Ashura Doji in One Piece

Many years ago, Ashura Doji was a notorious criminal in the chaotic region of Kuri. When he learned that Kozuki Oden was coming to Kuri, Ashura eagerly awaited his arrival. Upon Oden's arrival, they engaged in a fierce battle that lasted for an entire day, ultimately resulting in Ashura's defeat. After his defeat, Ashura chose to pledge his loyalty to Oden and became one of his trusted retainers.

Once Oden became the daimyo of Kuri, Ashura was among his loyal retainers. However, they faced financial difficulties, so Ashura and the other retainers attempted to steal money from Shimotsuki Yasuie. Instead of punishing them, Yasuie allowed them to take the money and encouraged them to use it for self-improvement, aiming to better serve Oden and Wano Country.

Following Yasuie's advice, they dedicated themselves to education and rigorous training to become honorable warriors. This was around 30 years ago, and during this time, they visited the Flower Capital with Oden.

After Oden's encounter with the Whitebeard Pirates, they celebrated with the pirates. However, two weeks later, the Whitebeard Pirates departed from Wano, and Oden, along with Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Izou, was found to be missing. In Oden's absence, Ashura took on the responsibility of leading the yakuza and the bandits in Kuri to prevent them from causing chaos.

Following Oden's failed attempt to eliminate the new shogun, Kurozumi Orochi, 25 years ago, Ashura and the other retainers remained steadfast in their loyalty to Oden, even as Oden's behavior caused him to lose the respect of many in Wano over the next five years.

Twenty years ago, Oden decided to confront the formidable pirate Kaido, and Ashura and the other nine red scabbards wholeheartedly joined him on this mission, marching together toward Onigashima.

On their journey to Onigashima, they encountered Kaido and his crew in the Udon region. In the ensuing battle, they were joined by Shinobu. Unfortunately, the battle ended in a devastating defeat for the samurai, and Ashura was stabbed in the back. Oden and the Scabbards were subsequently captured and imprisoned in the Flower Capital, where they were condemned to be boiled alive in three days.

All ten prisoners, including Ashura, were taken to the execution site. At this point, Oden made a deal with Kaido. Oden willingly stepped into the pot of boiling oil as part of the agreement. However, he prevented his retainers from joining him and instead held them over the pot using a plank.

As Oden endured the hour-long ordeal, he explained to his retainers the reason behind Wano Country's isolation and implored them to open Wano's borders for the country's future.

Oden miraculously survived the boiling oil, but Orochi summoned a firing squad to execute Oden and his retainers. In his final moments, Oden once again urged his retainers to open Wano's borders and sacrificed himself to protect them. As they were chased by pursuers, Shinobu provided the Scabbards with their weapons.

Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were captured, and Ashura, along with Denjiro, separated from the rest of the group to engage their adversaries. At some point, Ashura and Denjiro faced Kaido, but Ashura managed to escape and hide in the mountains.

Ten years after Oden's death, Ashura had many friends who were eager to confront Kaido and Orochi, although they were skeptical about the return of the missing Red Scabbards as prophesied by Toki. These friends impatiently headed to Onigashima to challenge Kaido, despite Ashura's attempts to dissuade them from their reckless actions. Tragically, they lost their lives in a futile battle against Kaido.

Devastated by his comrades' pointless sacrifice, Ashura lost hope and returned to his criminal ways, taking on the alias Shutenmaru. He formed the Mt. Atama Thieves and managed to acquire the blueprints of Kaido's fortress within the Skull Dome. Several weeks before Monkey D. Luffy's arrival in Wano Country, Ashura and his group of thieves stole food from the farm established by Oden, which was now controlled by Orochi.

Wano Country Arc

Ashura and his band of thieves arrived in Okobore Town, where they stole the fresh food that Luffy had provided to the residents. He was confronted by an elderly woman who believed that the samurai would return to protect them. In response, Ashura prepared to attack her, but before he could do so, he was confronted by Jack of the Beasts Pirates.

Jack inquired about the Straw Hat Pirates and mentioned that Ashura was allowed to live only because Kaido wanted him to become a subordinate. Ashura made it clear that he had no intention of joining Kaido and engaged in a fierce battle with Jack. While Jack managed to wound Ashura, the thief remained resolute.

Their duel was interrupted when Kaido arrived and instructed Jack to bring the Straw Hat Pirates to him. Ashura and his gang then retreated to the forest. Kaido spotted Ashura and attempted to recruit him as his subordinate, which led to a confrontation. Ashura was angered by Kaido's destruction of Oden Castle ruins and, after Luffy's failed attack on Kaido, Ashura instructed his men to withdraw to the mountain. He observed Luffy's futile attempt to defeat Kaido.

