The great warrior Sun God Nika’s adventures takes him to many great kingdoms and change them for the better. Each new island Sun God Nika came upon was saved by his immense power and kindness. He freed slaves, brought down tyrants and even promised to save the most hated race – the Fishmen that live under the sea. And so, in his epic journey…Sun God Nika came to be known as Joy Boy.
And it was then that Joy Boy realized what were the greatest treasures that he found all over the world…it’s people. His friends. (The greatest treasure were the friends we made along the way. I know that’s cliché but goddamn it’s a theme that fits.) As he gathered friends, nakama, followers all over the world, perhaps even 20 kings who swore to him with sake cup in hand…Joy Boy just grew more excited to meet his oldest friend once more and close this tale. To share Bink’s Sake and to drink it as equals, a tradition started by the brethren that joined him. Among them, was a curious individual who eventually became his second in command…a man known as Im.
Nika was reaching the half-way mark. He was soon to see his friend Oars once more. But…as fate would have it…a cataclysmic natural phenomena has separated the two. A series of volcanoes around the world all erupted at the same time…creating an impenetrable mountain ring that spans the entire world! A Red Line…
Like before, you likely would have seen the parallels already. I think Mother Carmel going for the Sun Imagery and saying “The Sun God Calmed the Disaster” was her directly quoting scripture of sorts – specifically the religion around the Sun God Nika.
Other than that, there’s these examples:
- The promise of adventure and hats, and great treasure. Shanks and Luffy is the most obvious parallel here. But that departure due to the call to adventure is also similar to Norland leaving Calgara, or even Yassop leaving Usopp.
- Luffy’s journey in general is poetically the same journey Nika once took. And perhaps, one that actually finishes what Nika started. This is why Luffy is “the man Roger was waiting for”. Without knowing it, setting sale from the island of “Dawn”, Luffy retraces the steps of Sun God Nika before him.
- The drinking of the sake cups as a swearing of friendship as well as Bink’s Sake are obvious things that SHOULD be part of this entire backstory, I think.
- And lastly, going back to Norland and Calgara once more, an unstoppable natural phenomena prevents the reunification of the two – the same way the knock up stream changed their fates, the creation of the Red Line tragically meant that Nika…would never see Oars again.
Also, one other side note here. I think Shanks is descended directly from Sun God Nika. This could be why Roger even brought along such a young child in his final voyage. Roger would have known about Nika even from just Lodestar Island. And also, this is why Shanks was crying terribly when Roger told him what he found – that his ancestor was never reunited with his friend.
I also like the theory that Shanks is Rocks’ son that Roger took in after he killed Rocks. It could be why he’s so powerful and why he thinks HE should be “King of the World” because that was what Sun God Nika technically was.
And so…Sun God Nika was on the verge of despair…when through the gloom, several miles away…he heard a familiar sound. A laugh. A laugh that echoed through the mountain itself! And then…it was then that he knew. His friend was waiting for him. Oars was waiting for him on the other side. Each day, Oars would try to punch through the Red Line and laugh and laugh, trying to send his message across the divide! A laugh that only his friend would recognize.
Direct comparison here is none other than Laboon’s call that he does against the Red Line, to call forth to Brook. And of course, bashing his head against the Red Line was likely what Oars tried to do as well.
Sun God Nika…Joy Boy…he knew. He knew what must be done. This Red Line must be torn down…but he wasn’t gonna be able to do it alone.
He rallied his old friends, journeyed back to lands he visited before. The Kings that swore to him, he gathered. All of his nakama knew and sympathized with Nika’s story…his dream to see his friend again! And so, with their combined efforts, they formulated a plan…one that involved creating these truly world changing powers – ones that were eventually known as Ancient Weapons. But their true purpose…was to destroy the Red Line. To end the divide. To make the world whole again. To make it…One Piece.
The very friends he treasured, all gathered together to fulfill his dream…it created a great alliance. And soon after, a nation. A Kingdom with one purpose – to unite the world. And all of their hopes and dreams, thrust upon this one plan – the One Piece. Joy Boy’s dream.
Alas…it did not come to be. Joy Boy was betrayed. For what reasons, I can only speculate. Perhaps Im thought he could better rule this Kingdom rather than following his friend’s foolish dream. Who knows. But a betrayal was committed…and the reason for this formed alliance between these kings was corrupted. A great civil war takes place…which ends in the death of Sun God Nika. And then…an age of darkness. Where all light is snuffed out, and the true tale that brought upon the age…was hidden. A void century where dreams and legends live…no longer told.
And with that…that dream was passed on. Despite the best efforts of darkness to bury the truth…the light prevailed. All until one dying man, who knew the complete story, used his dying breath…to light the fires that will set the world on fire!
*Theory by yennandano
