The ancient weapons of One Piece – Pluton, Poseidon and Uranus – represent some of the biggest mysteries within what is already a deeply cryptic series. Their true forms, origins, destinies and connections to major characters like Monkey D. Luffy are still shrouded in uncertainty.
In this expert guide, we will analyze everything currently known about these fearsome weapons, explore the most credible fan theories, and speculate on how they might tie into the final saga of Eiichiro Oda‘s masterpiece.
The Ancient Weapons – Harbingers of a New Age
As explained by Nico Robin, the three ancient weapons were first utilized during the infamous Void Century, a 100 year period mysteriously erased from recorded history. They possess enough sheer power to completely shift the geopolitical order.
Many believe the weapons led to the destruction of highly advanced civilizations – their keys passed down for generations as both symbols of authority and warnings of apocalyptic danger should they ever be awakened once more.
Weapons that fuse tremendous destructive capacity with prophetic mystique permeate many real world mythologies as well. The lightning wielding hammer Mjolnir crafted for the Norse God Thor enabled immense electrical discharges and returns unerringly when thrown before laying waste to jotunn and any other enemies of Asgard.
The trident associated with Hindu God Shiva – capable of manipulating the very ocean waves and tremors of the earth – caused such universal havoc in certain texts that Shiva stripped much of the weapon‘s power for sake of all existence.
Characters like Silvers Rayleigh have intimated that uncovering the lost history from that missing Void Century may finally bring humanity into a new age of unity and understanding to replace the endemic corruption of the World Government and men like the Five Elders.
The ancient weapons of One Piece‘s world almost certainly have roles to play in this impending shift. As living embodiments of "inherited will", their destiny may transcend the mere havoc and domination they could wield if fully awakened.
Pluton – Wano‘s Buried Behemoth
Pluton is confirmed to physically be hidden beneath the mighty country of Wano. As explained by Franky using blueprints passed down from legendary shipwright Tom, it is a massive warship capable of laying waste to entire islands.
From what little Franky revealed, we can estimate Pluton‘s measurements as follows:
| Specification | Estimated Size |
|---|---|
| Length | 390 meters |
| Width | 200 meters |
| Height | 70 meters |
To put that in perspective, Pluton could easily dwarf modern destroyer class vessels which average only around 150 meters lengthwise. And Franky‘s blueprints are stated to enable actually constructing a second Pluton.
This means the weaponized ship slumbering below Wano could awaken and be manned to rain down unprecedented artillery barrages, raze entire archipelagos to the bedrock, and potentially generate tsunamis hundreds of meters in height depending on the depths and displacement capacity of surrounding waters.
It‘s worth noting that Wano itself has been described as the origin point for some of the finest weapon smiths and shipwrights in all of One Piece‘s world. So an ancient super-civilization intertwining their ultimate doomsday vessel with the heritage of master Japanese craftsmen makes perfect sense.
There may even be lineages tying figures like Tenguyama Hitetsu to the original builders of Pluton itself centuries ago. It further bolsters the theory that only a uniquely skilled shipwright (e.g. Franky) can properly restart and handle the fearsome battleship.
So what events could possibly have necessitated sealing away such a formidable maritime WMD?
Poseidon – Sovereign of the Sea Kings
In stark contrast to Pluton‘s sheer firepower and structural engineering, Poseidon manifests as a mystical ability tied to one‘s hereditary bloodline.
Specifically, the original Poseidon had some extraordinary connection with the Sea Kings – allowing communication, subjugation or even complete control over the massive aquatic beasts. This authority over sea creature kings empowered a maritime empire without equal, at least until Poseidon seemingly faded into legend following the Void Century.
Of course, fans later discovered this formidable ability did endure along one special family line navigating all the way down to none other than Shirahoshi herself in the present era!
The giant princess of Fishman Island may be innocent and nonviolent, but consider again the enormity of what total Sea King control enables…
Our best glimpse came during Whitebeard‘s bold attack on Marine HQ to rescue Ace. When Shirahoshi cried out, Sea Kings emerged in their thousands bordering all of Marineford, shocking onlookers and intimating the princess commanded authority over beasts that could decimate the entire island.
And those grouped titans only represented a fraction of Sea Kings globally. Some math indicates Poseidon could potentially influence 100,000-150,000 leviathans from around the world if awakened to full strength. If even 1/10 of that number assault the Red Line with surging waves or targeted body slams, the reverberations would annihilate structures and coastal bastions for miles in every direction.
Shirahoshi has also been connected to the legendary Princess Shirahoshi of Fishman myth – destined to use her power to raise and guide Noah, a sea-borne vessel of salvation built to withstand any maelstrom.
So could a second global deluge wipe out even Mariejois itself along with Fishman hatred if this prophetic arc culminates? Would that enable a new unity akin to Whitebeard‘s aspirations?
These questions and connections certainly reinforce why Shirahoshi herself was dubbed the "Ancient Weapon" Poseidon and feared/revered as walking cataclysm despite her unassuming and sweet nature.
Uranus – Wielder of Cosmic Power
The third weapon Uranus represents arguably the deepest mystery of all in One Piece lore. We lack any confirmed details on its exact form or functions.