After Kaido defeats Luffy and witnesses Luffy's use of Haoshoku Haki to incapacitate some of Kaido's subordinates, Ashura realizes that Luffy possesses the same power as Oden. He then left Okobore Town.

At Mt. Atama, Ashura clashed with Inuarashi, but their fight was interrupted by Kin'emon. Ashura expressed his admiration for Oden but emphasized that he had never sworn loyalty to the entire Kozuki Family. Kin'emon, however, was determined to make Ashura their ally once again.

Sometime later, a fire was set at Mt. Atama by one of Holed'em's subordinates. In a fit of rage, Ashura decided to retaliate by going to Bakura Town. He and his gang entered Bakura Town and witnessed the broadcast of Shimotsuki Yasuie's execution. After the execution, Ashura was the only one among the Nine Red Scabbards who held back his tears. He then asked Kin'emon and Inuarashi if they knew about the SMILE fruits.

Ashura, Kin'emon, and Inuarashi had a disagreement near Bakura Town. Kin'emon wrongly accused Ashura of theft, which led to a fight. After some apologies and reconciliation, Ashura agreed to join their mission.

Ashura took them to a graveyard where their fallen comrades from ten years ago were buried. He explained that their allies had lost patience and tried to fight Kaido, resulting in their deaths. This inspired Ashura to seek revenge and overthrow Kaido and Orochi, restoring the Kozuki Family's honor.

During a conversation, they learned about increasing support from Raizo's group at Udon. Ashura showed them abandoned ships that could carry their forces to Onigashima and gave Kin'emon the blueprints of Kaido's residence. They attended a meeting with other key alliance members at Amigasa Village.

On the day of the planned raid on Onigashima, they found Tokage Port destroyed and their allies missing. Despite this setback, they remained determined to proceed with the raid, knowing it might be their only chance.

The Scabbards left Momonosuke behind at the port and set sail for Onigashima. Kin'emon started to suspect the presence of a traitor among them. It turned out that Kanjuro, one of the Scabbards, revealed himself as the traitor. This revelation shocked the rest of the Scabbards.

Kanjuro explained his actions, leading to Kin'emon beheading him in anger. However, it was revealed that the Kanjuro Kin'emon killed was a copy, and the real Kanjuro was on the coast with Momonosuke, planning to take him to Onigashima.

As they sailed, three Beasts Pirates' ships approached the Scabbards, but the Straw Hats, Heart Pirates, and Kid Pirates came to their rescue and attacked the enemy ships. Law's submarine lifted the Scabbards' boat out of danger.

Later, Kyoshiro, who had been attacking the Beasts Pirates' ship, revealed himself as Denjiro and shared that he had freed prisoners in the Flower Capital and rallied rebels at Habu Port. This brought great relief to the Scabbards.

Kanjuro fled with Momonosuke on a drawn crane and briefly attacked the alliance with ink arrows. Momonosuke urged the alliance to continue to Onigashima without worrying about him. Jinbe came to help the rebels as they were attacked by a Beasts Pirates' ship with long-range cannons. The alliance was now ready to commence their raid on Onigashima with a massive fleet.

Shishilian and Hyogoro boarded the Polar Tang, and the Scabbards discussed their plan with Trafalgar Law to get into Onigashima.

The Straw Hats defeated the guards at the torii gates, and the Heart Pirates and most of the Scabbards (except Kin'emon and Denjiro) used the Polar Tang to travel to the back of Onigashima.

Nekomamushi contacted them and planned to meet them at Onigashima. When they got close, Law teleported them to Onigashima's back entrance. There, they were joined by Marco, Nekomamushi, and Izou. Marco left to investigate something at sea.

They encountered Kanjuro and an army of Beasts Pirates. Kikunojo fought Kanjuro, while the rest battled the other enemies. They defeated Kanjuro and his group.

Kin'emon and Denjiro rejoined Ashura's group, and they entered Kaido's castle, making their way to the Performance Stage, where they launched an attack on Kaido. During the battle, the Scabbards managed to wound Kaido as they fell to a lower floor.

The alliance revealed themselves and attacked the Beasts Pirates, and Kaido transformed into his dragon form and flew to the roof of the Skull Dome, with the Scabbards holding on to him. On the roof, they prepared to fight Kaido with the help of the Mink Tribe.

Jack and his forces arrived on the roof to assist Kaido, and the Scabbards watched as the Sulong minks engaged in battle. After the minks incapacitated Jack and his forces, the Scabbards resumed their confrontation with Kaido.

