The Elbaf Arc is one of One Piece’s most important arcs, and as the story charges through its Final Saga, Elbaf is slowly becoming the stage for monumental battles and revelations. With Imu, the mysterious ruler of the world and the series’ greatest threat, arriving there to confront the Straw Hat Pirates, fans anticipate another dazzling display of Luffy’s Nika powers.
Amid the hype surrounding the destined clash, a subtle possibility lingers: the existence of a second Nika. That’s right. There is the possibility of a second Nika existing in One Piece. Oda has already laid the groundwork for this twist, and all that is left is for us to understand the lore of Devil Fruits and the diverse interpretations of Nika among the giants, and figure out who this second Sun God may be.
Elbaf suggests that Luffy might not be the only Sun God in One Piece
Before you come after us for our theories (sorry Oda-sensei, but we can’t stop), we urge you to hear us out, cuz we have some great evidence to prove our claims. The concept of a second Nika hinges on the nature of Devil Fruits (remember how Devil Fruits are born out of desires?) and the cultural interpretations of Nika in Elbaf.
Dr. Vegapunk’s revelation on Egghead Island that Devil Fruits in One Piece are born from human wishes is pivotal for this theory. Let us look at the legend of Nika, the Sun God. Nika is the Warrior of Liberation, and according to the story, he emerges from the collective desire for freedom. His rubbery body and infectious laughter are supposed to symbolize resistance against oppression.
This is the Nika we know about from the slaves, Who’s Who, and the Buccaneers. This interpretation of Nika paints him as a positive figure in the world of One Piece. However, in Elbaf, Nika’s identity splinters into varied interpretations. Giants view him as the God of Laughter, the God of Destruction (ahem, could this be Blackbeard?), or even the Conqueror of the World, with kids fearing his God of Destruction form.
While one may brush off these interpretations as silly dreams of kids, it can be moulded in another way when one considers the power “wishes” have in the One Piece world. What if different wishes can manifest distinct versions of Nika?
Think about it. The slaves praying for a liberating force who could make them happy gave birth to the laughing version of Nika, who became the Warrior of Liberation. If people prayed for a destructive Nika, their collective will could birth a Devil Fruit embodying that aspect.
This idea that the personality of Nika can be fueled by centuries of prayers supports the idea that multiple Nika fruits could coexist (Oda is probably losing his mind right now). With Oda’s creative narrative and Elbaf’s lore, this idea could definitely become a possibility. But if it is a possibility, who could be the second Nika?
Loki, the Prince of Elbaf, is One Piece’s second Nika
Loki is the prime candidate for a second Nika. Think about it. What is this man’s self-proclaimed title? “The Sun God who will destroy the world (and kill his father)”. This is a stark contrast from Luffy’s liberating Nika, who wants to save everyone and make everyone smile. This hints at a destructive counterpart.
Is this the only thing that supports this theory? There is another aspect. Loki’s legendary unrevealed Devil Fruit that has been passed down through Elbaf’s history. Doesn’t this fruit’s mythical status align with that of the Nika fruit (Oda, better release those chapters, because we are dying to know)?
What if Luffy’s fruit is powered by freedom-driven abilities, while Loki’s fruit channels a destructive aspect, making him the “World-Ender Nika”? The existence of such a Nika is further supported by Oda’s penchant for contrasting characters, like Luffy and Blackbeard. All these clues position Loki as a plausible second Nika.
The possibility of a second Nika in One Piece is rooted in Oda’s intricate world-building. The diverse interpretations of Nika and Oda’s penchant for contrasting characters signal towards the existence of a destructive Nika. Loki, with his destructive title and mysterious Devil Fruit, would be a prime candidate for this role.
One Piece is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
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