One Piece: The Inherited Will of the Nika Fruit, Explained

One Piece: The Inherited Will of the Nika Fruit, Explained

Key Takeaways

  • Devil Fruits grant varied powers from combat abilities to world-altering strength.
  • Nika Fruit users link through inherited will as warriors fighting against oppression.
  • Nika, Joyboy, and Luffy share a common goal of freedom and joy, tied to the powerful Hito Hito no mi, Model: Nika Devil Fruit.

As a long-time enthusiast of One Piece, I must say that this series has never failed to surprise and captivate me with its intricate storyline and fascinating characters. The tale of Joyboy, Luffy, and the enigmatic figure known as Nika is no exception.


In the world of One Piece, Devil Fruits form the core of its power system and are essentially edible items that bestow extraordinary abilities upon consumption. The powers associated with these fruits can span a wide spectrum, from those capable of holding off entire armies to ones barely useful in combat scenarios. Yet, very few rival the might or the peculiarity of Luffy’s Gum-Gum Fruit, Model: Nika.

In the world of One Piece, the Gomu Gomu no Mi, previously known by that name, was unveiled during the Wano arc as one of the mightiest Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits. With Egghead’s revelation about the inherited will passed through Devil Fruits, it becomes clear how users of the Nika fruit are all interconnected. Let’s delve into this idea and understand why each user of this fruit was pivotal in their respective eras.

What Is Inherited Will?

A Concept That Defines Generations

As a fervent believer in the idea, I see an Inherited Will as a powerful force that carries someone’s aspirations, passion, and determination to the future. This belief allows me to embrace mortality without dread, for I firmly believe that my dreams and resilience will persist beyond me, manifesting themselves through successive generations. It’s essential to understand that this concept isn’t confined by blood ties alone; anyone who embraces another person’s dream can become a vessel for their aspirations.

People’s dreams have no end!

The power of the Nika Fruit resonates deeply with its users due to the values they embody. There’s a shared bond between Nika, Joyboy, and Luffy, forged by their shared aspiration for freedom from oppression. While it’s uncertain if this particular ideal is inherent in the Nika Fruit, it’s clear that this common goal binds these three characters together. It might even be why the fruit targeted Joyboy and Luffy, as the ideals of Nika possibly kept the fruit away from the grasp of the World Government.

Nika, The Sun God

The Warrior of Liberation

First AppearanceOne Piece, Chapter 1018, “Jinbe vs. Who’s-Who”
Story ArcWano

To Jinbe during his confrontation with Who’s-Who, it was revealed that Nika was an age-old figure who traversed the globe, promoting freedom and joy to oppressed populations, hence earning the title ‘The Liberator Warrior’. Nika is deeply rooted in Elbaf folklore and the Pirate tribe’s mythology, where he is regarded as a Solar Deity, whom suppressed people worldwide invoke for liberation. As per Dr. Vegapunk, accounts of Nika can be found in numerous concealed and ancient documents. However, much of his history has been systematically removed from recorded knowledge.

They called him ‘Sun God Nika’. It was said he would bring laughter to their lips and free them from their suffering. Who knows if he really existed though…?

Vegapunk posited that Devil Fruits are manifestations of people’s aspirations to transcend their current selves into something extraordinary. As such, he hypothesized that over time, individuals yearned to be mighty liberators with bizarre abilities like Nika’s, leading to the creation of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. This elusive fruit is highly sought after by the World Government but has always evaded their control. Whether Nika was a historical figure or merely a legend, the tale from millennia ago spawned one of the most potent Devil Fruits in existence.

Joyboy, The First Pirate

Ancient Enemy of the World Government

First AppearanceOne Piece, Chapter 628, “Spring Cleaning”
Story ArcFishman Island

It’s uncertain whether Nika truly existed or not, leading some to believe that the tales of the Liberation Warrior could have been Joyboy during the Void Century. As the first pirate ever recorded and the only other known user of the Nika Fruit apart from Luffy, Joyboy is a strong candidate for this role. It’s also known that he and his associates fought against the entity that eventually transformed into the World Government, but they were unable to prevent its rise to power.

Remember Emet, only when the time is right.

It is believed that the One Piece treasure is connected to a character named Joyboy, who, based on available information, was considered a hero during his time. Many people think that the spirit of Nika, or perhaps an ideal similar to it, resides within the Hito Hito no Mi fruit that Joyboy consumed long ago. This assumption arises because the fruit itself is said to have sought out Joyboy, potentially due to their shared ideals with Nika.

Luffy, The Straw Hat

The One Who Will Become The Pirate King

First AppearanceOne Piece, Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of Adventure”
Story ArcRomance Dawn

Inherited will is a tricky concept to understand with relation to Devil Fruits. This is because not everyone who shares the same dreams and beliefs will get the same Devil Fruit as those before them. For example, Roger had the exact same dream and ideals as Luffy but the Nika Fruit skipped his generation, only to go to Luffy instead. This is something that remains a mystery.

I don’t want to rule anything. Being King of the Pirates is about being more free than anyone.

At present, Luffy wields the Nika Fruit, and upon its awakening, he resembles the legendary Liberator Warrior in his Gear 5 form, looking remarkably similar to Joyboy. In this state, it’s challenging to distinguish between Luffy and Joyboy, as even Zunesha and Emet have noted their striking resemblance. It is believed that with this form, Luffy may locate the One Piece treasure, overthrow the World Government and Celestial Dragons tyranny, liberating all beings from subjugation, and spreading joy wherever he travels.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2024-11-24 19:07