflect upon this! You may go!

I believe this SBS may be one of the most important pieces of evidence that connect Sanji and the heavens (and it was answered just a few chapters after Sanji’s introduction!!). Oda explicitly said that Sanji’s eyebrows, and therefore Sanji himself, are connected to the movement of celestial bodies, and more importantly, the powerful energy they generate. (Remember, Sanji also lived on a ship called "The Orbit" before meeting Zeff.)

And since it was mentioned, let’s discuss energy in the world of One Piece.

Specifically, during the Egghead Arc, Oda revealed through Vegapunk that fire is considered a precious source of energy because it “can be converted into all types of energy”.

And wouldn’t you know it? Sanji’s powers manifest as fire—the same powerful and versatile form of energy Vegapunk is trying to unlimitedly have (the Undying Flame)

Meanwhile, Oda also linked the origin of Sanji's fire with his heart in another SBS.

Taken from the SBS of Chapter 426 (Enies Lobby Arc) D: Odacchi, nice to meet you!! I finally sent you a postcard. It’s a serious question, so give me a real answer. That trick that Sanji used to beat Jabra!! If it was that hot to Jabra, wouldn’t it burn Sanji, too?! Wouldn’t Sanji be like, "yeow"?? Tell me! O: What are you talking about… WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!! Are those eyes, or holes in your head?! What were you watching in that fight?! His leg is hot?! No, it’s not hot!! SANJI’S HEART WAS BURNING SO MUCH HOTTER!!!

Now, let’s also remember that Oda originally intended to name Sanji "Naruto." The name Naruto, in addition to being associated with the Ninja manga, refers to the Naruto Whirlpools in Japan.

Whirlpools are often symbols of natural force and spiritual energy, and this could be the same "circular energy" Oda refers to in the SBS about Sanji’s eyebrows.

Curiously, we can parallel the meaning of his name to Nami’s name, as hers means “wave”. Once again, both she and Sanji have a weird relation with similar symbols, whose intention I cannot quite grasp yet. If any of this information brought up an idea for you, let me know.

Back to whirlpools, a long time ago, I watched one of the best theories/analysis about Sanji from a YouTuber called "Parvision." In it, if I remember correctly, he discussed the importance of the whirlpool imagery for Sanji and linked his powers to Haki as well. Here is the video.

To be honest, I watched his videos a while ago, so I don’t recall everything he said (it’s a 1-hour video full of rich infos, lol), but he is amazing, and his theories are really insightful! He also covers many of the topics we’re discussing here about Sanji’s mysterious powers. I’m not sure what his conclusion about Sanji’s origins is, but give it a look, and I’m sure you won’t regret it!

Aside from the circular energy and flames association, Oda has also linked Sanji to Devil Fruits in another SBS (where Sanji wasn’t even mentioned in the question but Oda insisted on bringing him up, lol).

Taken from the SBS of Chapter 436 (Enies Lobby Arc) D: Do all Devil Fruit have that swirly pattern on them? O: That’s right. It’s what distinguishes them from other fruits. Sometimes I wonder if Sanji himself is a Devil Fruit.

So, in three different SBSs, Oda hinted at three fascinating ideas:

Sanji’s eyebrows symbolize the energy generated by celestial bodies (Earth, Moon, and Sun);

This same circular energy resides in the Devil Fruits;

Sanji's heart (emotion) is probably what ignites his fire.

But if he already has a connection to the Sky/Heavens, fire, and circular energy, why did Oda also link him to Devil Fruits? Isn’t everything else enough already?

I mean, if we also consider everything we know about him, Sanji’s character already has a mix of seemingly unrelated traits:

A prince of an extinct kingdom

A genetically altered human

The cook of the Straw Hat crew

A hopeless romantic with the motif of the Knight

Can burst into flames when experiencing intense emotions

However, I believe that these traits, though scattered, may start to correlate if we speculate that Sanji's origins—and powers—are tied to a single, as-yet-unknown source, one that only Oda (and his team) are aware of. I will venture a guess on this in the next topic.

Sanji’s Race and the True Power of the Vinsmokes: Mutation

Building upon the points I've discussed, I propose the following theory:

A previously unidentified rare race existed, possessing the ability to manipulate circular energy because their origins are related to outer space. This advanced race visited the world of One Piece, sharing their knowledge and skills to empower its inhabitants and change their status quo so anyone could evolve and become who they dreamed to be. In its purest form, this energy manifests as fire, aligning with Vegapunk's assertion of fire's versatility as an energy source. However, it can be transformed into other forms, such as Devil Fruits, suggesting its true power lies in the ability to induce mutation. I hypothesize that Sanji, and potentially the entire Vinsmoke family, descends from this extraterrestrial or celestial race.

Although there is the possibility that Sanji has these abilities because of genetic modification, I don’t believe this is the case.

Let's revisit Judge and his duel with Sanji. During their confrontation, Judge witnessed Sanji utilizing Diable Jambe, yet he displayed no discernible surprise.

It's important to remember that at this point in the narrative, Judge believed Sanji to be a "failed experiment" due to Sora's interference. Therefore, Sanji's actions during the duel did not sufficiently alarm Judge to question the possibility of genetic alterations in Sanji, similar to those undergone by Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju.

Furthermore, upon acquiring his suit, Germa Sanji's intended ability was invisibility, not fire, as speculated by fans.

So if Sanji's fire abilities were not a product of Judge's scientific modifications, they must originate from his genetic inheritance—either from Sora or Judge.

While I personally favor the possibility of Sora as the source, I believe the origin lies within Judge himself. However, it stems from the aspect of his family that he vehemently denies and despises: the empathetic and emotional side that generates flames.

Oda has stated that Sanji's affinity for fire is rooted in his burning heart. More specifically, I believe this energy is activated by his capacity for love and passion, qualities absent in his brothers thanks to Judge. This is something I will talk about more in future topics.

Sanji, Devil Fruits and the Lineage Factor

Despite these speculations, we all know that Sanji's core essence remains his love and his passion for cooking.

Yet, even in the Baratie Arc, when the world of One Piece was still being introduced, Oda emphasized the connection between Sanji, cooking, and fire.

We observed Pearl, a henchman from Don Krieg's crew, spontaneously combusting in a fit of panic. This mirrors Sanji's current tendency to ignite when experiencing intense emotions. Interestingly, the SBS entry discussing Sanji's curly eyebrows appears in the same chapter as Pearl's fiery ability is shown.

While Pearl's abilities are likely fabricated (perhaps utilizing the pearls in his armor as flint), it's intriguing that Oda introduced this concept in Sanji's debut arc, subtly implying a chef's inherent connection to fire.

Therefore, Sanji's connection to fire is a foundational element established by Oda from the very beginning, and I believe it will play a pivotal role in his ultimate narrative arc.

Notably, during his encounter with Ivankov, Sanji's training obviously focused less on traditional combat techniques—which he had mastered by himself—and more on acquiring the enigmatic 99 Recipes of Attack Cuisine.

To understand the significance of this emphasis, let's examine the sole recipe revealed in the manga: Hormone Soup with Sea Pork. Sanji prepared this dish at the conclusion of the Punk Hazard arc, demonstrating its remarkable ability to rejuvenate the consumer's energy and strength.

In some respects, Devil Fruits can be considered a unique type of food that alters an individual's state, similar to how these recipes function.

I'm not suggesting that the 99 Recipes and Devil Fruits are the same; they clearly do not. I am sugesting that both share a key similarity: both act as "magical foods" that alter the human body.

However, while the 99 Recipes are likely designed to enhance specific pre existent aspects of an individual's physique, Devil Fruits are depicted as agents of biological transformation, affecting humans, animals, and even inanimate objects.

This transformation occurs through the consumption of the fruit itself. Oda could have chosen alternative mediums for bestowing extraordinary powers, such as a spell book or a magical fountain (as seen in Pirates of the Caribbean). However, he deliberately selected food as the conduit, suggesting a deeper significance to food in his world and, by association, Sanji's role.

Nevertheless, I believe the biological transformation induced by Devil Fruits surpass any potential outcomes achievable through the 99 Recipes.

Once again, let’s go back to Vegapunk, who is credited with replicating Devil Fruits. Do you recall his observations regarding their significance?

That's right, Vegapunk asserted that Devil Fruits represent the potential for human evolution.

If you're familiar with the X-Men franchise lol, you're likely acquainted with the concept of mutation. While not exclusive to X-Men, this concept is grounded in scientific theory, particularly the work of Hugo de Vries and other pioneering geneticists. These scientists proposed that the driving force of evolution is mutation.

Mutations are defined as alterations in DNA.

From this perspective, Devil Fruits may function by inducing mutations within the user's DNA, enabling them to become embodiments of their innermost desires. Maybe this is how Vegapunk was finally able to produce the Artificial Devil Fruits.

However, while he is credited with its creation, it's crucial to remember his long standing collaboration with Judge. Yonji even acknowledged their joint discovery of the "Lineage Factor," which corresponds to what we understand as DNA.

