JDtheAlchemist
Active member
This theory is kind of a longshot so bare with me;
I think it's possible that the entrance to Raftel is only accessible by going through a sky island. If true, this could explain why nobody other than Roger has been noted to find it. The poneglyph in Skypiea may have mentioned it and we know that Roger and his crew visited and deciphered it as well.
According to Robin, the poneglyphs say to go towards Raftel, the end point of the Grand Line. But if it's the end point, couldn't that mean it's, say, maybe a city dug high up into the cliffside of the Red Line? It could even be on the top of the Red Line (I think that would make it on the opposite side of the world from Mariejois?) Though it could just be a regular island that is normally inaccessible.
Now, we already know of another sky island; The Balloon Terminal
Noting the visible destruction, it is worth venturing a guess that this may have indeed been Enel's home country of Bilka. Though it is unconfirmed, Urouge being there could actually give us a clue. For those who haven't noticed, there are distinct differences in the wing patterns for sky people of different backgrounds.
Urouge is seemingly a Bilkan like Enel and his followers. Urouge being at Balloon Terminal could mean a number of things.
His presence could suggest that Balloon Terminal is indeed a town in the country of Bilka and could be Urouge's hometown. It could also suggest that Urouge might be waiting there for the possible return of Enel. Urouge is a Supernova from the "Worst Generation" with a shady past and a very underrated Devil Fruit ability (Gerard Valkyrie anyone?) so could he be guarding the Balloon Terminal knowing that it is a passage to Raftel? He is known as a High Priest, kind of like Enel's strongest enforcers. (Take note that in the above panels, Urouge looks to have some fairly recent wounds.) Could Urouge be part of an elite guard to an even more powerful "God" that blocks the way to Raftel? Could it all tie into the "Will of D?" Anything is possible, this is One Piece.
Before this Sorajima/Balloon Terminal Arc, I believe that we will see a confrontation with the Kidd Alliance. If not with the Strawhats, I could even see Eustass vs. Enel happening. My belief is that Kidd is actually fairly close to Raftel and the One Piece but has no idea how to actually get there. It was stated when Kaido crash landed at their base that they thought that the sky island there was only a myth. The fact that there are legends of this specific island and its location suggests that Balloon Terminal is stationary unlike Skypiea. The exact location of the Kidd base is undisclosed, but Kidd had probably set up his base there because it is close to where Raftel should be.
Could it be that, much like you are required to go 10,000 meters below the sea through Fishman Island to gain entrance into the New World, you have to go 10,000 meters above the sea through Balloon Terminal to gain access to Raftel? I think it would be a cool twist if that were the case. Few people even believe that the sky islands exist meaning that it would not be the most obvious pathway. Let me know what you guys think of this theory and if you would like to see this happen!
I think it's possible that the entrance to Raftel is only accessible by going through a sky island. If true, this could explain why nobody other than Roger has been noted to find it. The poneglyph in Skypiea may have mentioned it and we know that Roger and his crew visited and deciphered it as well.
You must be registered for see images
According to Robin, the poneglyphs say to go towards Raftel, the end point of the Grand Line. But if it's the end point, couldn't that mean it's, say, maybe a city dug high up into the cliffside of the Red Line? It could even be on the top of the Red Line (I think that would make it on the opposite side of the world from Mariejois?) Though it could just be a regular island that is normally inaccessible.
Now, we already know of another sky island; The Balloon Terminal
You must be registered for see images
Noting the visible destruction, it is worth venturing a guess that this may have indeed been Enel's home country of Bilka. Though it is unconfirmed, Urouge being there could actually give us a clue. For those who haven't noticed, there are distinct differences in the wing patterns for sky people of different backgrounds.
You must be registered for see images
Urouge is seemingly a Bilkan like Enel and his followers. Urouge being at Balloon Terminal could mean a number of things.
You must be registered for see images
His presence could suggest that Balloon Terminal is indeed a town in the country of Bilka and could be Urouge's hometown. It could also suggest that Urouge might be waiting there for the possible return of Enel. Urouge is a Supernova from the "Worst Generation" with a shady past and a very underrated Devil Fruit ability (Gerard Valkyrie anyone?) so could he be guarding the Balloon Terminal knowing that it is a passage to Raftel? He is known as a High Priest, kind of like Enel's strongest enforcers. (Take note that in the above panels, Urouge looks to have some fairly recent wounds.) Could Urouge be part of an elite guard to an even more powerful "God" that blocks the way to Raftel? Could it all tie into the "Will of D?" Anything is possible, this is One Piece.
You must be registered for see images
Before this Sorajima/Balloon Terminal Arc, I believe that we will see a confrontation with the Kidd Alliance. If not with the Strawhats, I could even see Eustass vs. Enel happening. My belief is that Kidd is actually fairly close to Raftel and the One Piece but has no idea how to actually get there. It was stated when Kaido crash landed at their base that they thought that the sky island there was only a myth. The fact that there are legends of this specific island and its location suggests that Balloon Terminal is stationary unlike Skypiea. The exact location of the Kidd base is undisclosed, but Kidd had probably set up his base there because it is close to where Raftel should be.
Could it be that, much like you are required to go 10,000 meters below the sea through Fishman Island to gain entrance into the New World, you have to go 10,000 meters above the sea through Balloon Terminal to gain access to Raftel? I think it would be a cool twist if that were the case. Few people even believe that the sky islands exist meaning that it would not be the most obvious pathway. Let me know what you guys think of this theory and if you would like to see this happen!
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