One Piece: What if Luffy Hadn’t Eaten the Gum-Gum Fruit? Exploring the Untold Journey of the Gomu Gomu No Mi
In the world of One Piece, the pivotal moment of Monkey D. Luffy consuming the Gum-Gum Fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi) has left fans captivated and led to countless adventures. However, the lingering question remains: what would have become of the iconic Devil Fruit had Luffy’s appetite not intervened?
The Gum-Gum Fruit, discovered by Shanks and his Red-Hair Pirates, inadvertently found its way to Luffy, setting him on the path to becoming a rubber-powered pirate. This mysterious fruit, classified as a Paramythia-type within the Devil Fruit hierarchy, grants its consumer the unique ability to stretch their body like rubber, effectively transforming them into a formidable rubber-human hybrid.
As one of the most recognizable Devil Fruits in the One Piece universe, the Gum-Gum Fruit’s true potential continues to unfold, with recent developments hinting at a deeper, more complex power than initially perceived. With so many unanswered questions surrounding its fate, the story of the Gum-Gum Fruit remains a fascinating aspect of the One Piece narrative, leaving fans eager to uncover the truth behind its untold journey.
Unraveling the True Nature of the Gomu Gomu No Mi Devil Fruit
Before delving into the potential intentions of Shanks and the Red-Hair Pirates regarding the Devil Fruit, it is crucial to comprehend the true nature of this enigmatic item. Contrary to popular belief, the Gomu Gomu no Mi is not a mere rubber-granting fruit. In fact, it is an entirely different Devil Fruit: the Hito-Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. This fruit, rather than merely enabling its consumer to stretch their body in bizarre ways, bestows upon them the extraordinary power of imagination.
This revelation sheds light on the relentless pursuit of the fruit by the World Government for centuries. They succeeded in obtaining it at one point; however, Shanks and his crew cunningly intercepted its transportation to Marijoa. The Gomu Gomu no Mi’s misidentification as a standard Paramythia suggests that Shanks may have been privy to the fruit’s true nature all along. As one of the more enigmatic characters in One Piece, it is not implausible for Shanks to possess knowledge that eludes most other characters.
Shanks’ Crew: Guardians of the Devil Fruit
Operating under the assumption that Shanks and the Red-Hair Pirates recognized the power of the Devil Fruit, it is improbable that they would have sold it. Despite their desire for treasure, Shanks has demonstrated concern for the world’s power balance and safety on multiple occasions. Notably, he attempted to dissuade Ace from pursuing Blackbeard by personally confronting Whitebeard. As such, it is unlikely that Shanks and his crew would have sold the Gum-Gum Fruit to just anyone for financial gain. Rather, they would have safeguarded it until the right opportunity or deserving individual emerged.
One might presume that this individual would be a member of Shanks’ crew or even the captain himself, but this seems doubtful. Unique among pirate crews, none of the Red-Hair Pirates’ main members are known to possess Devil Fruit powers. Furthermore, they have expressed disdain for the curse associated with the fruit early in the series. While it is not impossible for one of them to become the next Rubber-man, it is more plausible that they would entrust the fruit to a promising young character. In doing so, they would be investing in the future generation of One Piece.