In the battle on the roof of Onigashima, Kaido unleashed a powerful lightning attack, but the Scabbards managed to dodge it and strike him one by one. Raizo reflected Kaido's Bolo Breath back at him, and then four of the Scabbards—Ashura, Denjiro, Kin'emon, and Inuarashi—used Oden's Two Sword Style stance to strike Kaido's scar with a powerful attack.

Kaido retaliated by creating wind scythes with a mighty roar aimed at the Scabbards. He then shifted to his human form and began to overpower the Scabbards, eventually incapacitating them.

Big Mom, Eustass Kid, Killer, Zoro, Luffy, and Law arrived on the scene. Upon Luffy's request, Law teleported the Scabbards to a safe location.

The Scabbards regained consciousness in a treasure room on the second floor. Hiyori, who had previously infiltrated Onigashima, took care of them.

As they were about to leave the room, they were surprised to encounter a figure that seemed to be Oden. However, Ashura suspected it was an impostor. When Kin'emon disagreed, Ashura attacked the figure and realized it was one of Kanjuro's drawings. The drawing stabbed Ashura and set off explosives, resulting in a massive explosion that killed him.

The explosion unintentionally created a hole in the ceiling of Onigashima's courtyard, which later allowed Inuarashi to use his Sulong form to defeat Jack.

After the successful raid on Onigashima, Kin'emon expressed a desire to build a temple in Ringo to honor Ashura, alongside Oden, Yasuie, and Izou.

Initially, Ashura Doji was a violent outlaw driven by hatred for those of higher status. However, his encounter with Kozuki Oden brought about a profound transformation in his character.

Ashura's most notable trait is his unwavering loyalty. He continued to refer to Oden as "Oden-sama" even after Oden's death, showcasing his deep commitment to Oden's ideals. He also displayed remarkable courage by confronting powerful adversaries like Jack and a cautious respect for Kaido's strength.

Underlying his tough exterior, Ashura demonstrated a caring and compassionate nature. He attempted to prevent a confrontation between the samurai he had gathered and Kaido, revealing his concern for the well-being of others.

Ashura's character arc is marked by transformation and redemption. He shifted from a violent outlaw to a peace-seeking individual dedicated to Oden's vision. However, the loss of his comrades and the deteriorating state of the country led to a period of disillusionment and nihilism, causing him to return to a life of crime.

After returning to a life of crime, he becomes an aggressive and prideful individual. He steals from both the wealthy and the poor, motivated by self-sufficiency. He appears to care little about the state of Wano and is critical of acts of heroism, like Luffy's efforts in Okobore Town.

Cynicism and nihilism are also prominent traits. He accuses the Kozuki Family of abandoning Wano and initially refuses to rejoin their campaign to overthrow Kaido and Orochi. His disillusionment with the lack of strong and noble individuals in the country prevents him from falling for Kanjuro's scheme involving the fake Oden.

Despite his cynical exterior, Ashura retains a degree of compassion. He secretly sympathizes with the citizens of Ebisu Town, who have lost the ability to express sadness and anger due to Orochi's manipulation. He is also deeply affected by the execution of Yasuie, demonstrating that he still cares for his comrades.

As the story progresses, he becomes friendly with his fellow Nine Red Scabbards again, although they may occasionally bicker. This shows that he values the bonds he has with his comrades. Furthermore, his willingness to sacrifice himself to protect the other Scabbards reflects his sense of duty and commitment to his allies.

Ashura's character also has a cultural dimension, as he still uses the old dialect of Kuri and enjoys drinking alcohol. His character embodies a complex interplay of pride, cynicism, compassion, duty, and a connection to Wano's cultural heritage.

Ashura Doji was a large man known for his distinctive appearance. He had light pink, puffy hair tied up in a topknot. He often wore an open kimono adorned with floral patterns, leaving his chest exposed. His arms and upper chest featured intricate floral tattoos, adding to his unique style.

Ashura Doji was a remarkable leader, leading the Mt. Atama Thieves in successful raids on Orochi's Paradise Farm. He also took control of the yakuza in Kuri while Oden was away, maintaining order and preventing chaos.

In combat, Ashura was a powerful samurai once feared as the "Strongest Monster of Kuri" until Oden defeated him four decades ago. He claimed to have become even stronger in the last 20 years.

Ashura was considered one of the strongest Scabbards, valued for his combat skills equivalent to the strength of 100 men in battle. Even Kaido tried to recruit him, and others recognized his power.

