One Piece: Nine Red Scabbards, Ranked

As I delve deeper into the lives of these extraordinary individuals who form the backbone of the Kozuki family’s resistance against the oppressive forces of Wano Country, I find myself awestruck by their resilience and determination. Each one of them carries a unique story that has shaped them into the warriors they are today.

The group known as the Nine Red Scabbards were samurai loyal to the late Kozuki Oden, serving him during his lifetime. They were initially young admirers, drawn to the daimyo and later grew into formidable fighters. Although Oden didn’t intentionally gather retainers, these warriors were captivated by his deeds and mastered combat skills. Interestingly, several of them practice the Oden Two Sword Style, a technique they learned by observing their chosen mentor.

Furthermore, they all acquired the ability to employ both Observation Haki and Armament Haki, similar to Oden’s skills. They can strike powerful blows against Kaido, but still lack the power to defeat him outright. However, these warriors are formidable adversaries individually, and when united, they demand an exceptionally strong opponent to shatter their resolve. Considering their individual accomplishments, this list aims to evaluate each Scabbard’s self-reliance.

1. Kikunojo

Often Overshadowed

Kikunojo, more commonly known as Kiku, was a long-time follower of Oden, accompanying him along with her older brother Izou after the daimyo provided them with food during their hardship years. She was among the four bodyguards who escorted Oden’s son, Momonosuke, into the future, thanks to the power granted by Kozuki Toki (Oden’s late spouse) who consumed a Devil Fruit. Although she had earned a fearsome reputation as a skilled swordsman, Kiku sees herself as someone with a feminine nature. She is admired for her striking beauty and grace.

Unlike her brother Izou who excelled in firearms, Kiku, similar to many under Oden, favored the sword as her weapon. Though Kiku demonstrates remarkable skill with the sword, her limited experiences and comparability with her peers make it challenging to place her higher, given that all her companions possess comparable abilities. One possible criticism of Kiku is that she hasn’t yet showcased feats that significantly surpass the standard capabilities expected of a scabbard, indicating she is still highly competent but has yet to establish herself as superior.

2. Kawamatsu

An Aquatic Attacker

I’m an onlooker, and among the diverse beings I’ve encountered, Kawamatsu stands out as a unique individual resembling the enigmatic Japanese pufferfish. In his formative years, he and his mother experienced prejudice, leading him to conceal his true race, adopting the identity of a Kappa instead. He was often subjected to discrimination because of his appearance, until Oden intervened. Alongside Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, Kawamatsu bore the brunt of such treatment. Interestingly, he was one of the two guardians entrusted with the care of Hiyori since her early days.

Kawamatsu, much like others in his situation, hasn’t had ample opportunity to showcase his swordsmanship prowess. However, what sets him apart is his membership in the remarkably skillful Fish-Man race. In comparison to humans on land, this underwater species boasts an impressive strength advantage that becomes more pronounced during aquatic battles. Kawamatsu himself exhibits remarkable speed underwater. As a swordsman, he’s competent, but his skills don’t surpass those of his peers. Instead, it’s his exceptional abilities as a Fish-Man that truly stand out.

3. Denjiro

Simply Smart

Beyond being a faithful follower of Oden, Denjiro has had a long-standing friendship with Kin’emon, captain of the Scabbards, since childhood. The death of Oden had such an emotional impact on Denjiro that it visibly altered his facial features. Seizing this opportunity to disguise himself, he served as a subordinate for Kurozumi Orochi, who orchestrated Oden’s demise to claim the title of Daimyo. Adopting the alias Kyoshiro, he led a yakuza organization but secretly helped those in need and yearned to reunite with his companions. Despite loathing Orochi for murdering Oden, Denjiro exploited his position to care for Hiyori, ensuring her survival while under the watchful eye of her father’s killer. Eventually, he assisted Hiyori in eliminating Orochi once and for all, beheading him for the final time.

