Once being among the Three Great Powers in the One Piece world, The Seven Warlords are a force to be reckoned with.
Both powerful and controversial, the Warlords shaped the One Piece world we know today. Throughout the One Piece series, these key players have contributed to the complicated link between The World Government and the powers that continue to challenge them. It’s paramount that fans remember exactly who are The Seven Warlords of One Piece, and what made/makes them so awesome!
How Did The Seven Warlords Become Powerful?
The Seven Warlords of the Sea comprised a group of seven immensely formidable pirates who forged a pact with the World Government. Furthermore, one could say that they are a lot like privateers in the ancient battles between England and Spain. Their primary function was to handle fellow pirates, serving as a striking emblem of the government’s might. In exchange for their allegiance to the World Government, each member’s bounty remained stagnant, affording them considerable latitude to engage in illicit activities.
They held the notorious moniker of “government dogs” among the masses and were scorned by fellow pirates, yet their dreaded renown and the formidable power they had amassed both prior to and during their tenure as Warlords commanded fear and admiration. Also, there are numerous characters that have held the position. We’ll focus on the seven that made the largest impact.
Jinbe
We mentioned this skilled fighter from Fish-Man Island before. Similar to Boa Hancock, Jinbe assumed the mantle of a Warlord in order to safeguard the oppressed inhabitants of Fishman Island, who had endured mistreatment and unfairness. In a tribute to his mentor’s principles, he chose to uphold their legacy. Also, upon his invitation to join the ranks of the Warlords, he consented with the intention of leveraging his influence to ameliorate the rapport between humans and fishmen.
Naturally, Jinbe thought was this would inevitably bring peace to warring factions. However, the harmony between the two groups suffered a setback when the Warlords were mandated to partake in the Marineford conflict against Whitebeard. Disapproving of this directive, Jinbe refused. He proved to be an admirable player in both the manga and anime for these types of actions. This choice resulted in his incarceration and eventual dismissal from the position of Warlord.
Donquixote Doflamingo
A charismatic and cunning, Doflamingo possesses a twisted sense of power and control. Plus, with his devil fruit ability, the “Ito Ito no Mi” or String-String Fruit, he can manipulate his surroundings using strings, allowing him to manipulate people and objects as if they were marionettes. As the captain of the Donquixote Pirates, he ruled Dressrosa through fear and manipulation, orchestrating a deadly underground network and engaging in criminal activities.
Doflamingo’s past reveals his royal lineage and his ruthless ascent to power, highlighting his tragic childhood. His sadistic demeanor and ambition to create chaos contrast with his facade of charm and sophistication. Eventually, his abhorrent behavior led to Admiral Fujitora requesting the dismissal of the Seven Warlords.
Bartholomew Kuma
Bartholomew Kuma, intricately tied to the Revolutionary Army, assumed the role of a Warlord, deftly operating as their covert agent. While ostensibly allied with the World Government, he diligently transmitted valuable intelligence to the Revolutionaries. Dr. Vegapunk’s transformation turned him into a cybernetic entity, a blueprint inspiring the creation of Pacifista soldiers. Later, Kuma succumbed to the servitude of Celestial Dragons, even safeguarding the Thousand Sunny during the crew’s extensive two-year training hiatus. He possesses the “Nikyu Nikyu no Mi” Devil Fruit, granting him the ability to repel anything he touches.
Crocodile
Sir Crocodile, also known as Crocodile, is a pivotal and enigmatic antagonist in the One Piece universe. As the former leader of the infamous Baroque Works organization, he held the title of Warlord of the Sea. With a cunning intellect and a Logia-type Devil Fruit power known as the “Sun-Sun Fruit” (Suna Suna no Mi). He can transform his body into sand and control sand-based attacks. His character development extends beyond mere villainy, exposing his past as a former pirate and his thwarted dreams of becoming Pirate King.
Boa Hancock
Boa Hancock is a stunningly beautiful and powerful character in One Piece. As the Snake Princess of Amazon Lily, she wields the Love-Love Fruit (Mero Mero no Mi) powers, turning those who lust after her into stone. Her complex past, strength, and eventual alliance with Luffy make her a captivating presence in the series. She joined to protect her homeland.
Gecko Moria
Debuting in the Thriller Bark arc, Gecko Moria is empowered by the Kage Kage fruit. He can commandeer shadows and cadavers to form hybrid zombies for his crew. One could say he acts a lot like a necromancer. As the World Government caught wind of his eerie island experiments, a covert plan emerged. Rather than stripping Moria of his rank, they orchestrated his discreet elimination during the Marineford conflict. Moria eluded this fate, and he then linked with Blackbeard’s ranks.
Dracule Mihawk
Renowned across the globe, Dracule “Hawk Eyes” Mihawk bears the prestigious moniker of the “World’s Greatest Swordsman.” People call him the “Marine Hunter” as well. Mihawk served as Zoro’s master during the two-year time skip, while ironically becoming Zoro’s one obstacle to win the coveted swordsman title. His unparalleled mastery wields a black blade, making him a formidable and iconic figure in the series.
What Happened To the Warlords In One Piece?
Some honorable mentions not included in this list are: Edward Weevil, Buggy, Marshal D. Teach, and Trafalgar Law. In the One Piece series, the fate of the Seven Warlords of the Sea took a dramatic turn during the Reverie and Wano Country arcs. The World Government decided to abolish the Warlord system, leading to significant consequences for the former Warlords.
The Warlords were stripped of their titles and privileges, rendering them vulnerable to various forces. Some, like Bartholomew Kuma, effectively transformed into mindless Pacifista cyborgs under the World Government’s control, while others, like Buggy and Weevil, found themselves on the run from both the government and other pirates.
One of the most significant impacts occurs in the Wano Country arc. Two former Warlords, Dracule Mihawk and Edward Weevil, appear to have encountered various challenges. Mihawk was shown clashing with Roronoa Zoro, one of the main characters, in a battle that highlighted Zoro’s growth. Plus, Weevil’s storyline involved his pursuit of the legacy of Whitebeard, leading to confrontations with other pirates and the Marines.
The End Of The Seven Warlords
Following the dissolution, the Warlords transitioned into ordinary pirates, although the Marine’s attempts have largely faltered. Prior to the official abolition, one was apprehended, while two joined forces to establish an Emperor’s crew, and another drove the Marines into retreat. Recently, Luffy and the other pirates continue to run into copies of these powerful oceanic warriors. An example of this would be when the Strawhats come in contact with a Seraphim-clone of Jinbe. Conclusively, this is a testament to the lasting legacy that the Seven Warlords had on the world.. and why they are awesome.
