This article reveals spoilers from the Elbaf arc of One Piece.
Overview
- Chapter 1138 of One Piece unveils intriguing details about the Three Worlds mythology and introduces the concept of the futuristic Emerald City.
- The lore recounted in the Harley provides insight into the rise and fall of civilizations and their deities across these worlds.
- The Emerald City is linked to the First World, suggesting a technologically advanced city that utilized nuclear energy and uranium.
In This Article
- Insights from the Harley on the Three Worlds
- Unraveling the Emerald City Mystique
- Understanding the Emerald City’s Origin
The Elbaf arc has captivated fans of One Piece, delivering exceptional storytelling and world-building right from the outset. Chapter 1138 stands out for the wealth of lore it introduces, particularly concerning the rich history of the One Piece universe and the concept of the Three Worlds. This chapter has ignited discussions among fans, reinvigorating the series’ tradition of deep narrative exploration.
While numerous theories and speculations circulate within the community, one under-discussed aspect is the ancient futuristic city potentially associated with thelegendary Emerald City. This aspect adds a fascinating layer to the lore and encourages deeper examination of its significance.
Insights from the Harley on the Three Worlds
Harley’s Exploration of World Mythology
In this chapter, readers gained their first glimpses of the Harley, shedding light on the expansive mythos surrounding the Three Worlds. This revelation was facilitated through Nico Robin’s translation of the Harley, gifted to her by Saul, while Franky discovered a mural illustrating the Three Worlds, crafted centuries earlier by a child. Below is a summary of the Harley’s accounts regarding the Three Worlds:
First World
A landscape engulfed in flames marked this world, where humanity succumbed to their darkest desires and reached for the forbidden Sun. Enslaved populations pleaded for salvation, which led to the emergence of the Sun God, provoking the wrath of the Earth God. In a partnership with the serpent of eternal flames, they enveloped the world in despair, ensuring they’d never meet again.
Second World
Amidst the void, a breath of existence took form as the Forest God unleashed demons upon mankind. The Sun’s gaze was but a witness to the relentless wars that ensued. The inhabitants of both the half-moon and full-moon dreamed of dominance, ultimately overthrowing the Sun and transcending to godhood as the Sea God seethed in fury. They would also never meet again.
Third World
From the chaos arose a void, where the shadow of despair remembered a promised day and listened to the whispers of a fractured moon. The Sun God, embodying laughter and chaos, danced towards the world’s demise. However, hope flickered as the Sun pledged to return, heralding a new dawn—this time, promising a reunion of the forsaken deities.
The narratives within these verses depict a world once ravaged by flames, where humanity harnessed an unfathomable energy source known as the Mother Flame. The chaotic rule of humanity led to rampant oppression, likely driven by the insatiable demand for resources. Ultimately, these tensions birthed Sun God Nika. In retaliation for humanity’s self-destruction, the Earth God allied with the Serpent of Hellfire, leading to the world’s cataclysm.
The Harley further recounts life rebounding during the enigmatic Void Century, heralding the emergence of Devil Fruits and the tragic tale of Joy Boy transforming into Nika, only to face demise. Both the First and Second Worlds faced similar fates of destruction.
The Third World, recognized as the current setting of One Piece, witnesses the return of Luffy, embodying Nika to confront Imu, the world’s sovereign. However, unlike previous epochs, this time he is destined for triumph.
Unraveling the Emerald City Mystique
The Myth of the Emerald City
The Emerald City remains a pivotal but often overlooked aspect of One Piece lore, mentioned only once in Chapter 224. During a encounter in Mocktown, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami interact with Bellamy and his crew in a tavern, where Nami’s inquiry about reaching Sky Island leads to ridicule from the locals. Bellamy’s dismissal of various mythic locations raises eyebrows about their authenticity:
El Dorado, the Emerald City? The One Piece? Don’t make me laugh. These are all fools’ tales! — Bellamy
El Dorado, recognized as the City of Gold, was first introduced in the Jaya arc, where Bellamy scorned its existence, only for later narratives to establish its reality. Similarly, he scoffed at the notion of the One Piece as mere fantasy, yet as the saga unfolds, evidence suggests otherwise.
With the Emerald City positioned alongside these renowned legends, its significance cannot be understated; if El Dorado and the One Piece turned out to be authentic, the Emerald City’s existence should not be doubted either.
Understanding the Emerald City’s Origin
The Emerald City Must’ve Been In The First World
Chapter 1138 of One Piece unravels a multitude of revelations, yet the mention of a modern city within the First World deserves particular attention. The Harley suggests that the First World embodied advanced technology, wherein the Mother Flame was first conceived as an inexhaustible energy source used to fabricate formidable weapons, notably the Ancient Weapons, akin to nuclear armaments.
Insights presented via Vegapunk’s documentation posit that “A&Mu” signifies the atomic essence, connecting back to terms associated with nuclear energy. Evidence suggests the First World housed numerous nuclear power facilities, echoed in the murals illustrating enslaved figures mining for resources needed for the Mother Flame. The raw material for nuclear power was likely uranium, cementing its role in society at that time.
Uranium not only fueled the creation of the Mother Flame but also extended applications in crafting, exemplified by Uranium Glass, which notably glows green when illuminated by sunlight. This aligns with descriptions of the Emerald City, hinting at its construction from Uranium Glass that might have bathed the city in a radiant glow.
This city likely served as a haven for the affluent and powerful, dominated by rulers driven by the pursuit of uranium for weaponry and luxury goods. The city’s ultimate fate appears entwined with the broader destruction of the civilization that once thrived, and it is plausible that fragments of the Emerald City were preserved within the Ancient Kingdom.
Fans interested in uncovering more chapters of the epic journey can access One Piece through platforms like Viz Media or the Manga Plus. The eagerly awaited Chapter 1139 is scheduled for release on February 9, 2025.
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