Summary
InOne Piece, it is made clear that piracy does not exist in a vacuum. Although motives like wealth and power will obviously lead many to sail the seas, something less considered is the pirates themselves. Whatever their goals, it has been made clear many times that, whether they acknowledge it or not, even the most powerful pirates have their inspirations.
Some pirates became the reason that the next generation pursued the craft, while others merely became influential through their actions. Most of theseinfluential piratesare no longer alive in the current canon ofOne Piece, but each one of them has left their mark on pirate history, as well as the series' broader history.
5Whitebeard
Roger’s Rival
Edward “Whitebeard” Newgatehad little interest in the stereotypical ambitions of a pirate. His history as an orphan instead left him with a desire for family. To this end, he recruited numerous other pirates who he acted as a “father” to. His crew was so large that it necessitated divisions. Many pirate captains, including those who were previously members of his crew, pledged themselves and their crews to him. He was also in control of many territories, seemingly to provide them with a form of protection. He was, prior to his death, an Emperor, a moniker for the pirate captains who the government view as the most dangerous.
Perhaps the most notorious pirate Whitebeard can be credited with directly influencing isMarshall D. Teach, who refashioned his captain’s moniker for himself. Blackbeard not only stole Newgate’s alias, but also his territories, Devil Fruit powers, and crew structure, making his earlier crew members “captains” themselves to accommodate the presumably large crew he commands. Allegedly, Teach himself is beginning to gain influence. Notably, Caribou, a scoundrel who possesses knowledge of the Ancient Weapons, claims that Teach inspired him to become a pirate. The veracity of this claim is unclear, but he was not seen prior to the timeskip, making it, at the very least, possible.
4Shanks
Luffy’s Mentor
When considering that Luffy is the main protagonist ofOne Piece,Shanksis the most influential pirate in the series. The captain of theRed Hair Pirateswas an early friend of Luffy who mixed his hedonism with heroism. Although Luffy saw Shanks and his crew party, he also witnessed them fight off bandits, with Shanks himself even sacrificing an arm to protect Luffy from a Sea Monster. The fun-loving, but noble mannerisms he displayed can be seen reflected in Luffy himself. He also gave Luffy a straw hat, which was given to Shanks by his own former captain, the legendary Gol D. Roger.
Beyond influencing Luffy, Shanks is currently an Emperor, dedicating himself to the protection of many territories, as well as weaker pirate crews that act as his subordinates. Additionally, Luffy himself is steadily becoming influential, having inspired Bartolomeo to turn to piracy after he was present at Luffy’s botched execution and witnessed him escape. Shanks himself later confronted Bartolomeo, which ended less than favorably for the pirate and his crew. In addition to the Barto Club, other crews represented in theStraw Hat Grand Fleetconsisted of people who turned to piracy after Luffy and his crew saved them in Dressrosa, showing further indirect influence from Shanks.
3Fisher Tiger
The Fish-Man Pirate
When it comes to anypirate crew made up of Fish-Men, this pirate captain is always somehow involved. An ex-slave who led revolts which freed many others,Fisher Tigerwas also the captain ofthe Sun Pirates. The Sun Pirates were the crew that Arlong and his friends joined. Although technically predated by the Arlong Pirates, it can be argued their time as Sun Pirates helped them become a more serious crew when they broke off, which was primarily due to Tiger’s death.
Even with the majority of its known original members gone, the Sun Pirates still operate today, and are still dedicated to a greater goal of Fish-Man liberation and integration. Another off-shoot of the crew, the Macro Pirates, was formed by three freshwater Fish-Men who, counter to the base crew, participate in the slave trade, albeit with little apparent success.
The New Fish-Man Pirates, formed by Hody Jones, a protégé of Arlong, was also created, despite going against Tiger’s ideals. Nonetheless, the crew shared the late captain’s hatred of humans, albeit with no experience with what that prejudice was rooted in. However, they disavowed Tiger after learning of his desire for peace with humans. Although a number of Fish-Men pirates do not stand for what he stood for, many of them got their start working for Fisher Tiger.
2Rocks D. Xebec
Gone, But Also Forgotten
Rocks D. Xebecis a name largely lost to history. This is due to the crimes he chose to commit, which included research into subjects forbidden by the World Government. He was a notably ruthless man, unafraid of killing world nobles and uncaring if he killed their slaves as well. It is said the combined might of both Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp was required to finally defeat him.
Even if Xebec is a somewhat unremarkable name in present times, he had an clear eye for talent. Many noteworthy pirates, including three future Emperors, sailed with Xebec as members of theRocks Pirates, before going on to make names of their own. Big Mom, Whitebeard, and Kaido all viewed the experience of sailing with Xebec as unpleasant, but were still among many future stars in the world of piracy to have graced his crew. Whitebeard noted that the crew was full of people who weren’t the type to take orders, which likely contributed to its dissolution.
It is possible that Xebec’s influence still exists through Teach, as he appears to name his primary ship, Saber of Xebec, after the late pirate captain, and has sailed with Whitebeard, Xebec’s former crewmate.
1Gol D. Roger
Ushered In a New Era
Gol D. Rogerseems to have very few currently active pirates who directly attribute him as their influence, but he does not need to in order to be considered influential. His execution, originally meant to deter people from piracy, instead motivated many to take up the occupation with the promise of treasure; specifically the titular One Piece, which only Roger and his crew have ever laid eyes on.
Aside from this fact, three of the current Emperors are variably connected to him. Shanks and Buggy used to serve as his cabin boys. Although they are radically different pirates, the pair appear to both have some degree of respect for their former captain. Unfortunately, they were among a few in his crew who did not see the One Piece, as Buggy had an illness that Shanks stayed behind to help him recover from.
Luffy, an adherent of Shanks, is also an Emperor. Shanks himself has noted he sees a lot of his former captain in Luffy, which is partially why he gave the young pirate Roger’s straw hat. It is quite possible that a lot of the mannerisms Luffy inherited from Shanks were originally learned from his own captain, Roger. It is clear a number of notable pirates, in addition to many others, might never have entered piracy if not for him.
