Hyogoro in One Piece

Many years ago in Wano, Hyogoro was a well-known yakuza boss, and he had a close connection with the Kozuki Family, who ruled Wano at the time. Oden, a member of the Kozuki Family, admired Hyogoro from a young age. However, when Oden was 15, there was an incident called the Harem Revolt, and Hyogoro and his yakuza group got involved.

Around 41 years ago, Hyogoro's followers informed him that Kin'emon had stolen their money. Hyogoro understood that facing Kin'emon in a one-on-one battle wouldn't end well for his subordinates. He also witnessed Oden defeating the Mountain God, which left a strong impression on him.

Around 20 years ago, tragedy struck. Hyogoro was captured, and his wife and comrades were killed because they refused to submit to the shogun, Kurozumi Orochi. He was then handed over to the Beasts Pirates and imprisoned in Udon's Prisoner Mine.

Wano Country Arc

In the Prisoner Mines, Hyogoro was subjected to harsh labor, including moving large blocks of rock. One day, after his hard work, he went to collect his meager ration of kibi dango and was disappointed to receive only one piece. When he complained, a guard struck him, leaving him injured. The deputy warden, Dobon, arrived and further mistreated Hyogoro by stepping on him.

However, things took a turn for the better when two fellow prisoners, Monkey D. Luffy and Eustass Kid, stood up to the guards. Luffy rescued Hyogoro from his predicament by carrying him on his shoulder.

Grateful for Luffy's assistance, Hyogoro thanked him the next day. In a kind gesture, Luffy shared some of his meal tickets with Hyogoro.

Trouble arose again when guards became suspicious of Hyogoro having extra meal tickets and attacked him. Hyogoro refused to give up his beloved dango, even in the face of danger. Luffy intervened to protect him from Daifugo, one of the guards, and Queen, the headliner of the Beasts Pirates, who sentenced them both to fight in the Sumo Inferno.

In the Sumo Inferno, Hyogoro and Luffy were made to wear collars that would decapitate them if they left the ring. They were allowed to remove their handcuffs for combat. As they faced off against various opponents, Luffy displayed his mastery of Haoshoku Haki, stunning his adversaries into unconsciousness. Hyogoro observed Luffy's abilities in awe and was intrigued when Luffy mentioned Silvers Rayleigh.

In their battle against Alpacaman and Madilloman, Hyogoro's skills came to the forefront. With Luffy's guidance, he demonstrated an advanced Busoshoku Haki technique, swiftly defeating Alpacaman.

Hyogoro attempted to teach Luffy the advanced techniques of Busoshoku Haki, but Luffy continued to defeat opponents using his own methods without grasping the concept. As time passed and the others in the prison rested, Hyogoro questioned Luffy's motivations for wanting to defeat Kaido. It was during this conversation that Raizo arrived to explain the situation. Hyogoro was astonished to learn that the Nine Red Scabbards, Momonosuke, and their allies were all alive.

This revelation renewed his determination to fight against Kaido and Orochi. He expressed his desire to join their alliance and shared information about potential allies locked in the prison.

During the night, Hyogoro and Luffy indulged in stolen oshiruko, but their overindulgence caused them to gain weight. The next day, as they prepared for their next matches in the Sumo Inferno, Queen activated the Picture Tanishi, broadcasting the execution of Shimotsuki Yasuie. Hyogoro explained the effects of the SMILE fruits to Luffy, and they watched as Luffy's crewmates caused a ruckus at the execution site.

Subsequently, Hyogoro witnessed the arrival of Kamazo, who turned out to be Kid's crewmate, Killer. It was revealed that Killer had fallen victim to a defective SMILE fruit.

Big Mom's unexpected entrance into the prison surprised Hyogoro, who was unfamiliar with her. He was even more surprised when she effortlessly defeated Queen. When Big Mom sought oshiruko and clashed with Luffy, she inadvertently pushed them out of the ring. Luffy managed to remove their collars, and Hyogoro faced Big Mom, hoping Luffy would grow stronger by facing her.

