Once condemned by the entire One Piece world as a cold-blooded traitor who killed his own father to seize a legendary Devil Fruit, chapter 1169 delivers an unexpected twist. The truth behind this shocking crime turns out to be a tragic secret that fully clears the “accursed prince” of Elbaph.
Harald’s Madness Under Imu’s Curse and His Final Wish
It turns out King Harald was not murdered by his son out of ambition. Chapter 1169 reveals that Harald gradually lost his sanity and self-control due to a binding pact with the powerful entity Imu. Realizing he was becoming a puppet or a threat to Elbaph, Harald made a brutal decision. He asked his own son Loki to end his life to protect the kingdom.
But it didn’t stop there. Harald entrusted Loki with the mission to find and consume Elbaph’s legendary Devil Fruit. During this quest in a forbidden chamber, Loki discovered the weapon that would redefine his power: the war hammer Ragnir.
Ragnir vs Mjolnir: Oda’s Nod to Marvel
Loyal One Piece fans quickly noticed the striking similarities between Ragnir and Thor’s Mjolnir from the Marvel universe. Eiichiro Oda is well known for weaving mythology into his work. In the Elbaph arc, the land of Viking warriors, it’s natural for him to draw inspiration from Norse myths.
The interesting part is that Oda seems to be setting up a subtle showdown of ideas. Ragnir is not just a heavy iron hammer, it can summon lightning from dark clouds and strike targets just like Thor’s Mjolnir. Especially telling is the detail that only Loki can lift Ragnir, reinforcing the famous “worthiness” trait from Marvel.
Looking deeper, the resemblance between Ragnir and Mjolnir is astonishing, creating a fascinating blend of Japanese manga and Western mythology. Both weapons symbolize natural disasters with the power to control thunder and storms. While Mjolnir allows Thor to command lightning, Ragnir lets Loki summon massive lightning pillars from storm clouds.
What’s even more remarkable is the weapon’s personality. If Mjolnir only allows the “worthy” to lift it, so far only Loki has been able to wield Ragnir. The biggest difference might be their origins: Mjolnir is a masterpiece forged by dwarven smiths in mythology, while Ragnir is introduced as a royal heirloom and national treasure of Elbaph.
These similarities have fans wondering if Oda is crafting a One Piece version of a “Thunder God” with overwhelming power over the world.
A Weapon with a Soul: Does Ragnir Laugh?
The most shocking detail in chapter 1169 is that Ragnir seems to have its own will. When Loki approached the Devil Fruit, the hammer moved on its own and even attacked him. After dodging the strike, Loki heard a strange laugh coming from the weapon.
This raises a big question: does Ragnir have a soul like legendary swords, or has it consumed a Devil Fruit itself? If Ragnir truly has a personality, it’s no longer just a tool but an important character, explaining why it chose Loki as its sole master.
Loki’s past journey is coming to a close, paving the way for explosive events in the present. Once the mysteries of Ragnir and Harald’s death are fully revealed, Luffy and the Straw Hat crew will gain a powerful new ally, or a formidable rival.
With Imu’s forces turning their sights on Elbaph, the arrival of a new “Thunder God” named Loki wielding a sentient hammer will surely be a key factor in the upcoming great battle.