Therefore, even though Vegapunk may receive credit for replicating Devil Fruits along with Caesar, I believe their essence—the profound connection to human evolution and DNA modification—is inextricably linked to his research conducted in collaboration with Judge.

My theory posits that Vegapunk's insights into these concepts were significantly influenced by the Vinsmokes' centuries-old ability in manipulating DNA. Judge, with access to extensive data on the Vinsmoke lineage, likely provided it to the MADs Scientists.

However, the foundation of these abilities might predate scientific understanding, rooted in the Vinsmokes' inherent capacity to induce mutation through passionate, instinctual means.

Notably, Judge appeared more preoccupied with genetic modification and engineering than with Devil Fruits. He neither created nor utilized any Devil Fruits during the Whole Cake Island arc whilst most former MADS scientists, such as Caesar and even Vegapunk himself, continued their investigations into Devil Fruit production. This suggests that Judge may have viewed Devil Fruits as redundant, having already devised methods to achieve similar effects within his own children without direct reliance on them.

To recap, I believe Vegapunk's understanding of mutation and Devil Fruits was significantly shaped by Judge's scientific investigation into the Vinsmoke lineage's latent mutating potential. While Judge's ancestors may have activated these traits through intense emotions like passion, Judge sought to achieve greater control and predictability through scientific manipulation, "effectively" bypassing the need for emotions or instinct.

The reason I believe it is all connected steems from Thriller Bark arc, when Sanji erupted in a fiery rage at the prospect of Nami being forced into marriage. Zoro remarked, "He is about to transform into something." The kanji used for "transform" (変身 – henshin) was also used as "mutate" in some translations.

So I believe that Sanji's outburst not only produced flames but also seemed to induce some type of "mutation" within his body. However, we probably still have not seen the final form of this transformation.

Interestingly, according to crepes-suzette-373, a Tumblr user who analyzes the manga in its original language, the Japanese verb used for this transformation is also associated with the concept of "henshin" in Kamen Rider, Sailor Moon and others.

So Sanji's rage, fueled by his love for Nami, ignited these fiery transformations.

This phenomenon might explain Judge's disdain for emotions like empathy and love. He likely perceived them as unreliable and uncontrollable catalysts for these mutations, potentially hindering his ultimate goals. By employing scientific methods, Judge sought to harness the Vinsmoke family's inherent mutative abilities while minimizing the influence of these perceived "weaknesses" – emotions like love.

However, I firmly believe that Judge did not entirely suppress his children's emotions. You can find my detailed reasoning [here], and suzette has also presented their analysis based on the original Japanese translation [here]. In summary, I believe Judge's primary objective was to eradicate empathy, love, and the passion for life – the very qualities that define humanity – rendering his children more easily controlled and subservient to his brutal commands.

Sanji's flashback reveals that his "normal" human birth, with its capacity for love, led him to pursue interests deemed frivolous and detrimental to his father's ambitions and royal status, such as cooking. Judge appeared visibly frustrated by Sanji's unwavering dedication to these pursuits, despite numerous reprimands. I believe Judge concluded early on that love was a significant obstacle to his plans and actively sought to eradicate it within his children. Sanji's resistance to this conditioning further intensified Judge's animosity towards his son.

The events of the Whole Cake Island arc illustrate the devastating consequences of Judge's actions and beliefs. Deprived of love and passion, his children were nearly defeated, lacking the intrinsic motivation to fight for their survival. Ultimately, it was Sanji, driven by the fiery love ignited within his heart, who returned to save them, demonstrating the profound strength of human connection and the limitations of Judge's cold, calculated approach.

Speaking of this love, let’s go to the next topic.

The Will of Love

To recap, Vegapunk was the one who gave us the information that Devil Fruits are connected to people’s desires and human evolution.

“Every Devil Fruit is a possibility for human evolution that someone desired. If only I could be like this… If only I could be like that. All of those powers represent the many branches of the future of humanity.”

I think that desire can be strongly associated with will. While desire is the emotional or internal longing for something, will represents the determination and action taken to pursue that goal.

Willpower is a crucial element in One Piece. I mean, the Will of D, right? Just like religious elements such as gods, devils, and forbidden fruits exist in One Piece, so does the concept of willpower.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, will is defined as:

The ability to control your thoughts and actions in order to achieve what you want; a feeling of strong determination to pursue something.

Willpower signifies the unwavering determination to pursue one's goals and dreams.

I believe Haki, particularly Conqueror's Haki, embodies this concept in the One Piece universe. In this world, an individual's will can attain such immense strength that it not only influences those around them but also defies the very laws of physics, altering the course of reality.

Is not mutation, at its core, a form of change, specifically a profound alteration at the DNA level?

I believe Sanji demonstrated this principle during his brief encounter with Kizaru in Egghead. Through sheer force of will, I think he defied the laws of physics by absorbing Kizaru's laser beam – a feat seemingly impossible, even within the extraordinary realm of One Piece.  Franky’s and Kizaru’s shocked expressions highlight just how incredible this moment really was (lol).

However, in typical Sanji fashion, he attributed this extraordinary ability to the power of love. And I believe he is correct.

Love, though often dismissed as cheesy, is a potent force capable of driving individuals to achieve the seemingly impossible for the sake of others. Just as freedom fuels Luffy's unwavering will, I believe love serves as the driving force behind Sanji's extraordinary feats, empowering him to transcend human limitations and become both powerful and unpredictable.

He kind of said that in Thriller Bark, remember?

“A power that can’t be judged by ordinary means… A power to make the impossible possible. It’ll blow everything away. The name of that hurricane is… love.”

This inherent drive was absent in his brothers during the Whole Cake Island arc. They lacked the will, and indeed, the passion, to truly live and fight for the lives of others, even for their own father, Judge.

In contrast, Sanji consistently demonstrated this will. His unwavering determination to become a chef persisted even after months of imprisonment at the hands of his own father. This unwavering spirit enabled him to endure seventy days of starvation and maintain his lifelong dream of finding the All Blue.

However, plagued by self-doubt, he temporarily suppressed this powerful will, feeling indebted to Zeff for saving a life Sanji deemed unworthy.

But Zeff, being the incredible father he is, made Sanji realize he shouldn’t hold himself back. Just like Luffy, Sanji possesses an unyielding will, which Zeff poetically describes as a spear of blind grit.

Through this dialogue with Zeff, I believe that Oda subtly conveys to the readers that Sanji's greatest obstacle lies within himself. Despite his unwavering kindness and encouragement towards others, Sanji struggles with self-compassion, which frequently holds himself back from reaching his full potential.

However, Sanji is gradually overcoming this internal struggle. I think that his inaugural use of Ifrit Jambe exemplifies his growing ability to channel this "spear of blind grit" in accordance with his own moral compass. In Wano, he faced a critical juncture: he could enhance his combat abilities through the Raid Suit, but at the cost of becoming a cold, emotionless killing machine. Instead, he chose a path that aligned with his values, destroying the suit while still leveraging its enhancements, particularly the increased resistance to heat.

This experience suggests that Sanji's previous limitations were also physiological. With his enhanced physical resilience, he now possesses the potential to unleash even more potent flames, limited only by the intensity of his love and passion.

The greater his love, the hotter his flames burn—remember, Oda said his heart burns hotter!!

This powerful connection between love and Sanji is further reflected in his culinary pursuits.

Just by knowing the reasons he chose to be a cook, we know that cooking, for Sanji, is an act of love, a way to express his affection for others and appreciation of life.

Food is not just used to sustain life, it’s also a way to enjoy it. Look at how Luffy and his love for meat, and the fact that most of One Piece's arcs end in a feast. I'm sure that Oda himself also sees the importance of it. Like I said, he could have chosen various outlets to become the source of Power in the world he created, but he chose food.

Furthermore, because of the importance of food and the reason why he is a cook, Sanji's profound impact extends beyond the battlefield. He possesses a remarkable ability to influence and transform those around him, even individuals perceived as cruel, cold, or adversarial. Whether through the compassionate act of cooking or by simply adhering to his unwavering moral code based on love, he inspires profound change in those he encounters.

He has positively impacted the lives of numerous individuals, including Pudding, Gin, Viola, the Marines in Punk Hazard, and even, to a certain degree, Big Mom herself.

So I believe that Willpower is the fundamental force behind the creation of Devil Fruits. Vegapunk himself stated that they are the physical manifestations of dreams, wishes, and desires – embodiments of will brought to life.

Wait, didn’t I previously say that the circular energy Oda mentioned in the SBS was what created the Devil Fruits?

That’s because I believe that Willpower and this circular energy are essentially the same phenomenon, simply described differently depending on the context. For example, the Skypieans refer to Haki as "Mantra" and the people from Wano call Armament Haki Ryuo.

For Sanji's (hypothetical) ancestral race, I think this power manifests in its purest, most versatile form: fire, which in turn can become many other things.

Interestingly, fire holds profound symbolic significance across various cultures besides just destruction.

In Christianity, it often represents God's presence, passionate will, and even the act of creation. The Holy Spirit is often symbolized as a flame as well.

