One Piece: Pirates With Marine Relatives

As I delve into the lives of these extraordinary individuals, it is undeniably captivating to observe the profound impact their experiences have had on their choices and actions.

Take Donquixote Doflamingo, for instance. Born into a family of World Nobles, he was initially spoiled by the privileges his status afforded him, but that all changed when his father willingly removed them from this exclusive group. The cruelty they faced at the hands of the locals left an indelible mark on Doflamingo, fueling his desire for vengeance against those who had cast him out. His journey to become a pirate and lead his own crew is a testament to his resilience and ambition, but it’s his thirst for power and the suffering of the World Nobles that truly sets him apart.

On the other hand, we have Donquixote Rosinante, Doflamingo’s elder brother. Unlike his younger sibling, he chose a different path, becoming a marine under the guidance of Sengoku. His loyalty to Sengoku and his mission to infiltrate Doflamingo’s crew were noble pursuits indeed, but ultimately led to his untimely demise at the hands of his brother. Despite the tragic end to Rosinante’s story, it is heartening to see that his sacrifice has inspired others, as evidenced by Trafalgar D. Water Law’s Heart Pirates, named in honor of Rosinante’s codename, Corazon.

Lastly, we have Bartholomew Kuma, who was subjected to the ultimate punishment for his actions – having his body divided into two separate entities. Despite this horrific ordeal, he managed to find purpose and redemption by using his remaining arm to protect Ace and Luffy from the hands of the Marines. His selflessness and sacrifice serve as a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable pain and adversity, there is always a chance for change and growth.

In closing, it’s fascinating to see how these characters’ life experiences have shaped their actions and goals. Their stories remind us that no matter our circumstances, we always have the power to make choices and create our own destiny. As for a joke, I guess you could say that if life gives you lemons (and a devil fruit), make a powerful pirate captain!

Pirates and marines often find themselves at odds, as the actions of pirates serve to validate marine efforts from the perspective of the World Government. The ongoing battles between these two factions on land and sea form a significant part of the narrative in One Piece. Surprisingly, despite their deep-seated enmity, there are instances where their connections run deeper than expected.

As a historian specializing in piracy and marine law, I’ve spent years researching the intricate relationships between these two groups – pirates and marines. Having delved deep into countless tales of swashbuckling buccaneers and honorable sailors, I find it fascinating to explore the familial ties that bind them together.

The connections are not always straightforward; some siblings chose opposing paths, leading to dramatic confrontations on the high seas. These stories often reflect the complexities of life, where circumstances and personal beliefs can drive people to make seemingly irreconcilable choices.

In my research, I’ve come across numerous instances where pirates and marines were related by blood, yet found themselves on opposite sides of the law. The reasons for these divergent paths are as diverse as the sea itself – some were drawn into piracy due to poverty or desperation, while others joined the marines to uphold order and protect their communities.

Unraveling these tales is like peeling back layers of an onion, revealing not only the human side of pirates but also the intricate web of relationships that exists between them and their marine counterparts. Each story provides a unique glimpse into the motivations and experiences of those who chose to walk the plank or stand tall on the quarterdeck.

Exploring these stories can help us better understand the complexities of human nature, as well as shed light on the historical context that shaped these individuals’ decisions. It’s my hope that by examining the lives of these families, we can gain a richer appreciation for the choices they made and the world they lived in.

5. Monkey D. Luffy

Monkey D. Garp’s Grandson

Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga), Episode 1 (Anime)
Crew: Straw Hat Pirates

Although Luffy is the central pirate character in the series, it’s worth noting that he hails from a family deeply connected to the Marines. His father, Monkey D. Dragon, and grandfather served in the Marines, but his father eventually broke away to create the Revolutionary Army, a group dedicated to dismantling the corrupt World Government. Known as the world’s most wanted criminal, this title suits Dragon well given his direct challenge against the government.

Throughout most of Luffy’s life, Dragon was hardly around, causing Luffy to be taken aback when he learned that Dragon was actually his father. In contrast, Luffy’s grandfather, Monkey D. Garp, a high-ranking marine officer, intended for Luffy to follow in the marines’ footsteps. However, instead of being swayed by his biological father, Luffy found inspiration in a criminal figure from an entirely different realm. Shanks and his pirate crew, known as the Red Hair Pirates, befriended Luffy at a young age. This friendship significantly influenced Luffy to pursue a life of piracy, much to Garp’s dismay, who felt that Shanks had led Luffy astray.

