The Void Century
I. Introduction
The Void Century is a one hundred year gap in recorded history, as historical study of this time period is strictly forbidden by the World Government on pain of death. Taking place around eight to nine hundred years ago, this century contains a number of mysteries that directly tie in to the very formation and history of the World Government.
It came to be known as such due to the destruction of anything associated with this time period and only the indestructible poneglyphs remain to even hint at the events that took place around that time. However some notable individuals are keenly aware of the missing history and strive to learn more despite the obvious dangers.
I. Introduction
The Void Century is a one hundred year gap in recorded history, as historical study of this time period is strictly forbidden by the World Government on pain of death. Taking place around eight to nine hundred years ago, this century contains a number of mysteries that directly tie in to the very formation and history of the World Government.
It came to be known as such due to the destruction of anything associated with this time period and only the indestructible poneglyphs remain to even hint at the events that took place around that time. However some notable individuals are keenly aware of the missing history and strive to learn more despite the obvious dangers.
Its history seems to be the highest guarded secret of the World Government as the King of one of its founding members -Cobra Nefetari- was not only unaware of the true history but had no idea about the very existence of the poneglyphs. From this we can infer that the truth of the Void Century is kept secret from almost everyone with only a very few possessing the truth. In fact it is even possible that the truth has not been passed down to the current leaders of the World Government, and the truth may well only be found on Raftel itself. The only group to ever discover the full history of the Void Century was the Roger Pirates, as Silvers Raleigh revealed to Nico Robin and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates.
The Gorosei, the current leaders of the World Government who would do anything to keep the events from the Void Century a secret.
II. History
Flag of the World Government.
The earliest known event of the Void Century is the conclusion of the Great War in 722, when Shandora fell to the armies of the Twenty Kingdoms that would later form the World Government. Interestingly enough, the poneglyph that stood on the island- part of Jaya at that time- was not removed amid the destruction. We can safely assume that the Twenty Kingdoms were ignorant of the poneglyphs purpose at this time or they would have removed it upon victory. The chronology of the following events are unknown.
Another key to the Void Century is the existence of a powerful kingdom that fought the Twenty Kingdoms and was subsequently destroyed. Noted to be enormous and prosperous, it still inspires such fear amongst the Gorosei that they ordered that Clover should be shot before even speaking the name. Defeated at the end of the Void Century it seems that the kingdom was the last obstacle in the way of the Twenty as they formed the all-powerful World Government shortly after. They are the authors of the poneglyphs and it is for that reason that study of the objects is strictly forbidden- the destruction of Ohara showing the extent of the lengths the government will go to in order to keep the most dangerous of secrets. The very existence of such a kingdom threatens the WG itself as it presents an idea of a government other than that of the current. Such an idea is unthinkable to almost everyone given the sheer length of time that the World Government has been in power-most likely the ordinary citizens believe that it has always been as such.
Flag of the World Government.
The earliest known event of the Void Century is the conclusion of the Great War in 722, when Shandora fell to the armies of the Twenty Kingdoms that would later form the World Government. Interestingly enough, the poneglyph that stood on the island- part of Jaya at that time- was not removed amid the destruction. We can safely assume that the Twenty Kingdoms were ignorant of the poneglyphs purpose at this time or they would have removed it upon victory. The chronology of the following events are unknown.
Another key to the Void Century is the existence of a powerful kingdom that fought the Twenty Kingdoms and was subsequently destroyed. Noted to be enormous and prosperous, it still inspires such fear amongst the Gorosei that they ordered that Clover should be shot before even speaking the name. Defeated at the end of the Void Century it seems that the kingdom was the last obstacle in the way of the Twenty as they formed the all-powerful World Government shortly after. They are the authors of the poneglyphs and it is for that reason that study of the objects is strictly forbidden- the destruction of Ohara showing the extent of the lengths the government will go to in order to keep the most dangerous of secrets. The very existence of such a kingdom threatens the WG itself as it presents an idea of a government other than that of the current. Such an idea is unthinkable to almost everyone given the sheer length of time that the World Government has been in power-most likely the ordinary citizens believe that it has always been as such.
Before/After picture of Ohara, the Island that got destroyed by the WG for researching the Void Century
It’s suggested in chapter 818 that all the poneglyphs were written by the Kozuki clan from Wano, but this is a bit unclear and somewhat unlikely as some poneglyphs contain information that is not directly tied to the Kozuki Clan. At least one poneglyph was most likely blank at that time as Joy Boy inscribed a message on the poneglyph on Fishman Island. Trying to figure out the exact history of the creation of the poneglyphs is pure speculation at this point.
Some poneglyphs contain information icon the three ancient weapons known as Pluton, Poseidon and Uranus. This would suggest that they were the creators of such awesome power and suggests that perhaps the civilisation was technologically advanced given that another weapon on that scale has never been invented since. The intended purpose of the weapons is unknown. It is very possible that they were solely a deterrent and were not used in the war with the Twenty Kingdoms due to the global catastrophe that their use would cause.
Shirahoshi, the current ancient weapon Poseidon.
Around eight hundred years prior to the current time the residents of Fishman Island made a promise to an unknown man called Joy Boy. The latter attempted to raise the ark known as Noah with aid from Poseidon but failed and subsequently entrusted the protection of the ark to the people of the island. The ark will likely play a key role in saving the residents of Fishman Island in the event that the prophecy about Luffy destroying the island in unknown circumstances comes true. The poneglyph left on the island contains an apology from Joy Boy in reference to his failure. At the end of the Void Century the newly formed World Government took control of the entire world and formed the Council of Kings. They acted quickly to outlaw research of the century and initiated the slaughter of any scholar studying the time period.
The Poneglyph that Joy Boy left behind, and the Poneglyph in Alabasta that Crocodile was after.
III. Future Role
The Void Century and the history of the World Government is one of the foremost mysteries of the world of One Piece and will tie in to the history of the Family of D, the One Piece and almost every other defining mystery of the manga. Eventually the crew will learn of the true history of the Void Century as the Roger Pirates did and will have to make a decision. Silvers Raleigh and the Roger Pirates chose not to share the history with the world, perhaps fearing the global upheaval this would cause. It is highly likely that the Straw Hat Pirates will share the history and that act could well be the trigger that sparks the global war to come.
After the war has ended it is safe to assume that the tyrannical World Government will no longer be in power, and a new form of government will rise, perhaps an alliance of the Kingdoms of the land including Dressrosa, Alabasta and Fishman Island, or perhaps the revolutionary army will play a role in the new government.
The Void Century and the history of the World Government is one of the foremost mysteries of the world of One Piece and will tie in to the history of the Family of D, the One Piece and almost every other defining mystery of the manga. Eventually the crew will learn of the true history of the Void Century as the Roger Pirates did and will have to make a decision. Silvers Raleigh and the Roger Pirates chose not to share the history with the world, perhaps fearing the global upheaval this would cause. It is highly likely that the Straw Hat Pirates will share the history and that act could well be the trigger that sparks the global war to come.
After the war has ended it is safe to assume that the tyrannical World Government will no longer be in power, and a new form of government will rise, perhaps an alliance of the Kingdoms of the land including Dressrosa, Alabasta and Fishman Island, or perhaps the revolutionary army will play a role in the new government.
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