Beyond religious contexts, fire-based powers in popular media frequently symbolize intense emotions, the life force (energy), and even the power of creation. Consider Avatar: The Last Airbender, when Zuko and Aang had to understand the significance of fire beyond its ability to destroy. Or look at X-Men and the Phoenix Force itself.

The Flame of Prometheus in Greek mythology offers another compelling example. It symbolizes the gift of knowledge, innovation, and enlightenment bestowed upon humanity by the Titan Prometheus, who defied the gods by stealing fire. This act represents the empowerment of humanity, enabling progress and civilization.

However, it also signifies the potential dangers of seeking forbidden knowledge, as Prometheus faced divine punishment for his actions. In a way, Devil Fruits can be seen as the "Prometheus flames" of the One Piece world, a powerful force of change that, while offering immense potential, also carries inherent risks, as if Nature itself (a parallel to the gods) deemed their existence a transgression and punishes the users of the Devil Fruits by making them unable to swim. I'm not kidding, this was Vegapunk's explanation to why Devil Fruit users can't swim.

Thus, fire transcends its association with anger and intensity. It also symbolizes transformation, energy, knowledge, and the very essence of life. This inherent versatility likely explains Vegapunk's fascination with harnessing fire as a sustainable energy source.

Let us not forget the Mother Flame, a concept of immense importance in the One Piece world and currently being exploited by the Gorosei and Imu for their own nefarious purposes.

While I don't believe Sanji is a god (lol), I do believe he possesses an extraordinary connection to a powerful, ancient force that is related to Nika somehow.

To recap, my theory suggests that Devil Fruits were created by a race capable of manipulating Willpower, a force that allows them to shape reality, defy the laws of physics, and even induce mutations. This advanced civilization, possibly originating from a realm beyond our own, maybe from outer space, exerted a profound influence on the world, impacting the lives of fish-men, buccaneers, tontattas, humans, and countless other races.

Furthermore, I believe this race sought to use their advanced technology to uplift and improve the world. This era of technological and societal advancement likely coincides with the enigmatic Void Century, a period shrouded in mystery. The youtuber Artur, from the Ohara Youtube chanel already made a theory about what the One Piece is, and to understand it, he theorized what might have happened during the Void Century and before. Give it a look if you’d like.

Anyway, an intriguing connection emerges when considering the Sun God Nika. You might recall that Luffy, in his Nika form, exhibits the same distinctive spiral pattern in his eyebrows as Sanji. This striking similarity might not be mere coincidence.

Furthermore, recent cover stories have revealed that Judge himself possesses eyebrows identical to Luffy's. This observation once again strongly suggests that the curly eyebrow trait is not a result of Judge's genetic enhancements, but rather a hereditary characteristic of the Vinsmoke lineage.

This line of reasoning is what leads me to speculate that the Vinsmokes might be descendants of this ancient, technologically advanced civilization, potentially even possessing a diluted fraction of their power.

Maybe the Vinsmokes and Nika are both from the same race (and Nika was simply the most powerful among them and revered as a god) or Nika himself created that race. But this is a theory to be explored in other posts.

So, where do I think this will lead Sanji? Before answering that, I want to address another important (religious) motif—one that has been present in Sanji’s arc since day one and which I’ve been saving for now:

The Devil and Angels

Early in their introduction, Sanji made a profound declaration to Nami, vowing to do anything for her, even if it meant becoming the Devil himself.

This declaration is further emphasized by his signature moves: Diable Jambe (Devil in French) and its more powerful iteration, Ifrit Jambe.

Moreover, his associated animal is a horned sheep, and the Mink accompanying him during his UFO-gazing expedition may be a goat – both animals carrying significant symbolism related to the Devil in Christian beliefs.

Finally, Sanji's iconic proclamation after defeating Jabra, "God created food. But the Devil created the spices," explicitly acknowledges his own association with the Devil.

So, I think Oda might also be referencing Sanji as some type of Fallen Angel—a creature who fell from the skies after defying devine authority.

While I personally find this interpretation somewhat unsettling (I'm not particularly fond of the idea of comparing Sanji to Lucifer lol), I believe Oda has been subtly hinting at this "Devilish" motif throughout Sanji's character arc. And I have a few reasons to back this up.

First, I believe Oda employs a subtle pattern throughout the series, drawing parallels between the Monster Trio and key figures or symbols from religions of Asia, Europe and America.  Obviously, it’s not a strict rule, but I’m confident that many of their most significant moves and titles follow this pattern.

Luffy, embodying the spirit of the Sun God Nika, draws significant inspiration from pre-Columbian American religions, particularly those of the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs. Keep in mind that Luffy would canonically be Brazilian (even though Brazil wasn’t part of those specific cultures, it is still an American country). Also, the Sun God Nika in One Piece was referenced by the Shandians, a culture clearly inspired by these civilizations. Zoro, with his name inspired by an Indian pirate, his connection to the Ashura (Indian ), and his possession of the sword "Enma" (named after the Japanese King of the Underworld), reflects influences from East Asian religions and cultures. In contrast, Sanji's character appears to draw inspiration from European and Middle Eastern mythology, particularly Christian imagery, hinting at a possible connection to the Fallen Angel archetype.

Furthermore, I believe the term "Devil" in the One Piece world might not always refer to inherently evil beings. Instead, it might be used to describe those who defy established authority and challenge the status quo. Consider the fate of the Ohara archaeologists – individuals who dared to question the official narrative and were subsequently branded as "devils" and brutally suppressed by the World Government.

In reality, I believe the true "devils" are those who wield immense power while masquerading as saviors or gods, engaging in unspeakable acts of cruelty. It is worth noting that the Gorosei, the enigmatic rulers of the world, utilize teleportation techniques that involve symbols strikingly similar to pentagrams.

And with this, I believe that these self-entitled gods—those who place themselves above others—would inevitably awaken the fury of someone like Sanji.

He would willingly take on the role of an antagonist to these so-called gods.  Ironically, despite this rebellious stance, Sanji ultimately serves the true "God" – his captain, Luffy, the embodiment of the Sun God Nika and follows morals that in many ways follow the Christian faith. But this is something to talk about in other posts.

Therefore, while perceived as a "Devil" by those in power, Sanji's actions are ultimately driven by a profound sense of justice and loyalty, aligning him more closely with the archetype of an angel who ultimately serves a higher, noble purpose.

This interpretation gains further credence when examining a specific panel from the Skypiea arc. In this scene, Sanji declares that he will assume the role of the "Blue Demon of the Seas" if the man who considers himself a god (referencing Enel) dares to harm Nami.

It's crucial to note that many translations inaccurately render the term as "monster" instead of "demon." However, several fans, including crepes-suzette, have correctly identified the kanji used in the original Japanese text as the same one that signifies "demon," a term Sanji himself previously employed during his initial encounter with Nami.

Robin’s duality of angelic and demonic attributes is clearly exemplified in her character. Despite being labeled the "Devil Child" from a young age, likely due to her possession of a Devil Fruit, she embodies both qualities.

Even before the incident in Ohara, Robin carried this title, and while I don't rememebr her correcting anyone who called her as such it wasn’t until Wano that she fully embraced it. During her fight against Black Maria, she transformed into a fearsome, demonic entity to protect Sanji—a moment of self-realization where she gained full control over her powers.

However, Robin had previously displayed an angelic side of her abilities, such as when she created wings to help Franky in Thriller Bark.

I believe that Robin's metamorphosis during her fight against Black Maria was a moment of self-realization—a transformation she learned to control using her Devil Fruit powers.

In Wano, her demonic transformation wasn’t just a means of victory—it was a deliberate message to those who threaten her loved ones. By fully embracing the "Devil" title and its terrifying form, Robin demonstrated her resolve to protect those she cares about, mirroring Sanji’s own willingness to sacrifice everything for Nami.

Let us not forget that the very name Oda gave these fruits is "Devil's Fruits."

Perhaps they are called that because they were created by enemies of the government/Imu ("devils"), and the government simply chose a fearsome name to deter people from consuming them.

The kanji for "Devil" (魔) that Sanji uses for his moves (and when he promised he would become a devil for Nami) is the same used for the Devil Fruits (悪魔の実) and for Demon Child (悪魔の子). However, unlike Robin, Sanji's association with the devil motif has no direct connection to Devil Fruits, as he never consumed one. Therefore, I see no reason for him to use this motif other than Oda intentionally connecting him to the race that created (or, more accurately, "cooked") the Devil Fruits.

Lastly, in Egghead, we must remember the significant panel where Saturn appears to undergo a transformation, becoming even more monstrous than before. Through Sanji, we gain insight into Saturn's loss of humanity—an interesting narrative choice by Oda.

Now, it all leads to what might happen to Sanji and what he might mutate into.