Hyogoro noticed that Luffy's actions surpassed what he had been trying to teach him. He believed that Luffy's newfound skills in Busoshoku Haki would protect him from Big Mom. However, Big Mom swiftly sent them crashing into a wall. Luffy pulled Hyogoro out of the wall, and Hyogoro revealed that he had used Haki to shield himself. He continued to impart knowledge about advanced Busoshoku Haki techniques to Luffy before Big Mom pursued them throughout the Prisoner Mines.

Following Queen's successful capture of Big Mom and her removal from the Prisoner Mines, Hyogoro observed Luffy's resilience in the face of adversity as he battled the Beasts Pirates. He admired Luffy's determination and was pleased to witness his victory over Warden Babanuki. When Raizo, Kawamatsu, Kikunojo, and Chopper joined their group, Hyogoro instructed Kikunojo and Raizo to reveal themselves to rally the prisoners.

As the battle against the Beasts Pirates escalated, they found themselves cornered by prisoners infected with the Mummy virus. Hyogoro was astonished when Luffy managed to persuade these prisoners to rebel against their captors. He continued to fight alongside Luffy and his allies during the prison takeover.

When the liberated prisoners expressed skepticism upon learning that Luffy was a pirate, Hyogoro attempted to reassure them. He noticed Luffy's growing trust among the prisoners, and he emphasized the importance of having a goal to unite them. Hyogoro was also reacquainted with the four yakuza bosses imprisoned in Udon, defending Luffy when they confronted him.

As the Fire Festival approached, Hyogoro oversaw Luffy's training in Busoshoku Haki. He received Yasuie's final message and communicated with Kin'emon, who instructed everyone to prepare for the upcoming raid on Onigashima. Hyogoro informed his fellow rebels in Udon about Cho bringing weapons from Ringo.

On the day of the Fire Festival, the rebels gathered at Habu Port, where they joined forces with the Scabbards. Hyogoro took charge of the samurai and participated in their discussions on infiltrating Onigashima.

Upon reaching Onigashima, the rebels received disguises from Kin'emon's Devil Fruit abilities. Hyogoro joined Denjiro in the southern forces as they prepared for the impending battle against the Beasts Pirates.

Following the division of Denjiro's forces into two groups, Hyogoro and a team of rebels infiltrated the Performance Stage within the Skull Dome. There, they discovered Momonosuke crucified and patiently awaited the opportune moment to strike.

As the chaos unfolded during the battle, with Kaido disposing of Orochi and various factions aligning themselves with the Beasts Pirates, Hyogoro was appalled by the betrayal of the Orochi Oniwabanshu and Mimawarigumi, who abandoned their warrior pride for self-preservation. When the Scabbards and Izou initiated a surprise attack on Kaido, Hyogoro, and the rebels revealed themselves, joining the all-out war against the Beasts Pirates.

As the fierce battle intensified, Hyogoro and the yakuza leaders made it their mission to confront the Tobiroppo, expressing confidence in the alliance's chances of victory. Observing Luffy's use of Gear Fourth to battle Goki, Hyogoro commented on Luffy's resemblance to a Wisdom King.

When Queen unleashed the Ice Oni virus, leading to Omasa's infection and intention to take his own life, Hyogoro intervened to prevent the suicide. As Chopper began producing the antidote, the yakuza bosses volunteered to protect him. In the midst of the struggle, Hyogoro himself contracted the Ice Oni virus, but it transformed him into his prime physical state.

As the battle raged on, Hyogoro confronted and defeated the Mimawarigumi, even as his Ice Oni infection worsened. Recognizing that he was on the brink of transforming into an ice oni, he commanded Yatappe to end his life. However, Chopper intervened, preventing Yatappe from carrying out the order and successfully administering the antidote. Hyogoro's condition was reversed, and he returned to his shorter stature. He internally apologized to Chopper for mistakenly referring to him as a "tanuki."

