The One Piece may force Luffy into a role he doesn't want, and Joy Boy being dubbed "the first pirate" is the key

In the anime and manga series One Piece, the discovery of the legendary treasure known as the One Piece is said to crown its finder as Pirate King. However, this coveted title may thrust Luffy into a role he never sought: a revolutionary leader challenging the World Government.

According to Vegapunk, Joy Boy was dubbed "the first pirate" and left behind more than just treasure. He left a means to rebel against the world’s oppressive regime. Upon discovering the One Piece, Roger's laughter hinted at its deeper significance, revealing a challenge too daunting for his era. Now, Luffy’s journey may fulfill Joy Boy’s uncompleted legacy, forcing him into a pivotal role he never anticipated.

---

One Piece: Joyboy's legacy and Roger's realization

Dr. Vegapunk as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

According to Vegapunk, Joyboy was the first pirate, and the title of Pirate King is granted to the one who finds the One Piece, Joyboy's treasure. When Roger reached the treasure, he laughed because he understood that becoming Pirate King wasn’t just about wealth or fame—it was about inheriting the mantle of rebellion against the World Government.

Roger realized that One Piece was Joyboy’s means to challenge the world order. However, despite knowing the truth about Roger's era, the Roger Pirates didn’t act on it. As mere pirates, they couldn’t see a way to rally enough support to take on the World Government, even with the Pirate King at the helm. No one would have listened to them, and the sheer scale of the task—overthrowing a centuries-old power—must have seemed impossible.

---

One Piece: Roger’s strategy to start the Great Pirate Era

Gol D. Roger laughed after reaching Laugh Tale (Image via Toei Animation)

Faced with this reality, Roger made a choice: rather than acting directly, he set in motion the Great Pirate Era, hoping to inspire others to set sail, find the truth for themselves, and perhaps one day bring about the change he couldn’t.

His laughter was born from the irony of Joyboy’s challenge—it was both within their grasp and utterly unattainable in his time. He hoped future generations of pirates might be better equipped to carry the mantle forward.

---

Luffy’s opportunity to take down Imu

Monkey D. Luffy (Image via Toei Animation)

Fast forward to Luffy’s era. Throughout his journey, Luffy has repeatedly encountered and fought against various forms of injustice, changing the system around him in his own way. He’s not actively seeking revolution but naturally inspires change wherever he goes.

When Luffy finds the One Piece, he’ll be in a much different position than Roger. Unlike Roger, Luffy has the support of several countries, many of which are already allied with the Revolutionary Army and actively oppose the World Government.

The Revolutionary Army (Image via Toei Animation)

This potentially gives him a broader coalition to lead a rebellion. The Revolutionary Army would likely welcome such an alliance, adding their numbers to the cause or acting as a powerful third party in the conflict.

Moreover, Luffy has built a formidable network of pirate allies. After Dressrosa's events, he told his allies that they should call on him if they were ever in trouble, and he would come to help. This creates a vast pirate force that could rally to his side when the time comes. By the time Luffy discovers the One Piece, he’ll be in a unique position to initiate the war Roger couldn’t: a war against Imu, the secret ruler of the world, and the World Government.

---

Final thoughts

Luffy in his Gear 5 form (Image via Toei Animation)

Roger laughed because Joyboy had left behind the means to challenge the world, but Roger didn’t see a way forward in his time. However, Luffy will have the backing of a powerful coalition to start the final battle against Imu. The One Piece isn’t just a treasure but a tool to overthrow the World Government and reshape the world.