One Piece grows ever closer to the final arc, and questions are answered left and right as it approaches. Now, with the revelations of Wano and the history of those with the initial of D, what exactly is the Will of D mentioned? It hasn’t been completely confirmed yet, but there are some things known and even more up to theories.
The Enemies of Gods
Those that bear the initial D are collectively referred to throughout history as Enemies of Gods. The gods in question here though, are the Celestial Dragons that rule over the World Government. Everything they want is done at their whim. These are the descendants of the original twenty founding families of the World Government eight hundred years before the main story.
Every bearer has proved to be enemies of the Celestial Dragons in every possible way. Whether it be Jaguar D Saul as the savior of Ohara’s knowledge or Navy Vice-Admiral Monkey D Garp’s ignorance, they have a habit. Every bearer of the Will of D is different though, and go about things in their own ways to make Celestial Dragon lives hell.
Bringers of Freedom
This is a common theme of those with the Will of D. In some way, shape, or form, even the smallest contribution they make changes the course of history. Most of the notable ones are taken by Luffy as a liberator for Alabasta, Fishman Island, and now Wano, but others have done that on a smaller scale. Monkey D Garp and Gol D Roger fought side by side at God Valley against Rocks D Xebec, for instance. Xebec was a notorious, deadly pirate that recruited some of the most dangerous around, including the three Emperors of the Sea.
The God Valley Incident is still shrouded in mystery, but definitely influential in the major course of events as Roger found a baby in the ruins of the battle. He named the child Shanks, gave him his old straw hat, and raised him as an apprentice on their ship. Shanks in turn passed that hat to Luffy, the liberator of the Grand Line.
Bringers of Destruction
This clash at God Valley revealed the other side of the Will of D. While all end up leading to some sort of freedom, the coin can flip from freedom through help or freedom through chaos. Rocks D Xebec is just the earliest known instance of this in One Piece, while the current example is Marshall D Teach. Blackbeard brought freedom to the people of Drum Island in his first mention, but it proved to be short-lived freedom as Wapol returned. That’s not to mention the mass destruction he caused.
Then there’s the destruction and havoc they wreak on a grand scale. Blackbeard sets the events of Marineford in motion, first with the murder of his division leader under Whitebeard. When he captures Ace, it’s only the start as he then breaks into Impel Down for a recruitment drive. This is all before he pops up after Whitebeard dies on his feet in Marineford, and Blackbeard steals his Devil Fruit ability. It’s still a mystery how he did it, though Devil Fruit powers were confirmed to pass through cannibalism in Big Mom’s backstory. Still, she devoured the entire person and Whitebeard was left standing mostly intact, so there are discrepancies.
Monkey D Luffy
The Will of D is passed down from parent to child. So, Monkey D Luffy is just the third in a current line of world-changing badasses. It’s no surprise that each has taken a different path for their part in the Will of D, with Garp in the Navy, Dragon a Revolutionary, and Luffy a Pirate. It’s the culmination of all three that is going to carry the will forward into the future.
Luffy’s Will of D is the liberator, much like the Sun God Nika he ate the Devil Fruit of. Initially, everyone is apprehensive of him, no surprise for a pirate again, but he proves them wrong every time. Luffy brings smiles and joy to everyone, already free or not, when he helps those around him. The laughs will either be from happiness or just Luffy’s mishaps, but they’re laughs still.
Marshall D Teach
Teach is the other big player in the current story with the Will of D. He’s a chaotic foil to Luffy, unconcerned with how much death or destruction he brings. He’s sloppy in his work, and charges in headstrong just like Straw Hat. Blackbeard often ends up unable to think on the fly like he does, though. Teach has too much ego to his fight, with no concern for those around whether enemies or not.
He wants to establish the entire world as a pirate paradise with everything up for grabs. It’s much like how Luffy’s dream as Pirate King is freedom for all. Except in the more chaotic way Teach carries his Will of D, with a state of anarchy. Luffy will do anything to save those that are helpless, while Teach would crush them underfoot without a care. The survivors get freedom when he leaves, if there are any survivors.
Trafalgar D Water Law
Law is the one most interested in what the Will of D really is. He was a victim of White Lead disease thanks to his youth above the white lead mines. Though his parents worked towards it, they were unable to find a cure. He became a killer with nothing to lose as his sickness spread and he escaped the quarantined town. While his parents died in the epidemic, they warn him to keep his real name secret, or he could die.
Now, he has the Op-Op Fruit, with the vast medical knowledge to utilize it completely. Law was a pivotal part of Luffy’s survival at Marineford. He also took down Caesar Clown and in turn, Don Quixote Doflamingo. That’s before his fight with Big Mom, where he and Eustass Kidd combined forces to kill the Emperor. Law is instrumental in the push into the New World, and no doubt has more to do in the future.
Other Users of Note
- Portgaz D Ace was the spark that set the Marineford War off. His death fundamentally changed Luffy’s character arc.
- Gol D Roger was King of the Pirates which kicked off the golden age of piracy.
- Jaguar D Saul was a Vice Admiral in the Navy who defected to save both Nico Olivia and Nico Robin. He later rescued the ancient texts and research of Ohara.
- Nefertari D Vivi is the princess of Alabasta and an honorary Straw Hat member. Her name was only just revealed, so more is still to come about her.
The mystery behind the Will of D is still unraveling bit by bit as One Piece nears the end. Silvers Rayleigh offered to tell Nico Robin of everything they found at Laughtale, but she turned it down. So, some out there know what it is, and Kozuki Oden even referenced it in his journal when they reached the island. So, there’s a definitive answer to it somewhere whether it be family lineage or just a mark of traitors to Celestial Dragons.
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