One Piece is full of mysteries, including the titular treasure that Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have worked towards since the series’ inception. However, there is a mystery even greater than the One Piece that has been teased for just as long: the secret behind the cryptic concept known only as the Will of D.

Although recent revelations have shed a bit of light on the Will of D., its historical relevance is almost completely unknown. Other than being described as the enemies of the Celestial Dragons, few details are known about its carriers. Still, given the fact that those who bear the “D” initial are among the most important characters in One Piece, it’s obvious that their connection will play a major role by the end of the series.

Updated on June 29th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: The mystery of the Will of D. still has yet to be revealed, though One Piece fans do have some hints on how it works. Bearers of this middle initial are charismatic leaders who often die happy, and they are said to be the ultimate enemies of the “gods,” or the Celestial Dragons. Now, fans want to know even more about the Will of D. bearers to see how varied they are, and how they are all similar thanks to this letter.

13Monkey D. Garp Is Possibly The Best-Known Marine In The World

Debut: Episode 68 “Try Hard, Koby! Diary Of Koby-Meppo’s Marine Struggles”

Age
Origins
Position

78
Goa Kingdom
Vice-Admiral

As the “Hero of the Marines,” Monkey D. Garp is potentially the most well-known soldier in the entire World Government. The Marine once stood as Gol D. Roger’s greatest rival; when the King of Pirates was still alive, the pair even joined forces to defeat the evil figure known as Rocks D. Xebec. Unlike most characters who carry the Will of D., Garp holds a lofty position in the World Government as opposed to being a monarch, rebel, or pirate captain.

This puts Garp in an interesting spot, as those with the initial are said to be the natural enemies of the Celestial Dragons — the group that Garp directly serves. In addition to this, Garp’s offspring (Dragon, Luffy, and Garp’s adopted grandson, Ace) are some of the World Government’s biggest enemies, making his role in One Piece‘s Final Saga one to watch. The only way he embodies the Will of D. is his strong charisma as a leader, a tough old Marine who often leads by example and has a commanding presence.

12Monkey D. Dragon Is The Leader Of The Revolutionary Army

Debut: Episode 52 “Buggy’s Revenge! The Man Who Smiles At The Execution Platform!”

Age
Origins
Position

55
Goa Kingdom
Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army

Arguably no character in One Piece embodies the Will of D. more than Monkey D. Dragon. Interestingly, this leader of the Revolutionary Army is also known as the World’s Worst Criminal. Thanks to Dragon’s actions, nations throughout the Grand Line have started to rebel against the World Government. He can inspire people with the Will of D.’s charisma even if he’s not there in person, because his reputation speaks for him.

Monkey D. Dragon has only appeared in a handful of One Piece episodes, but his influence is felt throughout the series. In fact, some fans have even wondered if he has weather-controlling powers. With an all-out war against the World Government looming on the horizon, Luffy’s father is poised to showcase his rebellious spirit sooner rather than later. It’s also clear that Dragon’s brand of charisma is totally different than his son’s, because Luffy leads as a cheerful, friendly captain while Dragon has a stern, mature persona.

11Monkey D. Luffy Will Likely Become The Next King Of The Pirates

Debut: Episode 1 “I’m Luffy! The Man Who Will Become The Pirate King!”

Age
Origins
Position

19
Foosha Village
Emperor of the Sea

Following the Wano Country Arc, One Piece‘s protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, is closer than ever to achieving his goal of becoming the King of the Pirates. The Straw Hat Pirate and his allies finally toppled the Beasts Pirates, earning him the title of Emperor of the Sea and setting him on the path to finding the island of Laugh Tale.

Those who carry the Will of D. are said to be the natural enemies of the Celestial Dragons. In this regard, Luffy perfectly personifies its ideals, as he’s already struck multiple Celestial Dragons and World Nobles. Also, it was Luffy who symbolically attacked the World Government’s flag at Enies Lobby, a clear show of defiance against the world order that the Celestial Dragons embody. Finally, One Piece fans may remember that when Luffy was on Gol D. Roger’s execution platform, he faced certain death with a big smile on his face. Even if Luffy miraculously escaped, that was still a fine example of how Will of D. bearers usually face death smiling.

10Jaguar D. Saul Proves That The Will Of D. Is Not Exclusive To Humans

Debut: Episode 275 “Robin’s Past! The Girl Who Was Called A Demon!”

