The True Meaning of Vegapunk’s Devil Fruit Theory – Explained
Oda gave us a glimpse into the origin of Devil Fruits in chapter 1069.
If you believe Vegapunk, Devil Fruits are the product of the human aspiration to transcend their current form. According to him, the Devil Fruits and their respective powers are a reflection of the hopes and dreams of humanity’s future.
Since the origins of Devil Fruits have been unknown for so long, this discovery is monumental. It would be a misreading of what Oda has just told us to assume that a Devil Fruit is the materialization of a human desire.
You won’t find a more brilliant scientist than Vegapunk. His theory makes it clear that people’s dreams materialize as Devil Fruits, but science is ultimately responsible for making this possible. Vegapunk’s “Devil Fruit” theory is more grounded in science than superstition.
Vegapunk’s Theory’s Mystical (Superficial) Meaning
Devil Fruits, according to Vegapunk, are the product of humanity’s aspirations, just as Haki is the product of an individual’s determination.
According to him, each Devil Fruit represents a hypothetical wish of man’s evolutionary past: “If only I could be like this…” another said, “I wish I were that…” and eventually, through natural selection, that craving became the Devil Fruit’s demonstration of power.
It’s easy to believe someone wished for anything they touched to turn into food, which is one example of a Devil Fruit power that seems like the exact manifestation of a wish. What Streusen claims his Devil Fruit does.
While witnessing Rob Lucci’s Awakening of his Cat-Cat Zoan Devil Fruit, Model: Leopard, in chapter 1069, our boy Luffy undergoes his own Awakening, transforming into his Awakened form, namely, Gear 5: Nika. Vegapunk, taken aback by Luffy’s wacky appearance, compares him to an ancient deity.
We already knew this: the true nature of Luffy’s Devil Fruit was revealed in Wano, so his claim that the earliest records of Devil Fruits don’t mention Gum-Gum/Gomu Gomu no Mi is false.
His Awakening allows him to assume the identity of the Sun God Nika, the “foolish and laughable warrior of liberation who brings smiles to all people,” according to the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
Also, Vegapunk clarifies that nobody is familiar with the name Nika because it has been expunged from history. Even if you call a person or a Devil Fruit by a different name, you still won’t be able to fool anyone about what they really are. Vegapunk say:
“As long as people wish for him, his existence will never truly disappear! All things are brought into this world with hope […] even Devil Fruits.”
Remember, Gol D. Roger makes a statement along these lines in chapter 100:
“Inherited Will, one’s dreams, the ebb and flow of time… As long as people continue to pursue freedom, these things will never cease to be.”
Similarly, Blackbeard repeats this same point in chapter 225 of his infamous speech:
“People’s dreams never end.”
People’s hopes and dreams are eternal. They’ve been reborn as… Devil Fruits? And just like people’s volition causes Haki.
No one disputes that willpower exists in One Piece; however, Haki does too, just as Devil Fruits exist regardless of whether or not anyone has the will to consume them.
Oda draws conceptual parallels between Devil Fruits, Haki, Inherited Will, and Dreams. It’s common knowledge that Luffy embodies Roger’s (and Joy Boy’s) will, while Sabo carries Ace’s. Some have even proposed that the “D.” in Will of D. refers to the desire to do so. D. Clan members used to have such a strong will that they were able to turn their desires into Devil Fruits.
Though intuitively appealing, these theories are not supported by evidence. While I acknowledge that One Piece is (peak) fiction, the evidence presented thus far—especially the technological marvels of Egghead Island—leads me to believe that Vegapunk’s theory is only scratching the surface.
The Meaning of Vegapunk’s Theory in Science
Chapter 1069 reveals a lot, but it doesn’t tell us how the Devil Fruits got to be what they are. What caused the materialization to occur? How did hope become reality? Why?
According to Vegapunk’s interpretation, the origin of the Devil Fruits can be traced back to an Ancient Kingdom resident who yearned for superhuman abilities and whose aspirations pushed the boundaries of scientific possibility.
The future and the past are linked inextricably, as Vegapunk’s Land of Science has shown. The mission of Vegapunk is to locate the long-lost supply of energy that can power the entire planet.
The Ancient Kingdom probably made use of this ancient energy. This power is what allowed the huge machine soldier at Egghead to get up and walk around. This is evidence that basic robots were in use during the Void Century.
Maybe the science of the time was even more advanced than ours. Given that the World Government has destroyed all records from that time period, we will never know.
Devil Fruits are more likely to have been developed by scientists and researchers in the Ancient Kingdom who were motivated by a desire to help people achieve their dreams. Even Devil Fruits, as the chapter’s title suggests, are born into the world with optimism.
Chapter 1068 of Vegapunk highlights the role of science while hyping the ancient energy:
“If we can simply convert it into a kind of power that you can see and use we would be eliminating one of the greatest causes of war in the world! Mark my words – science will one day reach that lofty realm!”
What if, I ask, this ancient energy was the catalyst that transformed hopes into Devil Fruits?
It’s possible that scientists have transformed this ancient energy into power that we can:see and use” in the form of fruits that, when consumed, convert their potential energy into actual power.
Devil Fruits may or may not have a link to ancient energy, but they certainly have a bearing on the study of evolution. Law revealed in chapter 698 that Vegapunk had learned how to use bloodline elements, and how eating Devil Fruits could change one’s Lineage Factor and thus produce supernatural abilities.
Vegapunk, Caesar, Judge, and Queen make up the scientific research team MADS, who are featured on the cover of chapter 1069. This group is best known for discovering the Lineage Factor, or “blueprints of life itself.”
Vegapunk’s research on Devil Fruits has also been used to create artificial Devil Fruits like the one Momonosuke used his Lineage factor to create.
The fact that Momo can make full use of his Devil Fruit demonstrates that they can be successfully manufactured by science.
One Piece
Japanese mangaka Eiichiro Oda created and draws One Piece. Since the 22nd of July, 1997, it has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shnen Jump.
Gol D. Roger is the Pirate King because he owns everything in this universe. At the tower of the execution, his last words were, “My treasures?” I’ll give it to you if you want it. Have a look around; I dropped everything off there. Following these words, many people set sail in pursuit of their dreams, sailing toward the Grand Line in an attempt to find One Piece. A new era had begun!
Young Monkey D. Luffy, who aspires to equal Blackbeard as the world’s greatest pirate, also sails toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. With a crew that includes a swordsman, marksman, navigator, chef, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this is sure to be an adventure to remember.
