`5 Pirates Who Went from Gangsters to Pirates`

Summary

Bandits and gangsters are also highlighted in One Piece, in addition to pirates.
Many former gangsters go on to become pirates, joining different crews.
Characters like Kid, Bege, and Bartolomeo showcase the transition from gangster to pirate lifestyle.

In “One Piece,” while pirates receive significant attention as the main type of criminals, it’s important to note that they aren’t the only category of lawbreakers featured in the story. Bandits are introduced early on as another form of infamous criminal, and less frequently, gangsters also make an appearance.

These lawbreakers often function within a criminal network, sometimes referred to as a syndicate, where a leading figure is known by various titles such as “captain,” “godfather,” or “boss.” It’s worth noting that this criminal underworld frequently interacts with certain pirate groups. Interestingly, some of these pirates were once gangsters who decided to sail the seas instead.

1. Nico Robin

The Demon Of Ohara

Current Affiliation: Straw Hat Pirates

Robin, the lone remnant of Ohara – a civilization wiped out by the Marines after they delved into the mysteries of the Void Century – found herself falsely accused and pursued by the government. They claimed she was responsible for sinking warships and coveting ancient weaponry. As a result, she became an outcast in society at such a young age that she resorted to a life of criminal activities before reaching her tenth birthday.

Before joining the Straw Hats, Robin had already been associated with at least two illegal groups. One of these was not just a pirate crew but a criminal organization called Baroque Works, where she became a member in her twenties.

Despite not officially being labeled as a “gang,” this group exhibits characteristics similar to one, functioning as a criminal organization that exerts control over a specific region. The leader of this group previously held dominion over various facilities within Alabasta, aspiring to expand his power and ultimately take full control of the area. His strategic planning and skill in keeping authorities at arm’s length mirror those of a traditional mob boss.

In this group, they assigned code names: numbers for their male members and significant dates for females as their secret identities. The lowest numbered member, Mr. 0, served as the leader of the organization. Known also as Crocodile, he was a pirate endorsed by the government and enjoyed a favorable reputation among the citizens due to his public image. Working under Crocodile’s command was Robin, who went by Miss All Sunday as her alias. She held the highest rank among his subordinates and often served as a link between him and the rest of his team members.

Robin, who had been bound to Crocodile by certain connections, found it hard to accept him wielding an ancient weapon. This was just one among several reasons that ultimately caused their alliance to fall apart. In a desperate bid to thwart him, she even attempted to take her own life, only to be vanquished by Monkey D. Luffy. Following this, Robin forcefully inserted herself into the Straw Hat Pirates and, over time, managed to win their acceptance. During her absence from the group, she also became associated with the Revolutionary Army, who admired her as a symbol of government injustice.

2. Eustass Kid

Crimelord From The South Blue

Current Affiliation: Kid Pirates

Eustass Kid, accompanied by his comrades, belonged to an island not under the control of the World Government, specifically in the region South Blue. This island doesn’t pay a tax called the Heavenly Tribute to the World Nobles, who typically offer protection in return. Often, these unprotected islands are characterized by poverty and high crime rates, like Whitebeard’s childhood home island of Sphinx, which was notorious for such conditions.

As an observer, I recall a pair of kids, one known as Kid, and his companion, Killer, who shared a mutual lost love named Victoria, claimed by the cruel hands of gang violence in our youthful days. Each found themselves leading separate gangs that governed distinct towns on our island, with Heat and Wire steering their own respective groups. In response to Victoria’s tragic end, these four gangs united to strike against the perpetrators. Spurred by a desire for justice and a craving for challenge, Kid, Killer, Heat, and Wire embarked upon the seas aboard the Victoria Punk, a ship christened in memory of their cherished lost love.

A pirate named Kid, notorious for his aggressive and confrontational nature, has a violent past that has claimed countless innocent lives. This carnage has significantly boosted his bounty, earning him a place among the infamous “Worst Generation,” a group of twelve most wanted pirates. However, he may temporarily join forces with less malevolent pirates like Monkey D. Luffy when facing an overarching threat. Kid often rationalizes his actions within the broader context, drawing parallels to the corrupt practices of the World Government and the nobles they shield. His perspective might be shaped by the crime and hardship he encountered in his early years, driving him to resist the authority of others and frequently finding himself at odds with more dominant figures.

Recently, Shanks managed to outmatch him, resulting in the sinking of his pirate ship by the Giant Warrior Pirates. This confrontation took place when he attempted an attack on Elbaf. The aftermath of this battle, including the fate of him and his crew, remains uncertain, but it’s plausible they might have met their end in the ocean depths.

3. Capone Bege

Godfather From The West Blue

Current Affiliation: Fire Tank Pirates

I find myself observing the intriguing figure of Capone Bege, a man who seems to have swapped the world of mafia for that of piracy. His persona appears strikingly reminiscent of the legendary gangster, Alphonse “Al” Capone, sharing not only his birthday but also a similar appearance. Yet, unlike Capone, Bege doesn’t seem to be a man brought down by tax evasion.

In the underworld of West Blue, he held the reins as one of the Five Families’ leaders, orchestrating their criminal activities. His approach was more about antagonizing rival gangs, robbing them and leaving chaos in his wake, rather than striving for power over them. His aggression didn’t extend beyond the leaders, but this alone necessitated frequent retaliation, something his own Devil Fruit made effortless.