He possessed Busoshoku Haki, which allowed him to harden his swords and cut through Kaido's tough skin. He also had Kenbunshoku Haki.

Ashura demonstrated impressive feats, such as fighting evenly with Jack and even inflicting a severe wound on him. He could match Inuarashi and Jack in strength, even pushing Kaido off his feet with the help of other Scabbards.

He was a highly skilled and powerful swordsman, able to use Oden's Two Sword Style and emulate his techniques. Ashura was fast, enduring, and had great tolerance for pain, recovering quickly from injuries. Despite his large build, he was extremely agile and capable of remarkable physical feats in battle.

Kozuki Family

Ashura's relationship with the Kozuki Family, particularly Kozuki Oden, is marked by deep gratitude and loyalty. When he was a violent outlaw, Oden defeated him in a battle and spared his life.

Oden's act of mercy reformed Ashura and gave him a chance to live in peace, which he greatly appreciated. He consistently refers to Oden as "Oden-sama" even after Oden's death, showcasing his undying respect and loyalty to the daimyo of Kuri.

Ashura actively supported the Kozuki Family's cause. He, along with the other retainers, attempted to steal money from Shimotsuki Yasuie to help Oden's efforts.

However, after the fall of the Kozuki Family and the subsequent disappearance of the Nine Red Scabbards, Ashura's relationship with them became strained. He tried to gather samurai to support the cause, but their impatience led to their deaths, which created resentment.

He severed his ties with the Kozuki Family at that point, and his loyalty was primarily directed toward Oden rather than the family as a whole.

Nine Red Scabbards

When the missing Nine Red Scabbards returned, Ashura's relationship with them was marked by frustration and anger. He was irritated by their prolonged absence and was vocal about his respect and loyalty being reserved for Oden, not the family. This frustration stemmed from the fact that some of his comrades had died in vain during their absence.

Despite the initial strain, Ashura eventually reconciled with the Nine Red Scabbards. Kin'emon, one of the scabbards, made it clear that Ashura would become their ally and sought his forgiveness for framing him for theft. Ashura, while still expressing anger, listened to Kin'emon's apology and pleas.

He later explained what had happened to their allies after they had lost patience while waiting for their return. Ashura finally rejoined the Scabbards and invited his bandit group to participate in the fight against Kaido and the Beasts Pirates.

Mt. Atama Thieves

Ashura had a loyal and supportive relationship with the Mt. Atama Thieves. They assisted him in various acts of theft and robbery, demonstrating their strong allegiance to Shutenmaru. When Ashura made the decision to join the Kozuki Family's revolution, all his underlings willingly agreed to join him.

Kurozumi Kanjuro

Ashura initially had a good relationship with Kanjuro, as they both served as faithful vassals of Kozuki Oden. They shared a common commitment to Oden's ideals. However, their relationship took a dramatic turn when Kanjuro revealed his true identity as a member of the Kurozumi Family, a spy sent by Orochi, and the one who had betrayed the alliance by revealing their plans to Orochi.

This revelation deeply shocked Ashura and he became angry when Kanjuro captured Momonosuke, Oden's son. In the end, Ashura sacrifices himself to protect his fellow Scabbards from one of Kanjuro's traps.

Beasts Pirates

Ashura had a complicated relationship with the Beasts Pirates, particularly with Kaido. He once attempted to gather forces to support the Kozuki Family in their fight against Kaido, but this effort ended in tragedy when his comrades threw their lives away.

Following this, Ashura seemed to lose hope and seemingly gave up on opposing Kaido. He was well aware of Kaido's immense strength and tried to avoid direct confrontations with him. Despite this fear, Ashura was not afraid to pick fights with Kaido's subordinates, as demonstrated when he confronted Jack in Okobore Town.

In addition to the One Piece manga and its anime adaptation, Ashura Doji also appears as a playable character in One Piece Treasure Cruise, and One Piece Bounty Rush.

• Ashura, like O-Tama, speaks in a unique dialect specific to a region of Japan, in this case, Kagoshima.

• His name, "Shutenmaru" and alias, "Ashura Doji," are likely references to Shuten-dōji, a mythical oni leader from Japanese legends.

• The middle kanji of his alias, "天" (ten), means "Heaven" in Japanese and is seen on the sake bottle he carries.

• Ashura Doji can be seen as the character in Wano closest to a typical ronin from Feudal Japan, as he became a samurai who fell into a life of crime after losing his master.

• The tree on top of Ashura's head is modeled after the rakugo "Head Mountain."

• His favorite food is mochi kinchaku, an ingredient commonly used in oden, fitting his role as one of Kozuki Oden's main retainers.