Pirates and marines are quintessential adversaries in the world of One Piece, where the former inadvertently validate the latter’s existence within the framework of the World Government. This enduring conflict plays out across land and sea, highlighting the intrinsic rivalry between these two groups. However, beneath this surface animosity lies a web of familial ties that often intertwine their fates in unexpected ways.
This article explores notable pirates with familial connections to various marines, delving into their relationships, backgrounds, and the divergent paths that led them into conflict with the law.
5 Monkey D. Luffy
Monkey D. Garp’s Grandson
- Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga), Episode 1 (Anime)
- Crew: Straw Hat Pirates
As the central character of the series, Monkey D. Luffy, has a surprising lineage rooted in the marine world. Both his father, Monkey D. Dragon, and grandfather, Monkey D. Garp, have held influential positions within the marines. Dragon, opting for a radically different approach, opted to abandon the family and the marines to spearhead the Revolutionary Army, aimed at dismantling the pervasive corruption of the World Government, earning him the title of the world’s most wanted criminal.
During Luffy’s formative years, Dragon’s absence left a void in his life. Garp, a vice admiral, sought to mold Luffy into a marine, yet external influences swayed Luffy onto a path of piracy. His early encounters with Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates fostered a bond that ultimately guided him toward a life of adventure on the high seas, much to Garp’s dismay. Garp viewed Shanks as a corrupting influence on his grandson.
For Luffy, the allure of piracy lies not in material wealth or power, but in the unbounded freedom it offers. This perspective contrasts sharply with Garp’s commitment to marine justice, which he interprets as a means of maintaining order and peace. While Garp’s loyalty to the marines is unwavering, he harbors resentment towards the World Nobles. His refusal of multiple promotions to admiral showcases his selective allegiance.
4 Portgas D. Ace
Monkey D. Garp’s Adopted Grandson
- Debut: Chapter 154 (Manga), Episode 91 (Anime)
- Crew: Whitebeard Pirates, Formerly Spade Pirates
Portgas D. Ace, unlike Luffy, possesses no direct bloodline connection to any marines; his lineage traces back to the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and his partner, Portgas D. Rouge. However, Garp adopted Ace as a tribute to his late rival Roger. Garp’s marine obligations led him to delegate parenting responsibilities to the Dadan Family while occasionally training both Luffy and Ace during their youth.
Though Garp hoped Ace would embrace a marine’s life, Ace felt that their notorious parentage would preclude their acceptance into the ranks. Thus, he chose the pirate’s life in pursuit of freedom and eventually joined the Whitebeard Pirates, assuming a significant role within the crew.
Ace’s trajectory was drastically altered when he fell into the hands of Blackbeard, who traded him to the World Government, resulting in an execution order that Garp could not ignore. This tragic event marked a painful chapter for Garp, who, bound by duty, opposed his own grandson’s rescue at the Summit War, reflecting the complex interplay of family and duty in the marine world.
3 Us
Stepmother’s Adopted Daughter
- Debut: Chapter 8 (Manga), Episode 1 (Anime)
- Crew: Straw Hat Pirates, Formerly Arlong Pirates
Belle-mère’s journey as a marine ended after she sustained severe injuries in the Oykot Kingdom. Choosing to abandon her marine career, she adopted two orphaned girls—Nami and Nojiko—devoting herself to their upbringing in Cocoyasi Village. The financial hardships they faced shaped Nami’s perception of the world, making her later induction into piracy a complex outcome born from necessity and circumstance.
Despite her initial reluctance and hardship, Nami’s experiences as a pirate have granted her the freedom and wealth she once lacked. Her aspiration to chart the world reflects her growth and decision to harness the pirate’s life for personal ambition rather than mere survival.
2 Ten Barrels
X Drake’s Father
- Debut: Chapter 765 (Manga), Episode 704 (Anime)
- Crew: Barrels Pirates
Once a reputable marine officer, Diez Barrels’ life took a drastic turn when he opted to embrace piracy, forming his own crew and coerced his son, X Drake, into joining him. This decision marked the beginning of a tumultuous relationship, culminating in physical abuse that further estranged them. Barrels’ quest for power led him to the Ope Ope no Mi, though his life would ultimately be cut short at the hands of Donquixote Doflamingo.
Contrarily, Drake, spurred by his father’s betrayal, returned to the marines where he climbed the ranks, later working undercover as the captain of SWORD, a covert navy organization. This twist reflects Drake’s evolution from wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps to forging a distinct identity within the marines.
1 Donquixote Doflamingo
Donquixote Rosinante’s Elder Brother
- Debut: Chapter 233 (Manga), Episode 151 (Anime)
- Crew: Donquixote Pirates
As part of the infamous Donquixote Family, Donquixote Doflamingo enjoyed the life of a World Noble until his father, Homing, renounced that status, effectively stripping Doflamingo and his family of their privileges. Resentful of this shift, Doflamingo turned against his family and embarked on a path of tyranny, forming the Donquixote Pirates.
His brother, Rosinante, steered clear of the pirate path, instead choosing a life as a marine to combat Doflamingo’s violent ascent. Rosinante’s infiltration within Doflamingo’s crew ultimately ended tragically when he was discovered and killed by his brother. This act of violence encapsulated the essence of their rivalry—one man’s quest for power leading to the downfall of family bonds.
Driven by the desire for vengeance against the World Nobles, Doflamingo revels in the suffering of those he perceives as adversaries, including the World Government. Rosinante, in contrast, desired to uphold his family’s legacy and fight for justice against the chaos that Doflamingo personified.
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