Tired of his land-based supremacy, he shifted focus to the ocean, renaming his criminal empire as the Fire Tank Pirates. Rapidly earning notoriety by employing similar strategies on the seas as he did on land against rival pirate crews, he swiftly rose to prominence and became known as a supernova, a newcomer with a bounty exceeding 100 million berries, entering the Worst Generation. The latest reported target of his assassination attempts was Charlotte “Big Mom” Linlin. Bege infiltrated Big Mom’s pirate crew, participated in an unexpectedly successful arranged marriage, and even forged an alliance with the Straw Hat Pirates to achieve this goal. However, Big Mom’s near-invincibility thwarted these efforts when her powerful screams detonated the weapons meant to kill her once she was exposed. This failed attempt served to enhance Monkey D. Luffy’s reputation as “the fifth Emperor,” much to Bege’s dismay as he was the primary orchestrator of this plan.

In contrast to his harsh and cunning demeanor, Bege places great importance on family ties. He serves as a paternal figure to his men, commanding their deep respect and obedience. Some of his associates may exhibit aggressive behavior, but this does not deter him from maintaining strong family bonds. Upon Charlotte Chiffon joining the crew through marriage, she was shown equal reverence. He also endeavored to reconcile with his sister-in-law, Lola, at his wife’s request, and later welcomed Pound, the father of the Charlotte sisters, onto the ship as well.

4. Bartolomeo

Kingpin From The East Blue

Current Affiliation: Barto Club; Straw Hat Grand Fleet

Bartolomeo’s background as a gangster is well-known, though the details are often left vague. He was reportedly the leader of a mafia that controlled around 150 towns. A pivotal moment in his life occurred when he witnessed a strange lightning bolt halt Luffy’s execution in Loguetown. This encounter sparked his interest, and he kept tabs on Luffy’s adventures until the Summit War, at which point he chose to embark on his own sea voyage, creating the Barto Club. Since then, he has earned a reputation for his daring deeds, earning him the nickname “Bartolomeo the Cannibal.” His actions often border on violence and disregard for others, yet when it comes to Luffy and his crew, there’s a sense of innocent awe, and he seems to idolize and obey each one of them.

In the grand Colosseum arena, Bartolomeo’s essence of personality unfolds, as he flouts respect towards most rivals and basks in their disdain, yet pursues the Devil Fruit of Ace, Luffy’s deceased brother, to present it personally. Among numerous admirers of Luffy in Dressrosa, Bartolomeo is one who joined his ranks, and various organizations transformed or established themselves as pirate crews following rescue by the Straw Hats. He was among seven pirate groups constituting the Grand Fleet of Straw Hat, a band of loyalists to Luffy. Nevertheless, their bond leans more towards an alliance than servitude, with Luffy generally regarding it as such, rather than expecting subservience.

In the Colosseum, Bartolomeo’s character traits are on display, as he disrespects opponents and enjoys their ridicule, but seeks Ace’s Devil Fruit to give it to Luffy himself. He is one of many followers of Luffy in Dressrosa, with several organizations becoming pirate crews after being saved by the Straw Hats. Bartolomeo belongs to a group of seven pirate groups known as the Grand Fleet, who are unwaveringly loyal to Luffy. However, their relationship is more about teamwork than demanding obedience, with Luffy viewing it as an alliance rather than expecting servitude.

Recently, the Barto Club faced an attack, with their vessel, the Going Luffy-Senpai, getting hit by gunfire from Yasopp (Usopp’s father) and a comrade of Shanks from the Red Hair Pirates. This conflict was sparked by the Barto Club, as they assaulted an area guarded by the Red Hair Pirates, setting their flag ablaze. Luffy’s connection with Shanks wasn’t recorded by Bartolomeo, likely because it wasn’t significant in most of his adventures post-Loguetown. In a surprising turn of events, Shanks had given Bartolomeo a vial containing poison, intended for Luffy to consume. However, feeling remorseful, Bartolomeo drank the poison himself, as Shanks hadn’t commanded the attack. Upon discovering it wasn’t poison, the crew swiftly fled, only for Yasopp to open fire, leaving Shanks stunned. The details of this incident remain unclear, but it’s possible that the crew didn’t survive.

5. Trebol

Gangster From The North Blue

Current Affiliation: Donquixote Pirates

Unlike many former gangsters, Trebol didn’t have a significant criminal background prior to piracy. Instead, he was associated with a smaller group that included Vergo, Pica, and Diamante. Their paths crossed when Doflamingo, the one who would later lead them to prominence, was just a boy. Doflamingo was once a World Noble, but his father, Homing, intentionally forfeited their noble status, causing them to be relocated to a town where they were not well-liked due to the Heavenly Tribute and other harsh treatments inflicted upon civilians. As a child, Doflamingo already demonstrated Conqueror’s Haki, a power that only some highly ambitious individuals possess at birth.

I was there, and it was evident that my presence didn’t deter the four thugs from being captivated by his talent. From that moment onward, they pledged their allegiance to him, serving as his loyal subjects. As I had anticipated, this confirmed his belief in his destiny for greater things.

Trebol, among them, played a significant role, bestowing upon him the Devil Fruit and the very gun he used to eliminate Homing. This act shattered his birth family irrevocably. Following this, Doflamingo established the Donquixote Pirates, with these four gangsters who discovered him holding the highest ranks among his subordinates.

In retrospect, Trebol can be best described as an enabler, fostering the darker aspects of his captain’s actions. Whether he was aware of it at the time or not remains to be seen, but his influence undeniably shaped the course of events that unfolded.

Doflamingo became deeply entangled in the criminal underworld, engaging in activities like human trafficking, production of fake Zoan Devil Fruits, selling exotic weapons from Wano, and numerous other illicit deals. However, it remains uncertain to what extent his allies’ previous gang activities influenced this path. Doflamingo exhibits a kind of kinship with his top-tier members, forbidding them from being ridiculed and demonstrating genuine respect for their commitments to him.

2025-02-14 13:35