Devil Fruits Are the Dreams of People, Confirmed!

One Piece Chapter 1069 Review/Recap

The Devil Fruits, some of the most iconic and mysterious items in all of anime. When you eat a Devil Fruit, you lose the ability to swim, but gain a superpower. Fans have wondered why this is and how it came to be, and hoped that Oda would explain it someday. However, I don’t think that we expected him to give us an explanation like this. It’s not much, and I know some fans will want more…but I can’t help it. When I read about Vegapunk’s theory about the Devil Fruits, I couldn’t help but laugh. Classic Oda!

Recap

After seeing Vegapunk Atlas get brutally mauled in front of him by Rob Lucci, Luffy becomes enraged at CP0 for hurting his friend. Taken aback by Luffy’s presence, Kaku and Stully urge Lucci to stand down. They need the Gorosei’s permission to engage one of the Yonko. However, Lucci refuses to back down.

At Marine HQ, Akainu’s shocked to learn the Straw Hats are on Egghead Island, since he knows how bad it will be if Vegapunk joins them. With Kizaru already en route to Egghead Island, Akainu orders Lucci to not engage Luffy until then.

Too late. The fight’s already started, with Lucci using his awakened Zoan form while Luffy enters Gear 5, AKA the form of Nika or Joy Boy.

The rest of the Straw Hats watch from the sidelines or in Shaka’s observation room, amazed at Luffy’s new form. When the actual Vegapunk shows up, he’s left in awe at Luffy’s transformation. It’s then that he drops three major pieces of info. Firstly, there isn’t actually a Gum-Gum Fruit mentioned in the old texts on Devil Fruits. Secondly, Luffy’s appearance in Gear 5 is just like the ancient god mentioned in the old texts, a name wiped from history: the sun god Nika.

Despite it being wiped from history, though, Vegapunk says that as long as people’s desires remain, so will Nika. Furthermore, Vegapunk reveals his theory on the nature of Devil Fruits. They are the embodiments of people’s will to see the evolution of humanity play out.

Down below, Sentomaru arrives with the Seraphs of Hancock, Hawkeye, and Jinbei, and is ordered by Vegapunk to help the Straw Hats and get rid of CP0. However, while distracted talking to Luffy, Sentomaru finds himself getting cut down by Lucci!

Review

Oda, you magnificent mangaka, you. If this really is the truth behind the Devil Fruits, then it seems like the sort of thing that you would come up with. I love it.

Before that, though, let’s review everything in this chapter because there’s a lot to cover. 

They Shouldn’t have Made Luffy Angry

First off, there’s the authority that Luffy gets now that he’s one of the Four Emperors. Before, the World Government wouldn’t hesitate to try to capture or kill Luffy. Now, though, it seems that they will only fight him if they receive the go-ahead from the Gorosei themselves, since doing so could start a massive war.

Given how Luffy and the Straw Hats declared war on the World Government at Enies Lobby, though, it shouldn’t matter. Besides, Luffy would fight them anyway since they hurt someone he calls a friend. In other words, Lucci just made a potentially massive mistake, pissing Luffy off not once, but twice. And given how strong he is now, I don’t think even the arrival of Kizaru and the marines will save them. 

As a bonus, I should note how all the enemies that the Straw Hats had to run from at Sabaody are now converging on Egghead Island. Except this time, they can win. I honestly hope to see Luffy face down Kizaru. Defeating an Admiral would make for great payback for Sabaody and Marineford.

I Hope Sentomaru’s All Right. The Straw Hats Need the Seraphs

I don’t really know that much about Sentomaru beyond the fact that he’s Vegapunk’s bodyguard and the Marine officer in charge of the Pacifistas, it seems. However, this chapter confirms that Sentomaru’s main loyalties seem to be toward Vegapunk, not the World Government. And while he has misgivings on turning against their bosses, I think he will go along with this to protect Vegapunk. 

What’s more, this chapter reveals that the Pacifistas and Seraphs will, by default, take orders from Vegapunk and Sentomaru when present (the Gorosei never leave their HQ, so I don’t count them.) Given how powerful they are, that could be a massive advantage for the Straw Hats if this fight escalates. However, if Lucci’s gamble pays off and forces the Seraphs to obey him, it will make things a lot worse for the Straw Hats. Either way, the Seraphs are about to play a key role in what’s to come.

Learning the Truth About Devil Fruits

If anyone could tell us about the true nature of Devil Fruits, then it had to be Dr. Vegapunk. I was already hoping that he would explain where they come from, and it seems like Oda didn’t disappoint on that end. While some people might be looking for a more concrete explanation, I’m actually satisfied with what we learn; for now, that is. The reason is that Vegapunk’s explanation lines up perfectly with the overarching themes of One Piece. 

One Piece is a story about the power of inherited will, freedom, and people’s dreams, things that survive the test of time. If Devil Fruits are really the manifestation of people’s dreams of the future of evolution, then I’m for that. I don’t fully understand it, but like Vegapunk, I think it just reminds us of all wonderful the world truly is. 

War Comes for Egghead

Overall, I am beyond happy with how this chapter turned out. It’s sad to know that we have to wait two weeks to see what happens next, but I’m fine with that. Oda deserves the rest. When we get back, though, it looks like an all-out war for Egghead Island will break out. Bring it on, World Government!

I Give “All We Owe is to Desire!!” a 4/5

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