The man who shakes the earth, Whitebeard is a character that stands tall among the most powerful of One Piece. It’s not just because of his massive size either, as the captain was one of the greatest pirates to ever live, an Emperor of the Sea, and a friend of Gold Roger. Many know who Whitebeard is, but very few know the long history behind his legend.
This article contains spoilers for One Piece up to the current chapter, 1089. Catch up on Mangaplus, Viz, Shonen Jump, or your local bookstore before reading on!
Who is Whitebeard?
Edward Newgate is better known by the name Whitebeard thanks to his massive white… mustache. While it’s a defining feature along with his flowing long hair as a younger pirate, that’s not the only thing that makes this man stand out. Whitebeard is a mountain of a man, with Luffy barely standing to knee height in comparison. He swings around a massive blade like it’s nothing, and will crush entire battlefields with brute strength before he even uses his Devil Fruit.
Most importantly, Whitebeard considers himself a father. His crew is his family, and Whitebeard makes sure to protect those that he considers near that. Many of his territories as Emperor were under his protection because they couldn’t do it themselves, and he keeps them safe from harm.
The Rocks Pirates
Whitebeard wasn’t always a caring and protective guy though, as his first pirate crew was none other than Rocks D Xebec’s. The Rocks Pirates are infamous, and Whitebeard served under the devious captain alongside other Emperors Kaido and Big Mom during their youth. They all maintain a rocky relationship until death, frequently skirmishing with each other over territory or just general run-ins. They were all present for Xebec’s attempt at overthrowing the Celestial Dragons at God Valley.
After God Valley everyone went their separate ways, eventually leading to the three becoming Emperors of the Sea. Interestingly, Whitebeard would end up in better standing with his foes at God Valley than with his former crewmates. The battle would introduce him to none other than Gold Roger and Monkey D Garp, who he would have a long, complicated history with.
Was Whitebeard Friends with Gold Roger?
As friendly as any pirates could be with each other. Whitebeard and Roger’s crews would have fights that last for days, then party even longer after that. They would often end up with no dead and everyone just too tired to go on. It was one of these legendary parties, taking place after a three-day battle on a small island, that Gold Roger told Whitebeard about his journeys. He never had any interest in going after One Piece, but Whitebeard is nonetheless impressed by Roger’s dedication to it.
Even later their crews remain on good terms, with many in the Whitebeard Pirates friendly with surviving Roger Pirates and others. Marco and Izo, two of Whitebeard’s division leaders, aid in the battle at Wano. Kozuki Oden, the Wano samurai, even serves as a Whitebeard Pirate along with his vassals, before he joins in Roger’s journey to Laughtale.
What are Whitebeard’s Powers?
Other than his massive size and brute force, Whitebeard has plenty of powers to make him a menace in fights. His Tremor-Tremor Fruit allows him to create earthquakes, shattering the ground around him. He can change landscapes with this power, and it even makes cracks appear in the sky where he hits. Whitebeard compounds this ability with his massive blade, infusing the sharp edge with tremor vibrations to cause devastation with every swing.
Of course, like most other powerful captains and Emperors of the Sea, Whitebeard possesses extreme Haki ability. His Color of Armament was always great, just like most others, but his Color of Conqueror Haki was massive. Able to take down scores of soldiers with just a burst of Haki, Whitebeard was one of the few that had to actively control his so as not to make normal people pass out.
Who is Whitebeard’s Son?
When speaking of adoptive children, every member of Whitebeard’s crew becomes one of his sons. He loves them like his own children, sharing in their trials and joys while grieving their losses like any father. Many of Whitebeard’s crew are outcasts or runaways, and he makes a small, found family for all of them. Ace considers Whitebeard his father more than Roger was, which makes sense since Ace was born almost two years after his dad died.
As far as biological sons, Whitebeard has one that’s known. Edward Weevil, son of Whitebeard and Buckingham Stussy, another former member of the Rocks Pirates. Weevil has the size of his father, and the strength for sure. Even some Conqueror Haki seems to be in there, but it’s at the cost of every brain cell the kid has. Weevil is an idiot, and Stussy is the main driving force behind his time as a Warlord.
Marineford
After Ace is captured by Blackbeard, a match is lit that sets the Grand Line on fire. When the Navy gathers all of its forces at the base of Marineford, preparing for any type of battle to come no matter who it may be, disaster is imminent. An armada of pirates closing in is stopped by Aokiji’s powers, but Whitebeard in his submersible ship Moby Dick emerges right on the beaches. Now Ace helplessly watches from the execution platform as everyone he loves fights to save him. Squard, one of the Division Commanders, betrays Whitebeard with a sword through the stomach. He says Akainu promised him he would let everyone go, and they only want to kill Whitebeard. Upon hearing this, he can only hug his son and tell him he forgives him.
When Luffy shows up it’s a whole different ballgame. Something about the rubber boy’s tenacity ignites a fire in Whitebeard, even more surprised by how Luffy speaks to him. They fight side by side toward Ace, taking down all who they need to while Whitebeard backs up Luffy.
How Does Whitebeard Die?
It’s unfortunately not enough. Ace is killed by Akainu right in front of them, with nobody able to stop it. They try to get Luffy out, but more trouble appears in the form of Blackbeard. He sets his entire crew on Whitebeard, slashing and hacking away at the old Emperor of the Sea. Despite all the damage inflicted, half of his head gone, bones broken, Whitebeard dies on his feet. His takes his last breaths to shout a proclamation to reignite piracy- “The One Piece is real!”
It’s not long after that Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit power is stolen by none other than Blackbeard. Teach covers his former captain with a tarp and emerges with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit powers, throwing everyone into shock. Before they can do too much damage, Shanks shows up to stop the show and retrieves Whitebeard’s body for burial.
Whitebeard’s Legacy
A monument now stands in the village where Whitebeard spent his youth. A large stone memorial, with his weapon and coat, hung over it to show his immense stature. It stands against the waves and wind in tribute to a man who shook heaven and earth. Right beside this memorial stands another, this one to a son lost just before his father joined him. Ace’s hat and goggles hang over this monument, with father and son reunited in death.
Now, the remaining Whitebeard Pirates scatter across the world after a final skirmish with the Blackbeard Pirates. Marco becomes a traveling doctor, helping any unable to afford healthcare. Izo stole away for a short time, before reuniting with his sister and fellow vassals of Kozuki Oden to take back Wano. Unfortunately, Izo would die during the fight, murdered by Cipher Pol 0 during the Raid on Onigashima.
Whitebeard’s spirit still lives on, even in Luffy as he continues on his journey to Pirate King. The old Emperor may have always believed in Ace to take the throne, but now it’s up to the young boy made of rubber to finish out that will for both of them. Now, Whitebeard takes his place among legends like Gold Roger, a fearsome pirate of the seas that will have stories told for years to come.
One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Funimation. New episodes simulcast with Japan every Saturday at 10 pm EST.
