One Piece Team-Ups That Could Change the Final Saga

Summary

Buggy & Morgans, both amoral criminals, could form a propaganda powerhouse.
Koby & Issho, good marines, might collaborate to showcase their differing approaches to doing good.
Robin & Vivi, former enemies with a common goal, could have a complex dynamic given their fugitive status.

One Piece is a dynamic narrative that seamlessly incorporates elements from its long-running plotlines spanning over several decades. This allows for characters who were initially established to potentially reappear with more significant roles as the story progresses, even during its concluding chapters.

Different individuals, each with their own backgrounds – be it unresolved conflicts or shared pasts – have banded together for a mutual goal, with results ranging from triumphant to tumultuous. This has not only given depth to the characters but also created intriguing interpersonal relationships. Considering this, here are some potential partnerships that could significantly enrich the narrative if they were to occur.

1. Buggy & Morgans

A Propaganda Mill In The Making

Both are amoral criminals who rely on sensationalism

Once upon a time, Buggy the Clown was part of the Roger Pirates’ crew. He shared a camaraderie with the famed “Red Hair” Shanks when they were both cabin boys together. After striking out on his own, he established the Buggy Pirates and forged an alliance with the powerful “Iron Mace” Alvida. Notably, he managed to break free from Impel Down, a prison believed to be impenetrable by the government. He was later welcomed into the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Utilizing his official clearance, Buggy established an illicit mercenary group known as Buggy’s Delivery. Over time, this organization evolved into the Cross Guild, a post-warlord mercenary group that placed bounties on marines. As a result, Buggy aligned himself with the Four Emperors – a class of pirates deemed the most dangerous to the government’s operations.

Despite the fact that all of Buggy’s achievements are accurate, they tend to obscure the truth that he is physically weak as a pirate because he prioritizes treasure over personal growth. He was one of Luffy’s earliest adversaries, and since their initial encounter, Luffy has significantly surpassed him in strength. Buggy joined the Cross Guild mainly due to owing Crocodile, the group’s true founder, a debt that he aimed to repay by boosting the organization. However, his followers, who created the posters, mistakenly portrayed him as the leader, a misunderstanding Crocodile exploited to minimize his own involvement.

Morgan serves as president of The Global Economic Gazette, renowned for transforming into an albatross due to his Devil Fruit powers. He’s passionate about unearthing significant news, often bending facts, adding drama, or even fabricating details to boost reader interest. Yet, he doesn’t shy away from angering governments or emperors if it means exposing a major scandal.

Morgan is known as an “Emperor” within the criminal underworld, but his specific position within it remains undetermined. He has been observed sharing information with fellow Emperor Stussy at Big Mom’s tea party, and they are said to have a shared past. More recently, Morgan has provided shelter to Vivi and Wapol, two individuals wanted by the government, though the reasons behind this act remain unexplained.

Morgan, with his flair for sensationalism, would make an ideal propagandist for Buggy. Not only does Buggy boast a credible list of accomplishments to leverage, but his marine-hunting endeavors could fuel the “grim future” that Morgan intends to depict in his writings. The potential this partnership holds, along with its inevitable grand collapse, would make an intriguing narrative for this stage of the story.

2. Koby & Issho

The Future Of The Marines

Both are recent “good” Marines

I find myself observing Koby, who shares some striking similarities with Monkey D. Luffy in his journey. Once a cabin boy captive of the Alvida Pirates, Koby found inspiration from the budding pirate who orchestrated his escape, propelling him to chase after his dream – joining the Marines. Time has passed, and he’s now climbed the ranks to become a captain, one of the highest-ranking marine officers within their organization. Beyond his military title, Koby is also known as a “hero” for an enigmatic part he played in the Rocky Port Incident.

Instead of formally quitting, he’s shifted roles to join SWORD, a covert Marine unit, with authorization for operations that typical Marines aren’t permitted. This move is contingent on SWORD being able to deny any association with him should the need arise. Despite the Marines often acting as adversaries, Koby symbolizes the upcoming generation of Marines and a growing faction within their ranks who aim to make a positive impact.

A more recent addition to the ranks and nicknamed “Fujitora,” is Admiral Issho. Formerly the military leader of Kingdom Aoi, Issho earned the label of a “war criminal” due to his role in atrocities he may have both witnessed and possibly participated in, which left him so traumatized that he self-blinded. Following a period as a bodyguard for a gambling establishment where he owed money, he was conscripted into the Marines after the government acquired the land.

