What is the Will of D. in One Piece?

The culmination of One Piece will go down as one of the most anticipated events in the manga and anime industry.

One Piece keeps stacking up arc after arc, which orients toward the overarching theme of the story.

Since its start two decades ago, One Piece has accumulated some mysteries that revolve around its central theme. The biggest mystery, apart from the One Piece itself, is the Will of D.

The significance and nature of the Will of D have not been revealed by Oda yet.

All the facts associate the Will of D with the Void Century in history and the existence of an ancient city on the Moon. It is theorized that the discovery of D’s truth will lead to the truth behind the One Piece itself.

Throughout the story, Oda provides hints and information regarding the true nature of the world in One Piece.

He discloses the significance of overlooked details and gives life to the mystery that holds the story of One Piece together.

This article will cover everything known about and associated with the Will of D., a name that keeps popping up throughout history to create a storm.

The Will of D. is associated with the middle initial “D” found in names inherited secretly throughout the world.

Even if the bloodline is extinguished, the name and the will itself do die out.

As acknowledged by several people throughout the story, this name seems to create a storm wherever it goes.

The “D Clan” are often known as the Enemies of God. The former Pirate King inherited the Will of D., and so does the protagonist – Monkey D. Luffy.

The exact meaning or the full form of D has not been revealed yet; it will likely be revealed at the story’s climax.

1. Introduction

I. First Appearance

The Will of D. was first mentioned in the Drum Island arc when Dr. Kureha reveals the name of the late Pirate King – Gol D. Roger.

It introduced the concept that there was something that the World Government wished to hide from its populace. She also claimed Luffy to be a dangerous man.

So it lives…the will of D.

Dr. Kureha.
What is The Will of D in One Piece?
Dr. Kureha | Source: Fandom

This information is linked back to an SBS question in Volume 8 of the manga.

In “Monkey D. Luffy”, what does the D stand for?! Is it “donburi” (a bowl)? Or maybe “daibutsu” (giant Buddha statue)? Or maybe…!! I’m really curious. Please tell me.

Reader

I’ve gotten a ridiculous number of these letters… So many. But I cannot answer that question. I can’t answer it… yet. Please just read it as “D” and don’t think too deeply into it, for now.

Eiichiro Oda

The Will of D. was later mentioned by Nico Robin in the Alabasta arc when she rescued Luffy from the quicksand. She asked Luffy about the meaning of the “D.” and why those with the name fight, but he had no idea.

Later, during the Sabody Archipalegeo arc, Robin asked Silvers Rayleigh about the significance of the Will of D.

This is when we found out that there is a concrete answer to this question, waiting for them at the end of their journey.

In the Post-War Arc, the Five Elders also stated that “D” meant danger.

II. Void Century

The Will of D. is often associated with the Void Century, but what is the Void Century?

In all of One Piece’s recorded history, a particular time period is deliberately hidden from the people of the world.

This time period was 100 years long and took place between 900 and 800 years prior to the current storyline. That is precisely what the Void Century is.

What is The Will of D in One Piece?
Nico Robin | Source: Fandom

During Nico Robin’s flashback, we found out that upon the research of the Poneglyphs, the scholars of Ohara discovered the presence of an ancient and majestic kingdom.

It disappeared from the face of the world 800 years ago, precisely when the World Government was formed.

The scholars of Ohara deduced that the World Government was responsible for the disappearance of this kingdom, and that is why research on the Void Century is punishable by death.

III. Poneglyphs

The Poneglyphs were introduced during the Alabasta arc. Poneglyphs are mysterious steles with history inscribed on them in the form of ancient letters.

According to Tamago, there are thirty Poneglyphs in the world. Being the pinnacle of Wano’s supreme craftsmanship by ancient Kozuki stonemasons, the steles are impervious to any damage, even from explosions.

Notably, only two characters are known who can decipher these cubes – Nico Robin & Charlotte Pudding.

These Poneglyphs are the only remnants of the Void Century, and they carry messages written by people of the ancient kingdom so they wouldn’t be forgotten by time.

Keep thy motives in heart, with a closed mouth. We are those who will weave history with the ringing of the great belfry.

Words inscribed on the Shandora ruins

Poneglyphs are divided into three categories:

  • Historical – reveal pieces of ancient history as well as messages written by ancient people.
  • Instructional – contain instructions and/or clues about the locations of Historical Poneglyphs.
  • Road – contain a location. The combined locations detailed by all four Road Poneglyphs allows one to locate Laugh Tale.

2. What does “D” Stand for?

Currently, the answer to this question is unknown.

The One Piece community has heavily debated this, and right now, there is no telling what it could be.

3. Inheritance of D.

Inherited will, the swelling of the changing times, and the dreams of people. These are things that cannot be stopped. As long as people seek the answer to freedom, these will never cease to be!

Narration at the end of Logue Town
What is The Will of D in One Piece?
Gold D. Roger | Source: Fandom

There are currently ten known inheritors of the Will of D. Four of these ten have been confirmed as deceased.

Dead

  • Gol D. Roger
  • Portgas D. Rouge
  • Portgas D. Ace
  • Jaguar D. Saul

Alive

  • Monkey D. Garp
  • Monkey D. Dragon
  • Monkey D. Luffy
  • Marshall D. Teach
  • Trafalgar D. Water Law
  • Rocks D. Xebec

The inheritance of this name has been shrouded in mystery throughout the story. The biggest mystery of “D.” is that most of those who carry the “D.” are themselves unaware of its true meaning.

