| Scabbards | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Scabbards |
| Country | Wano Country |
| Allegiance | Kozuki Oden (historical), Kozuki Family |
| Branch | Retainers / Bodyguard |
| Role | Protection of daimyo and heir; assassination and rebellion |
| Notable commanders | Kozuki Oden, Kozuki Sukiyaki |
| Notable members | Kawamatsu, Kikunojo, Denjiro, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi |
| Battles | Battle of Marineford, Onigashima Raid, Oden's Campaign |
Scabbards
The Scabbards are the elite group of loyal retainers and bodyguards sworn to protect the Kozuki family of Wano Country in the manga and anime series One Piece. Formed around the leadership of Kozuki Oden, the Scabbards played a pivotal role in resisting foreign domination, preserving native governance, and ultimately aiding the rebellion that shaped the climax of the Wano Country arc. Their story illustrates themes of duty, sacrifice, and collective justice within the series' broader critique of imperialism and tyranny.
The Scabbards function as the personal guard and inner circle of the Kozuki daimyo, combining martial skill, political loyalty, and cultural stewardship. Modeled after traditional samurai retainers, they operate both as military commanders and custodians of the Kozuki legacy, including the secret of the Road Poneglyphs and the plan to open Raftel (Laugh Tale). Under Kozuki Oden, they undertook external expeditions with the Whitebeard Pirates and Roger Pirates, gaining experience in the Grand Line and the New World. After Oden's death, the surviving Scabbards clandestinely organized resistance against the occupying forces of Kaidou and the Beasts Pirates, coordinating with exiled leaders like Trafalgar D. Water Law and the Straw Hat Pirates to restore Wano's sovereignty.
Key members include: - Kawamatsu – a former calamary-affiliated samurai whose transformation into human form and later leadership emphasized indigenous rights and resilience. - Kikunojo – a skilled swordswoman embodying preservation of cultural identity amidst displacement. - Denjiro – notable for his undercover resistance as a yakuza boss, exemplifying long-term subversion and sacrifice. - Inuarashi and Nekomamushi – while primarily rulers of Fugu Kingdom's subordinates and Mink Tribe leaders, they aligned with the Scabbards during Oden's era and the later rebellion. Other retainers such as Raizo contributed espionage and ninja techniques, while figures like Tomo and Kawamatsu's fellow retainers provided logistical support. Many Scabbards suffered imprisonment, torture, and execution under Kurozumi Orochi and Kaidou, reinforcing their symbolic role as martyrs in Wano's liberation narrative.
The Scabbards' military contributions peaked during the Onigashima Raid — the allied assault against Kaidou and Orochi that formed a central part of the so-called "War of the Best." They coordinated guerrilla actions, intelligence gathering, and direct combat inside Onigashima, striking at the heart of Kaidou's forces. Several Scabbards engaged high-ranking opponents within the Beasts Pirates, diverting attention and enabling strategic strikes by the Straw Hat Pirates and allies like Eustass Kid and Trafalgar Law. Historically, during Oden's earlier expedition, the Scabbards fought alongside Edward Newgate and Gol D. Roger, experiences that informed their tactics against hegemonic powers. Their sacrifices, including staged executions and hostage endurance, galvanized public support across Wano and other islands, contributing to the eventual collapse of Kaidou's rule.
Loyalty to the Kozuki clan defines Scabbards' identity; they are entrusted with family secrets such as the whereabouts of the Road Poneglyph fragments and the goal of reaching Laugh Tale. Their relationship extended beyond martial service to cultural guardianship, ensuring transmission of the Kozuki will through generations. Allies formed through shared resistance included the Straw Hat Pirates, Heart Pirates, and veteran crews like the Whitebeard Pirates. These alliances reveal One Piece's recurring solidarity theme: marginalized groups, displaced leaders, and dissident mariners unite to contest authoritarian regimes exemplified by Kaidou, Orochi, and corrupt elements within the World Government and Marines.
Narratively, the Scabbards embody samurai ideals adapted for a modern critique of colonial influence and feudal complicity. Their endurance under torture and readiness to place communal welfare above personal survival foregrounds discussions of justice and reparative governance within Wano. Their diverse backgrounds—ranging from minks to samurai to underground operatives—underscore inclusivity and cross-cultural solidarity. Creatively, they allow author Eiichiro Oda to explore Japanese history tropes (e.g., Sengoku period) through a lens that favors resistance against tyranny and centers the rights of indigenous populations over puppet regimes.
Post-rebellion, surviving Scabbards participate in rebuilding Wano's political institutions, advocating for more equitable land reforms and accountability for collaborators with the former regime. Their public martyrdom reshaped the country's collective memory, weakening elite impunity and opening space for reforms led by Momonosuke. The Scabbards' legacy continues to influence inter-island diplomacy, inspiring other oppressed groups across the New World to challenge maritime hegemons. As narrative symbols, they remain touchstones for themes of restorative justice, the redistribution of power, and the moral imperative to protect cultural heritage within the global stage of One Piece.