Joy Boy’s Pirate Crew: The Key to Understanding the D. Clan and its Members’ Fates

Although Eiichiro Oda has not heavily focused on it in the series, the Will of D remains one of the most intriguing mysteries in One Piece. Fans believe that this enigmatic ‘D’ represents a clan whose members share common traits such as their distinct laughter. While this theory may hold merit, a closer examination through the perspective of JoyBoy, the first pirate, sheds more light on the significance of the ‘D’.

The presence of individuals such as Saul D Jaguar and Nefartari D Lili serves as evidence that ‘D’ is not a clan, but rather a collective of individuals who are devoted to following JoyBoy.

Exploring the Meaning of ‘D’ in One Piece

Saul as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Will of D in One Piece is a hereditary determination that has been passed down through generations within the D clan, which was part of the Ancient Kingdom during the Void Century. With the introduction of JoyBoy as the first pirate and Emeth’s recognition of the significance of the letter ‘D’, it became clear that this will is likely linked to the Ancient Kingdom.

Despite the Will of D being attributed to the D clan, it is possible that this belief is flawed due to the fact that not all members with this initial in their names share the same race and background. For instance, while Saul D. Jaguar was a giant affiliated with the World Government, others such as Luffy, Dragon, and Roger are humans.

A visual of Lili as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

In the same vein, it can be noted that Nefartari D Lili, the initial ruler of the Arabasta Kingdom, was a member of the opposing faction of the Ancient Kingdom. This faction, known as the First Twenty Kingdoms, was responsible for the downfall of the Ancient Kingdom. This suggests that the D clan was not simply a traditional clan, but rather a collective of individuals who banded together. Some may even view the D as a pirate crew.

After JoyBoy, the first pirate of the Grand Line, was revealed, the Will of D gained more significance as it was possible that D was the name of his pirate crew. Therefore, the Will of D could potentially be the Will of the Dawn Pirates, the first pirate crew of the Grand Line. Similar to the Whitebeard Pirates, they were united by their will rather than by blood.

It is clear that Saul’s role is more apparent, as he could have easily joined the World Government for information. However, Nefartari D Lili remains an enigma, as she was publicly revealed as a D member by King Cobra in front of Imu. Imu had previously viewed Lili’s involvement in spreading Poneglyphs as a mistake, but Cobra’s revelation solidified Lili’s true intentions.

Imu's thinking of Nefartari D Lili (Image via Shueisha) — Imu’s thinking of Nefartari D Lili (Image via Shueisha)

Therefore, it is possible that Lili’s true involvement in this situation was as a covert member of the D clan who assisted JoyBoy in disseminating the Poneglpyhs. This is supported by her possession of the Paw-Paw fruit. Her role can be likened to that of Nefartari Vivi, who, despite not being an official member of the Straw Hats, shared a bond with them in the Arabasta arc through the X mark.

Finally, a defining trait shared by those who carry the Will of D is their distinct laugh before meeting their demise. This laughter has been observed in the majority of the D clan’s descendants, making Kozuki Oden a member of this pirate crew as he too passed away with a wide grin on his face.

It is possible that this could connect him to a potential member of the Dawn Pirates, who were also part of the Kozuki clan. This clan was responsible for creating the Poneglyphs, which could suggest that Oden may have been a member of the D clan, despite not having the initial in his name.

The Evil in D

Marshall D Teech as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite being one of the last antagonists in One Piece and bearing the initial D in his name, Blackbeard’s inclusion in the group of liberators may seem contradictory. However, this recurring theme has been present since the beginning of the series. To understand why, we must first examine the striking similarities between the journeys of JoyBoy and Oden in One Piece.

Despite their differing approaches to ruling, Oden and JoyBoy were both revolutionary leaders who ultimately met the same fate. After fighting for their respective kingdoms, they both perished, causing chaos in their lands. Interestingly, they both left behind instructions for their loyal followers (the Nine Scabbards and Emeth) to carry on their legacies.

Just like how Kanjuro betrayed Oden and his followers, the Dawn Pirates may have also had a traitor among them whose descendants inherited his beliefs. These beliefs were then passed on to Marshall D Teech.

Final Thoughts

It is possible that a flashback from the Void Century of One Piece could shed light on the origins of the Dawn Pirates, as there are notable similarities between Oden and JoyBoy. This flashback may be even more significant than Oden’s, as it would explore the history of the ancestors of current pirates such as Luffy, Law, and Teech.