Oda officially establishes a new Devil God Fruit for the Straw Hats

WITH One piece Currently on the cusp of the Elbaf Arc and a prelude to the Great War, God Devil Fruits is finally being made by series creator Eiichiro Oda. In the latest One piece chapter 1182, published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24which was officially released on May 10, 2024, Eiichiro Oda created another major God Devil Fruit by introducing us to Rain God Zaza.

Before the introduction of Zaza, Oda was built by Sun God Nika in the final saga, shortly before the final saga of the story. Now that Rain God Zaza has been established, that alone confirms the existence of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza somewhere in the One Piece world. Interestingly, by analyzing the various character arcs and themes, I deduced that Hito Hito no Mi Model: Zaza will most likely head straight for the Straw Hat Pirates as their final member's force to join at some point after the final battle in Elbaf ends.

One Piece Chapters 1182 and 287 Set Up Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza As The Next Slam Hat Devil Fruit

The existence of God the Devil spawns in One piece is something we were skeptical about at one point in the story. When One Piece first started exploring the powers of Devil Fruits, especially in the Grand Line, Devil Fruit powers were still very grounded and I couldn't even imagine seeing divine powers. However, in the final saga, Eiichiro Oda has already introduced quite a bit of God's abilities. It all started with the Wano Country Arc, specifically Chapter 1044, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #17 on March 28, 2022. In this chapter, it was revealed that Gomu Gomu no Mi Monkey D. Luffy is originally Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. Immediately after the reveal of this Devil Fruit, we and many other fans immediately connected it to the massive reveal that came in the Skypiea Arc, namely Chapter 287. In One Piece Chapter 287, Eiichiro Oda officially introduced us to the four gods of the world, and they were the Sun God, the Rain God, the Earth God, and the Forest God.

“Sun God, Rain God, Forest God, Earth God, please take the blood of this woman and save our village from disaster. – Shandian Elder in One Piece Chapter 287

Immediately after the introduction of the Sun god, there was the possibility that the other gods would be real. Now, in One Piece Chapter 1182, Eiichiro Oda has officially introduced Rain God Zaza to fans through Rimoshifu Killingham's Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Kirin. This now basically confirms that there is a Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza somewhere in the One Piece world.

Since this Devil Fruit has not yet been raised, it means that no one has access to its power yet. But now that the author has set it up, it's very likely that someone will get hold of it soon. Based on Killingham's own comments from chapter 1182, it is highly likely that he belongs to an enemy of the World Government, especially since chapter 1044 confirmed that the Zoan Devil Fruits have a will of their own. The rain god Zaza Devil Fruit has an innate will to oppose the world government and take the enemy's side while helping the sun god Nik.

“It's as if the Devil Fruit is trying to get out of our reach, and it very well could be. Zoan Fruits contain a will of their own, and this particular fruit has the name of God. The Gum Gum Fruit's other name is…Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.” — Five Elders in One Piece Chapter #1044

Why is Zaza an ally of the Straw Hat in the Final Saga

Killingham's comments are the main reason Rain God Zaza becomes an enemy of the World Government and Nero Imu. Together with Sommers, he stated in One piece Chapter 1182 that when they were children, they were told stories about the existence of a rain god that would flood the nether world with water and flood everything. All the sky dragons fear the rain god Zaza, just as they fear the sun god Niko and the people of D. This officially makes the rain god Zaza an enemy of the sky dragons and Nerona Imu specifically.

We were born in a place so high, it's above all the rain clouds. Water falling from the sky? It's a mysterious terror! After people D and Nika, this was the most common bugger they warned us about…that there is a monster in the lower world called the Rain God that pours water on your head! —Saint Killingham, One Piece Chapter 1182

At the same time, when we combine this with the Five Elders' statement that Zoan Devil Fruits have a will of their own, we can be sure that the rain god Zaza Devil Fruit will belong to someone on the opposite side of the world government, automatically making the rain god an ally of the Straw Pirates in the coming Great War. Even better, this Devil Fruit could also belong to the final Straw Hat, and that is none other than Nefertari Vivi.

Nefertari Vivi is a prime candidate to rule Zaza's power as the last straw hat

At the moment, Nefertari Vivi is a prime candidate to consume the power of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza. Vivi has long been groomed by Eiichiro Oda to become the Straw Hat. When Vivi parted ways with the Straw Pirates in chapter 216, she made it very clear that she wanted to reunite with the Straw Pirates one day, hold a reunion and rejoin the crew. At the same time, One Piece officially recognizes Vivi as an honorary member of the Straw Hat Pirates and as such is the most likely to join the crew.

“I'll stay here. But if we ever see each other again, will you call me your partner?” — Nefertari Vivi, One Piece Chapter #216

More importantly, at the very beginning of the Elbaf Arc, specifically Chapter 1130, which was officially published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #47 on October 21, 2024, Vivi sent a direct message to Monkey D. Luffy, setting up a reunion in the Final Saga.

“When Luffy transforms into his free form, does the X mark appear on his arm? It feels unnatural. His hands are blurry, but the mark is crystal clear.” — Nico Robin analyzing Vivi's message to Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1130

My biggest problem with Vivi rejoining the crew would be that she is too weak. However, if he continues to consume Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza, then the power deficit would be evened out. As for why Vivi is the most likely candidate for Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza, the reason is quite simple. The rain god Zaza comes through prayers for rain, as officially confirmed by Killingham in chapter 1182. There is only one country in the world of One Piece that longed for rain, and that is Arabasta. In the past, this Devil Fruit probably belonged to someone from Arabasta, potentially Nefertari Lily.

Apparitions to the rhythm of prayers for rain…God of rain Zaza! — Saint Killingham, One Volume Chapter #1182

Additionally, in Japanese, Vivi is described as “Mizuiro Hime” or “Blue-Haired Princess”. The theme of Mizu (water) and blue is directly tied to Nefertari Vivi and Rain God Zaza. Even the peacock, which represents blue and water, is her spirit animal and symbol, and all signs point to her being directly tied to this ability. If there's one individual in the world of One Piece that makes sense to have this Devil Fruit, it's definitely Vivi. If Vivi joins the crew with the power of the Zaza Devil Fruit, then she will become the second wielder of divine power in the ranks of the Straw Pirates.

It should be noted that there are also interesting ideas that suggest that Chopper is a god of the forest, which would indicate the formation of a divine alliance in the ranks of the straw pirates against Nero Imo, the king of the world. Either way, the Straw Hat Pirates will probably gain some godlike powers as the story goes on, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out.

All the latest One Piece chapters by Eiichiro Oda are available through Manga Plus and Viz Media.