The Ancient Kings of the Land, Sea, and Sky
Haki has always existed and Pangaea was ruled by animal kings known as apex predators before humankind evolved. Joyboy was the first pirate, and this was based on exploration, but other groups of humans also ventured into the world. These humans were the founding members of the Fishmen Kingdom, Mink Kingdom, and Birkan, Skypiean, and Shandorian Kingdoms. On one hand, normal humans like those of the Ancient Kingdom used scientific instruments to make tasks easier, and on the other hand abnormal humans like the Fishmen, Minks, Birkans, Skypieans, and Shandorians heavily relied on natural tools to survive.
Who then conceived of these Ancient Weapons known as Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus? It is my opinion that the Ancient Weapons were part of joint projects between the Ancient Kingdom and the Animal Kingdoms, for the Ancient Kingdom did not have an innate knowledge of the different environmental Haki types, yet the Animal Kingdoms did, but they did not have a fundamental knowledge of science. Each of them lacked an element to succeed in these experiments on their own, but together they were able to create dynamic new types of technologies that were unparalleled because they were based on scientific principles of Haki.
By introducing scientific experimentation to the Animal Kingdoms Joyboy created a problem! He caused an imbalance of power among them. At first, he likely provided scientific experimentation freely. However, he realized that the technology he had started to develop was dangerous and would lead to the development of weapons of mass destruction. To create a stalemate, Joyboy offered each of the three Animal Kingdoms assistance in designing their own superweapons, and hoped they would never have to use them. Despite their best countermeasures, they failed, and the ancient weapons were unleashed upon the planet resulting in floods.
Innate Knowledge
I will illustrate the relevance of the concept of innate knowledge by drawing attention to what happens to a person when they consume a Devil Fruit. When someone eats a Devil Fruit, they not only gain an ability, but they gain innate knowledge about their ability. Without this understanding, they would have challenges using their abilities. Furthermore, elements of innate knowledge are mystical in nature and can relate to supernatural abilities. I theorize that these same elements of innate knowledge that are mystical also impact the Haki nature of living beings. That is to say that many types of innate knowledge exist beyond those found in Devil Fruit abilities.
This theory proposes that there exists a type of innate knowledge related to the Land, Sea, and Sky, and that if a person were to gain an innate knowledge of them that they would ultimately gain an understanding of all things the world has to offer. What I say next should come as no surprise! I believe that this is how a person gains the ability known as the Voice of All Things itself. Individually, the kings of the Animal Kingdoms only mastered a single environment, so they each have a lesser form of it that can be referred to as either the Voice of the Land, Sea, or Sky, but, by experimenting in all three environments, Joyboy gained the Voice of All Things.
The primary forms of Haki such as Conqueror, Armament, and Observation also rely on various forms of innate knowledge. For example, it is not possible to teach someone Conqueror's Haki. Instead, they must have the qualities of a king. In terms of Armament Haki, a person must gain innate knowledge about their weaponry to improve their skill, and for Observation Haki a person must use innate knowledge about their surroundings to gain extrasensory perception. Ryuo, a more specialized type of Haki, requires the user to gain an innate understanding of internal Haki flow to perform internal destruction mechanics. Luffy had a serendipity moment when he learned it.
Momonosuke, Shirahoshi, and Vivi
The Ancient Weapons were named after Gods because their powers are characterized by them. However, It is reasonable to assume that actual people with these names had existed and that the weapons are fundamentally based on their affinities. The fact that Momonosuke and Shirahoshi are able to perform telepathic communication with Zunisha and the Sea Kings implies this. The ability to communicate telepathically is based on giving commands as a king and it is passed on through generations, but these abilities originally manifested in people known as Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus. The inheritors seem to be Momonosuke, Shirahoshi, and Vivi.
Why then did Vivi not inherit an ability yet? My explanation for this is that Nefertari Lili was Uranus, but because of the grievous error she made during the Void Century her kingdom was cursed by the heavens and the ability has remained dormant since. The only hint that she has an affinity for the sky is that she has wanted to fly since she was a child and this nature of hers has continued into adulthood. Furthermore, I believe that Imu manipulated Lili into cooperating with him during the Void Century and that this is how he came into possession of the Ancient Weapon known as Uranus. It is no coincidence that he has Uranus and a connection to Lili.
