The central mystery at the end of the Grand Line, hidden away on Laughtale, is the secret of the Void Century in One Piece. This one-hundred-year gap in history is totally lost to time, but thanks to the Kozuki clan and Joyboy, some record remains. So, what is the Void Century, and why does the World Government try so hard to maintain its secrecy?
Warning, as this article contains spoilers up to the current chapter 1089 of One Piece. So, fair warning, proceed with caution, or catch up with MangaPlus, Viz!
What is the Void Century?
In the world of One Piece, most people aren’t too concerned about the long-term history of the world. For most people, everything in recorded history started around eight hundred years before the story begins. Others know that there is more history though, and before those eight hundred years is a sudden century spanning blank space on the calendar. This is the Void Century, a stain on the World Government they continually purge from existence.
The World Government Forms
The end of the Void Century saw the formation of the World Government, which still rules the world eight hundred years later. The leaders of twenty kingdoms came together atop the Red Line at the throne in Sacred Marijoa and made a pact. Each leaves a weapon on the ground before the empty throne, a vow to all be on equal ground. Of these twenty families, nineteen stay in Marijoa, and become known as the Celestial Dragons.
The single kingdom to opt out was none other than Alabasta, led by Nefertari D Lily. This is new information, but comes with the reveal that another with the Will of D exists- Nefertari D Vivi, Princess of Alabasta. One of the Straw Hat Pirates’ oldest allies is both the last of her family line and now a wanted fugitive. Last seen in the manga, Vivi was hiding from the World Government with Big News Morgans and Wapol after a last-second rescue by Sabo. The past few chapters have really been a whirlwind of events.
Did Joyboy Live in the Void Century?
Yes, but it’s still unclear to Joyboy’s true identity in the Void Century. Joyboy is what they’re known as historically. There is contention between them being the original Nika the Sun God, or just another Gum-Gum Fruit user. Either way, he was alive during the Void Century thanks to confirmation from Zunesha. Joyboy also signs some of the Poneglyphs scattered across the Grand Line, like the apology to the Fishmen.
The Poneglyphs
Poneglyphs are massive stones of a still unknown substance. They’re durable though, able to survive everything from fire to explosions. There are thirty across the Grand Line in total. There are three different types, and each serves a different purpose.
- Road Poneglyphs- Four Road Poneglyphs combine to form a map to Laughtale, the final island of the Grand Line.
- Historical Poneglyph- Self-explanatory, but contains information or personal accounts of the Void Century.
- Instructional Poneglyph- Guide readers to the Ancient Weapons or some other tool from the Void Century.
Most importantly, the Poneglyphs, made by the Kozuki clan of Wano, and their craft passed from generation to generation. This includes the lost language the Poneglyphs are written in as well, which only Nico Robin can read otherwise.
Why Can’t People Know About the Void Century?
The World Government really, REALLY doesn’t want people to know about the Void Century. Judging by their willingness to commit mass genocide to keep it secret, it’s probably not something that makes them look like the good guy. Ohara was blasted from the earth by a Buster Call for studying the Void Century, much like Egghead Island faces now. The Gorosei even kill Nefertari Cobra for questioning the Void Century and Celestial Dragons, which means nobody is safe.
The Ohara Incident
Arguably not the first of the Buster Calls to genocide an entire nation, but it’s the first one that has survivors to know about it. Ohara was the home of a young Nico Robin, left there by her mother who works with the Ohara Scholars. Robin takes to the scholars naturally though, since the other kids make fun of her for her Devil Fruit. Through her time with the scholars, she uses her abilities to listen in on their secret meetings, and learns what they know, as well as the Poneglyph language.
Robin’s mother is a prisoner of the Navy, and they bring her back to confront the scholars about their studies. Things go south quickly, and Cipher Pol 9 leader Spandine sends in a Buster Call. The island is no more, with Robin the sole survivor of a once thriving town. Their entire existence is struck from the record, and Ohara is just a legend.
What Is the Void Century’s Secret?
That’s the greatest question still to come in One Piece. Very few know about the Void Century’s existence in the first place, much less what happens in it. Silvers Rayleigh and the other still surviving Roger Pirates from Laughtale know, but that’s all other than the Gorosei and Imu. Considering the damage done to Lulusia, which leaves a seemingly bottomless hole in place of the island. The seas rise further when this event happens too, which makes little sense considering the gaping hole there now.
Theories levels rose with it, floating ideas that Imu and the original World Government flooded the earth while committing mass genocide. Typical government things, but then it brings in Joyboy’s rebellion plus his promise to the Fishmen. It could make sense thanks to Joyboy’s promise to bring them back to the surface one day. No doubt seeing what the world of One Piece looks like today, those that purged the Void Century likely were guilty of terrible, bloody things.
The Ancient Weapons
Three Ancient Weapons exist in the world of One Piece, with most mentioned on Poneglyphs about the Void Century. These are Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus. Of them, most is known about Poseidon, which is currently the mermaid Princess Shirahoshi. Poseidon is the ability to speak with Neptunians, the massive kings of the sea. They obey her every command, and some have made remarks about her growing strong.
Pluton was a ship or something along those lines. It has blueprints, originally held by Tom. He entrusts these to Iceberg, and he in turn gives them to Franky. Franky does what he does best, and burns the plans when he finds out the World Government wants them. He’s memorized them though, so they’re not lost forever.
Uranus is still a mystery, but the only notes are that it can rule the world, or destroy it.
The Will of D
Rayleigh mentions to Robin that Laughtale holds the secret of both the Void Century and Will of D. These two are very closely woven together. Those with the WIll of D are more commonly known as the enemies of the gods. The Celestial Dragons are the gods in question, and those with the Will of D have a habit of giving the Gorosei headaches. Throughout history, those with the initial D end up across the spectrum of good and evil. Each one has a common trait of defying the order of things, though.
This can range from the chaotic Marshall D Teach, whose Blackbeard Pirates run amok. Monkey D Garp’s entire lineage gives the Navy an aneurysm, as he disobeys orders, Dragon runs the Revolutionaries, and Luffy is an Emperor of the Sea. Odds are, if there’s a historical event going on, someone with the Will of D is in the thick of it.
Is The Void Century the One Piece?
Yes, but it’s also not. The Void Century with all of its secrets is definitely at Laughtale, so technically it’s part of the One Piece. That said, there’s likely something else there. The reaction from Roger and his Pirates is hysterical laughter, which probably isn’t the usual reaction to reading about genocide. So, the One Piece has to be something else in addition to the Void Century. Though as to what that something is, nobody knows but Eichiro Oda.
Theories exist though! Some believe the One Piece is an emotion bubble by the Paw-Paw Fruit, like Kuma used on Zoro. Except this one encapsulates the joy that everyone felt before, or of those that found Laughtale before them. Way more theories exist than that though, which are in another deep dive of their own on what the One Piece is.
The final saga of One Piece is well underway, so the secrets of the Void Century won’t stay secret for much longer. Shanks, Luffy, and Buggy are on a crash course toward Laughtale, with only one that can claim the title of Pirate King. So, no matter who wins the Void Century will find a way to the light.
