The Princess Known as Dead
Kozuki Hiyori was the only person who wasn't kidnapped by her mother Toki's time-manipulating powers. While everyone believed her to be dead, she survived for 20 years after Oden's death under a secret identity. The people of Wano had no idea she was alive, making her one of the most mysterious living characters in the series.
Surviving Under the Name Komurasaki
Hiyori managed to live as an oiran named “Komurasaki” right under Orochi's nose. Though she appeared to live in luxury, she was constantly in danger under the watchful eyes of her enemies. Her position among the elite as an oiran allowed her to gather information and meticulously plan her revenge.
The First Woman to Slap Orochi
Although men are usually in the spotlight in the One Piece world, Hiyori demonstrated both her character strength and courage by slapping Orochi in the face. This scene clearly proved that she was not just a passive character but someone who openly displayed her anger for her family.
The Silent Bond with Zoro
Although Hiyori's relationship with Zoro has never been romanticized, the bond between them remains a topic of discussion among fans. The genuine gratitude she shows toward Zoro, who protects her and stays by her side, is one of the rare moments that reveal how she forms connections with others and trusts them.
Resistance Without a Sword
Hiyori's most powerful weapon is not a sword, but the shamisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument. She uses this instrument not only for entertainment but also to keep her father's memory alive and to uplift her people. Her shamisen performance at the end of the Onigashima battle became a symbol of mourning and rebirth for the people of Wano.
The Bearer of the Strongest Legacy
Kozuki Hiyori is the only person who carries both the moral strength of the people and the honor of the clan in the absence of her father. Although she shares the burden of rebuilding the clan with Momo, Hiyori is actually the more politically astute and balanced one. Her political acumen plays a significant role in shaping Wano's future.
Yakuza Connection
During her time as an Oiran, Hiyori was deeply involved with Kyoshiro (Denjiro), one of Wano's most powerful underground figures. Knowing that Kyoshiro was actually a loyal samurai to the clan kept Hiyori one step ahead in her strategic decisions. This secret alliance became the architect of Orochi's downfall.
May Have Witnessed Her Father's Execution
Although not officially shown, Hiyori's presence in Wano at the time of Oden's execution suggests, according to many fan theories, that she may have witnessed those scenes from afar. This possibility explains her inner anger and her determination to keep her father's memory alive.
A Character Who Only Cries Alone
Despite all the trauma she has endured, Hiyori rarely shows her emotions in public. However, when she is alone—especially when talking about her father or when she is with Zoro—she cannot hold back her tears. This trait highlights her emotional resilience and graceful strength.
The Woman Who Planned Orochi's Death
The plan to kill Orochi is not only the work of the samurai but also a product of Hiyori's intelligence. Reminding Orochi of Oden's words and revealing his true face at the moment of his death creates a calculated and meaningful scene of revenge against her enemy. With this scene, Hiyori completely shatters the passive female image in the story.
Not Possessing Toki's Power
Although her mother Toki is one of the few people capable of time travel, Hiyori did not inherit this power. This makes her the only child who had to live and fight in the past instead of escaping to the future. Hiyori's growth, which took place in the natural flow of time, makes her character development feel deeper and more realistic.
Hiyori's Noble Yet Streetwise Side
Despite carrying the noble blood of the Kozuki family, Hiyori lived for years in a Yoshiwara-like environment. Though she always smiled in the world of the wealthy, she experienced the language, cruelty, and survival struggles of the streets firsthand. This dual life explains both her elegant and tough sides.
Behind the Scenes but Influential in the Onigashima War
Though she didn't participate directly in the battle scenes, Hiyori's contribution to the war was strategic. Under the identity of Komurasaki, she distracted Orochi at the heart of the battle, diverting his attention and leaving him vulnerable. She didn't fight physically like Zoro or the samurai on that stage, but she was the key that brought down the enemy's defenses.
A Symbol of Female Power in Wano
In a patriarchal society like Wano, Hiyori's transformation from an objectified position, such as that of an oiran, to a figure who determines her own destiny sets her apart among female characters. Her story is a symbol of the silent female resistance in Wano.
Hiyori's Clothing and Symbols
The kimonos Hiyori wears are not only aesthetic but also symbolic. The mourning black and gold-detailed outfit she wears after Onigashima represents both her father's memory and the reborn power of the Kozuki clan. She is one of the few One Piece characters who communicates messages through her clothing style.
The Quietest Political Move
While laying the foundations for the new order that will rule Wano after Orochi's downfall, Hiyori's guidance was not through public speeches but through the trust she built behind the scenes with figures like Denjiro. This demonstrates how effective she can be without openly claiming leadership.
“I Am Kozuki Hiyori” Moment
In Orochi's final scene, introducing herself as “Komurasaki” rather than her real name marks the pinnacle of her character transformation. This single sentence is a powerful statement of character, showing that she has left all identity conflicts behind and is no longer running from her past.
The Moment of Deepest Silence: The Yas Performance
After the battle of Onigashima, only one person emerged from the ruins of Wano: Hiyori. The mourning melody she played on the shamisen showcased the character's power of silent expression. This scene contained neither battle nor dialogue, yet its emotional impact was one of the most powerful moments of the episode.
Hiyori's Unspoken Traumas
Her father was burned to death, her mother disappeared over time, her brother vanished into the depths of time, and she herself lived for years at the heart of the enemy's base. Yet these traumas were never elaborated upon. Hiyori's pain is silent, which sets her apart from characters like Luffy or Nami, whose suffering is more overtly dramatic, making her a more human and relatable character.
The Woman Known by Her Mask, Not Her Name
For a long time, fans knew her as “Komurasaki.” Few suspected that she was actually a member of the Kozuki clan until her true identity was revealed. This dual identity added both dramatic power to the character and strategic surprise to the story.
Representing Wano in Place of Her Brother
In the post-war period, it was Hiyori, not Momonosuke, who stepped forward before the people. With this scene, she became the one who restored the honor of the Kozuki name in the eyes of the people and ushered in a new era for Wano. Since Momo's mental age remained that of a child, this transition needed to be made by an adult.