Summary
Luffy being the successor to Joyboyis perhaps one of the biggest twists in theOne Piecemanga series. Knowing that the story’s main character had a link with the mysterious Warrior of Liberation changed how fans understood the tale created by Eiichiro Oda. Nonetheless, Oda may have already hinted at this connection long beforethe reveal of Luffy’s Gear 5.
In chapter #1116 of the manga, it was revealed that Rayleigh and the rest of the Roger Pirates were aware of the world of the series becoming flooded, as Joyboyrevealed this in the message he left behind in Laugh Tale. This could imply that his desire to help Luffy become stronger was motivated by his knowledge of the Straw Hat Captain’s role in the battle against the World Government.
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Rayleigh Could Have Known Luffy Was Vital to Joyboy’s Plan
Luffy being Joyboy’s successor may have interested Rayleigh
After the devastating defeat the Straw Hat Crew suffered during the Marineford War arc of theOne Piecemanga,Rayleigh chose to train Luffy to become stronger. The Dark King, a title Rayleigh acquired as Roger’s second in command, was impressed by Luffy’s determination and desire to become the next King of the Pirates. However, it is also likely that the older gentleman was aware ofLuffy’s identity as Joyboy’s successor. The Roger Pirates are the only known crew to have arrived at Laugh Tale, the last island in the world where Joyboy hid his treasure.
Luffy first learned how to use Haki under Rayleigh’s tutelage.
For many years, the truth about what the first pirate chose to hide on this island remained a mystery. However, in chapter #1116, Vegapunk revealed that inside Laugh Tale, was the history of the void century, as well as the reason why Joyboy did not destroythe powerful and dangerous Ancient Weapons. Rayleigh, being one of the few individuals who knew about this information, could have become aware of Luffy’s importance to the Warrior of Liberation’s plan. His harsh training was created to prepare Luffy for the many hardships that he would come across.
Luffy’s Would Have Been Worthy of Rayleigh’s Training No Matter What
The Straw Hat captain would have impressed Rayleigh due to how similar he is to Roger
While Oda could have been using Rayleigh’s interest in Luffy to foreshadow his importance, the Straw Hat Captain’s identity was not what caught Rayleigh’s interest. What first motivated the Dark King to train Luffy was his determination to become the new King of the Pirates, as well as his actions against the cruel Celestial Dragons. The Straw Hat Captain is the living embodiment of Joyboy and Roger’s ideals, being a noble warrior who brings joy and freedom to anyone who needs it. Rayleigh would have trained Luffy simply because of how similar the young man is to his late best friend.
The events ofOne Piecechapter #1116 change the perception of the Roger Pirates, as the reason behind them hiding Joyboy’s secret remains a mystery. They could have been purposefully withholding it as a means to protect the new Joyboy. One of Oda’s most impressive abilities is how he subtly foreshadows events in his series. Luffy’s identity and his connection with Rayleigh could have been another one ofOne Piece’s creator’s masterfully hidden revelations.
One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history’s longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix’s 2023 adaptation.
