Chapter 1081 of One Piece suggests that there is a growing possibility that the individual known as the Man Marked by Flames is, in fact, Monkey D. Dragon – who is believed to be Luffy’s father.
Surprisingly, One Piece, which has been around for more than two decades, is finally preparing for its grand finale, as confirmed by the creator and the plot itself. Although it may take a few more years, the end is definitely drawing near. Interestingly, a fresh face named the “Man Marked by Flames” appears to be central to the forthcoming and last saga. The character’s mysterious nature adds to the intrigue surrounding the story’s end.
Towards the end of Wano, Eustass Kid and Killer were the first to mention that a certain figure holds the ultimate key to reaching Laugh Tale, and they along with the Blackbeard Pirates claimed this. Even though the identity of this figure has been concealed from readers, the most recent chapter and other instances in the story suggest that the Man Marked by Flames is likely to be Monkey D. Dragon, who happens to be Luffy’s father.
Who Is the Flame-Marked Man?
Initially, the Man Marked by Flames was depicted as the crucial component needed to reach Laugh Tale, but the rationale behind it was vague. Nevertheless, in chapter 1081, the Blackbeard Pirates clarify to Kuzan during a recollection of his enlistment that the Man Marked by Flames is believed to possess the ultimate Road Poneglyph, making them exceedingly valuable.
Initially, Kuzan assumed that the individuals were referring to him, but they later clarified that it couldn’t be him due to several reasons. Firstly, Vasco Shot’s reaction to Kuzan’s inquiry suggests that the person they are seeking has been a renowned figure for a long time, or at least someone who obtained their burn scars much earlier than Kuzan did during his battle with Akainu for the position of Fleet Admiral. Additionally, there are rumors that the individual known as the Man Marked by Flames travels on an entirely black vessel and has the ability to summon whirlpools to engulf their foes.
Although Shiryu suspects that Kuzan may be affiliated with the Navy or World Government, the other pieces of information strongly suggest that it is not possible. However, this clue does indicate the possibility of another character who has connections with Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp and the revolutionary Dragon.
Why Would the Man Marked by Flames Be Dragon?
The latest enigma in One Piece could be The Man Marked by Flames, but Monkey D. Dragon stands as the most ancient mystery in the series. Although not explicitly mentioned back then, Dragon makes his debut during the East Blue Saga’s Loguetown arc, even preceding the Straw Hats’ arrival in the Grand Line.
It is worth noting that a sudden squall hit the Navy shortly after Dragon appeared, which appears to be more than a mere coincidence. This occurrence is not the first time that Dragon’s arrival has been accompanied by extreme weather; a similar event happened years earlier when the nobles of Goa Kingdom tried to kill the inhabitants of Gray Terminal, and a gust of wind helped to guide the endangered residents to Dragon and his fellow revolutionaries who were there to rescue them. Dragon’s supernatural connection to the wind and weather is not fully explained, but it is believed that he has the ability to summon vortexes if necessary.
A probable association can be observed through the ship utilized by Dragon. Although the anime portrays it with multiple colors, resembling a shade of brown more than black, the manga consistently illustrates the ship as solely black. It is plausible that this is due to the manga being in black-and-white format. However, it is worth noting that the anime has made mistakes in color depiction before, particularly in Marco the Phoenix’s initial appearance in the Whitebeard Pirates. Hence, it is feasible that Dragon’s ship is entirely black, and the anime may have unintentionally created an inconsistency in continuity.
The primary problem with this theory is that there is no visible evidence of the Dragon having any scars caused by burns. Nonetheless, throughout the story, Dragon has always been seen fully clothed or covered in cloaks that hide most of his skin, so it is possible that any burns could be hidden. Moreover, it’s plausible that his facial tattoo is intended to mask any scars, similar to how the Sun Pirates concealed their Celestial Dragon markings.
The conclusive proof that Dragon is the Man Marked by Flames does not directly involve him, but rather the actions of the Blackbeard Pirates. In the Dressrosa arc, Jesus Burgess secretly boards the Revolutionary Army’s ship and follows them to their base, with the intention of disclosing its location to Blackbeard. Although it is plausible that Blackbeard was after the Devil Fruits owned by the high-ranking members, it is also conceivable that he was seeking Dragon for a Road Poneglyph.
Why Would Dragon Have the Poneglyph for the Final Road?
It appears increasingly probable that Dragon is the individual known as the Man Marked by Flames, but this raises the question of why he possesses the mark in the first place. As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon’s main objective is to overthrow the World Government. According to reports from various characters who are aware of the truth surrounding the Void Century, One Piece could be the key to accomplishing this goal, making it crucial to Dragon’s strategy.
Additionally, it has been verified that Dragon had been on the lookout for Nico Robin for an extended period even before she encountered the Revolutionary Army. It was initially presumed that his motive was to recruit her for the cause and benefit from her skills. However, it’s possible that he had a specific interest in her ability to decode the Road Poneglyph. The reason why she didn’t decipher it while working with them is still a mystery, but this may suggest that Dragon’s strategy needed additional components, such as his son, Luffy.
At present, the true identity of the Man Marked by Flames remains a mystery. Some fans speculated that the character might be Jaguar D. Saul, who was recently confirmed to be alive but covered in scars from freezer-burn caused by Aokiji’s ice. Although Saul is still a plausible candidate, as he fits Shiryu’s theory about the person having ties to the Navy, the recent description suggests that the Man may be Dragon. As One Piece approaches its conclusion, the answer will soon be unveiled.
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