Sanji’s Transformation

To understand better what Oda might be planning for Sanji, I’d like to reference other important transformations that many superheroes and characters from popular shows have gone through, especially those related to intense emotions or powers tied to flames:

Jean Grey Phoenix: holds back her power, which manifest as flames

Kamen Rider: has transformations related to his intense emotions

Asura’s Wrath: his anger, rooted in his love for his daughter, ignited his Berzerk transformation

Kevin Levin: motivated by the love to protect his friends he became a powerful, yet psychopathic monster

Since the themes mentioned above have been explored by many writers for their characters, Oda might also adopt similar concepts for Sanji’s development. Let’s talk about them in more detail below — if you are not interested, you may just skip this part lol WATCH OUT FOR SPOILERS OF THE MENTIONED STORIES.

In the Marvel Universe, the Phoenix Force is one of the oldest known cosmic entities, said to predate darkness and the universe. It is considered the spark that ignites creation and the flame that consumes it, perpetuating the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In many media portrayals, Jean Grey, the Phoenix’s most well-known host, must hold back this power because it's deemed too dangerous. In her case, Jean must train not to become stronger, but to restrain her immense powers and control them — it depends on which X-Men adaptation though.

Next, Kamen Rider, which seems to be a significant inspiration for much of Sanji’s lore. Kamen Rider Black, the main hero who was turned into a mutant by an evil organization resembling Germa (and indirectly, the Nazis), was killed and later revived as Kamen Rider Black RX. Through intense emotions, Kamen Rider RX transforms into two distinct forms based on his feelings. When he is enraged, he becomes the Prince of Flames, and when he is filled with sorrow for humanity, he transforms into the Prince of Sadness. In these states, he gains different abilities.

In Asura’s Wrath, the protagonist undergoes a fury-driven transformation after losing someone dear to him. His rage drives him to go berserk against the self-proclaimed “gods” responsible for the attack that killed his loved one. This kind of intense emotional reaction mirrors Sanji’s potential path, where his love could trigger a similar rage-based transformation when someone he cares about deeply is in danger. In the process he could become more cruel.

Finally, in Ben 10 Alien Force, Kevin Levin possesses powers related to energy absorption due to his alien ancestry. He faces an enemy of the same race, and when his friends, particularly the girl he likes, are in danger, Kevin uses his powers (in a dangerous way) to save them. However, this power comes with a cost: as he uses it incorrectly, he risks going insane. Kevin’s eventual turn into an antagonist demonstrates how overwhelming power can lead to a loss of control, paralleling Sanji’s potential struggle with his cruel side, especially when his genetic modifications take hold.

Given these examples, I can see Oda following a similar narrative path for Sanji. My guess is that Sanji will undergo two distinct transformations, with love being the catalyst for both.

The Blue Demon of the Sea Science

The first transformation will likely be a dark, evil persona, where Sanji allows his mutant genes to take over, making his flames burn hotter. This form could mirror the Dark Phoenix (the corrupted side of the Phoenix) or Kevin Levin's monstrous state.

This transformation might resemble Saturn’s metamorphosis, where Sanji becomes more powerful but loses the very emotions—his love and passion—that initially motivated him. In this state, Sanji might temporarily become an antagonist, possibly aligning with Germa’s science and his brothers' ruthless behavior. Eventually, Zoro may be forced to fight him, fulfilling their pact. In this form, Sanji may take on a more devilish appearance.

Heavenly Warrior of Love

For the second transformation, I believe Sanji will overcome his modified genes through his love—probably for Nami. This might lead to him mutating into a more celestial form, perhaps even resembling a Garuda (a mythical bird from Hindu and Buddhist iconography and the other name Judge has). Suzette has an insightful analysis of the Germa Kingdom's imagery as well as the holy fire and more—I recommend checking it out if you're interested!

In Thriller Bark, we already know something like this happened when Sanji's shadow was placed inside the corpse of a penguin/dog.

Because Moria, who performed the transfer, did not know Sanji's true strength, he used a weak body. This led to a surprise for most of Moria's henchmen, as Penguin Sanji demonstrated immense will.

However, what shocked them the most was Sanji overcoming his programming and refusing to hurt Nami when it was implied he had to. Sanji himself said it was due to the power of love, so I’m sure Oda will revisit a moment like this again, but on a much larger scale.

Though I prefer to stick to official material from the manga, there is an intriguing moment in the One Piece Pirate Warriors game where Sanji is overpowered by an external force that drives him to act evil. However, when he is forced to hurt Robin, he stops because his moral code—especially his vow never to kick a woman—proves stronger than any external influence. This shows just how deeply rooted his values are and how much they shape his actions, regardless of the power that might control him.

We saw how in Egghead, the motif of how love overcomes science was shown through a lot of characters, I.e. Seraphim Hancock when she decided to help the Straw Hats because of original Hancock's love to Luffy and Kuma overcoming his programing to save his daughter, Bonney.

So, I imagine Oda could use this idea (of Sanji fighting against any genetic programming/science) in the manga on a much larger scale.

Visually, for his transformations, I imagine Sanji's entire body could burst into bluish flames (not just his legs), taking on an inhuman silhouette during moments of extreme emotion. I think this fits with a few moments in the manga where he bursts into flames, and his hair even seems to turn into horns.

Also, can you imagine if this state—since it pushes his hair upward—revealed both of his eyes?

Maybe in his second transformation, he gains control over both his modified and inherited genes, visually symbolized by his eyebrows.

Let's remember, the eyebrows change direction when activating his genes (I still don’t fully understand how they work, but that’s an analysis for another time, lol). In his normal human state, they point left. But what if he finds equilibrium, and his eyebrows become symmetrical?

Notice how Judge's eyebrows, like Nika's, are actually symmetrical.

It’s just speculation, but it would be fun to see, hehe.

With Sanji’s incredible speed, if you saw him moving from afar, he’d resemble a shooting star streaking across the sky. A bit like the animation for Todoroki when he uses his fire powers for the first time

To conclude, there’s something else about Sanji that might connect him to the Heavens:

The All Blue

Yes, I’m going there.

My main theory remains that the All Blue is located in Fishman Island but still needs to “transform” into the All Blue after Luffy destroys the Red Line. However, let’s set that aside for now and focus on an interesting video I found by a Japanese fan who translates the One Piece manga, Dawn&Dusk.

He made a video that talked about the All Blue and discovered something so intriguing that I’m starting to consider another possibility.

In the video, the youtuber points out a draft from Oda where Zeff talks about the All Blue. However, what he says is quite different from what we read in the final version of the manga.

Zeff states:

"I’ve already lost my traveling companions. I don’t want to continue the journey with anyone but them. They were precious fools who accompanied me for a silly legend (...) That place transcends this world. In a year of sailing, I saw the possibility of All Blue in that place."

The translator explained that the kanji used for "transcend" carries the connotation of “greatly surpassing common sense, being exceptionally outstanding, and achieving something considered ‘impossible.’” It also suggests a state far removed from mundane affairs.

The translator speculated that the All Blue and Laugh Tale might exist in another dimension—a place beyond the world of One Piece. You can watch it and see what you think!

In my opinion, this could change a lot of things, especially regarding Oda’s plans for Sanji. Many have theorized that the All Blue symbolizes a new era of unity and freedom, and I think that’s Oda’s goal. But what if the All Blue is more than that? What if it already exists, but is in another world—a sort of Heaven, accessible only to gods or spirits, that will eventually be brought to Earth?

It’s somewhat similar to The Legend of Korra, season 2, whose universe has a spirit world, accessible through a portal, until the Avatar merges it with the physical world. Or even the world that Chihiro is transported to in Spirited Away.

I know it sounds unlikely, but that’s the fun part, right? I don’t really care about being right; I just enjoy how Oda has created so many intriguing elements around one character that we can endlessly analyze.

Even if I don’t agree with how he resolves some narrative elements, it’s always curious to see where he’ll take us next. So let’s keep reading and guessing! I hope you had fun reading my theory.

Also, knowing Oda, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of these connections were just happy coincidences he came up with on the spot.

I remember an interview where Taz Skylar said he asked Oda a lot about One Piece (and Sanji), and most of the answers were simply, “Because I thought it would be cool.” lol

I'm sure I'm seeing a lot of things that Oda didn't really intend to have a deeper meaning, but since he hasn’t confirmed them, everything is possible, right? And I don't think it takes away the fact that some of the things he wrote, Oda was indeed planning for a long time.

Anyway, what would your crazy theory about Sanji be? Or maybe about Nami, or even both? Let me know!

For Sanji I still haven't brought up what his role to the story of One Piece could be, I’m still trying to gather my thoughts about this, so let me know if you are interested and I will post something in the future.

[doublerainebow]

Roronoa Zoro x Reader

Look, I gotta be honest, I've never actually watched One Piece outside of the episodes that would air on Toonami back in the day, and I only really cared enough about it because my brother-in-law and my irl best friend both LOVE One Piece... and now my older brother is getting into One Piece too... but like I said in a previous post, I caved and ended up watching the One Piece Live Action (though I guess it didn't help that seeing Taryn cosplay as Zoro kinda reawakened my crush on ZoloZoro as a 4kids)... and I'm also sick right now and I have nothing better to do than write some Zoro boyfriend headcanons apparently. Aside from watching the OPLA, I did do my research on Zoro.. research being reading his page on the OP Wiki 😂😂

Okay, I'm rambling too much and this is still the introduction asdfghjkl

EDIT: Added the links lmao

~ Masterlist ~

The way Mackenyu said that he looked at his wife and knew that he wanted to marry her (supposedly, I couldn't find any concrete sources for this save for a YouTube video using TTS... but hey, it fed my imagination for this), I felt that so much for Zoro.

