The Navy’s secret branch called SWORD represents the best chance at future redemption for One Piece’s first villains due to its independence.
The first major villains in the One Piece story, the Marines, have a chance at redemption before Eiichiro Oda’s record-breaking manga ends, thanks to their secret branch known as SWORD. While technically still part of the Navy, this secret organization can operate outside the regular chain of command, making the SWORD members the most genuine and “good” of all the Marines.
The Navy (also known as the Marines in the Funimation translation), is the military sea force of the World Government, tasked with law enforcement and international security. This makes the Navy the sworn enemy of the pirates, who live by constantly defying the laws imposed by the World Government. The Marines were also the first antagonists faced by Luffy after he started his journey, and since then the Straw Hats have clashed with them on many occasions. However, there is a secret branch of the Navy that follows completely different rules from the rest, which could prove to be fundamental for the future of the organization.
SWORD Represents The Best Values Of One Piece‘s Marines
Chapter #1080 of One Piece finally explains more about SWORD, a secret unit that consists of Marines who have formally resigned from the organization but still operate on its behalf. A young and upstart member of SWORD, Koby, has been recently captured by Blackbeard, who wants to use him as a bargaining chip to leverage the World Government into accepting his proposal of recognizing Pirate Island as an official kingdom. Former Admiral Aokiji, who has joined Blackbeard’s crew, explains that due to their unique status, members of SWORD can disregard orders from the higher-ups and move as they chose without repercussions, which includes taking on missions without waiting for clearance from the Navy HQ.
While the Navy usually plays the role of antagonist in One Piece, the organization is not simply “evil”. Many members like Koby or Luffy’s grandfather Garp have joined because they strongly believe in justice and peace. However, due to its association with the World Government, the Navy is also often involved in terrible acts, including the straight-up genocides perpetrated through the Buster Call. SWORD’s status as “detached” from the central command structure, however, means that they don’t have to follow the most controversial orders, even if they come from the Five Elders. In fact, all members of SWORD introduced until now seem genuinely positive characters. This can all become extremely relevant in the near future, as One Piece approaches its conclusion.
SWORD Is The Best Chance For The Navy’s Redemption
Assuming that Luffy’s journey will end with the toppling of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons who are the true villains in One Piece, the question remains of what will happen to the Navy. It’s hard to imagine that the entire organization will be disbanded, while it’s more likely that, once freed of the influence of the tyrannical World Government, the Navy will instead be reformed, allowing its best elements to take control and focus on justice and peacekeeping, but in a humane way. This could be the members of SWORD, and especially Koby, who is already recognized as a hero throughout the world for his generosity and selfless actions. While it’s hard to predict how One Piece will end, this development would be very fitting, and it would allow the series’ first villains, the Marines, a chance for redemption.
The latest chapter of One Piece is available from Viz Media.
