Wano Arc Self-Homage
Nika is once again impaled by Im’s “Fragarach” (Sea God Sword).
The first sword “Bōfū” (Void Sword) was said to drain life force, preventing movement — and the second sword’s blade is also shown withering a tree, suggesting a similar effect.
Could being impaled by two life-draining swords actually be fatal?
The keywords “impaling” and “life-draining” bring to mind Ryokugyu from the Wano arc.
This looks like a self-homage to the scenes where Raizo and Shinobu were shriveled by Ryokugyu.
After that, the revived Shinobu became a stunning beauty
and proclaimed herself reborn as a “weapon.”
Though she did eventually return to her original figure in a cover page…
If this arc is indeed a self-homage, we can look forward to Luffy’s re-awakening that fans have long predicted.
His transformation into Nika the Destroyer — the god that the children of Elbaf so feared.
Signs That Roki’s Zoan Form Is Coming
A flashback was shown of Roki and Shanks arguing in the past.
Their exchange about their fathers strongly resembles Yamato and Ace.
If Roki’s role in Elbaf mirrors Yamato’s role in Wano, we can predict that Roki will hold Im off until Luffy recovers.
Yamato’s Zoan form was first unveiled when holding off Kaido, so we should be seeing Roki’s Zoan form fairly soon.
In the Wano arc, where Nika’s silhouette first appeared, Luffy awakened as Nika — the “Sun God” — matching that very silhouette.
So in the Elbaf arc, where a new silhouette has been shown, won’t Nika awaken to match that silhouette too?
The silhouette of “Nika the Destroyer” passed down in Elbaf shows a figure holding a sword and shield, with visible teeth, giving a somewhat menacing impression.
In conclusion: just like Shinobu — drained of life force and shriveled — Nika will revive as a completely different being.
