One Piece: How Marines Recruiting Strengthens the Revolutionary Army’s Position

As the highly anticipated two-week hiatus for Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece series comes to a close, fans are greeted with exciting news. A special Q&A session featuring Oda has been released, shining a spotlight on various subjects including the formidable Saint Garling Figarland, the intricacies of the Cross Guild bounty system, and more, responding to questions selected by the loyal fanbase.

Insights into the World Military Draft

One particularly captivating exchange arose from question eight, which delved into the origins of Admirals Fujitora and Ryokugyu and their enlistment in the Marines via the World Military Draft. Oda provided a comprehensive response, which not only clarified the process but also sparked a significant debate regarding the practicality of the Draft itself.

According to Oda, nations aligned with the One Piece World Government maintain their own military forces for protection. The World Military Draft efficiently funnels the strongest soldiers from these national ranks into the Marines, resulting in personnel capable of reaching Admiral-level prowess, exemplified by Fujitora and Ryokugyu.

Consequences of the Draft on National Security

However, Oda’s conclusion casts a shadow over this military strategy. He draws attention to the “Eight-Nation Revolution,”a major uprising triggered by the Revolutionary Army’s incursion into Mariejois during the Reverie. It is suggested that the Draft significantly weakened the defensive capabilities of individual nations, ultimately facilitating the success of these revolts.

This assertion by Oda can be interpreted as a canonical endorsement of the Draft’s detrimental effects. Individual countries lucky enough to cultivate warriors of the caliber of Fujitora and Ryokugyu may find such talents emerging only once a generation. The absence of these elite soldiers, due to conscription, undeniably compromises national security, particularly against internal threats like revolutions.

Moreover, while the series’ Devil Fruit powers are significant in crafting formidable warriors, having access to these abilities doesn’t guarantee strength. This sentiment holds especially true in the post-time-skip narrative, where the availability of Armament Haki can neutralize even the mightiest of Logia-type fighters. Accordingly, nations struggle not only to find but also to retain powerful defenders for their homeland.

The Irony of Draft-induced Insurrection

Removing capable warriors from a nation’s defense could ironically instigate revolutionary schemes that may not have surfaced otherwise. Thus, the World Military Draft emerges as a catalyst for uprisings, if not their outright instigator.

It is plausible to suggest that leaders such as Imu and the Gorosei are fully aware of these repercussions yet remain indifferent. This attitude aligns perfectly with the overarching philosophies and moral compass exhibited by the Celestial Dragons and other upper echelon figures of the World Government.

Conclusion

The Revolutionary Army may benefit the most from the World Military Draft (Image via Toei Animation)

In summary, while it is strategically sound for the World Government to consolidate their member nations’ strongest fighters, this tactic proves detrimental. The resulting vacuum left in national defenses renders countries vulnerable to both internal and external threats, such as the Revolutionary Army. Nonetheless, the World Government seems unlikely to alter its course, remaining steadfast in its mission to eradicate piracy as part of its broader agenda.

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