General & Others We still dont know the origin of Rayleigh epithet
- Thread starter warsame zaylai
- Start date
His epithet in Japanese is Meio, which also means Hades. Probably refers to his lethality or implies that fighting him is one way to be sent to hell.
Translation: [Dark King] Those who chose to face him only win a one way ticket to the underworld. He may be old but that's how tremendously powerful he is.
I guess "Dark King" was a translation issue- it probably should be King of The Underworld or something similar, maybe?
Personally, my initial assumption before I had learned of this was that he got the name because he had the power to be a Yonko or challenge Roger, but willingly didn't.
Hence "Dark King" as in one who had a "king's" quality and power, but willingly chose to be in "the dark" of another's shadow.
Translation: [Dark King] Those who chose to face him only win a one way ticket to the underworld. He may be old but that's how tremendously powerful he is.
I guess "Dark King" was a translation issue- it probably should be King of The Underworld or something similar, maybe?
Personally, my initial assumption before I had learned of this was that he got the name because he had the power to be a Yonko or challenge Roger, but willingly didn't.
Hence "Dark King" as in one who had a "king's" quality and power, but willingly chose to be in "the dark" of another's shadow.
Is it the same headcanon of u claiming rocks has devil fruit when i said he didnt then u called me retarded ? U said it like it was facts 
its so obvious he got that title in god valley or sometime after it
gaban got his title before god valley
ray got his title in god valley or after it
roger got his title the last after claiming the one piece
Same i think oda got something big planning for him
latest chapter ray had the most beatiful women on his side
shakky might be the cause for god valley
ray likely did something big to save her
its so obvious he got that title in god valley or sometime after it
gaban got his title before god valley
ray got his title in god valley or after it
roger got his title the last after claiming the one piece
Post automatically merged:
Same i think oda got something big planning for him
latest chapter ray had the most beatiful women on his side
shakky might be the cause for god valley
ray likely did something big to save her
His epithet in Japanese is Meio, which also means Hades. Probably refers to his lethality or implies that fighting him is one way to be sent to hell.
Translation: [Dark King] Those who chose to face him only win a one way ticket to the underworld. He may be old but that's how tremendously powerful he is.
I guess "Dark King" was a translation issue- it probably should be King of The Underworld or something similar, maybe?
Personally, my initial assumption before I had learned of this was that he got the name because he had the power to be a Yonko or challenge Roger, but willingly didn't.
Hence "Dark King" as in one who had a "king's" quality and power, but willingly chose to be in "the dark" of another's shadow.
Translation: [Dark King] Those who chose to face him only win a one way ticket to the underworld. He may be old but that's how tremendously powerful he is.
I guess "Dark King" was a translation issue- it probably should be King of The Underworld or something similar, maybe?
Personally, my initial assumption before I had learned of this was that he got the name because he had the power to be a Yonko or challenge Roger, but willingly didn't.
Hence "Dark King" as in one who had a "king's" quality and power, but willingly chose to be in "the dark" of another's shadow.
/Thread closed
His epithet in Japanese is Meio, which also means Hades. Probably refers to his lethality or implies that fighting him is one way to be sent to hell.
Translation: [Dark King] Those who chose to face him only win a one way ticket to the underworld. He may be old but that's how tremendously powerful he is.
I guess "Dark King" was a translation issue- it probably should be King of The Underworld or something similar, maybe?
Personally, my initial assumption before I had learned of this was that he got the name because he had the power to be a Yonko or challenge Roger, but willingly didn't.
Hence "Dark King" as in one who had a "king's" quality and power, but willingly chose to be in "the dark" of another's shadow.
Translation: [Dark King] Those who chose to face him only win a one way ticket to the underworld. He may be old but that's how tremendously powerful he is.
I guess "Dark King" was a translation issue- it probably should be King of The Underworld or something similar, maybe?
Personally, my initial assumption before I had learned of this was that he got the name because he had the power to be a Yonko or challenge Roger, but willingly didn't.
Hence "Dark King" as in one who had a "king's" quality and power, but willingly chose to be in "the dark" of another's shadow.
Smells like fenaker tbh
It's possible that Rayleigh's epithet, Meiō (冥王), could be related to Haki, similar to Zoro's En-Ō (閻王) style. Both mean the same thing, but are derived from different cultural influences. The former is inspired by Roman-Greek myth, and the latter by Chinese Buddhism.
As you said, "Pirate King" is tied to an achievement and "Mountain Eater" to a feat. So, Rayleigh's epithet could be related to an incident involving a Haki feat.
In this way, he would be mirroring both Gaban, his wing, and Zoro, his parallel.
As you said, "Pirate King" is tied to an achievement and "Mountain Eater" to a feat. So, Rayleigh's epithet could be related to an incident involving a Haki feat.
In this way, he would be mirroring both Gaban, his wing, and Zoro, his parallel.
Rayleigh seemed like the type to have influenced over the OP underworld too, to be a promiment name in it and thus feared but also often sought to for trading/information and such. Could have linked to him chilling in Sabaody too. The one in the crew who operates in the shadows, handles the "dark trading world" or w/e. I know it's my headcanon but this would have been a nice reason for him to be the "dark king" amongst other reasons too.
Since I'm lazy/forgetful/ADHD as fuck, I asked AI to help me as usual (yes I know its bad) and it gave me this:
ChatGPT said:
Yeah, that’s actually pretty plausible — even if Oda hasn’t explicitly shown it, it fits both Rayleigh’s personality and his circumstances.
