One Piece volume 109 SBS reveal a new Warlord and the name of Fujitora's sword

One Piece finally revealed the name and rank of Fujitora's sword (Image via Toei Animation)

Each volume of One Piece includes an SBS section where fans can ask Eiichiro Oda about a certain subject. The question-and-answer format allows the mangaka to reveal unknown details or clarify equivocal issues about the topic of interest. Essentially, Oda uses this special section to delve into topics that he couldn’t adequately focus on in the manga.

Volume 109 of One Piece, titled “On Your Side”, is set to be released in Japan on July 4, 2024. Based on the first leaks, this SBS installment promises to be particularly interesting. In fact, the pieces of information disclosed in volume 109 include the identity of a former Warlord as well as the name and rank of Admiral Fujitora’s sword.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1119.

The SBS of One Piece volume 109 is not to be missed

The Warlord who lost to Ace was named Hanafuda

Portgas D. Ace (Image via Toei Animation)

Before their abolition during the latest Levely council, the Seven Warlords of the Sea were a selection of extremely powerful and notorious pirates allied with the World Government. The Warlords formed one of the Three Great Powers that kept the One Piece world in balance.

During the story, the members of this institution changed several times, as some Warlords resigned while others were stripped of their titles after being defeated. To fill a vacancy in the roster, the World Government would accept candidates or make its own invitations.

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As part of his deal with Saint Saturn to save Bonney’s life, Kuma was forced to join the Warlord to replace a certain member of the organization who had just been dismissed. The manga didn’t reveal the former Warlord’s identity but disclosed that he had been kicked out of the group due to his defeat against Portgas D. Ace.

The SBS of volume 109 revealed that the Warlord at issue was “King of Lizards” Hanafuda, a particularly large and tall man with the hobby of collecting Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits. Hanafuda's current status and goals remain unknown.

To replace Hanafuda, the World Government originally intended to hire Ace, who defeated him. However, Ace declined the invitation, leading to the choice of Bartholomew Kuma, who was blackmailed into becoming Hanafuda’s replacement.

Admiral Fujitora’s sword is a Supreme Grade Blade

Fujitora using his weapon (Image via Toei Animation)

A virtuous and compassionate man who despises evil to the point where he blinds himself to stop seeing the world’s malice, Issho “Fujitora” is a Marine Admiral. He joined the Navy at some point during the two-year time skip. He ate the Press-Press Fruit, a formidable Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to create and control gravitational forces.

Owing to his exceptional skill with Observation Haki, Fujitora can fight effectively despite being blind. Moreover, he can combine the ravaging powers of the Press-Press Fruit with his masterful swordsmanship. Specifically, his weapon of choice is a Shikomizue, a traditional Japanese swordstick.

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Until now, the name and rank of Fujitora’s sword were unknown, but the SBS of volume 109 revealed that the Admiral’s weapon of choice is called Yakuza Kasen. What’s even more interesting is that Fujitora’s sword was disclosed to be one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades.

This emphasizes Fujitora’s Yakuza Kasen as one of the most powerful and valuable weapons in the series, along with the likes of Nusjuro’s Shodai Kitetsu, Mihawk’s Yoru, Roger’s Ace, and Whitebeard’s Murakumogiri. i.e., the other confirmed Supreme Grade Blades.

Despite his incredible combat prowess, Fujitora has been unable to evolve his sword into a Black Blade. To date, the only two One Piece characters to ever obtain this achievement remain the current World's Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, and the legendary samurai Shimotsuki Ryuma.