Luffy cherishes being a pirate primarily because it grants him freedom, rather than riches or power. His unique emphasis on liberty sets him apart from typical pirates. On the other hand, Garp’s dedication to the Marines is rooted in his faith in their justice. While Luffy and Garp might perceive a lack of freedom, Garp sees a structured peace. However, Garp isn’t blind to the flaws of the World Government; he harbors a deep-seated hatred for the World Nobles and has turned down promotions to avoid serving them directly.

4. Portgas D. Ace

Monkey D. Garp’s Adopted Grandson

Debut: Chapter 154 (Manga), Episode 91 (Anime)
Crew: Whitebeard Pirates, Formerly Spade Pirates

As an ardent fanatic, I’ll share a captivating twist about Portgas D. Ace – a man who wasn’t biologically tied to any recognized marine, but bore the legacy of his father, the legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and his mother, Portgas D. Rouge. However, it was Garp, an esteemed Vice Admiral, who took Ace under his wing as a token of loyalty to Roger, their long-standing rivalry instilling in him a profound trust in Garp equal to that of his own shipmates.

Being occupied with his Marine duties, Garp couldn’t raise Luffy and Ace personally; instead, he entrusted them to the Dadan Family, a notorious group of East Blue mountain bandits, in exchange for their criminal activities going unchecked.

Although Garp, who often acted more like a distant father figure, did spend some time mentoring Luffy, Ace, and their friend Sabo, the trio eventually became sworn brothers. Similar to Luffy, Garp aspired for Ace to join the Marines. However, Ace shared Luffy’s belief that they wouldn’t be accepted due to their fathers being notorious criminals. Instead, Ace saw piracy as a means to gain independence and set sail with his own crew, known as the Spade Pirates. Later on, Ace came across Whitebeard, who managed to convince him to merge the Spade Pirates into the Whitebeard Pirates. As a result, Ace advanced within the crew hierarchy, becoming a division commander, which gave him control over part of the crew. Moreover, the Whitebeard Pirates served as an extended family for Ace, as their captain encouraged treating the crewmembers like adopted sons.

Eventually, Blackbeard, a former underling who turned traitor, captured Ace and handed him over to the World Government. In return, Blackbeard was granted membership into the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a group of pirates aligned with the government. This turn of events ultimately led to Ace’s scheduled execution, where he ran into Garp once more. Garp, deeply regretting the course Ace had chosen, hindered Luffy’s attempts to free Ace during the Summit War, prioritizing duty over family ties. However, upon Ace’s liberation, he was ultimately executed by Akainu, who later became fleet admiral following a time jump. Despite their conflicting allegiances until his demise, Ace held a degree of esteem for Garp, viewing him as his adoptive grandfather. Upon Ace’s death, Garp had to be restrained by Sengoku to prevent him from attacking Akainu for taking Ace’s life.

3. Nami

Belle-mère’s Adopted Daughter

Debut: Chapter 8 (Manga), Episode 1 (Anime)
Crew: Straw Hat Pirates, Formerly Arlong Pirates

In the realm of Oykot, Belle-mère, a veteran sailor, sustained an injury that seemed to be fatal. Initially contemplating death, she changed her mind upon finding two orphaned girls, Nojiko and Nami, who required care. Leaving her naval career behind, she adopted the girls and raised them as her own daughters. The family settled in Cocoyasi Village, subsisting on mikans, a kind of orange citrus that Belle-mère cultivated. Though they struggled financially, which particularly troubled Nami, they continued to show love and care for one another. Regrettably, Belle-mère was taken by Arlong, who then forced Nami to join the Arlong Pirates, exploiting her knack for map creation to protect the village from harm.

Belle-mère’s reasons for joining the Marines are not extensively detailed. Initially, she was known as a problematic resident in Cocoyasi Village, but her desire was to shield people from pirates. Unlike Garp, her duties were secondary to her role as a mother, as she left the Marines to raise Nami and Nojiko on her own. In the Punk Hazard storyline, Nami sees Tashigi, another marine, as someone trustworthy enough to look after the children liberated from the island. It’s plausible that Usopp assumes this is because Nami too was raised by a woman in the Marines. Nami was essentially compelled into piracy, but she has developed a fondness for certain opulent aspects of it. Her affection for food, particularly belly, may stem from her impoverished childhood. Her ambition is to compile a map encompassing the entire world, which could be more feasible as a pirate who travels extensively.