Here’s why the idea works:
1. Rayleigh’s Personality & Skillset
2. Gaps in His History
3. His Sabaody “Coating” Job
4. Reputation & Fear Factor
5. Fits Oda’s “Old Guard” Pattern
If Oda ever revealed this in a flashback, it could also explain:
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Absolutely, that’s a really intriguing idea — Rayleigh as a kind of underworld info gatekeeper who’s both a valuable source and a master of misdirection.
Here’s why it fits nicely into the story and his character:
Why Rayleigh Could Play That Role
How This Could Play Out in the Story
Plot Potential
Since I'm lazy/forgetful/ADHD as fuck, I asked AI to help me as usual (yes I know its bad) and it gave me this:
ChatGPT said:
Yeah, that’s actually pretty plausible — even if Oda hasn’t explicitly shown it, it fits both Rayleigh’s personality and his circumstances.
Here’s why the idea works:
1. Rayleigh’s Personality & Skillset
- Rayleigh isn’t just a brawler — he’s shrewd, charismatic, and knows how to read people.
- He’s the type who could easily navigate dangerous social circles like the underworld, where power, reputation, and subtlety matter as much as strength.
- He’s got that “rogue with honor” vibe, making him the kind of guy smugglers, brokers, and information dealers would both respect and fear.
2. Gaps in His History
- There’s a 20+ year window between the Roger Pirates’ disbandment and him showing up coating ships in Sabaody.
- In that time, it’s totally reasonable he could have:
- Worked as a broker of rare information (especially about the Grand Line/New World).
- Acted as a middleman for smuggling rare tech or artifacts.
- Provided covert protection for certain high-value trades.
3. His Sabaody “Coating” Job
- Ship coating is the perfect cover for underworld dealings:
- You meet every type of pirate, Revolutionary, and shady merchant heading to the New World.
- You control the timeline for when they can leave.
- You can trade intel or goods during the coating process without drawing attention.
- Sabaody itself is already an underworld-adjacent hub (slave trade, illegal auctions, shady brokers).
- Being there means Rayleigh could keep tabs on all major movements without needing to step foot in Mariejois-level danger zones.
4. Reputation & Fear Factor
- He’s the Dark King, first mate of the Pirate King — even without fighting, that’s enough for his name to carry weight in the black market.
- People would approach him carefully, but also seek him out if they needed:
- Impossible navigation info.
- Rare Grand Line survival knowledge.
- Discreet passage to places normal routes won’t reach.
5. Fits Oda’s “Old Guard” Pattern
- Oda likes giving veteran pirates mysterious networks of influence (Whitebeard’s territories, Crocus knowing certain people, Shakky being a former Kuja Empress etc.)
- Making Rayleigh a quiet heavyweight in the underworld would fit right alongside that.
If Oda ever revealed this in a flashback, it could also explain:
- Why Rayleigh seems so well-informed about current world events despite “retiring.”
- How he was able to immediately get Luffy fake identities and info during the timeskip.
- Why nobody in Sabaody ever dares to mess with him despite the Navy’s presence nearby.
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Absolutely, that’s a really intriguing idea — Rayleigh as a kind of underworld info gatekeeper who’s both a valuable source and a master of misdirection.
Here’s why it fits nicely into the story and his character:
Why Rayleigh Could Play That Role
- Deep Knowledge:
As Roger’s first mate, he’s one of the few people alive who truly knows the secrets of Laugh Tale, the One Piece, and the Ancient Weapons.
- Cautious & Strategic:
Rayleigh’s no fool — he’d know that giving the “real” info to just anyone could be catastrophic, especially with the World Government and powerful pirates hunting for it.
- Information as a Weapon:
By selling fake or misleading info, Rayleigh can:- Test the intentions and resolve of those seeking the truth.
- Lead enemies on wild goose chases to protect actual secrets.
- Control the flow of knowledge in a world where info is power.
- Underworld Connections:
If he’s got ties to brokers, smugglers, and pirates in Sabaody or beyond, he can quietly trade info—true or false—to manipulate events from behind the scenes.
How This Could Play Out in the Story
- Someone approaches Rayleigh for the true Poneglyph locations or Laugh Tale’s secrets.
- Rayleigh gives them a plausible but false lead, maybe based on half-truths or misinterpretations.
- The crew wastes time chasing it, while Rayleigh watches how they handle the setback.
- This tests their character and keeps the true path hidden from those who might abuse it.
Plot Potential
- This would add layers to the mystery of the One Piece — even if Luffy’s crew encounters info from Rayleigh, they might not be sure if it’s the whole truth.
- Could spark interesting tension or conflict if allies realize they were fed false info for their own good.
- Gives Rayleigh a morally ambiguous but very “pirate-like” role: protector of secrets through trickery, rather than outright obstruction.
I remember a very good OP theory from here that Shanks was the Yonko who had control over the underworld.
Pairing this with your idea could work, that way Ray could be the guy who helped Shanks establish his underworld empire, thus helping to set him as a Yonko and keep an eye out for Nika related stuff like the Gomu's whereabouts.
Pairing this with your idea could work, that way Ray could be the guy who helped Shanks establish his underworld empire, thus helping to set him as a Yonko and keep an eye out for Nika related stuff like the Gomu's whereabouts.
Is it the same headcanon of u claiming rocks has devil fruit when i said he didnt then u called me retarded ? U said it like it was facts
"it's obvious"
No it isn't
Ray's title has nothing to do with any incident or whatever unlike Gaben or Roger. Cause Ray's title is from japanese mythology. Meio. It means he is the shadow of the actual king. ie partner.
We know this already
