Luffy’s true dream, revealed in Chapter 1060 but still a mystery to readers, might be something so innocent yet profound—to change the world’s perception of pirates. From the beginning of the series, figures like his grandpa (Garp), the village chief, and others have always told Luffy that pirates are bad. They urged him to be a marine or to avoid ruining the village’s reputation by becoming a pirate. Despite this, Luffy always viewed being a pirate in an idealistic and pure sense, as an adventure driven by freedom and fun, untainted by the typical greed or violence associated with pirates.
This dream could be shared by Gol D. Roger, who famously wanted to “turn the world upside down.” Roger might not have just wanted to find the One Piece, but to fundamentally shift the world’s perspective on pirates, an ideal that Luffy now carries forward.
Characters Who Know About Luffy’s Dream
So far, the following people have been privy to Luffy’s true dream:
- Sabo, Ace, Shanks: All laughed upon hearing it but shared an admiration for Luffy’s innocent vision.
- Yamato (via Ace): Reacted with awe, noting the similarity to Roger’s dream.
- Whitebeard, Oden (assumed): Likely aware, given that it is the same as Roger’s dream.
- Straw Hat Crew: Reacted with surprise, laughter, and disbelief, but also admiration.
It’s clear that while Luffy’s dream seems impossible or unrealistic, it is in line with his childlike optimism and pure-hearted approach to life.
How Luffy’s Dream Fits With His View of Pirates:
Luffy doesn’t want to be a “hero” in the conventional sense, but he also doesn’t want to be a pirate who strikes fear into the hearts of others. Instead, Luffy wants people to see pirates as symbols of freedom—not criminals. From the moment Luffy tells Koby in the very first chapter that being a pirate is fun, we see hints of his larger goal. Koby, who initially hated pirates, was inspired by Luffy’s actions and began to see that not all pirates are evil.
The Crew’s Reactions:
Each of the Straw Hats reacts differently to Luffy’s dream, reflecting their own understanding of the world and piracy:
- Zoro: Surprised but not dismissive. Zoro represents the more pragmatic side of piracy but is willing to follow Luffy’s ideals because of his respect for him.
- Nami: Having been hurt by pirates in the past, Nami thinks the dream is naive but sees that Luffy’s version of piracy is different.
- Sanji: Laughs, but deep down understands Luffy’s crazy ideals—he himself was willing to feed even the cruelest pirates because of his personal code.
- Jinbei: Starts laughing because, like Luffy, he also values freedom, especially as a former member of the Sun Pirates.
- Robin, Franky, Brook, Usopp: All react with a mixture of disbelief and admiration. Robin’s knowledge of the world’s dark side contrasts with Luffy’s dream, but she trusts him fully. Franky, with his ideals of building ships for good-hearted pirates, sees this as a reflection of his own values.
Each crew member represents a different facet of the pirate world, showing just how radical Luffy’s dream is in their eyes.
Shanks and Roger’s Influence:
Shanks sacrificed his arm for Luffy because he believed that Luffy could be the one to realize Roger’s dream. Shanks, having grown up on Roger’s ship, was shaped by Roger’s idealistic view of pirates—people who seek freedom and adventure rather than causing harm. Roger’s crew wasn’t like the ruthless crews of Kaido, Big Mom, or Blackbeard; they were more like adventurers.
Roger’s dream to “turn the world upside down” could very well have been to reshape the world’s view of pirates, making them symbols of freedom, not fear. Shanks recognizes this in Luffy, which is why he entrusted him with his hat and the future.
Joyboy and Luffy’s Role:
If Joyboy was the first pirate in history and his legacy is linked to freedom and adventure, Luffy might be the one to fulfill the dream Joyboy once had: a world where pirates aren’t feared but celebrated as adventurers who bring freedom. This aligns with the Straw Hat Pirates being less like traditional pirates and more like explorers.
- The song “Binks’ Sake” also hints at this. The lyrics speak to the ideals of adventure and joy, not of terror and violence, which mirrors Luffy’s dream.
The Will of D:
The Will of D has always been associated with those who challenge the status quo and bring change. Luffy’s dream might represent the ultimate realization of the Will of D—a world where people live freely, unshackled by fear or oppression. By changing the perception of pirates, Luffy would also change the world itself, fulfilling the dream that Roger couldn’t achieve.
Conclusion:
Luffy’s dream is not just about becoming the Pirate King but about fundamentally transforming how the world sees pirates. He wants to prove that pirates can be forces of good, that the freedom they pursue isn’t inherently evil. This dream reflects Luffy’s innocent yet radical nature, and his journey has already begun to change how others view pirates, as seen with characters like Koby and even his own crew.
If Luffy can achieve this dream, he’ll not only be the Pirate King but the one who redefines what it means to be a pirate in the world of One Piece—just like Roger might have wanted.