He was apparently advanced to the rank of admiral, most likely because of his previous prestige. However, he has taken advantage of this position to act against the government’s interests on occasion. Notably, he has assisted in the liberation of slaves belonging to Celestial Dragons, expressed remorse towards a ruler associated with the government who lost their kingdom due to negligence, and even granted Luffy additional time to evade capture from the Marines out of admiration for him.

Although they are both members of a Marine faction that emphasizes the greater good, neither character has been seen collaborating significantly yet. The characters Issho, a seasoned Marine with a hidden past shrouded in tragedy, and Koby, an aspiring hero symbolizing the future, may offer an interesting exploration of their shared commitment to the greater good as well as any contrasts in their approaches when they eventually team up. This potential partnership could shed light on how their views align or diverge regarding the pursuit of the greater good within the Marine faction.

3. Nico Robin & Nefetari D. Vivi

Former Enemies Drawn Toward A Common Goal

Both fugitives are affiliated with the Straw Hat Pirates, as well as former enemies.

From childhood onward, Nico Robin lived as a fugitive due to tragic circumstances. Her home country suffered a massacre because several scholars were investigating the forbidden period known as the Void Century. As the only survivor from this event, Robin was falsely accused of being a violent criminal even though she was just a child at the time. To protect herself, she joined various criminal groups. A lasting partnership with Crocodile led her to become Miss All Sunday, the second-in-command of Baroque Works, serving as an intermediary between Crocodile and his underlings. This association allowed her to assist in Crocodile’s plot to seize Alabasta, but she grew suspicious of him and his ambition to unearth Pluton, one of the ancient weapons. Consequently, she tried to double-cross him and ultimately contemplated taking her own life.

In the end, Luffy managed to save her and she chose to join the Straw Hat crew as their first self-invited member. This increased their notoriety and made them more of a focus for government scrutiny, given their extensive criminal background. However, after developing strong feelings for them, Robin decided it was best to leave the crew, believing that surrendering herself would shield them from the full force of the government’s retribution. But when they demonstrated both her importance to them and their willingness to risk everything for her, she emotionally expressed her wish to stay alive and return to the crew.

Princess Nefertari Vivi from Alabasta disguised herself as Miss Wednesday to secretly infiltrate Baroque Works and foil their scheme. However, her cover was eventually blown by agents Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, who then pursued her relentlessly. In the end, she joined the Straw Hat Pirates until Baroque Works was destroyed and dismantled. Despite enjoying her time with the crew, Vivi declined to stay on permanently, feeling that her royal responsibilities were paramount.

As the Straw Hats gave her a quiet farewell, each had a secret X etched on their arms. Yet, Vivi became a wanted woman since the Levely, primarily because of her father Cobra’s actions. He exposed Imu, the hidden ruler of the World Government, and it was discovered that both shared the dreaded “D” initial, feared by all Celestial Dragons. This has sparked some rumors suggesting she might reunite with the Straw Hat Pirates in an undefined role in the future.

Initially maintaining stark differences, I found myself observing Robin and Vivi, both fugitives and sharing a common crew. At first glance, they seemed worlds apart, but as time passed, Robin displayed an unexpected warmth towards their shared team. This shift in attitude alleviated initial concerns when she joined forces with Vivi, who is known for being the bearer of the “Will of D.” Somehow, this enigmatic connection between them seems to have piqued Robin’s curiosity even further.

Robin has frequently shown a fondness for characters bearing the “D” moniker, such as Jaguar D. Saul, Monkey D. Luffy, Monkey D. Dragon, Trafalgar D. Water Law, and so on. She’s found companionship with many who share this initial, including these characters. Due to her father’s demise, Vivi is the sole remaining Nefertari, similar to how Robin represents the last of her kin, as well as the island of Ohara. Given their intricate pasts and mutual sorrows, these two could potentially have an engaging interaction if they ever cross paths again.

4. Monkey D. Luffy & Charlotte Katakuri

Similar Characters; Different Experiences

Like Luffy, Katakuri is a powerful big eater

As a die-hard fan, there’s hardly a need for an introduction when it comes to Monkey D. Luffy. He’s the fearless captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, one of the four most formidable pirates in the grand saga of One Piece. With the title of Emperor bestowed upon him by the World Government, Luffy is no stranger to danger and conflict. His insatiable appetite for food, masterful combat skills, and knack for inspiring others set him apart from the rest. In his quest to lay claim to the One Piece and rule as the King of Pirates, he’s amassed a crew, gathered countless allies, and lent aid to numerous kingdoms struggling under oppressive regimes.

