Thread by @3SkullJoe

#ONEPIECE Theory: The Ancient Kingdom

'A Place Where The Past Became The Future.'

Collab With @BlacktyonteXavi

Xavi presented me with the idea that could explain the story of how the Ancient Kingdom was founded, and how it fell.

We start at 'The Beginning."

A "Blue Planet" that promised salvation and power to the settlers who would go on to form the Ancient Kingdom.

In chapter 1086, Ivankov showed Sabo a book seems to be titled "Genesis."

This book may tell the story of the origin of the World Government, but it could equally be about the origin of the Ancient Kingdom.

In chapter: 1023, Marco revealed that Whitebeard had once told him that Mariejois was once known as 'God's Land.'

Before the Pangea Castle of Mariejois stood as the centre of the World Government's power. The land was ruled by beings known as gods. The Lunarians.

Xavi suggested that the beings who became known as "The Four Gods," created the "Blue Planet," a land of great natural treasure.

A "Treasure Planet."

The One Piece.

One Piece globe by @ClayStage

The Beacon

The story of how the Ancient Kingdom came to be is something we know little about. One of the only clues we have appears in Enel's cover story. Chapters: 470 & 472

The winged races of the Moon City, Birka migrated to the "Blue Planet" in search of natural resources.

These celestial settlers revered the land the found as sacred ground. In time they came to call it 'Varse.' The "Holy Land."

The winged races have stayed true to this culture of loving nature for centuries after the Ancient Kingdom fell.

'The Sacred Land will sing once more.'

We can clearly see that - at least for the Shandorians - they truly do believe in "The Four Gods."

Back in chapter: 287. We saw the people preparing to offer a sacrifice to these Gods.

God Of The Sun

God Of The Forest

God Of The Rain

God Of The Earth

So the idea of these Gods can definitely be said to be part of the canon, rather than just an abstract concept.

But the question remains. If reference to them exists, were they real?

I spoke to Xavi about this, and we agree that the best answer is this. They made them real.

In chapter: 1069. Vegapunk essentially confirmed this by explaining that Devil Fruits are a manifestation of infinite different wishes that individuals had for our evolution.

One of the Four Gods, The Sun God, is confirmed to be embodied through the Awakening of the Nika fruit.

The Future Has Arrived

One of the main things we've learned during Egghead's "Future Island" arc, is that Vegapunk is attempting to replicate the ironically futuristic technology of the Ancient Kingdom.

We see from Enel's cover story in chapter: 468. That the winged races who migrated to "The Blue Planet," had incredibly advanced technology.

They likely brought this technological knowledge with them when founding the Ancient Kingdom.

There are even hints in 470 that their civilisation had already created Devil Fruits at this time; and had created technology to infuse Devil Fruits in to inanimate objects.

This could be the same tech that we learned Vegapunk had achieved, when he was first mentioned, in 433.

With the combination of prosperity through both advanced technology, and cultivating natural resources. It is easy to imagine how the Ancient Kingdom became the greatest kingdom in the world.

Xavi & I agree that the original mission of this great kingdom's founders was to create a utopia where all races could live in harmony.

"The Country of Harmony." - 和の国 - 'Wa no kuni.'

🤔

However, it seems that this original intention did not last, and that the Ancient Kingdom somehow failed to create this utopia.

Xavi & I agreed again that this was most likely because they ended up losing control of their technological advancement, and went too far.

The advancement of technology, and the advancement of a kingdom's power & influence inevitably leads to weapons being created.

"They won't fear it until they understand it, and they won't understand it until they've used it." - J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Xavi suggested that this was a step too far for many of the people of the Ancient Kingdom, and it stared a rift that would begin their downfall.

It is also likely that it was in response to the creation of such weapons that the alliance of 20 kingdoms was formed.

At this point, the Ancient Kingdom's attempts to unify all races under one kingdom would have started to look more like colonialism & subjugation

Losing track of their original virtue. The Ancient Kingdom began to effectively force kingdoms to join them.

"Judas" And The Great Fission

The war against the alliance of 20 kingdoms, and the likely internal conflict between the scientists & the traditionalists, was the beginning of the end.

Xavi mentioned the popular idea that they were betrayed by a Judas. Someone like Blackbeard.

However, when we discussed this, I presented Xavi with an alternative idea. The one who opposed the now tyrannical Ancient Kingdom was actually Joyboy.

"The Warrior Of Liberation."

If the Ancient Kingdom was becoming a tyrannical power, then it seems likely that Joyboy would not have fought for them, but against them.

The resulting war that followed likely became known as "The Storm."

This war is likely the reason why Joyboy had to apologies to Poseidon, as the Ancient Kingdom failed to keep it's promise to bring the people of FMI to the surface.

Xavi pointed out that FMI became much like the Lost City Of Atlantis after this point in time.

To conclude: This may be the story of the origin and downfall of the Ancient Kingdom.

Originally intended to be a prosperous utopia for all races. The kingdom was corrupted by the power of technology & eventually became a tyrannical empire.

Wouldn't that be ironic?

That's about all for this one, thanks for reading 🙏

Shout out to Xavi who originally pitched this concept to me. All I've done is tie the ideas to canon.

Be sure to check out is page where he posts great content: @BlacktyonteXavi