Starting with Luffy, the main character of the One Piece series, all members of the Monkey D. family are known for their immense power and notoriety. Garp, Luffy's grandfather, is revered as the greatest Marine in history, and Dragon, Luffy's father, holds the position of leader within the infamous Revolutionary Army.
A commonly accepted theory suggests that prior to establishing the Revolutionary Army, Dragon served as a Marine. However, upon uncovering the corruption within the World Government, he made the decision to depart from the Navy.
One Piece 1097 confirms Dragon's past as a Marine. Being planned for its official release on November 6, 2023, reliable leaker @Pewpiece has provided the first spoilers which reveal significant information regarding Luffy's father.
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from chapter 1097 of the One Piece manga.
The first spoilers of One Piece chapter 1097 reveal the truth about Monkey D. Dragon's past
The mysterious leader of the Revolutionary Army
Luffy's father, Dragon, is not only the founder but also the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the sole military force committed to overthrowing the despotic World Government. He is widely known as "The World's Worst Criminal".
Dragon's fighting skills remain undisclosed, but as the most powerful member of the Revolutionary Army and with his family ties to Garp and Luffy, it is undeniable that his strength is considerable. Emporio Ivankov, a prominent Revolutionary Army member, even predicted that Luffy's possession of Conqueror's Haki was expected due to his blood connection to Dragon. This suggests that Dragon possesses the same innate power.
Dragon, a young Dragon residing in Rogue Town, is depicted alongside other individuals who would later become prominent figures in the world (Image via Toei Animation).
Even now, the details surrounding Dragon's formative years remain shrouded in mystery. The son of the esteemed "Marine Hero" Monkey D. Garp, who stands as the sole Navy officer capable of matching Gol D. Roger in combat, Dragon was born in the Goa Kingdom 55 years prior to the ongoing events in the One Piece series.
Approximately 24 years ago, Dragon, who was 31 years old at the time, resided in Rogue Town. Coincidentally, Dragon had the opportunity to witness the execution of Roger alongside other notable figures such as "Red Hair" Shanks and "Hawk Eyes" Dracule Mihawk. According to the insights provided by One Piece chapter 1097 spoilers, it is now apparent that Dragon was once a member of the Marine organization. However, he made the decision to depart from the institution upon discovering that it did not genuinely uphold justice as it claimed. It is worth mentioning that the leaked information does not specify the exact duration of Dragon's tenure within the Navy.
Did Dragon leave the Marines after the Ohara Incident?
It is widely acknowledged that shortly after the Ohara Incident, which occurred 22 years prior to the present narrative, Dragon had already become a rebel. Therefore, it can be inferred that he potentially departed from the Navy after witnessing or even participating in that horrific event.
Renowned as "The World's Worst Criminal," the Dragon is infamous in the One Piece universe. While each member of the Monkey D. family has pursued freedom through distinct avenues, they are all vibrant and independent individuals who have achieved great prominence in the world of One Piece.
Garp has constantly strived to navigate the conflict between his sense of pride as a member of the Navy and his personal moral beliefs. This internal struggle has brought him immense anguish, particularly when attempting to fulfill his responsibilities as a Marine while being a part of a family of outlaws.
This inner conflict was painfully evident during the Paramount War. Faced with the Navy's intention to execute his adoptive grandson Ace, Garp was torn between choosing sides. Overwhelmed with emotion, he shed tears and pleaded with Ace, questioning why he couldn't have embraced the path of a Marine instead.
In fact, Garp attempted to persuade both Luffy and Ace to enlist in the Navy, yet they ultimately opted for divergent paths. However, according to the revealed spoilers of One Piece 1097, it is rumored that Garp possessed a greater sway over Dragon.
Garp, known for his independent approach, remains committed to the Marines and takes great pride in his affiliation. In contrast, Dragon eventually decides to part ways with the organization. While both father and son hold a strong distaste for the malevolent Celestial Dragons, it is only Dragon who actively strives for their overthrow.
Similar to Garp, Dragon is an incredibly compassionate individual who deeply values both his subordinates and those suffering under oppression. At a pivotal moment, Dragon rescues Sabo, who later becomes his trusted second-in-command within the Revolutionary Army.
The Revolutionary Army was established during the five-year period between Roger's demise twenty-four years ago and Luffy's birth nineteen years ago. According to the One Piece Vivre Card Databook, Dragon, now 55 years old, initiated the organization when he was between the ages of 31 and 36. It was during a pivotal moment in his life that Dragon became aware of the world's corruption and felt compelled to undertake the responsibility of effecting positive change, thus giving rise to the creation of the Revolutionary Army.
