One Piece: Key Moments That Foreshadowed Gecko Moria’s Lineage

This list contains spoilers for the One Piece manga.

Eiichiro Oda, renowned author of the hugely successful One Piece series, has a knack for shocking fans with unexpected twists, and the latest revelation in chapter 1158 of the manga could be one of the most surprising lore developments in recent years. Readers who have been keeping up with the manga lately are familiar with an ongoing side story focusing on Yamato and some Wano residents carrying out their daily routines. In chapter 1157 of One Piece, Yamato is depicted praying next to a grave dedicated to a legendary Wano hero, but at the time, it was unclear who this person was or why they were so revered by the people of Wano.

To everyone’s astonishment, it appears that this character is not Gecko Moria, the previous Warlord whom Luffy and the Straw Hats encountered on Thriller Bark as previously believed. Instead, Moria has been revealed to be a part of the Noble Kozuki Clan, which sheds light on why he opposed Kaido initially. Upon revisiting the story, it’s clear that Oda subtly hinted at Moria’s connection to the samurai land throughout the narrative, and this analysis will delve into those pivotal instances today.

He Fought Kaido In Ringo

It Now Makes Sense Why Kaido Was His Main Target

In the narrative, it’s been established for some time that Moria previously engaged in a fierce battle with the formidable Yonko, Kaido. Although this detail adds intrigue to Moria’s character, it left many wondering why he would confront Kaido given his reputation as an supposedly invincible being. After all, Kaido is well-known for his unkillable status, and while Moria has always been a formidable figure, it was evident that even with his entire crew’s support, he stood little chance against a former member of the legendary Rocks pirate crew.

After establishing a connection between Moria and Wano, it becomes clearer why he might target such a formidable adversary, as Kaido has been a long-time antagonist towards Wano, amassing power over the country for his personal gain and acting like a tyrant. This is the reason Moria is revered by Yamato and others, since he was among the few who dared to confront Kaido in the Ringo battle.

He Stole Ryuma’s Corpse

Another Iconic Figure Who Hails From Wano

During my journey through the Thriller Bark saga, I stumbled upon an extraordinary encounter – a duel with none other than the undead samurai, Ryuma! This legend was someone I had heard tales of even before joining the Straw Hat Pirates. Known as one of Wano’s deadliest swordsmen, standing against him felt like an honor bestowed upon me.

However, this encounter raised quite a few questions among fans – how did Moria manage to get hold of Ryuma’s remains? Breaking into the fortified lands of Wano is no simple feat! The mystery surrounding his acquisition only added to the intrigue of our clash.

Delving several hundred chapters deep into this captivating saga, an intriguing revelation unfolds: Moria, the rogue pirate, had desecrated Ryuma’s grave post his gruesome defeat at Kaido’s hands, making off with the late samurai’s remains. At first glance, Ryuma’s ties to Wano were evident, yet few could have foreseen a connection between Moria and that land, given his reputation as a pirate merely seeking plunder. In actuality, however, Ryuma’s appearance in Thriller Bark served as a subtle foreshadowing of Moria’s roots – he was, unbeknownst to many, a former member of the Kozuki clan who later founded his own band of cutthroats.

As I journeyed deeper into this exhilarating narrative, I discovered something fascinating! Moria had disrespected Ryuma’s memory by stealing his corpse after defeating him horribly. While it was clear that Ryuma hailed from Wano, few could have guessed a link between Moria and the land since most believed he just visited to snatch anything valuable. The truth, though, was that Ryuma’s encounter in Thriller Bark hinted at Moria’s past – he was once part of the Kozuki family before forming his own crew of pirates!

Moria Wields A Sword

Not Just Anyone Can Wield A Blade With Such Precision

In the universe of One Piece, an individual might casually grab a sword whenever they please. However, should they wish to effectively wield one in combat, mastery is essential, requiring proficiency in delivering accurate and precise blows, as well as knowing when to defend oneself. Moria, who seemed disinterested in using a blade during his stint on Thriller Bark due to his obesity and laziness, was surprisingly adept with a sword when confronting Kaido, as evidenced by his flashback. During that intense battle, he displayed an impressive level of confidence in handling the sword against the formidable captain of the Beast Pirates.

It’s worth noting that Moria may not be the strongest swordsman in the world of One Piece, yet choosing a sword as his weapon is still noteworthy given the connection between such weapons and certain nations. Initially, Moria might have favored the sword due to its effectiveness against enemies. However, as he grew larger and gained control over his zombie crew, he likely began using them for inflicting damage instead of relying solely on a blade. In his younger days as an ambitious pirate, Moria demonstrated a proficient use of his sword in combat.

The Connection Between Perona And Toko

Even Moria’s Crew Have Strange Connections To The Land Of Samurai

Generally speaking, it’s common in the world of One Piece for relatives to share noticeable resemblances in their physical features. For example, when Perona debuted in the Thriller Bark storyline, her distinctive look made a strong impression on fans. However, upon reaching Wano with the Straw Hat crew, they encountered a girl who bears a striking resemblance to Gecko Moria’s trusted subordinate.

Toko, sporting vivid pink hair, long, sharp eyelashes, and enormous black eyes, bears a striking resemblance to a younger Perona. Her appearance suggests that Oda intended to hint at Moria’s past connections with Wano, as it appears he may have first met the gothic pirate while he was still living there before establishing Thriller Bark, due to their strong similarity.

Moria Faced Blackbeard On His Own

While It Didn’t End Well, It Indicates Moria Was Stronger Than Fans Anticipated

Not even the most devoted “One Piece” fans could forget the instant when Gecko Moria stormed onto Pirate Island, demanding Blackbeard release Absalom from his crew. This scene was particularly startling because, although Blackbeard and his entire team were extraordinarily powerful due to their Devil Fruits, Gecko Moria only had a few zombies for support.

Despite the rescue mission for Absalom ending disastrously for Moria, his initial bold appearance on Pirate Island hinted at a hidden strength. Given that Moria is a descendant of the renowned Kozuki Clan, it’s not surprising he believed he could challenge one of the most sought-after pirates globally.

Doflamingo’s Orders “From Above”

Moria Knew A Lot More Than Anyone Could Have Realized

In the narrative of “One Piece,” a mystery often discussed among fans is the meaning behind Doflamingo’s statement to Gecko Moria during the Battle of Marineford. As the conflict neared its end, Doflamingo, another Warlord, hinted that he had been commanded to eliminate Moria, not by Sengoku, but by someone of even higher rank. Somehow, Moria survived this encounter unharmed. Oda’s dialogue in this scene has long suggested a significant revelation, and only now are Doflamingo’s words beginning to clarify their meaning.

If Moria had been raised in Wano as part of the Kozuki family, he likely would have learned to decipher Poneglyphs – ancient stone tablets that hold forbidden knowledge concealed by the World Government. Given his past fiasco at Marineford and the potential danger he poses since he’s no longer under direct control of the higher-ups, it appears that both Imu and the Gorosei deemed it unnecessary to keep Moria within their ranks.

2025-09-02 18:25