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 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.
13 Monkey D. Garp
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, and 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 that carry the Will of D., Garp holds a position in the World Government. This puts him in an interesting spot, as those with the initial are said to be the natural enemies of the Celestial Dragons — the group that Monkey D. 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.
12 Monkey D. Dragon
Arguably no character in One Piece embodies the Will of D. more than Monkey D. Dragon. The leader of the Revolutionary Army is known as the World’s Worst Criminal, and thanks to his actions, nations throughout the Grand Line have started to rebel against the World Government.
Monkey D. Dragon has only appeared in a handful of One Piece episodes, but his influence is felt throughout the series. 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.
11 Monkey D. Luffy
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 Beast Pirates, earning him the title of Emperor of the Sea and setting him on the path to find 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. He’s struck multiple Celestial Dragons and World Nobles, and as a war against the World Government looms on the horizon, the Straw Hat Pirate is sure to come into conflict with at least a few more.
10 Jaguar D. Saul
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 strongly 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 at Ohara and attempted to help its people. Although he, as well as the citizens of Ohara, seemingly lost their lives, the giant actually escaped to Elbaf, setting up a reunion between him and Nico Robin.
9 Trafalgar D. Water Law
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 helps the Straw Hat Pirates dismantle Donquixote Doflamingo’s criminal empire, and during the Raid on Onigashima, he 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. However, whereas many Will of D. characters are uninterested in the history behind the initial, Law keenly pursues any information regarding the mystery, perhaps setting him up to uncover its secrets in the series’ final saga.
8 Marshall D. Teach
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, and after taking down Whitebeard and the rest of his crew, he eventually becomes 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. His eyes are firmly set on finding the One Piece, and other than Monkey D. Luffy, there are few contenders left to stand in his way.
7 Gol D. Roger
Those that 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 24 years before the events of One Piece, 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.
6 Portgas D. Rouge
During Gol D. Roger’s final years, he disbanded the Roger Pirates and traveled the seas alone, eventually arriving in the South Blue. There, he met Portgas D. Rouge, a strong-willed woman with whom he fell in love with. She later birthed their only child, Portgas D. Ace.
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. family.
5 Portgas D. Ace
Although those who carry the Will of D. share an undeniable connection, they are not necessarily bound by blood — as a result, it’s possible for two members of the D. family to 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.
4 Rocks D. Xebec
One Piece features a variety of powerful antagonists, but none achieved more infamy than the captain of the Rocks Pirates, Rocks D. Xebec. While the fearsome pirate has yet to appear on-screen 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 may have very well used the Will of D. to become the King of the World.
3 Nefertari D. Lily
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 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.
2 Nefertari D. Cobra
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 members. 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.
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.
1 Nefertari D. Vivi
Nefertari D. Vivi joins the Straw Hat Pirates immediately after they enter the Grand Line, but until the Egghead Arc, her status as a carrier of the Will of D. was unknown. 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, and 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 they can to limit her impact.