Of course, it doesn't happen overnight for Zoro. It takes a while, maybe even years, for him to look at you and be like, "I wouldn't mind settling down with you if possible." Oh boy, but when it does happen, he becomes very perceptive of you.

Just like his training, he takes his relationship with you very seriously, and even if he doesn't act on his feelings for you straight away--because one, he has a strong sense of duty to Luffy first, and two, you'd be his first and maybe only romantic partner ever--he'd still reserve a certain amount of softness and gentleness to you when not in the presence of others.

Let's go back to Zoro's perceptiveness really quickly. Yes, my man can be a dumbass at the best and worst of times and we all love that about him, but when it comes down to what's important, he knows how to analyze and read the situation. So, because he views you as someone important and someone he should take seriously, he's going to personally be making sure that you're okay, mentally, emotionally, and physically. He's that dedicated to you.

There will be times where his loyalty to Luffy might have to take center stage in the relationship, especially if its during a critical juncture, rest assured that he will do his best to make it up to you afterwards. He doesn't voice it often because of his strong loyalty to Luffy, but there are brief times in which he wishes that he could just spend time with you.

Now, Zoro isn't one for PDA, he gets very embarrassed by it because showing affection in public isn't something that he's comfortable with doing, but, get him out of public and into private, that man is on you, no question. The most affection he's comfortable with showing in public is you two taking a nap together, or even sharing a bottle together (which is very hard to get him to do, the man loves his alcohol, so congrats if you manage it).

As an official romantic partner, he's actually very sweet. Yes, he can come off as very blunt and cold sometimes, but he's just being honest with you. To him, its more important to be truthful than to sugarcoat things. For you, however, he's working on saying things more gently if in the case you get hurt by his initial blunt tendencies. Past that, however, he tends to you with the same care he tends to his swords. He sees a fruit or snack that you adore in the markets when he's helplessly lost? He'll absolutely buy it for you. Finds an item you've been wanting for a while? Don't worry, he's already paying for it. He finds out that you maybe feel a bit homesick? He'll begrudgingly ask Sanji to cook one of your favorite hometown dishes. He sees that you're feeling down on yourself? He's there to either quietly lend an ear or his presence, whichever you need. My man is an attentive boyfriend.

Also also, Zoro is a man of few words, so don't expect to hear him say, "I love you," very often, but that's okay. He's a man of few words, but his actions speak so much for him. You can feel him say those words in the way he kisses you thoughtfully, in the way he holds you so securely to him when you two nap or sleep together, in the way he dutifully monitors your alcohol intake (if you drink alcohol of course), in the way he tends to you carefully if you get hurt in a fight. To him, words are useless and actions mean so much more.

In other words, Zoro would make the best boyfriend in his special own way.

[radishaur]

𖦹 relationship dynamics 𖦹

Warnings: vague mentions of Sabaody & Marineford for Luffy and Thriller Bark for Zoro but nothing actually gets spoiled Genre: fluff/character study Characters: Luffy, Zoro, & Law Summary: A deep dive into the unique reader personality and relationship dynamic between each one and their respective one piece man. Author's Note: This has been in the works for a while so hopefully this adds some clarity to the way I view each reader and their relationship with their man! Hopefully, it points out some of the larger themes I try to keep between each part. My aim was to address my own personal breakdowns of each One Piece guy, the reader, and their dynamic, so please enjoy! masterlist

For this relationship, I think that it runs on freedom. Luffy is driven by nothing more than his own whims and determinations, which includes his want to have an amazing adventure. Having a partner who not only shares that journey with him but enjoys it, even seeks it out themselves, would make all the difference.

Luffy's reader in this series is someone with a strong sense of self. I imagine they have a goal, much like the rest of the Strawhats, but they're also ok with taking the long road. They know what they want, but they're here for the adventure and that's half of the fun. They engage in Luffy's silly antics and they always laugh at his jokes. How could you not, when he's laughing at them himself? They're strong, but they also place complete faith in Luffy's ability to protect, which I think is another huge thing for him. He's so intent on making sure nothing like Sabaody or Marineford ever happens again so having a partner that believes wholeheartedly in his ability to do that would mean a lot to him.

Contrary to popular belief, I don't think Luffy can never sit still although I think normally he would always rather be doing something. But, I think the quiet moments of solitude the two spend together and the intimate understanding they have of each others more hidden whims or secrets thrives in those moments. They can fully be themselves with no worry of judgment or awkwardness. Lastly, I think that the reader realizes their feelings first but Luffy certainly makes up for lost time with his enthusiasm.

This is a relationship built on a shared joy for life and its adventures, on complete understanding and support, and that's why it works.

A relationship with Zoro is one that functions on stability and routine. Zoro is resolutely dedicated to his goal and he wouldn't want a partner that would get in his way. This reader is someone who feels the same way about their goal, and their shared passion and dedication to their goals is what I imagine brings them together.

The reader in this story has a really forward personality. Zoro is a no-nonsense person, he doesn't play games when it comes to his words or actions, so he would need a partner who respects that and acts the same. That being said, the reader loves to tease him, sometimes on purpose and sometimes not. You can't really blame them with how flustered he gets. At the end of the day though, there's an implicit trust in their bond that I think their relationship is built on. Like captain like first mate, I think Zoro has a huge thing for protection. He views his role as the protector of not only his dream but his captain and the crew's, and we see this in Thriller Bark really clearly, so for Zoro to let his guard down is a big deal.

Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame and he is constantly looking behind him for any sign of trouble. Maybe he gets lost along the way, but he prides himself on protecting so for him to let you into his space, to let you touch him in his most vulnerable spaces, to share his time relaxing, it means everything. You both support each other's ambitions and dreams, but you also support each other's care and well-being. Lastly, I think that Zoro falls first but his denial is strong. At first, because he thinks it would be a distraction for his own goal and then, once he gets over that, because he thinks it would be a distraction from yours. Finally, he gets sick a tired of it playing tricks with his head and decides to come out with it, which is the best decision he's ever made.

This relationship is built on a deep respect of each others dreams and their drives to get there, but also on their constant care for one another and their wellbeing.

For almost all of these relationships, I think the reader's ability to really see their respective partner is what makes the relationship but I think for Law especially this is true. Law puts up a mask of indifference that is second to none, so a reader who can see past it, into the truth of who Law really is, is absolutely essential for this relationship.

The reader in this series is patient, which is a must when it comes to Law. They have their goals and dreams, but they're content to go on this journey and explore. They don't want to be a burden, mostly because they see how much weight Law takes up for himself. They're not necessarily quiet, but they're observant, picking up on the smaller details. They want to relieve some of that weight, make sure that everybody is having a good time, and that's especially true when it comes to Law. Law is stubborn and he doesn't let people in easily, so this reader is open for every way that he can't be. They speak their mind, they express their affection and admiration openly, because they can and they want to.

Law is the epitome of actions that speak louder than words. Verbal praise is scarce and he rarely ever says how he actually feels, but it is glaringly obvious in the way he acts. His choices are deliberate, his actions always filled with intent. He gets flustered easily by the way the reader so casually speaks their mind, but he enjoys it. There's no mind games there, no trick or betrayal lurking around the corner. It lets his mind relax for once and I think that really strengthens the relationship. Whether he wants it to be true or not, and trust me when I say that in the beginning he really didn't want it to be true, the reader relaxes him. He can be himself. Reader has seen him at his worst, most ugliest moments, and still chooses him over and over. Lastly, I think the reader absolutely fell first in this situation, but Law fell almost twice as hard. Law's devotion is a labor to obtain, but once it has been earned, it is fierce and eternal.

This is a relationship built on quiet understanding, compassion, and deep-rooted admiration, and it flourishes as a result.

ღ radishaur — i do not own any of these characters. do not plagiarize. please enjoy and remember to be respectful! 

[tossawary]

So, I started thinking about a Kuina Lives + Strawhat Kuina AU specifically because of a paragraph on the wiki page. I was looking up info on Shimotsuki Village while I was taking down notes for a potential Pre-Canon ZoLu fic inspired by the live-action show.

Allegedly, the infamous 4kids dub CHANGED things so that Kuina didn't die, she was PERMANENTLY DISABLED to the point of being unable to pursue her dream. And my brain went: "?!" I see no reason why (aside from a few very extreme cases of disability) a disabled Kuina could not become a Strawhat pirate and go on adventures anyway! (Franky is a CYBORG who looks increasingly like a MECHA and Chopper's pills are BONKERS.)

Relevant quote: "Per standard policies, the 4Kids-dubbed anime censored her death, stating that she had been permanently injured by the friends of a man she'd defeated (and removing all scenes depicting her funeral or grave)." Which is driving my brain UP THE WALL with possibility when Kuina and Tashigi also supposedly both have names referencing flightless birds. The THEMES. The SYMBOLISM.