Denjiro’s unique intelligence distinguishes him from his fellow companions. He has a quick learning ability, but also demonstrates strategic prowess. For nearly two decades, he managed to deceive Orochi without ever revealing his true intentions – until the Fire Festival when he decided to reunite with his peers. Additionally, there’s a brief hint that Denjiro’s skills are on par with Roronoa Zoro.

4. Raizo

Large But Stealthy

Raizo, once a Kozuki family servant and a ninja, experienced a period of crime after being rejected by a woman and found solace in serving the character Oden personally. Among the four guards, he was chosen to accompany Momonosuke into the present time. Emotional yet skilled, Raizo yearns for romance but has had little success. Despite his emotional outbursts, he is still proficient in his ninja abilities. Unlike some of the other scabbards, Raizo doesn’t solely rely on swords; he also uses shurikens as a part of his fighting style.

Beyond exhibiting the stealth and accuracy typical of a ninja, Raizo stands out as one of only a few Scabbards who possesses the ability to utilize a Devil Fruit. His unique Devil Fruit grants him the power to create scrolls that can lock and unlock various items at his discretion. This ability serves tactical purposes, allowing him to seal harmful objects like Kaido’s flames for later use as a counterattack. He also demonstrates superiority among fellow ninjas in a confrontation with his rival Fukurokuju, by enduring the surrounding flames for a longer period than him, ultimately winning their struggle.

5. Ashura Doji

Reckless But Mighty

Originally a reformed criminal, Ashura had pledged loyalty to Kozuki Oden. Yet, Oden’s demise and the passage of time eroded his belief in their shared cause. After a lengthy separation from his allies, he returned to outlawry, adopting the pseudonym Shutenmaru and establishing the Mt. Atama gang of thieves. However, following a significant gap, he reconnected with the scabbards when Shimotsuki Yasuie gave up his life to disguise the uprising.

Ashura stands out as an incredibly brave and fearless figure, unafraid to meet his end. His immense power is recognized by Kin’emon, who underscores the necessity of bringing him back. Even as a common bandit chief, Ashura displayed no fear towards Jack the Drought, one of Kaido’s top lieutenants. He was also capable of engaging in formidable battles with other scabbards. Ashura’s most heroic act was an act of self-sacrifice. His suspicions about a false Oden allowed him to attack it, while his fellow comrades were deceived. The fake Oden was later found out to be a suicide bomber. However, Ashura managed to reverse the situation by using his strength to push the drawing and ensure only his life was lost in the ensuing explosion. This demonstrates that beneath his ruthless and uncaring exterior, he deeply valued not just Oden, but also his fellow scabbards.

6. Kanjuro

The Long Con

Originally, Kanjuro was a youthful vendor of brushes, secretly obtaining hair for crafting his unique brushes. A failed heist on Oden landed him among Oden’s bodyguards, the Scabbards, and eventually led him to journey through time together with Momonosuke. Regrettably, Kanjuro was apprehended by guards from Dressrosa, prompting Kin’emon to orchestrate his rescue plan. Despite being a user of the Devil Fruit that animates his sketches, Kanjuro seems woefully inept at drawing, which impairs their effectiveness. In place of a traditional sword, he employs an adapted ink brush, utilizing it much like a katana and also as a swift means to conjure art with his powers.

Essentially, what you’re saying is that Kanjuro’s loyalty towards the Scabbards and the Kozuki family was a deception all along. In reality, Kanjuro, like his parents, belonged to the Kurozumi clan and worked in theater. Following their deaths due to persecution against their clan, Orochi ordered him to serve as a double agent, pretending to be loyal to Oden. He seized any chance to pass information back to Orochi. Kanjuro had planned to die with his supposed allies, but was forced to abandon this role. At the opportune moment, he chose to unveil his talent for creating intricate, precise drawings, something Kin’emon regretted he hadn’t used when they were on the same side.