But one popular theory unites Uranus with the winged folk of the moon races called Shandorans first shown occupying the sky island of Jaya. Their isolation and ruins depicting a once prosperous civilization centered around advanced technology, mapping the world via brick pyramids, and worshiping figures like Nola the snake.
Note Uranus was named after a primal sky god from Greek mythology and often depicted himself with avian characteristics. So a connection through the literal sky people of One Piece possessing advanced ancient knowledge lines up closely.
Envoy Eneru‘s tyrannical electromagnetic powers or even Dragon‘s climate manipulating wind abilities lend further credence that Uranus could wield the raw force of weather itself as a weapon.
And since the lost moon races were stated to have especially potent mystical abilities, Uranus may merge these mythical gifts to forge hurricanes, lightning storms or even temperature altering phenomena according to the wielder‘s will.
One even wilder but still plausible premise suggests Uranus is literally a slumbering dragon itself and adversary side of the spectrum to Poseidon‘s aquatic beasts.
Mythical model Devil Fruits have demonstrated transforming users into massive dragon like monsters after all. Ancient weapons being tied to living super organisms could further mirror our own real world history and mythos like the divine cosmic serpent Níðhöggr that gnaws at Yggdrasil‘s roots or the primordial ooze of Tiamat that birthed Mesopotamian civilization.
And with Dr. Vegapunk‘s confirmed research into dragons, lineage factors tied to weapons plus everything seen from figures like Kaido, maybe there is genuine fire behind the smoke here!
The Final Keys to Laugh Tale
Most importantly, sharp fans noticed that lyrics from Bink‘s Sake and the Log Pose song also reference "the island that guides the lost ones back home" and "the rays of holy light that pour down on this land" with a strong implication towards Laugh Tale itself.
So could one or more ancient weapons directly enable actually reaching that final island at long last? What role might Road Poneglyphs play? How is the Lost History itself intertwined with the weapons‘ forgotten reality warping might from the conclusion of the Void Century on through today?
Too many questions remain. But with Shirahoshi‘s ties to the Noah and Fishman prophecy at least partially surfacing and Pluton waiting beneath the still mysteries Wano, the truth continues rising ever closer to the surface of the Grand Line‘s treacherous seas.
Now to unravel the biggest overhanging unknown: who in the modern era might control or inherit the will of mighty Uranus itself?
Inherited Destiny? Luffy‘s Connection to the Ancient Weapons
Several formidable figures like Doflamingo and Kaido have intimated that Luffy himself may be the reincarnation of Joy Boy, the legendary hero destined to guide Poseidon and ally with her to awaken Noah, the massive ark constructed by Fishmen of legend.
Considering Luffy‘s uncanny ability to sway allies to his cause like Boa Hancock along with the respect shown to him by Sea Kings during his escape from Big Mom‘s territory, the theory holds real weight. That‘s before even mentioning his possible family lineage as the son or grandson of Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the revolutionaries.
When Wano‘s history and ties to master weapon smiths are also considered, the connections only grow stronger. Many now believe Luffy may awaken Pluton itself from below Mount Fuji or somehow inherit Franky‘s blueprint knowledge.
Though Luffy does not demonstrate any innate weather controlling abilities thus far. So the idea he could wield apocalyptic Uranus himself seems less likely, though a chance remains that the weapon reincarnates differently across ages and bloodlines.
Other prime candidates include:
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Blackbeard: His knowledge and patience spanning decades pursuing mythic powers lend credence he could inherit the cosmic ancient weapon next or already has strong ties to it. And Marshall D. Teach‘s own crew follows a sky and weather theme between Jesus Burgess plus Shiliew being dubbed the "rain". Maybe far more than coincidence there!
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Dr. Vegapunk: Potential inheritance gets murkier here, but the intellectual juggernaut‘s scientific savvy, morality questions after revolutionary ties plus connections to developing ancient weapons through Pacifista research mark probably the top non-D clan candidate.
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Dragon: As mentioned when speculating on Uranus itself, the leader of the Revolutionary Army‘s apocalyptic storm summoning capacities and resistance ties to research on weapons cannot be ignored either.
Could Luffy‘s father or even Dr. Vegapunk himself represent bloodline descendants and rightful modern heirs to Uranus‘ cataclysmic mythological might? Certainly remains in the cards.
My personal hunch leans towards Blackbeard most strongly based on his pursuit of powers related to and even direct bloodlines back to major figures like Whitebeard and Xebec. Everything Teach has done links back to destiny with the lurking legend himself as the final fated obstacle for Luffy to overcome.
Converging Towards The Final Truth
After over two decades of masterful world building, it is no stretch to say that Eiichiro Oda has crafted a saga for the ages, marrying goofy humor with incredibly deep lore. All signs point towards the ancient weapons and lost history intertwining to catapult characters like Monkey D. Luffy into fateful confrontation with the sinister Five Elders who rule the world itself.
What twists and turns are still in store? Which theories will come to pass or evolve to encompass even greater secrets? The mysteries only deepen as we barrel forwards. But the tantalizing endgame comes ever slowly into focus, all centered around the weapons that shaped the past and now stand poised to forge a radically different future for all of One Piece.