Koby's words on Luffy in One Piece's latest chapter aren't about stopping him, but saving the Marines

Modified Aug 10, 2024 09:30 GMT

In the latest chapter of One Piece, Koby is set on going all out against Luffy, and fans are divided. At first glance, it seems like Koby is just trying to stop Luffy’s plans, but a closer look shows that his real concern is the stability of the Marines. Koby’s motivations are tied to how the world views pirates and Marines in One Piece.

Historically, pirates were the bad guys, and now they’re the heroes, and Marines are getting scrutinized and distrusted. This chaos is threatening to tear apart the whole order and justice that the Marines represent. Koby’s opposition to Luffy is not just personal; it’s an existential fear for the Marines and a desperate attempt to save them from the chaos and changing world.

One Piece: Koby determination for stopping Luffy from achieving his dream

A manga panel from the latest chapter (Image via Shueisha)

In chapter 1122, Koby’s actions have brought up a lot of questions about his goals and the One Piece world. Koby was introduced in chapter 2 as a prisoner of Alvida and was freed by Luffy and then joined the Marines. Despite liking Luffy, he’s determined to stop Luffy from achieving his dream. So the question is, why does Koby, who likes Luffy, stop him?

Koby as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

To answer this, we need to look at the moral landscape of the One Piece world. It’s easy to call Luffy’s enemies bad guys, but the truth is more complex. This moral ambiguity is a common theme in the manga, and the recent events on Egghead Island are a good example. Characters like Vegapunk and Imu are the embodiment of this complexity; the line between hero and villain is blurred.

One Piece: Duality of Vegapunk and Imu

Dr. Vegapunk, for instance, is depicted as a character with both noble and selfish desires. While he has created inventions with humanitarian purposes, such as turning artillery shells into flowers and sacrificing himself for Kuma's sake, his scientific endeavors are often driven by ego.

His creation of the SMILE fruits and his collaboration with the World Government, known for its atrocities, further complicate his moral standing. Vegapunk is aware of the potential harm his inventions could cause, as evidenced by his acknowledgment that he "flew too close to the sun."

Imu’s actions like Lulusia’s destruction make them seem like an evil force, but Vegapunk’s uncertainty about Imu’s intentions makes fans wonder if there’s more to it. The One Piece world is full of characters that can’t be put into “good” or “evil” categories. There are good pirates and bad Marines and vice versa, so morality in this world isn’t determined by affiliation but by inner conviction.

Koby's wish to preserve order in the One Piece

Monkey D. Luffy (Image via Toei Animation)

From the perspective of the people in the One Piece world, the roles of pirates and Marines are being reversed. Historically, pirates are villains, and Marines are the guardians of justice. But as Luffy, a pirate, becomes a hero in the eyes of the people and the Marines are seen as corrupt, this notion is being turned upside down. This could lead to chaos and collapse of the world if the people lose trust in the Marines.

Monkey D. Garp (Image via Toei Animation)

Koby knows this and is driven by the need to save the Marines and prevent the world from going into anarchy. His goal isn’t to stop Luffy but to save the world. In this sense, Koby’s actions aren’t just about opposing Luffy but to keep the world from collapsing into chaos.

Final thoughts

Koby's statements in the latest chapter reveal his deeper motivation: he seeks not merely to halt Luffy's ambitions but to safeguard the integrity of the Marines and prevent global instability. His actions reflect a commitment to preserving order and trust in a world where traditional roles and morals are increasingly blurred.