In essence, Kanjuro tricked everyone by creating a phony Oden, a deception that could have resulted in the loss of several of his fellow Scabbards if not for Ashura Doji’s swift action. After receiving a fatal wound from Kin’emon, Kanjuro unleashed Kazenbo – a colossal, fiery spirit – which wreaked havoc on its surroundings even after his own demise. His ability to act convincingly and strategically conceal his talents reveal a knack for deceit. Remarkably, he came close to killing some of his most proficient allies.

7. Kin’emon

The Team Captain

Kin’eman serves as the leader of the Nine Red Scabbards, remaining faithful to Oden even after his demise. Accompanied by Kozuki Momonosuke and three other scabbards, he journeyed into the future with the objective of launching a successful uprising against Orochi and Kaido. Before undergoing a transformation, Kin’eman was a rough character, but Oden gave him a purpose, leading him to gradually evolve into a devoted samurai. Despite his numerous achievements, he continues to hold onto certain moral principles.

Kin’emon, like Kanjuro and Raizo, possesses a Devil Fruit ability, but unlike theirs, his power is not primarily combat-focused. Instead, he can create various types of clothing for a wide range of uses such as espionage, protection, and armor. However, these creations are temporary and can be destroyed if subjected to excessive wear and tear. Kin’emon is also a strategist, but his strategies sometimes lead to mistakes that can unexpectedly influence the outcome. For instance, he misinterpreted Yasuie’s final message, which unwittingly led Kanjuro and his allies to attack an incorrect location. This error was praised by Denjiro as a masterful act of deception, but in reality, it was more of a fortunate mistake.

Militarily, he stands out due to his proficiency in the foxfire technique, a skillset that enables him to produce and shape flames. This talent was so impressive that Zoro eventually decided to learn it as well. Moreover, upon discovering Kanjuro’s deceit, he swiftly ended his life.

8. Nekomamushi

Master Cat Viper

In the realm of Zou, Nekomamushi shared rule with Inuarashi as dukes. Interestingly, he governs from 6PM to 6AM, earning him the title of “night ruler.” He is a feline mink that resembles a lion. In their younger days, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were close friends who journeyed to Wano upon hearing about the Mink Tribe’s alliance with the Kozuki Family. They faced prejudice alongside Kawamatsu, which Oden swiftly addressed, earning their appreciation. They stood out among the scabbards by joining Oden on his exploits with both the Whitebeard and Roger Pirates. After Oden’s passing, a mutual blame for his demise strained their friendship, resulting in a rift that persisted even as they ruled Zou together.

Similar to Inuarashi, Nekomamushi is acknowledged as one of the two most powerful minks, which is significant because they are a tribe known for their warrior skills. Much like other minks, he possesses Electro, an ability that allows him to unleash attacks resembling electricity, and a more potent Sulong Form, which he can activate by gazing at the moon. He is also proficient in swordsmanship and equipped with a robotic arm that functions as a gun. Nekomamushi demonstrated his prowess when he defeated Charlotte Perospero, an officer of the Big Mom Pirates, who was responsible for Pedro’s death, a jaguar mink who led his forces.

9. Inuarashi

Duke Dogstorm

Inuarashi served as Nekomamushi’s daytime counterpart during their shared leadership. A dog-like mink, he accompanied Nekomamushi in their younger years and demonstrated equal capabilities, sharing almost all of the same skills. However, Inuarashi proved to be slightly stronger when it came to his selected target. He engaged in battle against Jack the Drought and emerged victorious, defeating one of Kaido’s strongest warriors who was a sworn enemy of the Mink Tribe due to his devastating attack on Zou.

There is ultimately little else to determine which of the two is ultimately the better fighter, as they inhabit largely the same niche. It is possible that if things were different, Nekomamushi could’ve taken on Jack and won. However, by present metrics, Inuarashi marginally showed greater skill by taking out a stronger foe. Whatever the case the Momoko Dukedom’s ex-rulers both showcased themselves as skilled combatants and the top two of the Nine Red Scabbards.

2024-12-26 20:37