BLOCKBUSTER AFTER 28 YEARS: ODA OFFICIALLY REVEALS GOMU GOMU NO MI (NIKA FRUIT) WAS ORIGINALLY FOR ACE – SHANKS GOES TO EAST BLUE TO FIND “HIS BROTHER” ROGER, BUT LUFFY “STEALS” JOYBOY’S FATE?!

The Gomu Gomu no Mi is one of the most important Devil Fruits in the One Piece world, given that the protagonist of the series, Monkey D. Luffy, utilizes this power. It can also be said that this is the most important fruit in the entire series, especially since it’s connected directly to the Sun God Nika. The real name of the Gomu Gomu no Mi is the Hito Hito no Mi, Model Nika. This Devil Fruit allows one to become the Sun God after awakening, which grants them immense physical capabilities, as well as the power to do just about whatever they want, limited only by their own imagination.

As fans know, Luffy ended up eating this Devil Fruit at a very young age. However, this devil fruit had a different original user, as revealed by Oda himself in the recent One Piece chapter. While Luffy ended up accidentally eating this Devil Fruit, the most likely user of this fruit was originally Portgas D. Ace.

Luffy Ate The Gomu Gomu no Mi 12 Years Ago

• Gomu Gomu no Mi Was Stolen By Shanks
• Luffy Accidentally Ate The Devil Fruit

As fans know, Luffy ended up eating the Gomu Gomu no Mi in the very first chapter of the story. Upon his debut, Shanks had the Gomu Gomu no Mi with him, and according to the Red Hair Pirates, they had acquired this fruit from an enemy ship. In the Wano Country Arc, fans got more context as to how they acquired this power. While being transported on a Government vessel, Shanks managed to attack it after defeating Who’s Who, a member of the CP9. He acquired the Devil Fruit and kept it to himself.

I ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, so now I’m a rubber man. Look how much I can stretch. — Monkey D. Luffy

Shanks and his crew then went to Foosha Village, where he spent over a year, and eventually, that is how he met Luffy. One thing led to another and Luffy ate the Devil Fruit. Immediately after, Luffy gained immense powers, even though he could not completely control them at first. Shanks inspired Luffy to become a pirate, and years later, he set out on his own journey, and that is the beginning of the story of One Piece, as fans know it.

Now, fans have more context as to why Shanks was in Foosha Village. It was always rather strange seeing Shanks anchor himself in the East Blue for as long as he did. A pirate of Shanks’ caliber had no reason to go to the East Blue in the first place, especially given that it is the weakest of the four seas.

Shanks also stayed there for about a year, which clearly means that he was looking for someone or something. He had already acquired this Devil Fruit by that time, and despite having it, he did not actually eat it himself or let any member of his crew consume this fruit. Clearly, Shanks was saving this fruit for a certain someone, and that person is none other than Ace, as strongly implied in One Piece Chapter 1169.

Ace Was Supposed To Be The Real User Of The Gomu Gomu no Mi

• Shanks Believed Ace To Be The Next Roger
• The Devil Fruit Was Saved For Ace

In One Piece Chapter 1169, Shanks was seen spending some time with Gaban in Elbaf, around 14 years ago. This was around one year before Shanks ended up stealing the Gomu Gomu no Mi from the World Government. During this time, Gaban revealed to Shanks that Roger had a son. It was revealed to Shanks that Garp was raising this child, and Shanks immediately felt delight knowing that Roger’s legacy lives on.

What? Captain Roger had a son? He’s done great to stay hidden from the Navy so far then! I bet he will be the next Pirate King! — Shanks to Gaban

At the same time, Shanks also considered Ace his own little brother. Quite clearly, Shanks also stated that he believed Ace would go on to become the Pirate King of the new generation, something which Gaban did not quite agree with at the time. Regardless of all that, what was quite clear was that Shanks considered Ace his little brother and he knew that he was going to carry on Roger’s will.

Shanks Was Looking For Roger’s Son After Learning About Him From Gaban

Putting two and two together, it is quite clear that the moment Shanks stole the Devil Fruit and went to the East Blue, he had already set his sights on Ace. Shanks was most likely looking for Ace during this time period, but Garp had hidden him well. The reason he spent a year there was that he was looking for this boy who was rather difficult to find.

Shanks also did not know his name, so that complicated the issue even further. While Shanks would most likely have found him eventually, Luffy ended up eating the Devil Fruit before Ace did, and that is how the story was set up.

This makes even more sense when taking into consideration Roger’s own words. Roger believed that the next person to find the One Piece would be his own son. Shanks was clearly trying to make Ace the Nika of the next generation and the next Pirate King as well. Unfortunately, he failed at this task, but he did end up finding Luffy, who has now awakened the power of Nika.

Ace Would Never Have Become Nika In One Piece

• Zoan Fruits Have A Will Of Their Own
• The Nika Fruit Chose Luffy

Even if Shanks had found Ace, he would most certainly not have become the Nika of this generation. The fact is that the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika is a Zoan type Devil Fruit. Zoan Devil Fruits, and most likely all other devil fruits as well, have a will of their own. They do not go to people who think are unworthy of their powers.

The Nika Devil Fruit specifically evaded the World Government for centuries. It most certainly chose Luffy because it only sensed the same potential in him. Even if Shanks had found Ace, the Devil Fruit would have evaded him because their personalities do not match and Ace was not supposed to be Nika in the first place. This fruit was always meant for someone like Luffy and that is why it ended up in his possession.

Still, it is interesting to know that Shanks was not only looking out for Ace but was also trying to make him the king of the next generation, as well as the savior of the world. It goes to show how much Shanks cared about Roger’s legacy, as well as how much he would have loved taking care of Ace as his younger brother had he met him before Ace found the Whitebeard Pirates. Hopefully, Oda will give the fans more context on this later down the line in the story.