The Worst Generation member, Trafalgar Law has been a central character in One Piece’s Wano Saga. While he appears mysterious at first, Law has become a fan favorite throughout the years thanks to his incredible power and tragic past. So, who is Warlord of the Sea Trafalgar Law, and why is he such an important part of Luffy’s journey?
Fair warning, this article contains spoilers for One Piece through Chapter 1090. For those behind, the manga is available online from MangaPlus, Viz, and Shonen Jump. Proceed with caution!
Who is Trafalgar Law?
Law is a younger pirate, and one of the Worst Generation along with Luffy, Kid, and Bonney. He’s an incredibly serious person, and frequently takes the role of an adult in situations when with the Straw Hats. If he identifies with one Straw Hat, it’s probably Nico Robin as they were both victims of government coverups. Despite his tragedy, he’s a strong fighter and skilled swordsman who’s determined to learn the truth of the Void Century.
Despite his drive to take down Doflamingo, Traffy has been struggling to find his place in the world. He knows as a carrier of the Will of D he’s meant for something greater, but has no idea what. It’s this instinct that leads him to save Luffy at Marineford and convinces him the Straw Hats can help take down Doflamingo. He’s loyal to a fault to those he trusts and follows Luffy into the Raid at Onigashima despite their overwhelming odds.
What Disease Did Law Have?
As a child, Law contracts what comes to be known as White Lead Disease. Law is born and raised in Flevance, a small country closed off from the rest of the world by the World Government. Flevance was home to a rare mineral called White Lead, which was used to make all kinds of trinkets for the beautiful color. Except the World Government and royalty of Flevance knew that White Lead was actually killing people, poisoning them through contact. The disease would rot people from within, with nobody the wiser until it was too late.
Trafalgar Law’s parents were surgeons working in the closed-off country, desperately racing against the clock for a cure as all of them suffer. Unfortunately for Law, they die when the World Government finally decides to firebomb the city and erase all traces, despite the disease not being contagious. Law survives, escaping the city, but is still left with a very advanced stage of the disease.
Corazon’s Sacrifice
His terminal illness leaves Law with no fear of death and a fighting spirit that’s almost feral. Law will take on anyone or anything since he’s bound to die soon anyway. Doflamingo takes a liking to him and almost sees himself in the sick kid. He offers a spot to Law on his crew, where Law befriends Corazon, otherwise known as Donquixote Rochinante. Doflamingo’s brother is totally silent and appears as a total klutz who hates kids. He takes a liking to Law though, and eventually reveals the secret of his Navy SWORD status and Calm-Calm Fruit abilities.
It’s Corazon who takes Law on a journey to find a cure for his illness. This journey, unfortunately, ends when they go back to Doflamingo to steal the Op-Op Fruit, planning to leave in the middle of a Navy ambush. Doflamingo figures out his brother’s secret though, and Corazon sends Law away with the Fruit while he stays behind to die by Doflamingo’s hand.
The Heart Pirates
Law sails away as a stowaway on a ship before eventually learning to use his Op-Op Fruit powers. Despite his young age, Traffy has immense medical knowledge thanks to his parents and time in Flevance. After some time training and growing, Law meets Bepo, a Polar Bear Mink from Zou. They form a crew with Traffy as captain and Bepo as Navigator, naming themselves the Heart Pirates in honor of Corazon.
Does Trafalgar Law Have Powers?
While Law’s Op-Op Fruit powers are already strong, he also possesses Armament and Observation Haki. He’ll often combine the Armament Haki with his sword, reinforcing the blade’s edge before slicing through enemies. Further, if he uses his Op-Op Fruit in conjunction with his sword, he’s able to attack enemies over a much wider area.
Law’s true danger rests in his ROOM ability. With his Op-Op Fruit powers, he makes a bubble around him that he calls his operating room, where he controls everything. He’ll use this to swap enemy body parts around, or even just jumble their positions. If he’s feeling extra creative, he’ll switch the foes’ heads out with cannonballs shot at him.
Why Does Law Become a Warlord?
Law takes on the Warlord title for the same reason any others do- freedom and amnesty from the Navy. The perks of being a Warlord are that the Navy turns a blind eye to most things, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their plans. So, that’s perfect for Traffy who wants to move covertly to take Doflamingo down. Even better, it keeps Doflamingo from moving against him under threat of expulsion from the Warlords. It’s smart thinking on Law’s part, and just one of the many moves he plans that Luffy subsequently throws out a window.
Dressrosa
In the climax of Law’s character arc, he didn’t plan on making it out of Dressrosa alive. When the Straw Hat crew agrees to their pirate alliance, Traffy doesn’t expect them to be as tenacious. Luffy delivers though, and even after beatdowns by Doflamingo, the Straw Hat Captain comes out to save the day. He takes justice for Corazon on Law’s behalf. Now, the Heart Pirate captain to put his adoptive big brother’s memory to rest. It’s a bittersweet end, but in doing so Law fulfills Corazon’s last request, to save the country of Dressrosa.
The Will of D
Everyone who holds the Will of D has some part to play in the history unfolding throughout the New World. Those with the initial are called enemies of the gods. Makes sense, because each one is a headache for the Celestial Dragons and Gorosei. Law is no exception, as despite his Warlord title he constantly causes issues that go against the Navy and World Government’s interests. From saving Luffy at Marineford to toppling two Emperors of the Sea in the Onigashima raid, Traffy always ends up adding to the chaos wherever he goes.
Op-Op Fruit Awakening
Speaking of taking down an Emperor, it’s Traffy who takes out Big Mom during the raid on Onigashima. His Op-Op Fruit Awakens, allowing him to use the ability he calls K-ROOM. Now, instead of setting up ROOM in his immediate area, he’s able to project it away for long-range attacks. He creates one in Big Mom, launching his sword through the Emperor, digging her deep into the earth. It wears Law out, but also defeats Big Mom and earns him a three billion Berry bounty.
Is Law Alive?
When he was last seen in the manga Law wasn’t in great shape. The three Worst Generation captains went their separate ways, with Kid heading for Elbaph and Luffy’s crew going to Egghead. Law doesn’t even make it to his destination before they’re attacked by none other than Blackbeard. The pirates of Marshall D Teach sink the Heart Pirates’ ship the Polar Tang, and leave Law adrift in the sea. It’s currently unknown whether he escaped, died, or was captured by Blackbeard and his crew.
Trafalgar Law’s part in One Piece is nowhere near over yet though. The Heart Pirates can still make a comeback, and the Will of D isn’t quite done with him. Though his situation looks grim, the Surgeon of Death will likely make his comeback before the final battle, though it’s unsure what state he’ll be in. One thing is for sure, Trafalgar Law isn’t finished, and will return to find the One Piece!
