What is Shichibukai?
Shichibukai was a highly controversial system established by the World Government to balance its power over the seas. The pirates who were part of this system were officially pardoned, but they still acted in their own interests. This group, limited to seven members, maintained an unusual balance with both sailors and other pirates. In other words, they were both part of the system and individuals who exploited its flaws.
This structure represented an order where justice and chaos were intertwined. A Shichibukai, despite being a pirate, could commit crimes that the World Government “turned a blind eye to.” In return, the government would utilize these pirates for certain tasks. The system's influence was particularly evident during the Marineford War.
The Number of Members Never Reached Seven
Although theoretically referred to as the “Seven Warlords,” the number never reached seven during most of the series. The system was always unstable due to reasons such as some members being removed from their positions or offers being made to others but not accepted. This also highlights how loosely the system was governed.
Mihawk Never Faced a Challenge
Hawk Eyes Dracule Mihawk, despite being a Shichibukai, never participated in operations on behalf of the World Government like the other members. In fact, he was rarely seen taking on any missions at all. However, his symbolic power was so great that the government kept him in the system to maintain a balance of fear.
Crocodile Was Protected as a Shichibukai During His Plans in Alabasta
Crocodile, the mastermind behind Baroque Works, was still holding the title of Shichibukai while planning a coup in the Alabasta Kingdom. This means that the World Government either failed to notice or chose to ignore such a plot unfolding right under their noses. This situation is one of the most concrete examples of how uncontrolled the Shichibukai system was.
Doflamingo's Threat Was Greater Than Even the Government's
Donquixote Doflamingo, beyond being a Shichibukai, had information that could threaten even the government because he came from a former Tenryuubito family. When he threatened to resign using the secrets of Mary Geoise, no one dared to challenge his immunity. This situation shows that the Shichibukai are not puppets of the government, but rather those who occasionally hold the strings.
Jinbe's Refusal of the Mission Turned into a Criticism of the System
Jinbe, who refused to join the Marineford War with Whitebeard, lost his Shichibukai title but retained his honor. This behavior was a striking example showing that the system operates not solely on power but on a balance of loyalty and interests.
Kuma's Dehumanization Was a State Project
Bartholomew Kuma's decision to hand over his body to Vegapunk while he was a Shichibukai was not just the choice of an individual. He was the first victim of the Pacifista production project, which was fully supported by the government. Kuma's transformation exposed the system's tendency to view its members as mere “tools.”
Boa Hancock's Strategy to Protect Amazon Lily
Boa Hancock accepted the title of Shichibukai solely to protect the island of Amazon Lily from the World Government. Unlike others, she did not actively utilize this system; instead, she chose to remain within it solely to avoid external threats. From this perspective, Hancock's status as a Shichibukai was more of a diplomatic maneuver than a display of power.
Buggy's Promotion Was Purely a Matter of Perception
Buggy, who happened to be at the center of the chaos in Impel Down and Marineford, gained the title of Shichibukai thanks to his misinterpreted charisma. However, he lacked both the strength and discipline required for this role. Nevertheless, his influence on the public and the “legendary escapee” image created by the media were enough to convince even the government.
He Used the Blackbeard System and Left Immediately
Marshall D. Teach joined the Shichibukai system solely to gain easy access to Impel Down. After achieving his goal, he voluntarily stepped down from his position and immediately joined the Pirate League. This serves as a textbook example of how the system can be cleverly manipulated by a pirate.
Weevil's Temporary Membership Was a Complete Mystery
Edward Weevil's announcement as a Shichibukai was quite unclear in terms of both timing and reasoning. He was given the title based solely on his strength, without even his claim to be “Whitebeard's son” being properly verified. However, he neither took on a proper role nor established any connections with other members of the system. His presence felt like a desperate attempt to expand the system in its final stages.
Trafalgar Law Joined the System Knowingly, Destroyed It Knowingly
Law's acceptance of the Shichibukai title was not a mere act of self-interest. This move was the first step in a larger plan to approach Doflamingo and overthrow Kaido. In other words, Law joined the system to undermine it from within. His presence as a Shichibukai also demonstrated how hollow that title truly was.
Garp Had Criticized the System from the Start
Monkey D. Garp, initially hailed as a hero, never supported the Shichibukai system. He consistently referred to the agreements made with these pirates as “the product of a corrupt system.” Garp's stance revealed that even within the Marines, the system was being questioned and that not everyone was convinced by its structure.
The Marineford War Was the Peak and Downfall of the System
The Marineford War was the period when the Shichibukai system was both most effective and most criticized. Members such as Mihawk, Doflamingo, Kuma, and Hancock participated in this war with different intentions. This diversity exposed the inconsistent nature of the system: Those fighting under the same banner had opposing goals.
