One Piece: 5 Notable Pirates Who Formerly Served the World Government

Major Insights on the Connection Between Pirates and the World Government

Notable pirates once collaborated with the World Government before embarking on their piratical careers.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea, a government-sanctioned assembly of pirates, misused their authority, resulting in widespread disorder.
The dissolution of the Warlord system has left former members vulnerable to new alliances.

The World Government and its associated factions within One Piece aim to regulate piracy while ostensibly striving to eliminate it. Despite these intentions, piracy’s allure continues to captivate individuals globally. Besides notorious figures like the Emperors and various power-hungry pirates, some threats emerge from within the government’s ranks.

Many infamous pirates had previous affiliations with the government, serving under its banner before pursuing lives of piracy. Below is a look at some of these notable characters who transitioned from government-sanctioned duties to piracy.

5 Vergo

The First Corazon

Debut: Chapter 671 (Manga), Episode 597 (Anime)
Devil Fruit: None

Vergo began his career as a loyal subordinate to Donquixote Doflamingo, impressed by his Conqueror’s Haki, which he exhibited at just 10 years old. His dedication earned him a significant role within Doflamingo’s crew, at a time when Doflamingo was technically a World Government-sanctioned Warlord. Prior to this, Vergo secretly monitored the Marines as an undercover operative.

He achieved the rank of Vice Admiral. However, his position in Doflamingo’s crew was filled by his rival, Rosinante, a fellow Marine who was, unbeknownst to Doflamingo, acting against him. Vergo eventually revealed Rosinante’s betrayal, leading to the latter’s demise.

In one of his last acts, Vergo exposed his intention to kill a group of prisoners, which ultimately led to his downfall during a confrontation with Doflamingo. His loyalty was noted, as Doflamingo expressed gratitude for Vergo’s years of service even after causing his death.

4 Who’s-Who

One of the Tobiroppo

Debut: Chapter 977 (Manga), Episode 982 (Anime)
Devil Fruit: Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Saber Tiger

Who’s-Who served as one of Kaido’s elite officers and previously led his own crew. His earlier background includes training as an assassin with Cipher Pol 9, a governmental surveillance and enforcement agency specializing in covert operations.

Despite his skills, he faced setbacks, notably when he was tasked with safeguarding the Gomu Gomu no Mi; his failure allowed the Red-Haired Pirates to seize it, resulting in his incarceration at Impel Down. After escaping, he grew his crew, eventually joining Kaido’s forces, where he faced defeat against Jimbei in combat.

3 Shiryu

One of the Ten Titanic Captains

Debut: Chapter 538 (Manga), Episode 440 (Anime)
Devil Fruit: Suke Suke no Mi

Once serving as the Head Jailer of Impel Down, Shiryu’s extreme cruelty led to his imprisonment in the secretive sixth level of the facility, reserved for the most dangerous convicts. His fortunes changed when he was freed by the Blackbeard Pirates, seeking to bolster their ranks by incorporating formidable prisoners.

Shiryu’s skills were put to the test during a subsequent battle where he delivered an antidote to the ailing Blackbeard crew after a confrontation with the warden. His transition from government official to high-ranking pirate further cemented the ongoing shift away from affiliations with the World Government among former officials.

2 Kuzan

The Tenth Titanic Captain

Debut: Chapter 303 (Manga), Episode 225 (Anime)
Devil Fruit: Hie Hie no Mi

Kuzan, formerly an admiral within the Marines, developed a notable relationship with Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp. Their differing views on the World Government became apparent as Kuzan adopted a philosophy of Lazy Justice, particularly after witnessing the Ohara incident. Following a prolonged battle to determine who would succeed Sengoku as Fleet Admiral, Kuzan chose to leave the Marines when Akainu emerged victorious.

Eventually, he aligned himself with the Blackbeard Pirates as a captain. However, questions remain regarding his true loyalties within this notorious crew, as many speculate he might be an undercover agent for SWORD, a covert ops group, exploring a potential return to a government-affiliated role.

1 The Seven Warlords of the Sea

Government-Sanctioned Pirates

Debut: Chapter 49 (Manga), Episode 23 (Anime)
Devil Fruit: Varies (Most Warlords are Devil Fruit users, with some exceptions)

The Seven Warlords of the Sea were a diverse collection of pirates with various motives and operational methods. The now-defunct Warlord system enabled these pirates to gain government protection in return for their loyalty. Despite their affiliations, many were criticized as pawns of the government, yet they often demonstrated greater strength than standard pirates.

Power abuses perpetrated by characters like Crocodile and Doflamingo led to their imprisonment. Others, like Hancock and Jimbei, joined for various reasons, often despite their misgivings about the government. Hancock’s defiance culminated in her betrayal during the Summit War, while Jimbei resigned to uphold his ethical stance against fighting Whitebeard.

Ultimately, the abolishment of the Warlord system, advocated by Issho, drew attention to the ongoing insubordination among these former allies. It’s uncertain where these pirates will find themselves now, although speculation points towards the emergence of groups like Cross Guild, formed by past Warlord Crocodile and Mihawk, actively opposing the Marines by placing bounties on their heads.

In place of the Warlords, the World Government has introduced Seraphim—hybrid, programmed fighters created by Dr. Vegapunk. These new entities show promise in combating Emperors and are already being deployed against formidable opponents, signifying a continued evolution in the governmental strategy against piracy.

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