Following Kaido's announcement of Luffy and the Scabbards' defeat, Hyogoro grew anxious. Still, Momonosuke conveyed Luffy's message, reinvigorating the Alliance's resolve. As Zoro engaged in a battle with King, Hyogoro and Kawamatsu noted resemblances between Zoro and members of the Shimotsuki Family, specifically Ushimaru and Ryuma.

Amidst the unfolding chaos on the Performance Floor, Hyogoro witnessed a colossal dragon soaring overhead, with Luffy hanging from one of its horns. He was further shocked as Queen detached his neck and tail from his body. When Big Mom faced defeat at the hands of Kid and Law, causing a powerful quake to ripple through Onigashima, everyone on the Performance Floor was physically shaken.

When it appeared that Kaido had defeated Luffy on the rooftop, Hyogoro sensed that Luffy was still alive. After the Raid on Onigashima concluded, he participated in the celebration of Wano's liberation, joining fellow Yakuza in the festivities.

Hyogoro is an extremely honorable and kind man with a strong sense of chivalry and samurai pride. He is deeply respected for his unwavering dedication to the principles of honor, loyalty, and chivalry, qualities that have made him famous throughout Wano.

He despises the tyranny of Kurozumi Orochi and the Beasts Pirates, condemning their oppression and violence against Wano's citizens.

Even during his time in prison, where he endured physical and mental hardships, Hyogoro maintained his sense of honor. He voiced his disappointment with the lack of food, a punishable attitude, but his commitment to principles remained unshaken. When Luffy provided him with food, he took this act as a symbol of honor and embraced it, even willing to accept death for the sake of preserving his memories of the past.

Upon learning about the whereabouts of the alleged deceased members of the Nine Red Scabbards and Momonosuke, Hyogoro found a new will to live. He was relieved that he didn't die without knowing the truth and eagerly joined the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance to overthrow Orochi and Kaido.

Hyogoro's boldness is evident when he stays in the path of an angry Big Mom just to test Luffy. During the raid on Onigashima, he displayed optimism and unwavering confidence in the alliance's success, refusing to imagine their defeat.

Hyogoro is a small, elderly man with distinct features. He sports a cyan tuft of hair and a goatee that resembles small flames, adding a touch of color to his appearance. A striking blue tattoo adorns his shoulders and upper back, featuring pink flower patterns and a decorative border.

During his time as an inmate in the Prisoner Mine, he donned a black and white striped yukata that was left open above the waist, exposing his bare upper body, except for a small orange scarf. He also wore round orange glasses and warabi sandals for footwear. Later, he draped a short light-colored cloak over his shoulders.

At the battle on Onigashima, Hyogoro changed into a different outfit. He wore a light-colored yukata adorned with dark cherry blossom patterns, paired with a dark cloak featuring bird symbols, somewhat reminiscent of the Kozuki Family crest.

Notably, in his youth and during his infection by the Ice Oni virus, Hyogoro had a taller and heavier build. His hair and goatee were longer and had a wilder appearance, resembling flames. During this period, he also developed elongated nails and sharp molars on his right side.

Hyogoro was once the most famous yakuza boss in the country, overseeing all Underworld activities in the Flower Capital. His influence extended to the point where he held authority over the five yakuza bosses from other regions in Wano. Hyogoro's reputation and popularity among the people were so immense that it was believed he could singlehandedly recruit enough samurai for a revolution against Orochi, even after two decades.

During his prime, Hyogoro was a formidable warrior respected by samurai, yakuza, and even Orochi and Kaido, who sought to recruit him into their ranks. His power and leadership were highly regarded, and it was acknowledged that if he had allied with the samurai five years earlier, Orochi and Kaido's forces would have faced a significant disadvantage.