Pacifista Began with Shichibukai Clones
Vegapunk's Pacifista project was initially launched using Bartholomew Kuma as a base. However, the long-term plan was to utilize the data and abilities of other powerful Shichibukai members in these machines as well. This indicated that the government had already begun producing backups to eliminate its members one day.
Hancock's Stubborn Resistance Turned Back the Buster Call
When the Shichibukai system was abolished, Amazon Lily came under direct threat of attack. However, Boa Hancock's firm and resolute stance, which halted the navy, caused a Buster Call to be withdrawn. This incident revealed that Hancock was not only a political but also a military deterrent.
The Shichibukai System Was Never the Same After the War
Although the system technically continued after Marineford, its credibility was gone. The World Government had paid a heavy price for this “temporary trust” in pirates. In the eyes of the people and the Marines, this system was now nothing more than a loophole open to abuse.
Fujitora's Open Opposition Ended the System
After the Donquixote Doflamingo incident, Fujitora openly demanded the abolition of the Shichibukai system at the Reverie meeting. As a Marine officer, it was highly unusual for him to make such a direct challenge against the government. However, it was effective, and the system was eventually completely abolished.
With the System's Abolition, Everyone's True Colors Were Revealed
When the Shichibukai status was abolished, it became clear that some of these members were genuinely trying to protect the people, while others were there solely for their own gain. While figures like Hancock protected their people, others like Buggy began leading new pirate alliances.
The System Actually Made Pirates More Dangerous
The Shichibukai system granted powerful pirates freedom of movement, enabling them to become more organized and strategic. Members like Doflamingo and Crocodile used the system's protection to build extensive criminal networks over the years. This demonstrates that the system ultimately backfired.
The Name “Shichibukai” Was a Political Mask
Although the Japanese-origin term ‘Shichibukai’ sounds like “seven noble warriors,” this name was far from reflecting reality and served as a propaganda tool. These pirates were neither noble nor orderly. This title was a linguistic reflection of the government's strategy to “legitimize” pirates.
The Collapse of the System Marked the Beginning of a New Era
The removal of the Shichibukai created a power vacuum, leading to the emergence of new organizations like the Cross Guild. Pirates no longer collaborated with the government but directly competed against it. This structure, centered around Buggy, signaled the long-term collapse of the system.
Some Members Never Appeared in the Spotlight
Throughout the years of the system, some Shichibukai remained only in documents, never appearing on screen or directly participating in the story. This gave the impression that the government occasionally added names just to make it seem like the seats were filled. It was clear that the seven powerful figures were not always active.
Even the Shichibukai Status Could Not Match Their Combat Power
At Marineford, despite being Shichibukai, powerful figures like Crocodile, Mihawk, or Doflamingo were overshadowed by independent characters like Luffy or Whitebeard during the battle. This demonstrated that the symbolic weight of the system did not hold much sway in actual combat.
The Outside World Saw the Shichibukai as “Traitorous Pirates”
In remote regions like West Blue or North Blue, the people viewed Shichibukai members as traitorous figures who collaborated with the government despite being pirates. This perception deepened further when the crimes committed by Crocodile and Doflamingo were exposed.
Vegapunk Responded to the System's Vacuum with Technology
When the Shichibukai were abolished, Vegapunk filled the power vacuum with clone warriors called Seraphim. Interestingly, these new-generation weapons were directly produced from the DNA of the former Shichibukai. In other words, the pirates' bodies became the government's new weapons.
The System's Most Failed Member: Gekko Moria
Gekko Moria, the master of Thriller Bark, was a figure who, despite being a Shichibukai on paper, did not deserve this role either tactically or ideologically. His lost battles, his escapes from reckonings, and his eventual defeat by Blackbeard showed that he was the most failed example of this system.
Mihawk Was a Real Monster in the Eyes of the People
Mihawk was the figure among the Shichibukai members that the people feared the most. This was because his existence was not based on rumors. Stories such as him silencing an entire village with just a glance and splitting a navy ship in two with a single blow had become legends close to reality. This fear was the reason the government had to negotiate with him.
Shichibukai Was the Name of the Government's Compulsory Respect for Criminals
This system symbolized a contradictory strategy: the government collaborating with those who disrupt order to maintain order. The government attempted to rein in pirates it couldn't defeat directly by granting them titles. But more often than not, it was the pirates who ended up controlling the situation.
What Remained as the System Collapsed?
With the collapse of the Shichibukai system, the World Government lost its credibility, the people felt betrayed once again, and the pirates renewed their faith in their own strength. The system's role in the story is not merely political; it is unforgettable in terms of character development, power dynamics, and moral conflicts.