This article contains spoilers from the Elbaf arc of One Piece.
Overview
- Oda unveils World Myth through an ancient mural in the Elbaf arc.
- The enigmatic Serpent of Hellfire symbolizes potent destruction.
- This serpent may have ties to the Earth God and themes of nuclear conflict.
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The Elbaf Arc: A Groundbreaking Start
The Elbaf arc in One Piece is captivating audiences with its rich narrative and the introduction of remarkable new characters. A particularly intriguing element has emerged from the ancient mural found on the Adam Tree, which links back to the Harley texts translated by Nico Robin. This mural unveils aspects of the World Myth, showcasing the elaborate lore that Oda has created.
Following the chapter revealing the Harley texts, fans remain deeply engaged, piecing together the significance of the colossal Elbaf mural. One of the most alluring mysteries is the Serpent of Hellfire, an entity cloaked in enigma. As the series progresses, interest in uncovering its origins and implications intensifies.
The Three Worlds of One Piece
As revealed through the Harley texts and the sculpted mural created by Giants during the Void Century, Oda illustrates a fascinating yet mysterious saga of three distinct worlds. This narrative details the rise and fall of two previous advanced civilizations, both of which were ultimately destroyed due to the catastrophic consequences of the Mother Flame, a vital force in each world’s demise. The Sun God Nika plays a pivotal role in this intricate tale.
First World
In the First World, flames consumed the land as human desires led them to the forbidden Sun. The oppressed called out for help, and the Sun God responded. However, the wrath of the Earth God, paired with the Serpent of Infernal Flames, shrouded the world in darkness and death. They would never unite again.
Second World
A breath emerged from the void, invoking the Forest God and unleashing demons. Amidst this chaos, the Sun ignited the fires of war. People from different moons dreamt, leading to a climactic battle where humans rose to godhood, provoking the Sea God’s fury. They, too, would never meet again.
Third World
In this chaotic landscape, shadows return to memories of a promised day, heeding the voice of a fractured moon. The Sun God dances and laughs, signalling an end to the tumult. Promises suggest a new dawn will arise, where they will finally unite.
The Serpent of Hellfire appears exclusively in the narrative of the First World. Its absence in both the Second and Third Worlds underlines its potent role in collaboration with the Earth God in a catastrophic destruction of the world, as narrated in the Harley texts.
What Exactly Is the Serpent of Hellfire?
The Serpent Of Hellfire: A Metaphorical Perspective
The universe of One Piece is so extensive that it’s plausible for virtually any entity to exist, including the mythical Serpent of Hellfire. While the concept of a literal serpent capable of annihilating the world is captivating, it may be more of a metaphor in line with the series’ complex themes. The texts suggest that greed led humans to provoke flames within the earth, resembling Vegapunk’s revelations surrounding a perpetual power source.
This “fire”likely refers to the Mother Flame, a force that propelled society towards unprecedented advancements. The evidence of such progress is visible within the urban landscapes depicted throughout the series. Skyscrapers and industrial sites suggest a civilization thriving under the auspices of this powerful resource.
The Mother Flame, described as a catastrophic weapon, caused widespread devastation during its time. Historical illustrations, like the destruction seen in the Lulucia incident, hint at the immense danger it represents—far surpassing our world’s nuclear capabilities. The term “A&Mu”found on the Mother Flame reactor serves as an indication of its nuclear nature, alluding to atomic energy.
Returning to the Harley texts, it becomes evident that this power incited wars among humanity, with slaves desperately praying for salvation from the Sun God, as the Earth God raged at the destruction wrought by the Serpent of Hellfire. This entity is fundamentally entwined with the Earth God, likely in response to the devastation of nuclear conflict, resulting in significant geographical transformations such as the creation of the Red Line—possibly dubbed the Serpent of Hellfire due to its fiery landscape.
Unraveling the Destruction: How the Serpent of Hellfire Ruined Civilizations
A Historic Cataclysm
The correlation between ancient weapons and the formation of the Red Line may seem perplexing, but the potential for tremendous destruction suggests otherwise. The immense power of these ancient tools can indeed cause shifts in topographical features such as sea levels and tectonic plates, particularly in large-scale conflicts akin to a nuclear war.
In One Piece Volume 62, Chapter 604, Nami’s insights regarding the Red Line further substantiate this theory. She describes it as a conglomeration of islands, indicating that they were joined by an external force—likely the Ancient Weapons, possibly Uranus. This tectonic activity may have led to the formation of the Red Line, constituting a contiguous landmass wrapped around the world.
The name “Serpent of Hellfire”might initially seem disjointed from the concept of the Red Line. Nonetheless, the terminology aligns perfectly when considering the cataclysmic geological outbreaks that likely accompanied such drastic shifts. Widespread volcanic eruptions both on land and under the sea might have dubbed this massive geological feature as the “Serpent of Hellfire.”
Fans can delve deeper into this captivating narrative by reading One Piece on platforms like Viz Media. It is available for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next chapter, One Piece 1139, is scheduled for release on February 9, 2025.
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