One Piece: The World Government’s Fighting Force, Explained

In the world of One Piece, the World Government controls the Navy – the planet’s strongest military. The Navy serves as the enforcement arm of Imu’s oppressive rule and is a huge organization, ranging from basic foot soldiers with guns to powerful officers who wield Devil Fruit powers and command entire fleets of warships. Over the course of the series, One Piece has revealed how the Navy is structured and introduced many of its key, powerful figures.

Listing every Devil Fruit and Navy officer would be incredibly long, so it’s more helpful for new One Piece fans to understand how the Navy functions. This includes their ranks, the types of Devil Fruits used by Navy personnel, their equipment, and the tactics they use in battles – whether against groups like the Revolutionary Army or during events like the destruction of God Valley and Ohara.

The Navy Boasts Vast Fleets and Two Different Headquarters

These Ships Can Execute a Buster Call at Any Time, Anywhere

Image via Shonen Jump.

In the world of One Piece, every fighting group has its own weapons and vehicles, but the Navy is the most heavily equipped. While groups like the Revolutionary Army and the Straw Hat Grand Fleet have ships and weapons, they don’t compare to the Navy’s massive resources. The World Government’s military boasts the largest fleet of ships, with only a handful of famous pirate vessels – like the Great Erik – that are comparable in size or strength. Navy ships are particularly large and pack a powerful punch with numerous cannons, making them formidable in ship-to-ship battles against any pirate fleet.

As a One Piece fan, I’m always blown away by just how extreme the World Government can be! If just sending the Navy isn’t enough to deal with a problem, they’ll authorize something called a Buster Call – and it’s terrifying. Basically, an officer can demand the complete destruction of an entire island! It takes ten massive warships and five Vice-Admirals to carry it out, and the firepower is insane – like, more than most entire countries can muster. They usually do it to scare others into obedience or to eliminate anyone they see as a real threat to the higher-ups, like Imu. Poor Nico Robin actually lived through the Buster Call at Ohara, which wiped out everyone there just for studying the history of the Void Century. It really shows you just how far they’re willing to go.

Beyond its powerful ships, the Navy boasts impressive headquarters, both past and present. Their previous base, Marineford, was a heavily fortified, crescent-shaped island packed with cannons, ships, and the unique abilities of its officers. It was a nearly impenetrable symbol of the Navy’s power, accessible only through the Gates of Justice and guarded by immense firepower. Following the Battle of Marineford, the original base was renamed G-1, and a new headquarters, New Marineford, now serves as the Navy’s central command.

The Navy is Populated With Powerful Officers and Countless Marines

Some of the World’s Strongest Devil Fruits Are Found in the Chain of Command

While ships and fortifications are essential for the Navy’s survival, it’s the skilled officers and dedicated Marines who truly keep the World Government’s military running smoothly. The Navy has a clear path for advancement, with ranks ranging from entry-level positions like Seaman Recruit and Petty Officer for regular crew members, all the way up to Captain and Vice Admiral for commissioned officers. Though less visible, the Navy also relies on support staff like cooks and maintenance workers. Most of the Navy’s ship crews are comprised of these common Marines, and we often see them in One Piece acting as the first defense against the world’s most dangerous pirates.

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Several Vice Admirals, including Tsuru and Monkey D. Garp, have stepped up to strengthen the Navy’s leadership and fighting power. The Navy’s three Admirals represent its highest authority and are incredibly powerful, often possessing some of the strongest Devil Fruits. They lead fleets but also actively participate in battles, as seen during the Battle of Marineford where Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu all fought directly – Akainu notably killed Portgas D. Ace with a fiery attack. Above the Admirals is the Fleet Admiral, a position previously held by Sengoku, but now taken by Akainu (Sakazuki).

While Admirals are generally in charge of the Navy’s fleets and operations, the Five Elders hold even higher authority. From what we can tell, they’re the ultimate decision-makers, with Imu being the only one who gives them orders. Think of them as a more powerful, exclusive version of the Admirals – a small group with immense power and fighting ability. Unlike Admirals who typically have Logia or Paramecia Devil Fruits, each of the Five Elders possesses and has mastered a rare Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, as demonstrated during the battle on Egghead Island.

The Navy Once Commanded Reformed Pirates as the Warlords of the Sea

The Warlords Are No Longer Trusted and Were Replaced

Image via Toei Animation.

For a long time, the World Government had a unique group within its military that operated with a lot of freedom. These were the Seven Warlords of the Sea – pirates who had been partially reformed and used as allies by the Navy. It showed the Navy was clever and willing to give second chances, utilizing a pirate’s skills instead of simply punishing them. The Warlords brought a diverse range of abilities and fighting styles to the Navy, like Gecko Moria’s zombie army, Blackbeard’s power to cancel out Devil Fruit abilities, and Trafalgar Law’s healing powers. Many fans remember when the Warlords were called to Marineford to help defend against Whitebeard’s attack, though some of them ended up betraying the Navy during the battle.

The Warlords have been officially dissolved because the Navy no longer trusts them, especially as the fight for global power intensifies. Dr. Vegapunk responded by creating the Seraphim – powerful, artificially-grown replacements. Though they appear as children, these new fighters are incredibly strong and much more reliable than the original Warlords, who were prone to acting on their own. Now, the former Warlords are independent, with Mihawk and Crocodile teaming up to form Cross Guild and challenge the Navy’s bounty system.

2026-02-07 22:36