One Piece is rapidly becoming one of the greatest shōnen anime/manga franchises of all time, with its fanbase growing exponentially each year. Much of the credit for this success goes to Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, who consistently delivers exceptional story arcs that are unparalleled in the history of the shōnen genre. As Luffy and the Straw Hat crew edge closer to reaching Raftel, it seems that they are embarking on what could potentially be the final saga of One Piece. One of the key factors that makes One Piece so extraordinary is Oda's ability to keep his audience eagerly anticipating each new development, unveiling them at precisely the right moment.
Oda has a penchant for building suspense and delivering significant revelations that capture the imagination of his readers. Chapter 1080 of One Piece marked another such reveal, as Oda introduced us to the members of the clandestine Marine organization known as Sword. Led by Marine Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, this secretive squadron consists of select Marines, one of whom is the intriguing Navy HQ Commander Hibari. Let's delve into what sets her apart and makes her truly remarkable.
Her Strength And Abilities
Hibari possesses unique and peculiar abilities, making her a highly skilled sniper and proficient in combat with a rifle. She is proficient in long-range support and covertly disarms groups of gunmen. Her arsenal includes Flower Bullets, developed by Dr. Vegapunk, which neutralize enemy guns by jamming their barrels with blossoming flowers. In her role as a Marine Commander and member of the Sword, her skills are considered among the best.
Despite her power and potential as a Marine, Hibari still has a long way to go to become a formidable warrior. She lacks the experience and strength needed to face elite enemies like Kuzan Aokiji, the Tenth Titanic Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates. During an encounter with pirates, she and Koby were victorious but couldn't remove Koby's shackles. To everyone's surprise, Kuzan froze Hibari using his Logia Devil Fruit power. While she may unintentionally become a burden to her teammates due to her limitations in facing stronger opponents, it is important to acknowledge her commendable performance on the battlefield as a young Marine. However, she must surpass her current abilities to avoid becoming a liability and effectively combat formidable foes.
Relationship With Koby
Hibari's Past
She shares a strong bond with her comrade Koby due to his past assistance, details of which remain undisclosed. Her admiration and concern for Koby are evident, as she was the one who implored Marine Rear Admiral Prince Grus, a fellow member of the Sword organization, to take action when Koby was kidnapped by the Blackbeard Pirates. Likewise, Koby values their bond and endeavors to ensure her well-being. Their mutual care is so profound that when Hibari was revived, her first instinct was to inquire about Koby's whereabouts and express apologies to her comrades for feeling like a burden.
Commander Hibari's past remains shrouded in mystery, with little information available. However, it is known that her close comrade, Captain Koby, has played a significant role in her life, earning her deep gratitude. This is evident from her expression of thanks towards him in the chapter. Surprisingly, Oda has yet to disclose any details about her origins or how she came to serve under Garp's leadership in Sword.
Perhaps there is an intriguing untold story from her past that Oda is intentionally keeping hidden until the opportune moment to reveal it. Her name, derived from the Japanese term for the Eurasian Skylark bird, aligns with Oda's pattern of naming female characters in One Piece after different birds. The backgrounds of Oda's characters, including this Sword member, will only be disclosed to fans when Oda deems it appropriate. One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.