The fabled ‘One Piece’ has been found right here in Dubai.
It has been spotted on the virtual high seas of Google Maps, nestled on a lost island intended to be part of Dubai’s Deira Palm.
Who labeled this spot the ‘One Piece’? Is this the work of a prankster who loves anime? And what’s its purpose? Is it a clue to the the treasure’s whereabouts? A nod to fellow One Piece enthusiasts? Might there be something hidden behind the grand doors of what appears to be a palatial abode?
Or maybe it’s an elaborate prank by a merry band of internet jesters, guffawing into their energy drinks as they watch the clicks accumulate like a pirate’s bounty.
For the uninitiated, ‘The One Piece’ is the holy grail of the anime pirate world, a treasure of such indescribable value that men and women in billowy trousers and impractical hats have dedicated their lives to its pursuit.
One Piece has seen a resurgence since Netflix’s live-action reimagination of the show, which was released this summer.
Palm Deira (which is now called Dubai Islands) stretches over 17 square kilometers, encompassing five islands. When finished, it will boast more than 80 hotels and resorts, along with parks, marinas and residential buildings.
The furthest Island of the bunch appears to be empty, with one exception: on it sits a mansion, a palatial abode that one audacious soul has labeled ‘One Piece.’ Is it a billionaire’s recluse, a celebrity’s hideaway, or the world’s most ostentatious safe house? The mind boggles at the possibilities.
The reality, most likely, is far less romantic. Maybe it’s an elaborate prank by a merry band of internet jesters, guffawing into their energy drinks as they watch the clicks accumulate like a pirate’s bounty.
Regardless, the quest for ‘The One Piece’ continues in the most unexpected of places – and isn’t that just like the modern world to hide our greatest treasures in plain sight, on the shores of excess and extravagance?