Age
Origins
Position

127
Elbaf
Former Vice-Admiral

The Will of D. isn’t exclusive to humankind. As evidenced by Jaguar D. Saul, the initial can be carried by giants as well. The former Marine Vice Admiral is the only member of his race to bear the initial thus far, but there’s a significant chance that the Will of D. is represented among the giants that inhabit the island of Elbaf.

When the World Government decided to initiate a Buster Call on Ohara, Jaguar D. Saul immediately voiced his disagreement. After renouncing his title of Vice Admiral, Saul wound up on Ohara and attempted to help Nico Robin. Although he and the citizens of Ohara seemingly lost their lives, the giant actually escaped to Elbaf, later setting up a reunion between him and Robin. Aside from that, it’s not too clear how Jaguar D. Saul embodies the Will of D., and there’s no telling if he will say or do anything else influenced by the Will of D., either.

9Trafalgar D. Water Law Pursues Any Information Regarding The Will Of D.

Debut: Episode 392 “New Rivals Gather! The 11 Supernovas”

Age
Origins
Position

26
Flevance
Former Warlord of the Sea

Of the 11 Supernovas, none play a larger role in the events of the New World than Monkey D. Luffy and the captain of the Heart Pirates, Trafalgar D. Water Law. The Surgeon of Death helped the Straw Hat Pirates dismantle Donquixote Doflamingo’s criminal empire. Further, during the Raid on Onigashima, Law and Eustass Kid take down Charlotte Linlin, one of the four Emperors of the Sea.

Given that Trafalgar D. Water Law carries the Will of D., it makes sense that he’s been involved with some of the most important events in One Piece. Whereas many Will of D. holders are uninterested in the history behind the initial, Law keenly pursues any information regarding the mystery. This character arc might be setting him up to uncover its secrets in the series’ Final Saga. Like most Will of D. bearers, Trafalgar is a leader; in this case, he leads the Heart Pirates.

8Marshall D. Teach Is Hellbent On Finding The Mysterious One Piece

Debut: Episode 146 “Stop Dreaming! The City Of Ridicule, Mock Town!”

Age
Origins
Position

40
Grand Line
Emperor of the Sea

For all Marshall D. Teach’s faults, he certainly doesn’t lack ambition. By capturing Portgas D. Ace, Teach — also known as Blackbeard — earns himself a spot among the Warlords of the Sea. After taking down Whitebeard and the rest of his crew, he eventually manages to become an Emperor of the Sea, as well.

Blackbeard is significantly more evil than most Will of D. carriers seen in One Piece, but he’s a staunch enemy of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government all the same. As such, his eyes are firmly set on finding the One Piece. Other than Monkey D. Luffy, there are few contenders left to stand in his way. That said, it’s highly unlikely that Blackbeard will locate the One Piece before the protagonist. What’s most unusual about Blackbeard is that he faced certain death while panicking, rather than smiling and being at peace with what’s happening.

7Gol D. Roger Is The Only Pirate To Have Conquered The Grand Line

Debut: Episode 1 “I’m Luffy! The Man Who Will Become The Pirate King!”

Age
Origins
Position

53
Loguetown
Pirate King

Those who carry the Will of D. generally live in opposition to the World Government, and no pirate in history has been a bigger thorn in the side of the Marines than the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. The legendary figure died 22 years before starting the events of One Piece. And yet, his influence is still felt throughout the entirety of the Grand Line.

Roger’s actions ushered in the Golden Age of Piracy, an era that chipped away at the foundation of the World Government’s hegemony for decades after his execution. Few have done more to further the Will of D. than the only man to conquer the Grand Line and learn about the true history of the world. And, of course, Gol D. Roger had overwhelming charisma as a respected pirate captain who led the likes of Red-Haired Shanks and Buggy the Clown, among others.

6Portgas D. Rouge Held Her Pregnancy For Twenty Months

Debut: One Piece Film Strong World: Episode 0

Age
Origins
Position

Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

During Gol D. Roger’s final years, he disbanded the Roger Pirates and traveled the seas alone, eventually arriving in the South Blue. In the town of Baterilla, he met Portgas D. Rouge, a strong-willed woman with whom he fell in love. She later birthed their only child, Portgas D. Ace, although he was originally named Gol D. Ace, after his father.

Despite her significance to the narrative of One Piece, Portgas D. Rouge’s backstory still remains a mystery. However, the fact that she held her pregnancy for 20 months is a testament to her will as part of the D. lineage. Fans are hoping that more information regarding Rouge’s past and family line will be explained in future arcs.