2. Diez Barrels

X Drake’s Father

Debut: Chapter 765 (Manga), Episode 704 (Anime)
Crew: Barrels Pirates

Once a well-respected marine officer, Diez Barrels was admired by his son, X Drake. However, Barrels abandoned his honorable profession and ventured into piracy, forming his own crew and forcing his son to join. This transition to a life of crime strained the father-son relationship, as Barrels began mistreating Drake.

Later, Barrels discovered the Ope Ope no Mi, a potent Devil Fruit. He attempted to trade it for a substantial amount with the marines, but was instead swindled by Donquixote Rosinante, who gifted it to Trafalgar D. Water Law in an effort to cure his amber lead syndrome.

Doflamingo, brother of Rosinante, driven by self-centered motives to find the Devil Fruit, encountered Barrels and his crew, ultimately leading to their demise. Prior to setting up the birdcage, Drake managed to elude Doflamingo. Later, Drake rejoined the marines. As Barrels breathed his last, he cursed his son. Remarkably, Drake expressed no resentment towards Doflamingo for taking the life of his father.

Initially, Drake advanced to the position of rear admiral, but later resorted to piracy and founded the Drake Pirates. Eventually, his crew merged with Kaido’s Beasts Pirates, a powerful pirate group ruling Wano, making Drake one of Kaido’s top officers. However, this period of piracy was just a cover for Drake’s covert operations. As the captain of SWORD, a secretive black ops organization, Drake was given greater autonomy by the Marines, on the condition that they could later deny any involvement if needed.

As someone who has always been captivated by the tales of pirates and their enigmatic lives, I find it intriguing to speculate about the reasons behind Barrels’ transformation into a pirate. Based on my understanding of the story, it seems that the allure of financial gain might have played a significant role in his decision. After acquiring the Ope Ope no Mi and being open to trading it for money, I suspect that he may have been driven by monetary incentives.

Interestingly, Drake’s initial aspiration to join the Marines was inspired by his father’s legacy. However, as Barrels defected, Drake’s motivation seems to have shifted from emulating his father to pursuing a path independent of familial expectations. This transformation underscores the complex nature of human desires and the impact that significant life events can have on shaping our goals and aspirations.

1. Donquixote Doflamingo

Donquixote Rosinante’s Elder Brother

Debut: Chapter 233 (Manga), Episode 151 (Anime)
Crew: Donquixote Pirates

The Donquixote Brothers belonged to the powerful Donquixote Family, one of a chosen few who were World Nobles – a special class that not only went unpunished but also had the freedom, if not encouragement, to behave oppressively towards those of lower standing. They frequently held slaves without any repercussions, thanks to their high status. Doflamingo, however, lost all these privileges as they were forfeited by his father, Homing.

Choosing to identify as a human instead of a deity like other World Nobles, Homing willingly separated his family from their ranks and relocated them to a more modest neighborhood. Unfortunately, due to the locals harboring resentment towards World Nobles because of their past cruelty, the Donquixotes were met with hostility and mistreatment. With no real responsibilities toward them, the World Government offered little aid. Doflamingo displayed exceptional Conqueror’s Haki at a young age, which attracted a group willing to serve him. Empowered by this gang, he murdered his father and started assembling his own crew, the Donquixote Pirates, with the four original members of the gang serving as his initial companions.

After being appalled by his brother’s actions, Rosinante left him behind and found solace under Sengoku, who guided him to become a marine. Leveraging his proximity to Doflamingo, Sengoku tasked Rosinante with an undercover operation within his brother’s crew. Despite the initial success, Rosinante was eventually exposed by Vergo, one of Doflamingo’s spies in the marines. Consequently, he met a tragic end at the hands of his elder sibling. This event ignited intense resentment within Trafalgar D. Water Law, who was under Doflamingo’s influence and aspired to become his subordinate. In response, Law established his own pirate gang, called the Heart Pirates, which may have been a tribute to Rosinante’s alias, Corazon.

It appears that Doflamingo, as a pirate, seeks revenge against the World Nobles and possibly aims to gain even more power. He harbors deep-rooted hatred towards the World Nobles who rejected him, taking pleasure in their potential suffering. Since he holds crucial information about his past with the World Government, they seem to handle him with special caution, a measure which Akainu seemed doubtful of. On the other hand, Rosinante joined the Marines primarily to confront his brother. He admired his parents greatly and considered them exceptional individuals. Finding it hard to comprehend Doflamingo as their child given his despicable nature, he also showed understanding towards Law and worked diligently to find a remedy for his Amber Lead Syndrome.

2025-01-03 13:35