As anticipation builds for the release of One Piece chapter 1144 on March 6, 2025, intriguing details from the upcoming chapter have already surfaced. The latest spoilers indicate a chaotic atmosphere as the Holy Knights’ game spirals into danger. Despite the best efforts of Saul and other teachers, they struggled to prevent the children from heading to the beach. In a surprising twist, Ripley guides Franky to a hidden spot that unveils an exciting new mystery.
During this encounter, Ripley introduces the Straw Hat Pirates to an Ancient Robot. This revelation echoes a previous instance during the Egghead Arc, where another robot attributed to the legendary Joy Boy was introduced. Notably, Ripley mentions the Elbaph Arc, linking this ancient robot to events that unfolded 3000 years ago and suggesting its connection to the revered deity Nika.
These connections could signify Franky’s pivotal role in Luffy’s quest, potentially positioning him as the key figure who guides the protagonist towards the ultimate treasure.
Disclaimer: The content may contain spoilers from the manga series, representing the author’s insights and interpretations.
The Significance of Franky in Luffy’s Quest as Revealed in One Piece Chapter 1144 Spoilers

The preliminary spoilers for chapter 1144 focus heavily on the mounting panic caused by the Holy Knights. Saul and his fellow educators are attempting to break the Walrus School children’s hypnosis while chaos ensues across the island.
Meanwhile, Ripley takes Franky behind the Treasure Tree, revealing a remarkable Ancient Robot. According to Ripley, this artifact has been on Elbaph Island for three millennia, branding it as a significant relic. Importantly, the chapter does not clarify whether this ancient machine can be powered or activated in any particular way.

A compelling aspect of this new robot is its resemblance to Emeth, the Iron Giant from the Egghead Arc. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that while Emeth was created roughly 900 years ago during the Void Century, the Elbaph robot predates it by an additional 2100 years.
This ancient robot may indeed correlate with the mythology surrounding Nika, known as the Sun God, who liberated slaves from oppressive conditions. As viewers have speculated, it remains uncertain whether Nika was a historical figure or merely a hopeful myth created by earlier generations. Given the intriguing timelines, some fans suggest Nika could have existed as far back as 300,000 years ago.

The link between liberators and robots is evident, as seen with Joy Boy’s association with Emeth. This bond may hint at the connection between two Straw Hat members: Franky and Luffy. Franky, as a cyborg, embodies the characteristics of a robot, while Luffy personifies liberation through his newfound Gear 5 abilities.
The implications of this relationship between the robot and the liberator hold significant potential. With further exploration of Nika’s journey and the mysteries surrounding Franky’s abilities yet to be fully explained, fans could draw parallels to Emeth’s reawakening narrative with Joy Boy. When Emeth revived during the Egghead Arc, he expressed remorse to Joy Boy for not facilitating his kingship.
This raises intriguing questions: could Emeth be a key to accessing the ultimate treasure, which is also suggested for the Elbaph robot concerning Nika? Likewise, Franky’s input as the shipwright may prove vital in Luffy’s aspiration to become the Pirate King and secure the One Piece.
Final Analysis and Perspectives
The relationship dynamics between Franky and Luffy might differentiate their journey from that of Gol D. Roger, particularly as the narrative has not yet introduced a robot-like member in Roger’s crew. Although Franky’s significance regarding the final treasure remains somewhat ambiguous, deeper revelations about the Elbaph robot in forthcoming chapters should provide clarity and context.