Personally, I still prefer Kuina becoming injured in an innocuous fall rather than having people directly responsible for her physical disability. The degree of her injury depends on what story that a person is individually writing. I see two potential ways forward (of many) that both interest me.

OPTION A: Kuina is physically disabled to the point of being unable to fight well generally, especially with swords. She uses a wheelchair and crutches to get around, and has some other lingering issues. So, like, she can definitely still whack people with a sword and shoot a gun, but Zoro is wielding Wado Ichimonji because Kuina feels she cannot do it justice. (But she's still supervising!!! She's Zoro's coach.)

Kuina's grandfather was a swordsmith, so in this case, she would end up in a smith, weapons expert, and quartermaster role for the Strawhats. She, Usopp, and Franky can be the Crafting Team! Ship maintenance crew! Kuina takes Merry's sinking nearly as badly as Usopp does.

OPTION B: Kuina has "mostly" recovered from her injury, which set her back for several years, but is still struggling. A dedicated female fighter on the Strawhat crew is VERY tempting as an idea. Monster quartet, yes? Yes! She's wielding Wado Ichimonji and Zoro is still searching for his own dedicated swords.

She could still be a swordsmith and quartermaster in this case! In either case, A or B, I think it might be cool to give Kuina a hook? (Kuina @ Crocodile: "Compensating for something, huh?") She could get other prosthetics or just super cool assistive devices as the story goes on with Chopper and Franky's help.

KUINA'S POTENTIAL ARCS: I do really like the idea of Kuina (if she can still fight with a sword) and Zoro moving forward together, neck and neck, for the title of World's Greatest Swordsman. I think it would be cool to come to a resolution that the title is more or less something that they can share? Like, only one of them can beat Mihawk in a "fair" duel, so that's an issue in the competition between them, but I do like the idea of the two of them going back and forth beating each other in duels, at the top of the world together.

Arguably, when Zoro sacrifices himself at the end of the Thriller Bark Arc, he has come to the resolution that he'll give up his dream for Luffy and the crew, where he gives up the last remnants of being self-centred and throws himself completely behind Luffy's philosophy of friendship and enjoying the journey. He still wants to be the World's Greatest Swordsman, but his crew comes first. I don't recall after this point any reckless moments of a similar nature to him stabbing himself in Orange Town when fighting Buggy's crew to prove a point. Zoro's recklessness culminates in sacrificing himself with purpose.

It does feel a little weak, but... Kuina could decide that she's comfortable in her own skills and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. She KNOWS she's as good as Zoro is. She can declare herself the World's Greatest Swordswoman and let Zoro fight Mihawk. (They did probably flip a coin over it or something.) Maybe she never really wanted to be the World's Greatest, maybe she just wanted to live her life the way that she chose, and felt like becoming the World's Greatest was the only way of permanently shutting up every sexist jerk who has ever talked down to her. (They will never shut up. Sexist jerks will always find something to nitpick.)

ALTERNATIVELY: Kuina could have a heartbreaking and healing story about having to give up your dream because it's not physically possible anymore. Even if this is a story where she's still fighting as a swordswoman with Wado Ichimonji and is monstrously dangerous, maybe her physical disability prevents her from now fighting on Zoro's level, which really fucking sucks for her when she feels like she has so much to prove as a woman.

Shounen manga has always had an issue where the solution to some fights is that the protagonist just needs to "fight harder, yell louder, and believe in himself more", even when the protagonist is bleeding from everywhere. "One Piece" is fun because there are plenty of fights and problems where the protagonists succeed due to being genuinely clever, but there are other fights where it's all about a manifestation of willpower (sometimes literally). And this often works thematically.

I think Kuina would be interesting as a character for how she could contrast against Zoro, so I'm leaning towards giving her a very different story rather than making her Zoro 2.0 (Female).

For example, where Zoro is reckless, I think Kuina might be cautious, especially if she's been badly injured before and is still struggling. In flashbacks, she's open about her problems and anger to Zoro because he's her friend and also a safe target - he's an outsider / outlier in the dojo and she can beat him in a fight. In a martial school that probably demands some level of respectful behavior, Kuina might not display the same bravado and unhappiness to her father, who is also her teacher and responsible for the sexism that she's internalized.

If she's a swordswoman still, I don't know that she would challenge Mihawk at the Baratie. For one thing, it's STUPID. Zoro had to KNOW that he was nowhere near Mihawk's level and he's lucky that Mihawk had some level of honor and curiosity to spare him. If Mihawk had been a little more of an asshole, that would have been the end of Zoro's dream. He was really stupid there (affectionate, that's my boy). The smart thing to do is keep your mouth shut and live to challenge Mihawk another day, but I think Kuina would also hate herself for this kind of "cowardice".

Her personal struggle as a character might be with reserve and fear of risk, whether this culminates in her ultimately overcoming all obstacles and succeeding in her dream with the help of her friends, or in her giving up her dream due to a physical disability (or multiple physical disabilities) that is no fault of her own in favor of a new dream. You could try your best to combine all of these different elements into Kuina's arcs and abilities. There's a lot of possibility.

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, final round of bracket one

Propaganda:

For Zoro:

Literally training to be the greatest swordsman in the world. Has a special three swords technique (one blade in each hand plus one with the handle held in his teeth). I haven't read the manga or watched the anime but the live action adaptation gives me extremely gay vibes and based on the fandom things I've seen I'm not the only one

bro uses three swords. has one in his mouth. dont ask how the HELL he manages that. one day he will be the worlds greatest swordsman....after he beats the current greatest for both the titles of greatest swordsman and fruitiest swordsman. he's dramatic as FUUUCK like bro what the hell. has homoerotic fights with the local twink like everyday. directionally challenged, can and will get lost in a paper bag, doesnt know left from right...he probably cant read, too. hes too silly ngl

First of all, im in like episode 250 and so far he hasnt been shown attracted to any woman at all during the whole show so far, not even when one changed clothes in the same room as him and this is anime so you know there were other characters with bloody noses and shit. With that out of the way he wields three swords at once [two in his hands, one is his goddamn mouth dude. Its cool af trust me.] When he was little he made a promise to his best friend that he'd be the best swordsman in the world. Later she died in a tragic accident and left her sword which he still uses today. He also carries a cursed sword but he overpowers the curse with a combination of skill and sheer luck. He got stuck in a chimney. While his crewmates sail their ship he takes naps. He learned how to cut through metal by fighting a guy who could turn his body into metal blades. That's metal. He refuses to fight this liberal marine officer because she looks like his childhood best friend and its just understandably really awkward for him. He's autistic. He's a he/him bisexual lesbian. He's a gay man. He's ace/aro. He's whatever you want him to be babey!!

he has 3 swords, wields one in his mouth sometimes, his dream is to be the greatest swordsman in the world

three swords and big aroace-spec gay vibes

He not only has a sword he has *three* swords. He's absolutely gay there's no way to see this man as straight. Also one time he licked his sword for no reason and that was really funny to me so I had to mention it

Look, this man thinks about three things: Swords, His Captain, and Booze. He’s on a quest to be the worlds greatest swordsman. The Live action has a scene where he declares his undying, unwavering loyalty to his captain WHILE reaffirming his promise to be the worlds greatest swordsman. At this point His dream and his Captain are so intertwined it’s crazy. Man is so sword-y he’s got three of them. When one of his swords broke he carried its empty scabbard until he was able to give it a SWORD FUNERAL. He hears a sword is cursed and takes that as a challenge. He will literally tell his swords off for “bad behavior” when they “act up” due to being straight up cursed. He tests one by throwing it in the air and sticking his arm out to see if it is so blood thirsty and ill tempered that it will cut him. Even though he’s literally the first mate if you ask him what his role is he’s going to answer Swordsman.

He's dedicated his life to two things: becoming the greatest swordsman in the world and his captain, Luffy. 

He mastered the three sword style. Its his style. It would've been more swords but he could only fit one sword in each hand and one in his mouth. He wants to be the world's greatest swordsman, a deal he made with his childhood best frenemy (before she died falling down the stairs). He thought he was All That at the start and was almost completely decimated by the actual Worlds Greatest Swordsman. Now, after two years forced training with that guy, he's probably in the top tier no-doubt, and honestly could already be the best but we just don't know for sure yet. Also, did I mention: he's got the whole demon/devil imagery going on at times. And he has absolutely no sense of direction! plus is a total softie when it comes to Chopper and all the children who somehow gravitate towards him. And he loves naps!

One of the guy's main goals in life is to be the best sword fighter and he fights with three swords which I think is telling enough of his skill.

For Xena:

It is HER! The OG woman with a blade! 

Her show was so iconic that any lesbian over the age of 30 knows her IMMEDIATELY because this show probably helped her have her awakening. Fandom foremothers and fathers rise up and get your gal a title.

An all around badass, bisexual woman, comfortable with many different bladed weapons. Her show was so much better than Hercules people forget his exists.

