One Piece: Why Nika Will Be Luffy’s Biggest Enemy After a Major Death in the Final Saga

By Charles Wilson 10/03/2025

Ever since Monkey D. Luffy awakened his Devil Fruit and its true name was revealed in One Piece, there have been hints that it has a will of its own. The Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, seems to be pushing against Luffy’s. Many fans believe the Sun God might overtake him if someone important to him dies, and the primary suspect is Garp, his grandfather.

From the way Luffy’s attitude and way of speaking change when he’s in Gear 5, it’s almost as if he’s been possessed by Nika. Some cracks prove that Luffy is still in control, but there’s always a huge risk, especially when awakening a Zoan Fruit in One Piece. However, this could all change if an emotional event like Ace’s execution happens once again.

Garp’s Death in One Piece Could Trigger Nika Overpowering Luffy’s Will






When Portgas D. Ace was executed after all the effort Luffy took to save him, we’ve never seen him more devastated. He collapsed, and when he woke up, he went on a blind rampage, asking where he was. If it weren’t for Jinbe, he would’ve lost his will.

If Luffy faces another death of a loved one, t here’s no telling what could happen. While his will is far stronger after he trained under Silvers Rayleigh, grief can suffocate a person. Monkey D. Garp has had several death flags in One Piece,

especially now that he’s a prisoner of the Blackbeard Pirates.

Since Garp was directly responsible for Rocks D. Xebec’s downfall and his other actions in God Valley prove he was more on the World Government’s side, it gives Blackbeard more motive to finish him. We can’t predict when and if his death will happen, but it’s likely to occur when Luffy has his fated battle against the antagonist.

If Luffy sees Garp die, Nika might find a window to take control over his will. The protagonist might have honed his Haki and bear the Will of D, but it could be nothing against an actual God. The Five Elders commented in Chapter 1044 that the Devil Fruit seems to have a will of its own, after avoiding their grasp for 800 years.

It’s not only the Five Elders who have said something about this, however. Shaka, one of Vegapunk’s satellites, stated that awakened Zoan Fruits can absorb and control the user’s personality. That seems to be happening to Luffy, and Garp’s death could be the final trigger. Some believe Shanks’ death could have the same effect, but the Vice Admiral’s death is more likely at this point in One Piece.

A Final Battle Between Luffy and Nika’s Will Is Inevitable in One Piece

Luffy is a joyful and silly person in general, but during a fight, he’s rather serious and tends to tell the villain off. When he fought Kaido, he vowed to get rid of him and insulted him for what he did to Wano. However, when he unlocked Gear 5, he almost treated it like they were playing. He laughed and spoke to him in a lighter tone.

This is unlike Luffy, who always has a bone to pick with his enemies. When using Gear 5, however, it’s as if the anger melts away. It could be the confidence Nika gives him, but his mannerisms also change. His laugh goes from his typical “Shishishi” to a boisterous one, although not always. Moreover, Oda drew Nika as a separate Straw Hat crewmate in SBS 111.

With all these hints about an awakened Zoan Fruit controlling the user’s personality, Eiichiro Oda must be planning for Nika to attempt to overtake Luffy. While we doubt that the Sun God will win against the protagonist, as One Piece is his story, it will only enrich the plot.

What do you think of Sun God Nika one day possessing Luffy, and if Garp is the potential trigger for it? Let us know your predictions and theories in the comments below!

One Piece can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll and read on VIZ Media.

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