One Piece's Rocks Pirates may have been destroyed by traitors within

Modified Sep 27, 2024 19:00 GMT

In the intricate world of One Piece, the enigmatic Rocks Pirates stand as a testament to ambition and treachery. The legendary crew once feared across the seas, ultimately faced destruction at God Valley, raising questions about internal betrayal.

This article delves into the compelling theory that multiple traitors lurked among their ranks, examining key figures such as Stussy, Ochoku, and Captain John. By analyzing their potential motives and connections, we explore how these betrayals not only contributed to the downfall of the Rocks Pirates but also reshaped the course of pirate history in the One Piece universe.

One Piece: Identifying the likely traitors in the Rocks' crew

Edward Newgate (Image via Toei Animation)

Firstly, the evidence leads to the conclusion that two notable figures, Whitebeard and Big Mom, can likely be ruled out as traitors. Whitebeard, known for his unwavering belief that one should never betray or kill their crewmate, would not compromise his core values by acting against his fellow pirates. This philosophy is integral to his character, making it highly improbable that he would have engaged in treachery at God Valley.

Similarly, Big Mom also upholds a pirate code of honor, despite her ambition to become Pirate King. Her actions further support her loyalty, as she was responsible for saving Kaido after his defeat. The history reveals that when Kaido disappeared, he was imprisoned at Punk Hazard, a situation that begs the question of how this occurred and points to potential betrayal from within.

One key figure who connects both the Rocks Pirates and MADS is Stussy. If the original Stussy possessed the same Devil Fruit powers as her clone, it would make sense that she could incapacitate Kaido stealthily. This theory suggests that Stussy may have betrayed Kaido, possibly trading information about him for her position in MADS.

The narrative shifts when considering Kaido’s words in Chapter 987, which imply that some members of the Rocks Pirates fled before the battle concluded. This raises the question of Ochoku, who survived the encounter and subsequently claimed Pirate Island for himself. Was his survival a result of his treachery?

Another potential traitor is Shiki, known for his ambitions and desire to claim a new era. However, evidence from Chapter 0 of Strong World—considered canon—depicts Shiki meeting with Whitebeard and declaring the dawn of a new era. This indicates that Shiki’s allegiance remained intact, as Whitebeard would not have tolerated betrayal from one of his own.

One Piece: The treasures of God Valley

The mystery of God Valley's treasures adds another layer to this complex web of betrayal. Among the six treasures, one was claimed by Kuma, while another was taken from Ivankov by Big Mom and later given to Kaido.

This leaves four treasures still unrevealed, raising the possibility that a member of the Rocks Pirates may have laid claim to one. Captain John, whose treasure was first introduced long ago, is rumored to have possessed a significant trove from God Valley.

Buggy has been in pursuit of Captain John's treasure for a long time (Image via Toei Animation)

The pursuit of Captain John's treasure has even become a quest for Buggy, who believes it is hidden on an island shaped like a skull. This leads to the theory that John may have stolen one of the treasures during the chaos of God Valley, fleeing alongside Ochoku.

Regarding two other prominent members of the Rocks Pirates, Gloriosa, and Silver Axe, evidence concerning their potential betrayal is scant. Silver Axe, having been resurrected as one of Moria’s zombies, is believed to have perished during the events at God Valley, which diminishes the likelihood of his involvement in any betrayal. Gloriosa, on the other hand, does not exhibit traits that would suggest she is capable of treachery, making her an unlikely candidate.

Final thoughts

Rocks D. Xebec (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory posits that there were likely three traitors within the Rocks Pirates. The evidence compiled suggests that Stussy, Ochoku, and Captain John played pivotal roles in the betrayal at God Valley. Each of these characters is interconnected with the events surrounding God Valley, revealing a complex narrative of ambition, survival, and treachery that shaped the course of pirate history.