| Nine Red Scabbards | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nine Red Scabbards |
| Leader | Kozuki Oden (deceased) |
| Founded | During the Wano Country era under the Kozuki clan |
| Location | Kuri, Wano Country |
| Allegiance | Kozuki Family |
| Notable members | Kozuki Momonosuke, Trafalgar Law (ally) |
Nine Red Scabbards
The Nine Red Scabbards are a group of retainers formerly serving the Kozuki clan of Wano Country in the manga and anime series One Piece. They are historically significant within One Piece for their loyalty to Kozuki Oden and for leading the effort to reclaim Wano from the rule of Kurozumi Orochi and the Beasts Pirates under Kaido.
The Nine Red Scabbards functioned as the personal retainers and bodyguards of Kozuki Oden of the Kozuki Family in the isolated nation of Wano Country. When Oden was executed, the Scabbards swore an oath of vengeance against those responsible, notably Kurozumi Orochi and the Yonko Kaido. Their oath and subsequent activities become central to Wano's liberation arc within Eiichirō Oda's One Piece, influencing characters such as Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Trafalgar Law.
The Nine Red Scabbards are composed of seasoned samurai and warriors from various backgrounds, each assigned roles reflecting their skills and loyalty to the Kozuki clan: - Kikunojo — a kunoichi and swordswoman from Kuri; known as the "Flowers of the City". - Kawamatsu — a fish-man samurai and retainer of the Kozuki, with ties to the Fish-Man Island narrative threads. - Ashura Doji — a powerful swordsman and former subordinate leader within the Scabbards. - Kanjuro — a painter and spy who betrays the Scabbards by siding with Kurozumi family; his treachery is pivotal to the group's history. - Inuarashi and Nekomamushi (the two Mink guardians) — while not core Scabbards, they allied with the retainers during the rebellion and exile events. - Kin'emon — leader among the Scabbards after Oden's death; pivotal in the caretaking of Kozuki Momonosuke and organizing the exile. - Raizo — a ninja skilled in espionage, later revealed to have survived and assisted in the raid on Onigashima. - Denjiro — a samurai who later operated under the alias Kyoshiro in Flower Capital. - Kurozumi Higurashi — historical connections through the Kurozumi family's manipulation (contextual).
First mentions of these individuals connect to broader allies and antagonists across the Grand Line and interact with groups such as the Straw Hat Pirates, Heart Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates.
The Nine Red Scabbards' defining historical moment is their defense of Kuri and their attempt to rescue Oden during his imprisonment by Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi. After Oden's execution on the orders of Kaido, the Scabbards dispersed; many went into hiding, taking measures to protect Oden's heir, Kozuki Momonosuke, and preserve the Kozuki will, including the knowledge of the Road Poneglyphs.
Over decades, the Scabbards plotted the downfall of Orochi and Kaido, coordinating with external allies such as Law of the Heart Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy. Their major action culminated in the Onigashima Raid during the Wano Arc, where they assaulted the Beasts Pirates' stronghold on Onigashima in a combined operation alongside samurai, minks, pirates, and the remnants of Oden's supporters. Their personal vendettas shaped tactical choices during the Battle of Onigashima and the eventual collapse of Kaido's regime.
Members of the Nine Red Scabbards display a diversity of martial skills characteristic of Wano's samurai culture. Many wield katana with distinct named techniques influenced by Oden's teachings and the broader swordsmanship traditions seen in One Piece: - Mastery of sword arts akin to that practiced by Roronoa Zoro, including coordinated group attacks. - Stealth and espionage techniques via ninja skills, exemplified by Raizo. - Use of Devil Fruit-like abilities is uncommon among the Scabbards themselves, but their allies, such as Eustass Kid's contemporaries and the Beasts Pirates's subordinates, contrast differing combat dynamics. - Tactical coordination in large-scale battles, blending samurai honor with guerrilla resistance tactics against heavily armed forces like the Beasts Pirates.
Their combat effectiveness is often contextualized against other One Piece fighters, including members of the Four Emperors, Shichibukai (former), and the Marines.
Within Wano Country's narrative and culture, the Nine Red Scabbards serve as embodiments of bushidō-inspired loyalty, sacrifice, and the samurai ideal. Their story impacts multiple social strata in Wano: peasants, retainers, and daimyo alike, influencing the political legitimacy of the Kozuki Family and the restoration of the country's autonomy. They also interact with Wano-specific institutions and locales such as the Flower Capital, Hakumai, and the system of closed borders that defines Wano's isolationist policies.
The Scabbards' vendetta and eventual actions provoke discussions among characters about revenge, justice, and governance, shaping the arcs of younger characters like Kozuki Momonosuke and resonating with themes present throughout Eiichirō Oda's work, including the legacy of former rulers such as Gol D. Roger and the quest for One Piece-related lore like the Road Poneglyphs.
The Nine Red Scabbards appear primarily in the One Piece manga serial published in Weekly Shōnen Jump and its anime adaptation produced by Toei Animation. Their arc—commonly referred to as the Wano Country Arc—has been adapted into multiple anime episodes and theatrical promotions, and their characters feature in official One Piece merchandise, video games such as entries by Bandai Namco Entertainment, and licensed novelizations and databooks like the One Piece Color Walk and Vivre Card guides.
Portrayals of key moments—Oden's execution, the Scabbards' exile, and the Onigashima Raid—have been focal points for fan discussions, critical analysis, and coverage in media outlets that report on manga and anime culture, including Anime News Network and mainstream publications covering Japanese pop culture. Their narrative role continues to influence subsequent storylines in the One Piece universe.