Jaguar D. Saul displayed a lack of knowledge on the subject when Nico Robin asked him what it meant.

Similarly, when she asked Monkey D. Luffy why those who carry the “D.” fight, he was completely clueless about what she was talking about.

Trafalgar Law’s parents seemed to have some knowledge about what “D.” meant, considering that although they passed down the initial to their child, they hid it and insisted on using only their surname and given names.

Gol D. Roger is the first and, as of yet, only known “D.”-bearer in the storyline to have discovered its meaning.

I. Common Traits of the Known Inheritors

  • It appears that the inheritors of D. all share a similar faith in their destiny or dreams. The general consensus regarding a D’s appearance is that they would stir up things on a global scale. This could be wars, change in government, or the dawn of a new era. Some of the inheritors of D are unaware of its meaning. As of yet, the first to discover the meaning is Pirate King Gol D Roger.
  • They are able to withstand a higher degree of punishment than others and only succumb to death when they believe it is unavoidable.
  • The astonishing evidence of how the D. bearers smile or laugh in their final moments. Witnesses claimed that Gol D Roger smiled during his execution. Ace and Saul were seen smiling as they died and frozen to death, respectively. Even Smoker saw Luffy smile in a similar way during a near-death experience. The smile is interpreted as acceptance, and these are just some of the instances to support the idea! The only exception to this was Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach).
  • Narcolepsy, which is witnessed in Luffy, his grandfather Garp and Ace. They are seen falling asleep at odd times, sometimes even in battle.
  • Their appetite. D. bearers such as Blackbeard, Luffy, Garp, and Ace consume enormous amounts of food in one sitting.

4. Enemies of God

When Donquixote Rosinante learned that Law is a “D.”, he revealed to Law that those with this initial in their name are from the fated family of D.

In the country where Rosinante came from, children were told that if they misbehaved, they would be eaten up by “D.”.

Similarly, elders of that country seemed quite wary of the “storm” that those with “D.” were known to cause.

Rosinante explained to Law that the “D.” had been secretly inherited worldwide and throughout history, and that in a certain land, the “Family of D” was referred to as Natural Enemy of God.

According to Rosinante, the “D.” s are considered the natural enemy of the Celestial Dragons, as Celestial Dragons are considered “Gods”.

I. Luffy vs. Enel

A brilliantly executed foreshadowing from Oda was setting up Enel as the “God” of Skypiea.

Luffy vs God Enel

Before any of the information about the D. clan being the “natural” enemy of Gods was established, Monkey D. Luffy fought and defeated Enel because of the fact that rubber is a “natural enemy” of electricity.

II. Emu-Sama

The highest authority known in One Piece is none other than Emu-sama.

Almost everything about this individual is shrouded in mystery, yet the fact that he is the King of the World who rules from the shadows is clear.

Imu Sama First Appearance

Luffy will ultimately topple the current World Government regime and complete the circle of a D. clan member defeating a God.

5. Unexplained Information

Since the Will of D’s specific nature has not been revealed yet, all we can do is theorize about what it can be.

Before we do that, there are some unexplained plot-points that we need a refresher on. Namely:

I. JoyBoy

JoyBoy was first mentioned during the Fishman Island arc. Upon deciphering a Poneglyph hidden in the Fishman Island forests, Nico Robin found out that the Poneglyph held an apology written by JoyBoy.

In writing, JoyBoy apologized to the former Poseidon for being unable to fulfill a promise.

One Piece – Joy Boy Revealed

While not much is known about this character, it is obvious that he was someone important enough to have an entire Poneglyph to their name. It is often theorized that JoyBoy was a member of the D. clan.

II. Giant Strawhat

During the introduction of Emu-sama, we were shown a giant straw hat locked inside of the Holy Land of Mariejois.

Nothing else has been revealed about this straw hat. It is often theorized that the hat belonged to JoyBoy.

III. Name of The Ancient Kingdom

During Nico Robin’s flashback, Clover explained Ohara’s findings at gunpoint to the officials of the Cipher Pol.

Right before he was shot down, he was about to take the ancient kingdom’s name lost in the Void Century.

It seems very suspicious, and it is often theorized that the name had something to do with the Will of D.

IV. Enel’s Great Space Operations

The 10th cover story series (chapter 428 – 474) in the One Piece manga shows us Enel’s adventures on the Moon.

What is The Will of D in One Piece?
Enel | Source: Fandom

After Enel set sail for the “Endless Varth” (The Moon), he encounters a group of small robots known as automata, as well as a vicious group of Space Pirates.

After a series of events, Enel’s Goro Goro no Mi powers wind up activating not only all of the automata, but their city as well, and the self-proclaimed God discovers his true roots.

During the cover story, we see an ancient city on the Moon, which seems to be where the Skypieans originated from.

If this city is as ancient and advanced as it seems, it may later play a role when we discover more about the ancient kingdom.

V. Capone Bege’s Disappearance

This is something odd that is often overlooked when people watch/read One Piece.

In chapter 594 of the manga and episode 511 of the anime, Capone Bege’s ship is pulled into the sky by a gigantic black object.

What is The Will of D in One Piece?
Capone Bege | Source: Fandom

After this incident, he was seen in Big Mom’s pirate crew. There has been no mention of this incident since then.

It is very unclear if this is just a plot-point Oda abandoned or if it is something that holds deep meaning and could be related to other mysteries.

6. About One Piece

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997, and has been collected into 96 tankōbon volumes.

The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger.

The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.”

These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!

Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece.

With his diverse crew joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.

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