Each of the animal kingdoms have inherited abilities in general. For example, Electro, Mantra, and Fishmen Karate. Each member of these kingdoms have a potential for them. Though, in Momonosuke's case, this is confusing because of the difference between minks and humans. Although minks view humans as minks, humans cannot produce an electro effect, so him and the inhabitants of Wano Country cannot produce it despite him being able to command Zunisha. Presumably, each of the Gods could produce highly effective forms of these abilities. This is evidenced by the fact that it has been stated the true ability of Fishmen Karate is to control the ocean currents.
The One Piece Treasure
I have theorized here that to gain the Voice of All Things it is necessary to previously gain the Voice of the Land, Sea, and Sky. I will now include that the One Piece is a form of technology beyond the technology of the Ancient Weapons as the fundamental principles involved with them are constituents of it. Though, I suspect that the One Piece is not a weapon. Instead, it is designed to save people from such weapons. The Ancient Weapons are unparalleled in destructive power. As a result, it may be impossible to defend against them. The One Piece may instead allow a kingdom to be recreated after it was destroyed.
Which kingdom would the One Piece bring back from being destroyed then? It would be the Ancient Kingdom. Although it was once destroyed, I have a feeling that the One Piece will be used to create a new form of it. One of the worst situations if this were to happen is that Blackbeard does it because he would create an evil kingdom. I also see issues if Luffy obtains it. It is a powerful form of technology that it can create new forms of weapons. If Luffy obtained it, then he would also need to be responsible enough to use it. This would mean he needs to keep it out of the hands of evildoers, and he would need to ensure that his own kingdom would not abuse it.
I believe the true underlying problem in One Piece is that power comes with responsibility. The effects this technology would have on the world would seem to be positive, but when you consider the responsibilities that come along with it then you have to consider that when technology is used by good people it is fine, but when it is used by bad people it creates conflict. Then, who is to say who is good and who is bad? In-story characters might say it does not matter and history is written by the winners to justify their actions, and it is this pervasive mentality that has created problems throughout the narrative.
The Ancient Kingdom's Beliefs and Values
This subject may be somewhat boring, but it is important because it illustrates the so-called "Great Values" of the Ancient Kingdom. These values are somewhat complicated to understand at first, but once you get the idea it makes sense. To begin with, the Ancient Kingdom likely did not give technology to anybody unless they were screened first. They were put through an initiation process before they were allowed to use any of their technology, and they could only pass that process if they were good people. It screened out bad guys. This process created envy and hatred from them and caused them to react aggressively.
What do you think would happen if someone asked for medicine from the Ancient Kingdom, but the Ancient Kingdom refused to give them any because they had a reason to believe they would abuse the medicine somehow? For example, they could force their people to buy it at a high price and only provide it to the wealthy, or they could reverse-engineer it to create a poisonous substance for war. What would happen if the Ancient Kingdom refused? The person asking for it may decide to steal it. What if that person realized they could not steal it by themselves? They might get a few more people to try to help them. This is how the Great Alliance was formed.
Experimentation is likely what created most of the bizarre things in the story. How did that come to be? The most reasonable conclusion is that it was because people abused experiments. The Ancient Kingdom's values may include an earnest scientific curiosity. This curiosity is what led to the development of technology, but other people are not as disciplined as they may have been and their own experiments were questionable. For example, Devil Fruits are probably the result of an experiment, and people abuse them now, but it was likely the Ancient Kingdom who made them. The chaos that followed was a consequence of it.
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Supporting Video Content
I believe this scene is meant to both contrast and foreshadow events of the Alabasta Arc with events of the Void Century. Vivi carries Lili's will and reacts the same way she would. Vivi's reaction to her kingdom being in trouble was to take the responsibility herself and Luffy questioned her about why she would do that. She claims it is the only thing she can do, and Luffy responds with an alternative suggestion that she can rely on her friends. I suspect Lili did this same thing during the events of the Void Century. This is an interesting scene because if true then it highlights the nature of the conflict and it shows the wills of Lili and Joyboy clashing in the modern era.
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This theory is a WIP
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