The true importance of One Piece's latest D. Clan member reveal might be hidden in its inspiration

Without a doubt, the ongoing Egghead arc has been one of the most revelatory in the entire publication history of author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s original One Piece manga series. The Gorosei’s names, their yokai forms, Bonney’s backstory, Kuma’s backstory, Dr. Vegapunk’s introduction and message on Void Century research, and more contribute to this.

Yet even as the arc reaches its final chapters, even more revelatory information is being revealed, this time focusing on the previously introduced character Professor Clover. Through a flashback, fans learn Clover’s full name, which is revealed to be Claíomh D. Clover and in turn, confirms him as a member of One Piece’s D. Clan.

While this middle initial of Clover’s name is understandably what One Piece fans are focusing on, it’s Clover’s name of Claíomh that could be truly significant. This is due to the inspiration Oda seemingly took for Clover’s name, which pairs perfectly with Clover’s role in the story as fans know it so far.

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One Piece builds up Clover as a “Sword of Light” in the series via reveal of his last name being Claíomh

In Irish and Scottish Gaelic folktales, the Claíomh Solais is a constantly recurring trope object. Translated to The Sword of Light or Claidheamh Soluis, the sword commonly appears as a quest object in the Irish folktale of a hero seeking “The One Story,” culminating in the discovery of a “Tale of the Werewolf.” While the latter tale is unlikely to be referenced in One Piece via Clover’s character, the connection in the former is likely already apparent to most fans.

This is best highlighted by what Clover’s role in the series has been thus far, starting with his initial introduction. Through Robin’s origin story flashback, fans meet Clover as a leading figure in Ohara (at least with respect to archaeology) and learn he is conducting Void Century research. He vehemently affirms his belief that history must be researched, and to call it taboo is a crime in and of itself.

In this way, he’s incredibly influential in forming Nico Robin’s dream, which is to fully uncover the Void Century's truth. However, One Piece also recently revealed how influential he was in a similar regard to Dr. Vegapunk via the latest aforementioned flashback. While Dr. Vegapunk initially denied Clover’s request to help, his subsequent death inspired the World Government scientist to pick up where he and the Oharans had left off.

To relate it to the aforementioned Sword of Light, “The One Story” is the truth of the Void Century that is being sought out. Clover’s role here is clearly as the Sword of Light since it is the tool with which the folktale’s hero seeks out The One Story. In other words, Clover’s role is to guide others to the truth they seek, these “others” being Nico Robin and Dr. Vegapunk, rather than to be the one who discovers the truth.

This idea is further supported by the fact that Clover is a D. and is leading these characters who (as of this article’s writing) aren’t members of the D. Clan to seek out this truth. Much like how the Sword of Light is often attached to a hero seeking The One Story, Clover’s role as a D. could be to inspire and guide others into researching the Void Century. This ultimately reveals his true importance in the series, as an integral catalyst to current and likely future events.

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