5Portgas D. Ace Spread The Will Of D. Throughout The Grand Line

Debut: Episode 91 “Farewell, Drum Island! I’m Going Out To Sea!”

Age
Origins
Position

20
Baterilla
2nd Division Commander

Although those who carry the Will of D. share an undeniable connection, they are not necessarily bound by blood; two members with D. heritage can produce a child. This is exactly what happened when Gol D. Roger fell in love with Portgas D. Rouge, resulting in the birth of the fiery fan-favorite Portgas D. Ace.

Portgas D. Ace first appears during One Piece‘s Alabasta Arc, and he quickly serves as the catalyst that initiates the New Age of Piracy. Despite being executed as a young adult, Ace’s life inspired countless pirates to rebel against the World Government, spreading the Will of D. far and wide throughout the Grand Line. Ace’s death was the second major example of a Will of D. user dying with a smile; in this case, he died at peace with himself after Admiral Akainu fatally punched him with a lava fist.

4Rocks D. Xebec Could Only Be Defeated By Garp And Roger Working Together

Debut: Episode 958 “A Legendary Battle! Garp And Roger”

Age
Origins
Position

Unknown
Unknown
Pirate Captain

One Piece features a variety of powerful antagonists, but none have achieved more infamy than the captain of the Rocks Pirates, Rocks D. Xebec. While the fearsome pirate has already been dead for a long time in the series, the few details known about his life hint that he could be the strongest Will of D. carrier of all time.

Rocks D. Xebec’s crew contained three future Emperors of the Sea (Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and Edward Newgate), as well as other notable pirates such as Golden Lion Shiki and Miss Buckingham Stussy. Were it not for the efforts of Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp, Rocks D. Xebec might have used the Will of D. to become the King of the World.

3Nefertari D. Lily Might Have Played A Role In The Dissemination Of Poneglyphs

Debut: Chapter 1084 “The Attempted Murder Of A Celestial Dragon”

Age
Origins
Position

Unknown
Arabasta
Queen of Arabasta

Recent revelations in the One Piece manga cast light on Imu and the Five Elders, finally providing some much-needed information about the mysterious figures. During these scenes, they revealed the existence of Nefertari D. Lily, the ancestor of Vivi and the Nefertari Family of the Alabasta Kingdom.

Although Imu was vague in his comments about Nefertari D. Lily, the ruler of the World Government hinted that Lily played a major role in the dissemination of the poneglyphs around the world. Assuming this is true, it’s exactly the type of action that one would expect out of someone who carries the Will of D. Her exact involvement remains unclear, however.

2Nefertari D. Cobra Legitimately Cares About The People Of Alabasta

Debut: Episode 91 “Farewell, Drum Island! I’m Going Out To Sea!”

The Nefertari family has governed over Alabasta Kingdom since the Void Century, and its most recent ruler, Nefertari D. Cobra, is one of its finest leaders. The wise king is a massive asset to the Straw Hat Pirates, and it’s clear that he legitimately cares about the citizens of his kingdom. This is seen when he desperately attempts to protect Alabasta from Crocodile and Baroque Works.

Unlike most of the monarchs that form the upper crust of the World Government, Nefertari D. Cobra doesn’t look down on those that he governs. Unfortunately, this earns him the ire of Imu and the Five Elders, who ultimately kill Cobra after he questions them about the Will of D. and the Void Century. Fans were devastated to see him go, but he still has a daughter left to seek justice on his behalf.

1Nefertari D. Vivi Still Has A Major Role To Play In One Piece’s Final Saga

Debut: Episode 68 “Try Hard, Koby! Diary Of Koby-Meppo’s Marine Struggles”

Age
Origins
Position

18
Arabasta
Princess of Arabasta

Nefertari D. Vivi joins the Straw Hat Pirates immediately after they enter the Grand Line. However, her status as a carrier of the Will of D. remains unknown until the Egghead Arc. Considering this revelation, her attachment to rebellious factions like the Straw Hat Pirates makes much more sense in retrospect.

Vivi is rarely afraid to speak her mind; during the events of the Reverie, her distaste for the Celestial Dragons is palpable. As One Piece moves into its Final Saga, the World Government will likely do everything it can to limit Vivi’s impact. That said, Vivi isn’t the kind of person to take things lying down, and there’s definitely a role for her to play in the future. And like most Will of D. bearers, Nefeltari Vivi has magnetic charisma as a leader, just like her father. She is beloved all over Alabasta as a good-hearted princess.