Despite this, he is equally remarkable due to his lineage. The Monkey clan includes Garp and Dragon; one renowned as a “hero” in the marines for his actions at God Valley, while the other defected from the marines and fights against the government as a revolutionary. Unlike his grandfather’s aspirations for him in the marines, Luffy values his freedom more. He shares a sworn brotherhood with Portgas D. Ace and Sabo, having developed a strong bond with them during their time in the Goa Kingdom. All three were trained by Garp, but they each oppose the government in different ways.

Charlotte Katakuri belongs to the Big Mom Pirates, once commanded by the former Emperor, Big Mom Linlin. He’s also known for his voracious appetite, which has given him a pelican eel-like mouth. Within the crew, he holds significant power as one of its Sweet Commanders, a position reserved for its strongest members. Additionally, Katakuri demonstrates a caring side, often looking out for his younger siblings like Brûlée, with whom he shares a deep connection.

Under the guidance of their matriarch, Linlin, the Charlotte family has expanded to consist of 85 children, fathered by 43 different men who were taken captive and then abandoned after their offspring were born. Katakuri, the third oldest among them, is renowned for his unmatched fighting skills and has never been defeated, earning him the reputation as an invincible warrior within the group. This reputation has sparked numerous calls for him to take over as captain from Linlin, following her supposed demise. However, little is known about his future plans, as until now, he has appeared content to obey his mother’s commands.

On Whole Cake Island, Luffy and Katakuri formed a rivalry. Despite sharing many characteristics, they differ greatly in terms of power dynamics. Luffy had challenged his family before he truly wielded any significant authority, while Katakuri, though incredibly strong, seems unwilling or unable to defy his own hierarchy. However, their interactions resulted in mutual respect, with Katakuri believing that one day, Luffy might become the Pirate King.

Katakuri’s younger sister, Pudding, is currently captive of the Blackbeard Pirates, a group that both Luffy and Katakuri have animosity towards, partly due to their role in the kidnapping of Ace, Luffy’s late brother. This shared enmity could potentially bring these two powerful pirate crews together.

5. Crocodile & Donquixote Doflamingo

Work It Out In Cross Guild

Both are government pirates who tried to take over a kingdom.

Previously hostile to Luffy, Crocodile held the position as one of the Seven Sea Nobles, a group of pirates officially recognized by the government and seldom faced consequences for their wrongdoings. His ambition was to conquer Alabasta and establish Baroque Works, a clandestine criminal organization that furthered his objectives. As Mr.0, he orchestrated this group. However, Crocodile’s plans were thwarted by Luffy, leading to his imprisonment in Impel Down, alongside some of his top lieutenants.

In his quest to free his brother Ace, Luffy received assistance from previous adversaries such as Crocodile and his subordinates during their escape from Impel Down. After participating in the Summit War against the administration, he journeyed for a while with Daz Bonez, also known as Mr. 1. More recently, around the dismantling of the Warlord system, Luffy established Cross Guild, a mercenary group focused on taking down marines. He successfully persuaded fellow former warlord Dracule Mihawk to share leadership duties in the new anti-government organization. Crocodile set up Buggy as a decoy, pretending to lead the guild publicly to divert government attention away from himself.

Previously, Donquixote Doflamingo was a descendant of the powerful Celestial Dragons, but he lost his noble status when his father, Homing, deliberately renounced it. This led to him experiencing hardship and discrimination. However, with his mastery over Conqueror’s Haki, he gained followers and eventually avenged his father by killing Hominh. He then established the Donquixote Pirates and managed to infiltrate both the criminal Underworld (operating under the alias Joker) and the World Government. His successes even earned him the title of a warlord himself. Moreover, he seized control over the kingdom of Dressrosa, which was once ruled by the Donquixote Family before they abandoned their throne to become Celestial Dragons.

Regardless of his skill to maneuver power, he was vanquished by Luffy and confined. His deeds in Dressrosa, much like Crocodile’s in Alabasta, triggered the dismantling of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a position both pirates once held. He is now detained at Impel Down, eagerly anticipating the possibility that his Celestial Dragon peers might lose their power during the anticipated uproar in the world.

In simpler terms, Crocodile and Doflamingo share many similarities, having crossed paths during the Summit War, with Doflamingo expressing admiration for Crocodile to the point of proposing an alliance. Crocodile declined, but Doflamingo continued to hold Crocodile in high regard as a fellow pirate. Now that Doflamingo seeks freedom and Crocodile might require extra forces, it’s possible that they could collaborate by recruiting from Impel Down’s inmates, who would naturally resent the government and marines.

2025-05-17 08:37