We see this come up again with Ivankov in Impel Down. He tells Mr 2 that “Miracles only happen to those who never give up”.
It’s the actions of those who pursued something against all odds that create the miracles. Their actions created that new possibility. Not fate. Which is why you’ll see something like a storm saving Roger in his fight with Shiki. Roger persisted against overwhelming odds and was rewarded with a miracle.
Another commonly misunderstood scene that shows us this theme is when Hawkins is checking Luffy’s Odds after Marineford. Hawkins can’t get Luffy’s odds of survival to come out as 0%. A lot of people think this is fate but if you remember the theme then it’s clear what’s actually happening here. This isn’t plot, this isn’t fate, the reason Luffy’s odds do not reach zero is because Luffy is still fighting. He hasn’t given up yet. The point the scene is trying to get across is that no matter what the odds are, no matter how often they change, as long as you’re still fighting/taking action? They are NOT zero.
This idea is even reflected in Luffy’s entire journey. Think of where he started. At the beginning of the series Coby tells Luffy that a guy like him with no Pirate crew had no chance. That the odds against him were so astronomical, that it was impossible for him to be the Pirate King in the Golden Age of Pirates. And you know what? Coby is exactly right.
If Luffy faced Emperors as he was back then? He would have stood no chance and died instantly. But because Luffy kept taking action, growing stronger, building his crew, forming connections, Luffy has completely flipped that scenario. He’s completely changed his odds to the point where people are now calling him the 5th Emperor on the seas and is one of the most highly talked about Pirate King candidates. That idiot in a barrel who got lost at sea has now earned the respect of Kaido himself, being viewed as a worthy opponent and is now seemingly fighting on par with the World’s Strongest Creature. Luffy’s come a long way but if he looked at those odds….and did nothing? He’d be right where he was at the start of the story. Nothing would have changed.
To accept the odds is to allow things to remain as they are. When the odds aren’t in your favor you shouldn’t be thinking “Oh there’s no way I can win.” You should be thinking “Ok what can I do to change that?” Having the odds stacked against you is indicator of how much action you should be taking. Not a sign for you to take no action. That’s what Hawkins needs to learn in Wano and that’s what I believe his character arc is going to be.
*Theory by Redx
