| Red Scabbards | |
|---|---|
| Name | Red Scabbards |
| Founded | During the Edo-period analogue of Wano; reconstituted under Kozuki family stewardship |
| Founder | Kozuki Oden (tradition); core led by retainers of the Kozuki family |
| Type | Wolrd of One Piece: samurai retainer group / rebellion cell |
| Location | Wano Country |
| Notable leaders | Kin'emon, Kanjuro (former), Kikunojo, Raizo, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, Denjiro |
| Allies | Straw Hat Pirates, Mink Tribe, remnants of the Kozuki retainers |
| Opponents | Kaido, Big Mom Pirates, Shogun Kurozumi Orochi, Beast Pirates |
Red Scabbards
The Red Scabbards are a group of samurai retainers and loyalists in the manga and anime series One Piece, devoted to the restoration of the Kozuki family and the liberation of Wano Country from tyrannical rule. They matter in One Piece as a symbol of feudal loyalty, national continuity, and the traditional samurai ethos in the face of imperial oppression by pirate warlords like Kaido and corrupt regimes such as that of Kurozumi Orochi.
The Red Scabbards trace their origin to the retainers who served Kozuki Oden, daimyō of Kuri and a pivotal figure in Wano's recent history. Formed as household guards and provincial officials, the retainers upheld the Kozuki line's authority and the country's ancient customs. After Oden's execution and the subsequent coup orchestrated by Kurozumi Orochi in alliance with the Beast Pirates under Kaido, surviving retainers went into hiding or exile. Under the leadership of figures like Kin'emon and Inuarashi/Nekomamushi, they reorganized as the Red Scabbards to pursue a deliberate campaign of restoration and vengeance consistent with samurai duty.
The Red Scabbards consist of a core ensemble of retainers whose identities reflect both historical roles and narrative functions. Notable members include Kin'emon (a chief strategist and leader in exile), Denjiro (who operated undercover as the influential merchant "Kyoshiro" within Impel Down-style intrigue), Kikunojo (a skilled swordswoman), Kanjuro (a painter and spy, later revealed as a traitor), Raizo (a ninja of the Wano espionage tradition), and the two ruling mink captains Inuarashi and Nekomamushi who commanded loyalty among the Mink Tribe. The group’s internal hierarchy centers on allegiance to the sole legitimate ruler, a principle embodied by the Kozuki heir Momonosuke and the memory of Oden. Decision-making combined clandestine coordination with diplomatic outreach to pirates and continental allies such as the Straw Hat Pirates and Trafalgar D. Water Law's circles.
In the Wano Country arc, the Red Scabbards serve as both the emotional core and the military backbone of the rebellion against Kaido's occupation. They coordinate intelligence, organize uprisings across provinces like Udon and Flower Capital, and integrate with the larger assault plan that includes coalition forces from the Straw Hat Pirates, the Heart Pirates, and the Mink Tribe. Their intimate knowledge of Wano's terrain, castle structures such as Onigashima, and the legacy of the Kozuki clan enables targeted strikes against key assets of the Beast Pirates and the Kurozumi regime. The arc emphasizes their sacrificial code, as members endure betrayals, capture, and martyrdom to restore national order.
The Red Scabbards participated in several decisive engagements during the rebellion. They led the initial uprisings within Wano, executed daring infiltrations of Onigashima, and coordinated with allied assault teams in the multi-front Battle of Onigashima. Individual feats include duels against high-ranking officers of the Beast Pirates and confrontations with Kaido's commanders, the All-Stars (such as King and Queen). The Red Scabbards' intelligence work exposed treachery by Kanjuro, reshaping internal strategy and preventing further subversion. Their persistence culminated in the liberation of strategic locations in Kuri and the restoration of the Kozuki banner, altering the balance of power in Wano Country and weakening Kaido's Pacific dominion.
The Red Scabbards maintain a pragmatic and honor-based relationship with the Straw Hat Pirates, led by Monkey D. Luffy. Initially cautious, Red Scabbards allied with Luffy's crew recognizing shared objectives: overthrowing Kaido and restoring Wano's sovereignty. The alliance brought together distinct military cultures—samurai discipline and pirate adaptability—enhancing operational flexibility. The retainers also coordinated closely with the Mink Tribe (notably Inuarashi and Nekomamushi), the Heart Pirates under Trafalgar D. Water Law, and regional actors like Kurozumi Higurashi's opponents. These partnerships illustrate a conservative ideal: traditional institutions collaborating with reformist forces to reestablish national stability.
The Red Scabbards' legacy in One Piece is tied to the restoration of the Kozuki line and the renewal of Wano's institutions. Their sacrifices reasserted the legitimacy of hereditary rule in Wano's context and enabled reconstruction of political order after Kaido's downfall. Culturally, they revived samurai publications, preserved court rituals, and reconstituted military stewardship appropriate to Wano's traditions. Politically, their actions reshaped alliances across the Grand Line and inspired neighboring domains to resist tyrannical pirate hegemony. The group stands as a narrative testament to loyalty, duty, and conservative restoration—values that restored cohesion and stability to a nation shaken by external domination.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional samurai