What is a Road Poneglyph?
In the One Piece universe, Poneglyph stones are massive inscriptions that bear the traces of the lost history known as the “Void Century.” However, a special type known as the Road Poneglyph serves a significantly different purpose from ordinary Poneglyphs. These stones not only reveal historical information but also hold the key to reaching Raftel (Laugh Tale), the world's most mysterious location. Only four of these stones are known to exist, and they are the sole source containing the coordinates leading to the legendary island at the end of the Grand Line.
Why Are They So Important?
Reaching Raftel is the goal of everyone who wants to become the Pirate King. However, achieving this goal requires not only strength, but also a journey that brings wisdom and strategy. The Road Poneglyph stones are at the center of this journey.
Each stone provides the coordinates of the four points that lead to Raftel. When these four points intersect on the world map, the exact location of Raftel is revealed. Therefore, the information on each stone is essential for a complete map.
Why Is Access So Difficult?
The locations of these stones are carefully hidden across the world, sometimes in the heart of a nation, sometimes in the depths of the sea. Each is protected by powerful defenses. The inscriptions on these stones, written by the Kozuki clan, are in an ancient language that only a few can read. Those who can read this language have either been eradicated throughout history or deemed a threat by the World Government. Rare individuals like Nico Robin, who possess this knowledge, are not only capable of reading the stones but also bear the responsibility of unraveling the mystery of Raftel.
Distribution and Known Locations of the Stones
So far, three Road Poneglyph stones have been discovered. One is hidden in the sacred area of the Mink tribe on the back of the giant elephant Zunesha on Zou Island. Another is kept in the palace of Whole Cake Island, under the control of Big Mom. The third is hidden in Wano Country by Kaido. However, the location of the fourth stone remains unknown. This stone is still being sought by many pirates and its location remains one of the series' biggest mysteries.
Why is the World Government silent on this matter?
The World Government does not want information about the Empty Century and the Poneglyph stones to spread. However, since the Road Poneglyphs contain geographical information rather than historical facts, a shadow censorship is applied instead of direct government intervention. Nevertheless, the revelation of the stones' locations and the spread of information become a threat that the government struggles to control. This threat grows even more with the rise of pirates.
Robin's Knowledge and Burden
Nico Robin, the archaeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates, is the only active character who can read the Road Poneglyph stones. This ability makes her both extremely valuable and highly dangerous. The knowledge Robin possesses not only reveals the location of Raftel but also unlocks access to truths hidden throughout history. Robin learned the Poneglyph script from the academic tradition of Ohara. This legacy, inherited from her mother Nico Olvia, is actually an act of rebellion against the entire world. The knowledge Robin carries is perceived as a threat to the world order, forcing her to flee constantly since childhood.
Within the Straw Hat crew, Robin's knowledge on this matter turns into a strategic advantage. Especially in the arcs of Zou, Whole Cake Island, and Wano, the crew's progress is made possible thanks to Robin's ability to read these stones. However, this knowledge also brings loneliness, as the meaning it carries is often too heavy for even her crewmates to bear.
The Powers Protecting the Stones
The locations of the Road Poneglyphs are not random; each is under the control of a powerful group. Groups such as the Mink tribe, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates have housed these stones. This shows that obtaining each stone is not merely a matter of discovery but also a struggle requiring major battles.
For example, the stone in Zou is guarded by the Mink tribe as a sacred relic and is only shown to those considered allies. The stone on Whole Cake Island is kept in Big Mom's treasure room, and entering this area is nearly impossible. Kaido's stone, meanwhile, is kept in strict secrecy in Wano. This situation reveals that reaching the Road Poneglyphs requires not only information but also military power.
The Meaning of the Road to Raftel
Reaching Raftel is not only about reaching the “One Piece” treasure; it is also about reaching the truth of the world. The Road Poneglyphs therefore do not merely point the way; they also serve as an ideological gateway. The point reached by combining the four stones is actually the ultimate goal of those who stand against the world order. Therefore, reaching these stones also means revealing the history that the government fears. Roger's pirates reached Raftel thanks to Oden, who could read the four stones.
However, the reality they encountered upon arrival both amused and shocked them. The island, known as Laugh Tale, is the symbolic outcome of all the tragedies, betrayals, and losses that have occurred throughout history. The Road Poneglyphs prove that this journey is not only a physical one but also an emotional and historical preparation process.
The Mystery of the Fourth Stone
The fourth Road Poneglyph stone, which has yet to surface, is among the greatest unsolved mysteries in the One Piece world. Various theories have been put forward about its location. Some fans believe the stone is hidden by the giants of Elbaf, while others think it is still concealed by Roger's pirates somewhere. Possible locations include an area below the Red Line, the depths of Mariejois, or a lost submarine island. The revelation of this stone's location in later episodes of the series will be a major turning point.
The Meaning Beyond the Stones
The Road Poneglyphs represent not only a destination but also a philosophy. These stones illuminate the path for those who act not with power but with knowledge, for those who seek to write history. The truths that the World Government has tried to erase for centuries live on in every line of these stones. And each of those who continue this journey is more than just a pirate—they are revolutionaries.