Summary
In theOne Pieceseries, the rulers often rely on elite royal guards to protect their thrones and enforce their will. In light of this, the royal guards must be more than just skilled warriors; they must be loyal and have the power to carry out their king’s command because of their role as protectors of their realm.
They are the ultimate line of defence for monarchs and their kingdoms. Still, many of the royal guards inOne Piecepossess different combat prowess in terms of strength, speed and agility, thereby making certain guards stronger than others.
8Cipher Pol
The Silent Executioners For The Celestial Dragons
While Cipher Pol is not a traditional royal guard, they primarily safeguards the interests of the Celestial Dragons and the World Nobles—essentially acting as their personal enforcers and royal guards. They are the most elite intelligence and enforcement agency under the World Government. What sets Cipher Pol apart from the people in the Marines is their sheer lethality and mystery.Each member of the Cipher Pol is highly skilled, mastering advanced combat techniques like Rokushiki, Haki and espionage.
They have individuals like Rob Lucci, Kaku, and Stussy who have strong abilities, especially with their devil fruit power. Lucci, in particular, has demonstrated his monstrous strength pre and post-time skip, holding his own against one of the most powerful characters, Monkey D. Luffy. Lucci fought againstGear 5 Luffy, and even though he couldn’t keep up, it showed that he was also a strong fighter in the series. Cipher Pol are more than just royal guards; they are a symbol of the World Government’s iron grip, operating in the shadows and deploying overwhelming force when necessary.
7Inuarashi
The Daylight Beast Of Zou
nuarashi, also known as Duke Dogstorm, is undoubtedly one of the strongest of the Akazaya Nine. He isthe second ruler of the Mokomo Dukedom on Zou. Inuarashi has a great mastery of swordsmanship, and his use of Electro, a signature combat technique of the Mink Tribe, makes him a fearsome opponent. In hisSulong form, triggered under a full moon, Inuarashi’s power increases exponentially, allowing him to fight on par with any formidable opponent.
He led the Minks in the battle against Kaido’s forces and even stood toe-to-toe with Jack the Drought, one of Kaido’s top commanders. Despite the physical toll of his injuries from Jack’s earlier invasion of Zou, Inuarashi fought valiantly and finally defeated Jack in a climactic one-on-one battle during the raid. Also, what truly defines Inuarashi is his loyalty to the Kozuki family. As part of the Akazaya Nine, he is a protector of theKozuki royal family, which is why he showed his loyalty to Momonosuke after his father’s death.
6Ashura Doji
The Wild Samurai Of Wano
Ashura Doji’s physical power is on par with some of the most dangerous fighters in Wano. He returned to being a criminal under the name Shuntemaru after Oden’s death, but even this drawback did not reduce his combat prowess. Ashura was once a key figure among the Akazaya Nine, a group sworn to protect Wano and its royal bloodline.
During the plan to raid Onigashima, the other samurais searched for him as they knew the combination of his strength, skill, and resilience would make them almost invincible. Ashura’s loyalty to Oden and Wano places him in a similar vein to that of other royal guards in the series. Also, his actions and sacrifices during the Wano Arc solidify his place among the elite warriors of the series.
5Denjiro
Wano’s Silent Protector
Denjiro’s swordsmanship is nothing short of elite, placing him among the finest warriors in Wano. As one of Oden’s most trusted retainers, his skill is comparable to other top-tier swordsmen in the series. However, what sets Denjiro apart from many warriors is his intelligence and cunningness. After Oden’s death, he took on the persona of Kyoshiro, infiltrating Orochi’s inner circle while secretly working to sabotage him. This double life required patience and discipline, which are essential for a royal guard. When Orochi orders him to kill Komurasaki, who was Oden’s daughter, Denjiro’s excellent swordsmanship makes it seem like he actually killed her when he did not.
Despite watching Wano suffer under Orochi and Kaido, Denjiro never wavered in his commitment to Oden’s legacy. For 20 years, he bided his time, waiting for the right moment to strike back against Orochi and Kaido while safeguarding Wano’s future. This also shows that Denjiro’s strength extends beyond his combat prowess; he also possesses extraordinary mental resilience.
4Kyros
The Unyielding Gladiator Of Dressrosa
Kyros stands as one of the strongest royal guards in the series. His remarkable story and physicality in combat make him a standout character. He was a former Colosseum gladiator and a Dressrosa legend, winning 3,000 consecutive battles. After being freed by King Riku and appointed captain of the kingdom’s army, he became a protector ofDressrosa’s royal family.
In the aftermath of the tragedy that befell Dressrosa, Kyros still tries in his very little way to protect his daughter, Rebecca, and the kingdom. After Sugar transforms him into a toy soldier, Kyros still retains his extraordinary combat skills. Also, despite the physical limitation of having only one leg, he defeated Diamante, one ofDonquixote Doflamingo’stop executives.
3Kawamatsu
The Fishman Karate Samurai
Kawamatsu’s mastery of fish-man karate sets him apart in the Akazaya 9 group and any combat. His ability to manipulate water adds a powerful versatility to his fighting style. During the raid on Onigashima, Kawamatsu showed his fighting style by cutting through hordes of Kaido’s subordinates with ease.
His combination of swordsmanship and fish-man karate makes him one of the most adaptable warriors in the Scabbards. Despite spending over a decade imprisoned and subjected to harsh conditions in Udon, he remained mentally and physically strong. While imprisoned, he still maintained his fighting spirit. His ability to endure starvation and mistreatment without losing his edge speaks volumes about how strong he is, coupled with his mental resilience.
2Pell
The Sacred Guardian Of Alabasta
Pell served underKing Cobra and Princess Vivi of Alabasta.His Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Falcon is a zoan-type devil fruit that transforms him into a falcon. His speed, aerial agility, and physical capabilities make him a versatile and formidable warrior, valuable during any battle. His ability to manoeuvre through the skies makes him Alabasta’s ultimate guardian. During the civil war in Alabasta, Pell played a huge role in scouring the sky, making him quickly respond to threats across the kingdom.
However, what truly defines Pell is his heroism. During the climax of the Alabasta arc, he portrayed his selflessness, which is a great quality of a royal guard. WhenBaroque Worksplanted a massive bomb in the capital city of Alubarna, Pell flew the explosive high into the sky to save countless lives, fully prepared to sacrifice himself for his people. This act cemented him as not just a strong warrior but also a noble protector. Although Pell miraculously survived, his actions left a lasting impression, highlighting his dedication to the royal family and the people of Alabasta.
1Dalton
The Iron Bison Of Drum Island
Dalton was the former head of the royal guards under King Wapol, and he had great strength, especially with the aid of his Ushi Ushi no Mizoan-type devil fruit. His devil fruit allows him to transform into a bison, thus granting him enhanced strength, durability, and speed. This ability makes him a formidable fighter. Also, Dalton’s true strength lies in his moral compass and dedication to the people of the Drum Kingdom, especially after the fall of Wapol.
Dalton stood up to protect the citizens when Wapol’s tyranny drove the kingdom to ruin. After Wapol’s exile, he became a symbol of hope and strength. Even when Wapol returned to Drum Kingdom, he stood against his tyranny and faced his armies head-on to protect the people. His transition from loyal guard to the status of a king speaks to his integrity and strength when it comes to protecting the kingdom.