The Buster Call on Ohara (Image via Toei Animation)
Approximately 19 to 24 years preceding the ongoing narrative of One Piece, the Ohara Incident occurred 22 years ago. It is plausible that this significant event altered Dragon's perspective on life, leading him to depart from the Navy.
Regarding this matter, the Five Elders, upon discovering the Ohara scholars' research on Poneglyphs, issued a Buster Call on the island. Tragically, nearly all of Ohara's inhabitants, including innocent individuals, perished in this event, leaving Nico Robin and the recently disclosed survivor, Jaguar D. Saul. Of the five Vice Admirals tasked with executing the Buster Call, only two, the subsequent Admirals Kuzan "Aokiji" and Sakazuki "Akainu", were seen. The identities of the remaining three Vice Admirals have yet to be revealed.
Akainu and Dragon, both 55 years old, share the same age. Given that Dragon's departure from the Navy coincided with the Ohara Incident, it is highly plausible that Akainu was among the Vice Admirals involved in the Buster Call.
Vegapunk and Dragon approximately 22 years ago (Image via Shueisha/Colored by JLjarx)
Given Dragon's inherent potential, it would not have been unusual for him to stand shoulder to shoulder with prominent figures like Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji as one of the Marine's most gifted young officers. With his capabilities, he could have effortlessly ascended to the position of Vice Admiral.
Yet, driven by revulsion towards the Ohara Incident, Dragon chose to abandon the Marines and defy the World Government. It is likely that Dragon willingly joined the Buster Call operation without comprehending its full extent, assuming that innocent civilians would not be implicated.
Still, it's a verified truth that Dragon maintained a friendship with Clover, an esteemed Ohara scholar. Despite being aware of Clover's alleged agenda to annihilate the world, Dragon steadfastly dismissed such propaganda.
The Revolutionary Army's prominent individuals presently (Image via Toei Animation)
A few months following Clover's demise and the annihilation of Ohara's entire population, Dragon traveled to the devastated island to honor the victims of the massacre. While there, he crossed paths with Dr. Vegapunk and expressed his desire to establish a formidable force that could prevent the World Government from repeating such heinous acts.
Thus, it is quite plausible that Dragon chose to leave the Navy due to his awareness of their intentions for Ohara. Understanding that his efforts alone would not suffice in averting future tragedies, he resolved to cast aside his inherent opposition to war.
Dragon, Ivankov, Kuma, and Ginny's shared past in One Piece 1097
Later on, he established his own group, known as the Freedom Fighters, with the aim of confronting the World Government directly in warfare. However, at a later point, Dragon made the decision to form the Revolutionary Army.
As per the spoilers of One Piece chapter 1097, around two decades ago, Dragon's Freedom Fighters launched an assault on the Sorbet Kingdom with the intention of dethroning its oppressive monarch, who had been subjecting the populace to mistreatment.
Fascinated by Dragon and delighted to reunite with his former comrade Ivankov, who had also been a part of the Freedom Fighters, young Bartholomew Kuma made the decision to join the group. It is highly probable that Ginny also joined the Freedom Fighters alongside Kuma.
According to recent leaks, it has been revealed that 14 years prior to the current events in One Piece, Kuma and Ginny held prominent positions in Dragon's Revolutionary Army, alongside Ivankov.
Additionally, the spoilers disclose that during this period, Dragon received information about Ginny's abduction. Although the chapter does not specify the identity of the kidnapper, it is widely believed to be Sakazuki "Akainu".
Given Akainu's brutal methods and the absence of any portrayal or discussion of Ginny in current times, it is conceivable that he is responsible for her demise, thereby fueling the deep-rooted animosity between him and Dragon. Stay tuned for further developments in the One Piece manga, anime, and live-action series throughout 2023.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled about the latest revelation in One Piece chapter 1097, which confirms the long-standing theory that Monkey D. Dragon, Luffy's father, indeed had a history with the Marines. This disclosure adds depth to Dragon's character and sheds light on his motivations as the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
It's intriguing to learn that Dragon was once part of the Marines, as it suggests a disillusionment with the organization that led him to rebel and establish the Revolutionary Army. This revelation raises many questions about Dragon's past experiences and the events that shaped his ideology. It also makes me wonder about the potential connections and conflicts between Dragon and other Marine characters, such as his father, Garp.
Overall, I believe this revelation adds complexity to the One Piece storyline and provides exciting possibilities for future developments. I can't wait to see how Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, explores Dragon's past and its implications on the ongoing narrative.