One Pieceis going strong as always with its popularity increasing more and more as the days pass. It has been able to gain even more fans worldwide withthe Wano Country Arcreaching its climax in the anime adaptation and the Egghead Island Arc taking an interesting set of turns in the manga with the latest chapters simultaneously unfolding and creating numerous mysteries about various people and things. On one hand, the fans got to see the Heart Pirates led by Trafalgar Law face off against the Blackbeard Pirates led by Marshal D. Teach, on the other hand, the Straw Hat Pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy teaming up with the Cipher Pol 0 agents Rob Lucci and Kaku against the Seraphims on the Egghead Island.
As the story ofOne Pieceis proceeding, the fans were taken to Hachinosu aka Pirate Island which is currently one of the four emperors of the sea,Marshal D. Teach’s territory. Blackbeard Pirates had captured Koby along with several other Marines and the Sword, a secret agency within the Marines and its leader and Vice-Admiral Monkey D. Garp launched an attack on the Pirate Island to free and save the latter’s favorite disciple and other Marines. However, with this situation rises an important question that whether Koby will ever be able to match and even surpass his teacher or be able to become his rightful successor.
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From Fright to Fight
Koby is one of the side characters with incredible character development over throughout the story ofOne Piece. He was first introduced to the fans in chapter 2 of the manga and the very first episode of the anime adaptation. Initially, Koby was shown as a crybaby ship caretaker of the Alvida Pirates who was in constant fear of the crew and their captain. Then, he met Luffy who perceived him as a timid, stupid, and wimpy kid, however, the two traveled together for some time and Luffy inspired Koby to become a more confident person. After some years passed,Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garptook Koby under his wing and the latter became the former’s disciple. Throughout his training under Garp, Koby witnessed numerous changes in his overall personality including the element of self-confidence channeling through his personality which was missing earlier.
Even though Koby has become quite strong and brave unlike his previous self, he is still a very polite, emotional, and compassionate person who gets all teared up in an emotional situation. However, Koby’s greatest strength is his commitment to become a real Marine that delivers justice in non-arbitrary ways, and without exploiting the normal citizens. He does not act recklessly instead, makes sure to attempt to neutralize the situation for instance he even confrontedAdmiral Akainu during the war at the Marinefordand brought the war to a standstill even after knowing the latter could have killed him under the rage. Since that point, Koby’s life, his character traits, and his strength have been changing for good.
Filling Garp’s Shoes
Garp is undoubtedly one of the most famous and important characters in theOne Pieceuniverse. He is revered by the Marine Corps and is considered a Marine hero. In terms of strength, Garp is one of the most powerful people inOne Piece, and it would not be an exaggeration to call him an equivalent of theformer King of Pirates, Gol D. Roger, in terms of raw strength and the Haki skills. He remains one of the two marines that Roger considered worth his time, the other one being the former fleet Admiral of the Marines.
Garp has endured a great deal of painthroughout his life that too not just physical but mental too as he had to face some of the most emotionally taxing circumstances that one could be in. He had to see his grandson Ace die by execution at the hands of the Marines at the Marineford, and he was so helpless because of his duty as a vice admiral that he could not do anything to save Ace’s life. He also has other important duties to fulfill apart from his role as a Vice Admiral like leading the special agency within the Marines called Sword.
AlthoughKoby has overcome his demonsto a great extent he still has miles to go especially if there comes a time when he has to replace Monkey D. Garp and become the latter’s successor not just in terms of his position in the Marine Corps but also as an important figure in theOne Pieceuniverse.
Koby will have to train way more and attain an enormous amount of strength emotional and physical if he wants to fulfill Garp’s shoes as it is not easyto become a Marine heroand that too, a righteous one. With the recent events involving Garp and the rest of the sword coming to rescue Koby from the Pirate Island, Koby has to understand that he cannot keep risking the lives of his teammates by relying on them too much. He has to become smarter, stronger, and calmer which is the only way he could perhaps be able to succeed Garp one day.