Xena is one of the OGs: once a baddie who turned good, she's a warrior who uses swords, daggers, and her trusty chakram to defeat evil and defend the innocent, while traveling with her kickass girlfriend Gabrielle. 

She has many skills

[onepiece-polls]

One Piece Crack Ship Poll - Round 2 Side D

Saby art by @cephalopodux

Propaganda under the cut.

Saby:

Why vote sabo and coby? Sabo dedicates his whole life fighting against the system, coby dedicates his whole life to serving the people. This is a ship about ideals, about helping people, about the reluctant acceptance that yes, this person from the other side thats supposed to be my enemy has the same opinions as me. Sabo at the top of the revolutionaries, coby steadily rising through marine ranks. That alone makes for an incredibly fun dynamic. they‘d be like schroedingers divorce, they‘re together they‘re divorced, they‘ve never been together. They live completely different lives that sometimes briefly and intensely clash. Not fun enough? Coby joins sword. Which means he‘s given up proper position as a marine to help people without having to follow commands. He‘s allowed to do what he wants but at the same time the government can drop him at any time and that‘s a risk he‘s willing to take because his dream isn’t just being a marine, it‘s being a good one. What i‘m saying is the organisation sword just has a fascinating relationship to justice and helping people that so strongly overlaps with the RA and coby and sabo should kiss about it. There can also be some animosity in the beginning stages as a treat. Some being enemies. For funsies.

They'd be enemies on principal because of their respective organizations, but they have similar ideals and their love of luffy would bring them together! Theres so much potential for angst and yearning! Their jobs keep them incredibly busy, they're constantly putting their lives on the line, and the news is full of propaganda, so they're constantly stress reading the news and having to trust that their partner isn't committing atrocities.

SasaDrake: Dino boyfriends. Drake deserves a bear to love and cuddle with. Drake also has some daddy issues that Sasaki can probably fix (despite only being 1 year older). Drake feels like he has to be this tough, distant guy, but with Sasaki he can be soft, he can let himself feel. Honestly, I mainly see this working in AU settings. In a modern au they're both huge dinosour nerds and use that to bond over. But in canon, I can see them spending a night together after partying. A slip up, which they won't talk about at first (despite Sasaki trying to). After the whole fight at Onagashima, they part ways, but after a while, they find each other again and get together for real. Maybe Sasaki has decided not to be a pirate anymore, maybe Drake just doesn't care as long as he's a good (fish)man at heart.

[quinloki]

as somebody who is really interested in tarot but is SO BAD at memorizing the card meanings (i've decided to just make my own custom oracle deck at this point), i'm curious if you had any headcanons/thematic ties between the major arcana and one piece characters??

hope this isn't too far out of left field! <3

IT IS NOT - THIS IS FANTASTIC

Two of my favorite things - MY TWO FAVORITEST THINGS IF I HAD TO PICK \o/ THIS IS LIKE A FREE CHRISTMAS

Forgive me, this'll be a bit off the top of my head, so I may make adjustments at some later date, but I absolutely MUST do my best to answer this RIGHT NOW. (I'm vibrating I'm so delighted by this \lol/)

0 The Fool/Luffy - The Fool isn't an idiot, as some people assume based on the name of the card, he's on a journey - as a matter of fact, it's a journey he takes *through* the major arcana. He learns about the world, and himself - about injustices and his own morals and limits. The Fool is about the journey.

1 The Magician/Shanks - The Magician is effectively the Fool's first teacher. The Magician card is as above, so below. He's all the major suits, he's magic and power. Good or Evil isn't relevant (though generally it's always positive to see this card).

2 The High Priestess/Nami - The Priestess is strong girl power - well, strong "things we often associate with feminine energy". She doesn't back down, she knows her strengths, and her weaknesses. There's a bluntness here too, and a fierceness. It's very "That look Nami gave Sanji on Whole Cake Island."

3 The Empress/Nico Robin - The Empress is more a motherly vibe and less a Strong Boss Lady vibes. She's caring, nurturing, protective, but not restrictive. There's a caring vibe that resonates with this that isn't really found in the Priestess.

4 The Emperor/Jinbei - I'm just name some moments - Making Luffy remember his nakama, giving him his blood, not joining when he wanted too - joining when he could do it right. Supporting Luffy even from a distance. Stern, strong, wise, educated, Supportive. Big Good Masculine Vibes.

5 The Hierophant/Monkey D. Garp - The hierophant is a teacher of sorts, kind of a societal vibe vs what The Magician teaches. Here to show you the path you "should" travel. Not necessarily the path you're going to want to travel - just know the road's probably going to be bumpier if you don't listen to him, but contextually, it could be more rewarding.

6 The Lovers/Roronoa Zoro - The Lovers Does NOT MEAN JUST ROMANTIC LOVE or sexy love or whatever. The Lovers is a card about dedication, devotion - being there for someone completely, and that person being there for you completely. Partners. This is a good Kid x Killer vibe card too.

7 The Chariot/Thousand Sunny - The Chariot is about motion, but controlled motion. There's generally no reins being depicted for this card (sometimes there is), but the person is still in control. The crew didn't have much direction when the Merry Go was their ship, but comparatively, they did with Sunny.

8 Strength/Usopp - Strength isn't usually talking about physical strength. It's strength of will. Why Usopp? Facing off against Luffy was an immense show of strength, and his growth after that was even more so. It's very much inline with the card.

9 The Hermit/Sanji - The Hermit doesn't *want* to be alone, but the Hermit often needs it. Not the kind of alone that means shoving everyone away, the kind of alone that sits on the bow of the ship and contemplates their sense of self. Sanji has a lot of work to do in this, but I also think he's a character who has done a LOT of it long before he met Zeff.

10 Wheel of Fortune/The whole bloody series honestly - The Wheel Turns, and things change. This card means whatever is going on now, isn't going to be going on tomorrow. The good times will end, the bad times won't last forever. Everything changes. Appreciate the good while you can, and weather the hard times knowing they won't last.

11 Justice/ - Hrm.

12 The Hanged Man/Trafalgar Law - Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. Sometimes you need to just Stop and Think about things. Maybe Law over thinks sometimes (he certainly has the whole "sacrifice oneself for the greater good" vibe going one, which can also be a thing for this card.)

13 Death/The Going Merry - Change is inevitable, and while the Wheel is about day to day changes, Death is about BIG changes. Changes that don't leave you the same as they found you. Changes that can break you if you don't roll with them - Changes you CANNOT outrun.

14 Temperance/Several Characters- Temperance is about balance, a lot like Justice, but with Temperance there is emotion that you don't find in Justice. My knee jerky reaction places several characters here - Robin's mom, Nami's mom, and Rosinante (my apologies for being bad with names and not wanting to break from this to look them up.) These people all had a strong connection to temperance - doing what needed done, not because of logic or justice, but because of love.

15 The Devil/Doflamingo - The Devil is about choice. Generally it's about negative choices and not positive ones, because it's about the chains that bind us to the things that pull us down. It's about crumbling and failing because we chose to do things the way we did. I liken Doffy to this, since we often don't see what it is we're doing wrong, and with the wrong people around us, well, we just keep going headlong into the wrong path. (Doffy isn't the devil in this card, Trebol could be, but Doffy is definitely the one in chains).

16 The Tower/Marine ford - I don't know that I really need to say anything else ^^;

17 The Star/Silvers Rayleigh - Thinking back to how this is story of journey for the Fool, Rayleigh is the perfect character to follow Marine Ford. He didn't heal Luffy like Law did, he didn't heal him like how Jinbei did. He just offered hope - a chance to recover from the rough and harsh lessons that came before him, and make sure Luffy could continue forward on his own.

18 The Moon/Momonosuke - Wary, anxious - the moon is about intuition, but not "oh I knew they were gonna kiss" kinds of intuition. It's about knowing something is wrong, something is looming, something is unavoidable and you don't know WHY you're nervous and afraid (or maybe you have an inkling) you just are. The moon is fear of the unknown, and it's not a card that has any answers most of the time - you just have to get through it.

19 The Sun/Sabo - It's his memories coming back, him meeting Luffy in the Coliseum, eating the fruit, holding that newspaper to his chest and smiling like a DOOF when he sees his little brother is doing well. It wasn't necessarily all rainbows, but there's clarity there - everything is illuminated, no shadows. Shit hurt for a while, but he can see the good in it all.

20 Judgement/Portgas D. Ace - This card isn't so much about wiping the slate clean, as it is realizing that all your flaws, scars, mistakes, etc. have helped make you who you are. It's about accepting your flaws and either incorporating them, or improving yourself to lessen them. Honestly the most heart breaking thing about Ace is how he was doing this, he just never got the chance to see it through.

21 The World/Joy Boy - I'll just leave this as this for now. ^_^

[that-guy-morg]

please tell us more about Amir i love him!! (love, redriotinggg ❤️)

Hello!!!!! I would be absolutely delighted to tell you more!! This post is gonna be a brief, superficial rundown of his lore, because I want to do individual posts deep diving into different aspects of his life — but this should give the gist of who he is!

