Edward Newgate, more commonly known as “Whitebeard”, was widely known as the “Strongest Man in the World”. Whitebeard was an abnormally large man, he had a long face, ploughed, just like Kuma.
They’re both massive and have similar facial structures. The two biggest gigachads in One Piece have the same chin. Both looked very similar as kids too.
I believe that Whitebeard was a Buccaneer and knew about Nika. However, he just wasn’t as devout a follower as Kuma was. Whitebeard’s dream is to have a family because he had his taken away, just like Kuma. But what really got me is this panel.
From that dialogue it sounds like Whitebeard would go on about God when he was drunk. He also suspiciously knew a lot about Lunarians – an ancient race from before the World government even formed.
Whitebeard was a Buccaneer and was told stories about the Sun God and Nika as a kid. He may not have fully believed them like Kuma, but he would still recite them when he was drunk or go on about a true God.
This could be why he placed so much faith in Luffy during Marineford. He saw his rubber body and like Kuma, maybe decided to finally believe the legends.
