Once again, this came from a conversation with my sister. Now I have seen MANY theories and speculation concerning Kingdom Hearts 3, but I have yet to see, or read one specifically addressing a certain object mentioned in the official KH3 summery released back last year. Allow me to quote: "In an effort to undermine Xehanort's plot, Sora, Donald and Goofy search for seven guardians of light and the 'Key to Return Hearts'". So what exactly IS this "Key to Return Hearts"? I have two theories about this. 1: What if the KTRH is in fact the X-Blade itself? Let's think about this. What is the X-Blade? Well, it's supposed to be the guardian to the true Kingdom Hearts right? And what is KH? The heart of all worlds. At the present though, KH is hidden in darkness and the world is scattered throughout the universe in the form of smaller worlds. It is known that these worlds have their own individual hearts deep inside them. So could it be that maybe the X-Blade, once it's brought into being, possibly have the power to restore all the worlds back to their original state, and create a "one world" again? If this is the case, then the X-Blade would be returning the hearts back into ONE heart again in one world. This would also lead to the rediscovery of the true KH once again.Theory number 2: Maybe the KTRH isn't the X-Blade at all. And maybe it doesn't involve restoring the worlds. It could be that the KTRH is in fact an average Keyblade, like the one Sora wields, but with a very special ability. We know that true Keyblades are the only weapons that can truly kill a Heartless and separate it's heart from it's manifest body. Well, what if this special Keyblade has the power to restore the Heartless back to their original bodies? This includes Heartless that have already been "killed" by another Keyblade. This would explain the "Return Hearts" bit at least.Alternant theory number 3: We all know that illogic = Namura logic right? So maybe our dear Namura-senpai might throw us a curve and the KTRH might be something complete different! But what? A person? (Sora?) An object? (Keyblade?) A place? (The Keyblade Graveyard?) Who knows! What we DO know is that Namura knows. And he's not telling. Not yet anyway. So, what do you guys think? Have some theories of your own?    

Edited October 5, 201411 yr by Alicia Maddox

1. The X-Blade and the KTRH are two different things. Amongst other things wrong with the notion that they are one and the same it seems rather redundant to spend an entire game looking for an item that will manifest during their final fight anyway(A fight they want to prevent I might add). It would also seem that they need to acquire it before the final battle. Again why would Sora be sent yo look for something that cannot be found until the final battle. The X-Blade functions as the counterpart of Kingdom Hearts. It's ability is to summon Kingdom Hearts to wielder by gathering all the world's hearts to a singular point. Apart from being a powerful weapon its never been hinted to do otherwise.

 

2. Again this feels rather pointless seeing as slaying a Heartless then slaying it Nobody counterpart does the exact same thing. Once both are destroyed the two halves return to the whole via the rules of revival. It would seem to me the KTRH functions as a means to restore hearts back to some form of existence despite extraordinary circumstances not allowing them to do so naturally. AKA a way to revive Roxas, Xion, Namine.

1. The X-Blade and the KTRH are two different things. Amongst other things wrong with the notion that they are one and the same it seems rather redundant to spend an entire game looking for an item that will manifest during their final fight anyway(A fight they want to prevent I might add). It would also seem that they need to acquire it before the final battle. Again why would Sora be sent yo look for something that cannot be found until the final battle. The X-Blade functions as the counterpart of Kingdom Hearts. It's ability is to summon Kingdom Hearts to wielder by gathering all the world's hearts to a singular point. Apart from being a powerful weapon its never been hinted to do otherwise.2. Again this feels rather pointless seeing as slaying a Heartless then slaying it Nobody counterpart does the exact same thing. Once both are destroyed the two halves return to the whole via the rules of revival. It would seem to me the KTRH functions as a means to restore hearts back to some form of existence despite extraordinary circumstances not allowing them to do so naturally. AKA a way to revive Roxas, Xion, Namine.

I wonder if Sora is the key to return hearts. This was hinted in near the ddd ending. Hear i'll show you.

The key to return hearts could be in Sora all this time.

Edited May 28, 201411 yr by Zeldablade7

I wonder if Sora is the key to return hearts. This was hinted in near the ddd ending. Hear i'll show you.

The key to return hearts could be in Sora all this time.

We don't have enough information me to draw any type of conclusion other then its not the X-Blade. However I will note that Nomura has maintained to this day that Sora is an ordinary boy. It is his simple ability of innocence that allows him to see the heart in everything. The love he has for other people allows the hearts he see to become real. It is that ability that may be key to utilizing the KTRH. Again we don't have enough info to speculate to deep into it.

1. The X-Blade and the KTRH are two different things. Amongst other things wrong with the notion that they are one and the same it seems rather redundant to spend an entire game looking for an item that will manifest during their final fight anyway(A fight they want to prevent I might add). It would also seem that they need to acquire it before the final battle. Again why would Sora be sent yo look for something that cannot be found until the final battle. The X-Blade functions as the counterpart of Kingdom Hearts. It's ability is to summon Kingdom Hearts to wielder by gathering all the world's hearts to a singular point. Apart from being a powerful weapon its never been hinted to do otherwise.2. Again this feels rather pointless seeing as slaying a Heartless then slaying it Nobody counterpart does the exact same thing. Once both are destroyed the two halves return to the whole via the rules of revival. It would seem to me the KTRH functions as a means to restore hearts back to some form of existence despite extraordinary circumstances not allowing them to do so naturally. AKA a way to revive Roxas, Xion, Namine.

Which is why I made my third point. If the first two don't prove to be true, then the KTRH is something different. I really don't think we will know for sure until it gets closer to KH3's release date. But it's still good to speculate anyway.  

Which is why I made my third point. If the first two don't prove to be true, then the KTRH is something different. I really don't think we will know for sure until it gets closer to KH3's release date. But it's still good to speculate anyway.

I didn't address the third point simply because there is not enough info about the KTRH to speculate with.

I didn't address the third point simply because there is not enough info about the KTRH to speculate with.

The KTRH is an enigma!

The KTRH is an enigma!

Lol

I've actually had a theory for a long time actually. I think that this "Key to Return Hearts" will definitely be used to awaken Ventus. Whether it has anymore purpose after that who knows. Heck, it could even be used to clash with the X-Blade. But I believe that Xehanort isn't done targeting Sora nor did he say that he no longer had any use for him. I believe that he will make Vanitas clash with Sora and make him try to complete the X-Blade. This blade is most likely the Key to Kingdom Hearts (I can't remember if they said it was the key or not.). I also will have to go back with a theory I heard a long time ago with Sora actually being the key itself and wiping the floor with Xehanort.