Amir Rundown/Introduction

This is Amir! While I entertain different ideas of Amir being on different crews, the one with the most in depth lore is Amir being a Strawhat! I may decide to share the lore of Amir being on an original crew, but for now I’ll dive deeper into him being a Strawhat! (More under the cut!!!! :D)

Amir is a very dedicated, intelligent individual who places a lot of value on responsibility. Everything he does is thought out and planned thoroughly — it’s like he doesn’t even breathe without thinking about it first. While this makes him an observant strategist and opponent, it can also lead to significant turmoil when he has to think on his feet.

When Amir was thirteen, he ate the Bagu-Bagu no mi/Impact Impact fruit — The Bagu-Bagu no mi allows it’s user to act as a conductor of energy/force and, with enough training, a catalyst for it’s output. Amir had taken this fruit for himself to stop it from falling into the hands of a dangerous individual — he wanted to take it far away from his home and protect it himself. He knew how dangerous the fruit could be, as the previous user had levelled cities with its power, so he never intended for anyone to eat it — especially not himself. He only ate it out of desperation when he was alone at sea without any other food or options— it was upon eating it that Amir became very frightened of his own capacity for harm, and he proceeded to live a very cautious life dedicated to the well being of others, to make up for the devil fruit he had eaten.

It was then that he also had given up a fundamental passion of his: art. Amir had been dedicated to the craft of drawing and painting — he even had the dream of painting the entirety of the Grand Line — but with so much to make up for, what right did he have to indulge in such a passion? Amir had dedicated his life to assisting struggling islands on his travels — specifically ones faced with natural disasters. While he was only one person, he had to put in any kind of effort he could to make the world better while he was still around; once Amir dies, his devil fruit would go back into circulation and he would have no control over who gets it and what they decide to do with it. He had to try and make a world he could die in, and if that meant giving up his dream, then so be it.

His travels eventually led him from the South Blue (his home sea) to the Grand Line where, at 18 years old, he met Luffy and the Strawhats. He had noticed them from afar (how could he not? They were extremely loud), and they had captivated him for some odd reason. He had been so captivated that he had begun drawing them absentmindedly while they were seated in the same restaurant, and when he realized what he was doing he immediately got embarrassed — he hadn’t drawn in years! He proceeded to toss the drawing, but Luffy had already caught him in the act. Luffy dug through the garbage to find a drawing of, not just him, but the whole crew! He thought it was so cool to be drawn! It was a very sudden realization that Luffy wanted someone who specialized in drawing on the crew, but when he did Luffy began tracking down the guy who had drawn them.

When Luffy found Amir, he immediately insisted that he join the crew as their artist… which was even sooner shot down on the grounds of being stupid.

Luffy nevertheless kept pushing and pushing and pushing until Amir had cracked, admitting that he loved to draw, but he just couldn’t see a world where he could spend his life doing it. Luffy then swore to make a world where Amir could draw and paint as he pleased, because Luffy wanted to see all of it!

It took a lot of grit and effort, but instead of sailing to the next island alone like Amir always had, he sailed to the next one with the Strawhats as their artist.

—

I definitely had to control myself a little bit with this one because, again, I want to do individual posts on different parts of Amir like his role on the crew, his recruitment, his backstory, his devil fruit (appearance, history, usage, etc), how Amir contributes to each arc, Amir’s OWN arc, and a bunch more things! I have so much lore on this guy and it’s developing every day! I always have things to say about him, so if (for whatever reason) you’re interested in a certain aspect of him, tell me and I’ll address it specifically in it’s own post/a larger post!!

Thank you for indulging me, I’m having a blast!!!

[supermarine-silvally]

ice skater/ice hockey player au for portada (maybe)?

HELL YESSS I love the way your mind works, anon!

Hockey Player!Ace x Figure Skater!Yara

They both got into their sport because of their fathers. Gol D. Roger is an absolutely legendary hockey player and Mihawk is a multiple-award-winning world champion figure skater, who has won both in the men’s singles category and the ice dancing category alongside his partner Shimotsuki Akiko (Akiko herself was also a great figure skater but her career never gained the kind of international acclaim Mihawk’s did)

Ace uses his mother’s surname Portgas because he wants to make his own career without being tied to his father’s legacy. Rouge in this AU is alive and owns a nice little flower shop. Roger, now retired, helps her run it. (He gets a lot of “Hey, aren’t you--” to which he quickly cuts in “Ahaha I have no idea what you’re talking about :) I am just a humble flower merchant!”)

Ace started out on the same team as his sworn brothers Sabo and Luffy, but was drafted onto the Whitebeards, coached by Edward Newgate, a legendary player and old rival of Roger’s who had his eye on Ace ever since Ace’s rookie years coming up through the junior leagues. Marco is the current captain. 

Mihawk is now retired and is dedicated to training Yara. He and Akiko were married for a very brief period of time, but are now divorced. Despite this, they are on friendly terms and still make a good team when it comes to raising their daughter.

Yara (who still uses her birthname Dracule Yara in this AU) is quite popular, especially with people eager to see her continue her father’s legacy. She tends to receive a lot of gifts thrown onto the ice during every competition, and one of the things she always gets is a bouquet of hibiscus flowers. There is never any name attached to them but they’ve clearly been professionally-arranged and often come with a nice little typed-out note giving her really sweet compliments. They always make her heart melt a little bit every time she reads them and she really, really wants to know who is responsible (especially since hibiscus flowers are her favourite, which she vaguely recalls mentioning in an interview once at the start of her career before she gained any real fame). 

Now for the Portada. Yara and Ace train at the same rink, but rarely interact at first. Ace often watches her work through her routines before his own practice. His brothers and teammates like to tease him about the massive crush he obviously has on her and have tried to goad him into approaching her, but he chickens out every time because he just gets so flustered. He can be so smooth and cool when it comes to talking to women at a meet-and-greet or publicity event but when it comes to Yara, he totally falls apart. He’s a world-famous super rookie, but his crush turns him into an awkward teenage boy again. 

One day during training, Yara pushes herself a little too hard and over-rotates while trying to do a triple axel. She twists her ankle badly and has to go to the hospital. While there, she receives plenty of gifts and well-wishes from fans, as well as more hibiscus bouquets.

After the doctors clear her to return to the ice, Yara gets a little frustrated with herself as she is a bit out of practice and struggling to complete routines that once came to her so easily. Ace comes in early and sees her sitting in the middle of the rink, fighting back tears. All his shyness falls away as he skates over to her, offering her a hand and a shoulder to cry on as she admits that she feels like she’ll never skate like she used to again. Ace does his best to reassure her that she’ll be back to her old self in no time, and guides her through doing some basic warmups before he has to leave to attend his own practice, but not before promising her that he’ll come early every single day until she’s skating like she once did.

He makes good on his word and slowly helps her build her confidence back, skating with her and encouraging her when she starts to doubt herself. The two develop a friendship and bond over their time on the ice together, and occasionally even spend time together outside of the rink, too. (As friends do, when they want to be around each other while simultaneously fighting off their feelings for one another). When Yara wins her first competition since her injury, Ace congratulates her in person while Yara also receives another hibiscus bouquet with the most heartfelt, sweet note attached.

A month or so later, Yara decides to get Akiko some flowers for her birthday. She remembers Ace mentioning that his mom is a florist so she makes it a point to stop by Rouge’s shop. While there, she begins to notice something odd: there are hibiscus flowers everywhere, much like the ones in the anonymous bouquets she has been receiving for years now. She quickly puts two and two together and decides to confront Ace about it the next time she sees him at the rink. 

Ace confesses that he’s been in love with Yara since the first moment he ever saw her skate, but he was too nervous to talk to her, hence why he felt he could only express his feelings through anonymous bouquets (when he wasn’t available, he would get Luffy or Sabo or even Rouge to throw them onto the ice on his behalf). Yara is stunned to know that this hotshot young rookie had been admiring her from afar all this time. She always thought Ace was cute, too, but his public persona was just so flirty and silly that she had no idea he was this serious about anyone, least of all her. Sheepishly, Ace asks her out, which Yara accepts. As one date turns into two, three, four, etc. they decide to keep their relationship private. Only their close friends and family know.  

The Stanley Cup playoffs start for this year, and the Whitebeards make it all the way through to the final round. They are tied three games to three with their rival team, and the score has sat at 2-2 throughout the game when Ace scores the winning goal. He celebrates with his teammates for a second before skating over to Yara, dropping his helmet on the ice as he leans over the door to the ice and kisses her while the crowd goes wild. (Their moment of passion doesn’t end there, but continues in Ace’s hotel room all night long). 

Word quickly spreads through social media that hockey star Portgas D. Ace is dating figure skating legend Dracule Yara. Two years later, when the Whitebeads win the Stanley Cup for the third year in a row, Ace ends the game by scoring the winning goal yet again, then skates over to Yara and gets down on one knee. A very shocked, but very delighted Yara says yes.

Ten years later, Ace and Yara are both retired, and proudly watch from the stands with the rest of their kids as their son Shiro wins his very first figure skating competition.