After 25 years, One Piece officially introduces a new poneglyph reader

Poneglyphs are ancient stones carrying stories from the past as well as important messages carved by Kozuki in the world 800 years ago One piece. These poneglyphs are incredibly important in Eiichiro Oda's overarching story and are directly connected to The Last Island, a story of laughter.

Poneglyphs hold real history One piece a world that connects with One Piece itself and also with Nico Robin, the archaeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates. For a very long time, she was the only person alive who was able to decipher these poneglyphs. However, the Final Saga of One Piece changed things drastically by introducing more characters capable of reading Poneglyphs in different ways. Now, Eiichiro Oda has officially added another character to the mix, as well as two future potential Poneglyph readers. This new character is none other than the former Daimyo of Wano — Kozuki Sukiyaki.

One Piece officially returned Kozuki Sukiyaki at the end of Wano

The Poneglyphs are directly connected to the Kozuki clan of Wano, as they were the ones who created these stones. This big reveal was officially made by author Eiichiro Oda in One piece chapter 818, issued in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #14 March 7, 2016. It was revealed that all the Poneglyphs were carved about 800 years ago to contain a message of war against the World Government as well as the destruction of the ancient kingdom. Since the message is significant and tells their story despite the government's efforts to erase it, it makes sense why the government felt it was forbidden to ever decrypt it.

“For generations, the Kozuki clan of Wano has been a line of stonemasons who cut and carved stone. Even now, their skill with rock is unmatched. Eight hundred years into the past, the Kozuki clan created indestructible stone documents called Poneglyphs.” — Nekomamushi explains Kozuki Poneglyphs, One Piece Chapter #818

However, centuries later, Poneglyph readers still exist. Ohara was officially destroyed incl One piece chapter 397 as stated in WSJ issue #9 dated January 30, 2006, specifically because they tried to decipher the Poneglyphs, but Nico Robin, the last light of the revolution, still remains. One Piece's The Wano arc shed some light on the Poneglyphs and gave us a big surprise at the end by revealing that Kozuki Sukiyaki, Oden's father, was actually still alive and living under the identity of Tenguyama Hitetsu. It was Sukiyaki who taught Oden to read and write poneglyphs.

In the Kozuki family, the tradition of reading and writing poneglyphs has been passed down from generation to generation, and Sukiyaki was the second to last of the Kozukis to be able to read and write poneglyphs, being confirmed alive in One Piece chapter 1053, which was officially published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump 22029 in the June issue of One Pie #22029. Poneglyph Reader, which is sure to play a significant role in the future.

“I'm Kozuki Sukiyaki, father of Kozuki Oden. Momonosuke doesn't know and I'm not going to tell him just yet.” — Kozuki Sukiyaki explains his true identity, One Piece Chapter 1053

Sukiyaki is officially ready to pass on Momonosuke and Hiyori's poneglyph reading and writing skills

The most interesting thing about Kozuki Sukiyaki living as a Poneglyph reader is that he can now officially pass on the skill again. It was Sukiyaki who taught Oden to read and write poneglyphs, and Oden then helped Roger reach the Last Island, The Tale of Laughter. The message carved into the Golden Bell on Skypiea, as seen in One piece chapter 966, was also carried by none other than Kozuki Oden.

“Show me, Roger! Show me the final chapter of your grand, life-long adventure!” — Kozuki Oden to Roger, One Piece Chapter #966

Even though Oden is dead, Sukiyaki is still alive, meaning that the next in line to learn to read and write Poneglyphs will be none other than Kozuki Momonosuke and Kozuki Hiyori. Both of these characters will learn to read and write this ancient language that has been lost to time, and as such will play a significant role in the next story.

“Perhaps there are some things I can still help to shed light on. All that an old man like me is capable of now.” — Sukiyaki promises to help Momonosuke and Hiyori, One Piece Chapter #1056

Right now, Kozuki Momonosuke rules as the Shogun of Wano. Although he is only 8 years old, he has the body of an adult, and in time he will learn to read and write this ancient script himself. This knowledge of the ancient script would be passed down through Momonosuke to his future children and then their children in the future. Similarly, Kozuki Hiyori also learns this ancient script as the princess of Wano by none other than her grandfather Sukiyaki. Through Kozuki Hiyori, future generations will continue to learn to read and write poneglyphs.

Why One Piece Poneglyph Readers Will Be Key in the Final Saga

One Piece's The Final Saga focuses entirely on the Final Island race, and as such the Poneglyphs are the most important aspect of this part of the story. One needs four Road Poneglyphs to reach the Final Island, Laugh Tale. This was officially confirmed by Nekomamushi and Inuarashi v One piece Chapter #818, officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #14 on March 7, 2016. Right now, the Straw Pirates have three Road Poneglyphs. Meanwhile, the Blackbeard Pirates are also supposed to have three Road Poneglyphs, and Shanks took two Road Poneglyphs from Eustace Kid, knowing the location of the Zou Road Poneglyph. Buggy doesn't have any at the moment, but it's likely he'll get them all in time.

Once all the Yonks have road poneglyphs, the question of deciphering them will arise, and this is where all of these characters will be key. Straw Hat Pirates already have Nico Robin who can decipher Poneglyphs for Luffy; however, others still need a Poneglyph reader. The Blackbeard Pirates just have Pudding, who is of the Three-Eyed Tribe and can potentially decipher these Poneglyphs. Likewise, Kozuki Hiori and Momonosuke, as well as Sukiyaki himself, all have this ability as well, and thus could be key targets in the Final Saga moving forward. What Eiichiro Oda will do with these Poneglyph readers has yet to be confirmed, but it will be interesting to see how things move forward and how they fit into the story over the next few years.

All the latest One Piece chapters by Eiichiro Oda are available to read through Manga Plus.