One Piece’s new Mother Flame theory proves why no one should ever skip Skypeia

The highly anticipated One Piece chapter 1114 made its debut on May 13, 2024, causing a frenzy among fans with the introduction of Mother Flame. Furthermore, a compelling theory has surfaced, further solidifying the notion that the previous saga must not be overlooked as it provides a crucial connection between Mother Flame and its source of inspiration.

It was disclosed in the chapter that Mother Flame is a tiny flame that remains lit within a device filled with water. In the face of Dr. Vegapunk’s unstoppable stream and the loss of the Transmission Transponder Snail, Saint Saturn turned to it as a last resort, as the Five Elders were unable to find a solution.

However, there may be clues to the power source known as the Eternal Flame, which served as the basis for the creation of the Mother Flame during the events of the Skypiea saga. Furthermore, these clues could provide insight into the reason behind the ongoing catastrophic floods.

Please note: This article includes possible spoilers from the One Piece manga and reflects the author’s personal views.

One Piece: Exploring the Relationship between the Eternal Flame and Skypiea Saga

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

Chapter 1114 of One Piece began with Dr. Vegapunk confessing his wrongdoings, which he had previously mentioned in chapter 1113. One of these transgressions was his attempt to reach the Sun in search of a limitless power source that could advance the world.

At the beginning of the Egghead arc, Vegapunk Lillith referenced this as the “Eternal Flame”when she informed the Straw Hat Pirates about the power source on Egghead Island being a flame. She also mentioned that having an “Eternal Flame”would have made things much easier, as it would have provided them with an endless supply of energy.

Upon entering the room where the Mother Flame was kept, Saturn discovered that the Transmission Transponder Snail was still active despite his use of the weapon. This only added to the Five Elders’ agony, as they were unable to stop Dr. Vegapunk’s stream.

Mother Flame as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

In the previous chapter, we learned that the Mother Flame is a small flame held within a colossal metal container. The box features two inscriptions and is filled with water. There is a popular belief among fans that the water is used to maintain the flame’s miniature size, but there may be other reasons for its presence.

During the Void Century, the eternal flame served as an endless source of power, driving numerous technological innovations. However, this valuable resource disappeared, leaving a void in its wake. In an attempt to replicate its energy, Dr. Vegapunk developed the Mother Flame, although its efficiency paled in comparison to its predecessor.

It has been hypothesized by fans that the Mother Flame operates on the same principle as nuclear fusion, which is the source of the Sun’s power in the real world. This process involves the fusion of two atoms, resulting in the release of energy, which is the source of power for both the Mother Flame and the Eternal Flame.

Furthermore, nuclear fusion also results in the production of byproducts. In this particular situation, the byproduct could potentially be water, as Mother Flame was contained within a body of water. This raises the question of how all of this connects to the Skypiea Saga.

Mont Blanc Cricket explaining the theory of the formation of Knock-Up Stream (Image via Shueisha)

The initial arc of the Skypiea Saga, known as the Jaya arc, involved the Straw Hats meeting Mont Blanc Cricket, who showed them how to access the Knock-Up Stream. Prior to this, Cricket gave a detailed explanation on the origins of these streams.

Underwater caves are filled with cool seawater, but the presence of heated stones below causes them to warm up. When these caves reach a certain temperature, they erupt, sending a massive stream of water shooting up into the sky.

Dr. Vegapunk believed that the stones beneath the underwater caves were being heated by the Eternal Flames, which were thought to no longer exist. However, there is speculation that the Eternal Flames may actually be hidden beneath the Earth, kept away from human eyes and protected from being misused. Additionally, it is possible that the Knock-Up Stream could cause sea levels to rise, resulting in widespread flooding.

Final Thoughts

Despite being touted as a crucial link in the One Piece series, the Skypiea Saga has gained a reputation for being one of the most frequently abandoned arcs. Many viewers found it unengaging, particularly the Jaya arc, and chose to discontinue watching after only a few episodes. However, as time has passed, it has become increasingly clear that this saga may hold the key to tying together the various plot lines, as evidenced by the numerous theories that revolve around it.

Additionally, this article serves as yet another confirmation for fans who may have missed out on this arc to revisit and watch it. However, it is important to approach this article with a level of skepticism.