In this theory, I will attempt to convince you that the Ancient Kingdom were actually the antagonists of the Void Century war, and that Joyboy fought against them, not for them. Allow me to explain the events that led to the corruption of the Ancient Kingdom.

We first began to learn about the Ancient Kingdom in chapter 395, through Professor Clover's speech. Clover explains that the Poneglyphs were created in order to preserve a truth that is 'inconvenient to the World Government.'

Clover presents the theory that the people of the Ancient Kingdom were destroyed by an enemy, and points out the coincidence that it just so happens that this was exactly when the World Government came to be.

We learn much later, in chapter 907, that the World Government was formed through an alliance between 20 kingdoms When the World Government was formed at the end of the war, they all agreed on the oath of the "Empty Throne." This is where things begin to get suspicious.

The idea that the World Government was originally founded on the premise that there should be no singular "King of the World" throws in to doubt the entire context of the war. It raises the question: Why would they want to take this measure when founding their new organisation?

With this in mind, it also raises the question: Why did these 20 kingdoms feel the need to form an alliance against the Ancient Kingdom in the first place? Were they not the aggressors in this conflict? This leads us to considering the most recent information that we've received

In chapter 1066, Shaka speaks with the Straw Hats about the discoveries that Ohara had made concerning the Ancient Kingdom. This is a direct continuation of what Clover said. Here we learn that the Ancient Kingdom was once an advanced and prosperous super-power.

Throughout the story, we've slowly learned that the Ancient Kingdom was once a proud, prosperous, and technologically advanced utopia. So what led to the war? I believe that the answer is that the Ancient Kingdom became corrupted through power and greed.

When we look throughout the story, there are many instances of greed being associated with evil and corruption. If this is the truth, then it would begin to explain why 20 kingdoms would feel the need to form this alliance against the Ancient Kingdom in the first place.

Most of you will already be aware that Oda likes to paint parallels between the major antagonists & Imu. The most noticeable of them are through Enel & Doflamingo. Dressrosa has more clues for us about the truth of the Ancient Kingdom.

The Donquixote family once ruled Dressrosa, and Doflamingo returned to reclaim power. It is possible that something very similar happened to the Ancient Kingdom. When we look at Giolla's art, it seems to depict an abstract representation of the fall of a king.

If we consider all of these things together, I believe that it combines to form a likely explanation for what originally caused the Void War. The Ancient Kingdom was corrupted by greed and power from within. Almost like a parasite.

Further potential evidence for this idea that an evil entity corrupted the Ancient Kingdom can be found in chapter 202. In this chapter, Robin & Cobra enter the royal crypt of Alabasta. Here they see some interesting things.

A mural that seems to depict the sealing away of a Devil sits directly above a tomb that is given pride of place. Based on newer information, we can assume that this tomb is in honour of Lili. It is the "Empty Tomb." But what about that mural depicting a Devil?

The mural seems to depict a sealing or burial ritual. It is almost as if the guardians are trying to keep some kind of evil away from the tomb. This would track with the idea that Lili was the only one who refused to take the oath of the Empty Throne.

It seems that Lili became aware that something was wrong, and that Imu had no intention of honouring the oath of the Empty Throne, and so she refused the oath and fled. But why did Imu immediately betray this oath that the World Government was founded upon?

I believe that the answer to this is the inconvenient truth that Imu and the Gorosei have been trying to hide. The origin of Imu's corruption is the very same evil entity that once corrupted the Ancient Kingdom.

If it is true that the Ancient Kingdom was corrupted, and that they were the antagonists of the Void War because their king claimed to be "King of the World." This would explain why the alliance of 20 kingdoms was formed to begin with. It would also change the context of Joyboy.

If this is all true, then Joyboy would have fought against the Ancient Kingdom, and not for them. "The Warrior of Liberation" was a figure who became a hero for fighting with the 20 kingdoms that formed the rebellion against the Ancient Kingdom's tyranny.

The "Battle of Shandora" was likely one of the final events of the Void Century. They fought to protect the Poneglyphs, just as Lili has said must be done, but they were destroyed in the process. This point likely marks the final defeat of the Ancient Kingdom.

However, the truth is not that the enemy was the World Government. The truth is more complicated. The enemy was an evil entity that had corrupted the Ancient Kingdom, and this parasitic evil had spread to the newly formed World Government through possessing Imu.

This would also potentially explain the context of Joyboy's apology, as well as Zunisha's crime, and the reason behind the Iron Giant's apology Imu, possessed by the enemy, betrayed them and claimed power for himself. They were defeated by the betrayal, and all fell to ruin.

But who or what is "The Enemy"? What power could corrupt the Ancient Kingdom and then persist through possessing Imu? 'Devil Fruits are all incarnations of the Sea Devil.' 'Zoan fruits all have a will of their own.' 'Zoan awakenings usually rob the user of their minds.'

The corrupting power that led to the corruption of the Ancient Kingdom, is the same power that possesses Imu. An evil will manifested through the Awakening of a Zoan type Devil Fruit. Power and greed led to the creation of a Devil.

That's about all I've got for this one, thanks for reading 🙏 Let me know what you think about this potential explanation of the truth behind the Void Century

@3SkullJoe but king donquixote was known as a tyrant who slaved tontaras

@3SkullJoe Interesting theory

@3SkullJoe Interesting details here, wonder what will happen to OG Imu if it's possible for the possession to be lifted. Also, wonder what kind of devil could control Imu for so long, wonder if it'll possess BB next since he shares the same greed.

@3SkullJoe The idea of slaves back in the ancient kingdom era never made sense for it kind of had the idea of cruel ruler like kaido where joyboy comes in

@3SkullJoe That fills a lot of truth, the theory is very good and it would make sense in some way When Imu spoke to Cobra in the Reverie flashback, Imu said "Mu doesn't want to talk about that with a commoner" which would make sense and then Imu would be possessed by the evil manifestation

@3SkullJoe Joe what’s your thought on when luffy got an apple from Doc Q he comments on luffy being a lucky boy as he got a “Good Fruit” compared to the others getting “Bad Fruit” Probably nothing but if Imu is a Sea Witch/Devil perhaps they can manipulate certain fruit users.

@3SkullJoe What do you think the zoan devil fruit is tho, the one that possessed Imu

@3SkullJoe Just read broz, one of my favorites from you my brother

@3SkullJoe I love this theory a lot Joe, it is very interesting indeed. I also subscribe to the idea that the Gorosei are alter egos of Imu and are his creation to represent him in public. (1/2)

@3SkullJoe Great stuff

@3SkullJoe I liked your theory. u made me build some scattered ideas from it thnx 🥰🥰