Hyogoro is an exceptionally skilled and experienced user of Busoshoku Haki, known as "Ryuo" in Wano. He can harden parts of his body and has mastered an advanced application of Busoshoku Haki, allowing him to emit his Haki over a short distance without a physical medium. This advanced technique is potent enough to incapacitate an opponent without direct physical contact.

Hyogoro also demonstrated his Haki proficiency by withstanding an attack from Big Mom through the use of Busoshoku Haki. He played a crucial role as a teacher, instructing Luffy in this advanced Haki technique.

In terms of Kenbunshoku Haki, Hyogoro possesses the ability to use it effectively. He demonstrated his Kenbunshoku Haki by sensing Luffy's presence on top of the Skull Dome, realizing that Luffy was still alive.

As a seasoned samurai, Hyogoro is highly skilled in the art of swordsmanship. Despite his advanced age and the physical toll of spending two decades in Udon Prison, he showcased his prowess by effortlessly dispatching numerous Beasts Pirates with his sword. He actively participated in the Raid on Onigashima, where he was able to defeat the captains of the Mimawarigumi and the Orochi Oniwanbanshi through his exceptional swordsmanship.

Additionally, Hyogoro wielded a long, thin katana twenty years ago, and he regained his sword after joining the rebellion, further enhancing his combat abilities.

Physical Abilities

In the past, Hyogoro was renowned for his legendary strength, marking him as a formidable warrior in Wano. However, his strength significantly declined due to the prolonged malnutrition he endured during his imprisonment and the effects of old age. Despite this, he retained a level of strength that allowed him to move five massive stone blocks, showcasing his enduring physical capabilities.

After consuming Queen's oshiruko supply, Hyogoro experienced a remarkable resurgence in energy and strength. This newfound vitality empowered him to overpower the Beast Pirates with his exceptional swordsmanship skills, making him a formidable force in the battle.

Hyogoro's exceptional endurance is evident despite his advanced age. He demonstrated the ability to withstand a brutal assault from the Gifter Daifugo, who possessed an Artificial Zoan Devil Fruit enhancement, without spitting out the food that Luffy had offered him.

This resilience, combined with his mastery of Busoshoku Haki, allowed him to survive a powerful blow from Emperor Big Mom, an incredible feat considering her immense destructive capabilities.

Despite his age, Hyogoro displayed remarkable agility, notably evading the sword attacks of Alpacaman and countering with ease, aided by Luffy's foresight from Kenbunshoku Haki.

Hyogoro's extraordinary willpower was evident when he resisted the feral berserker effects of the Ice Oni virus, preventing it from affecting his mind. Instead, he harnessed the virus's strength-enhancing effects to his advantage, impressing even Apoo and Drake with his fortitude.

Upon becoming infected by the Ice Oni virus, Hyogoro experienced a resurgence of the strength he possessed during his prime. This newfound power allowed him to effortlessly decimate numerous Beasts Pirates, the ex-Mimawarigumi, and the Orochi Oniwabanshu. Even Queen, known for his arrogance, recognized Hyogoro as a genuine threat, believing that he could singlehandedly defeat anything in his path.

Wano Country

Hyogoro is a highly respected figure in Wano Country due to his chivalry, kindness towards citizens, and patriotism. He refused to cooperate with Orochi's plans for mass weapon production, even at the cost of defying Orochi's rule. Many samurai believed that if Hyogoro joined their campaign against Kaido and Orochi, he could rally others to their cause.

When imprisoned, Hyogoro was initially thought to be executed by Orochi for his defiance, and he was simply referred to as "Grandpa Hyo." The other prisoners cared for him but lacked the courage to help due to fear of the Beast Pirates. However, when they witnessed Hyogoro using advanced Busoshoku Haki to protect them, they recognized his true identity.

Hyogoro also had deep sympathy for the suffering and misery endured by the impoverished citizens of Wano under Kaido and Orochi's tyranny. He explained the side effects of the defective SMILE fruits to Luffy, revealing how Orochi had subjected his own citizens to this cruelty. When the Beasts Pirates attacked his fellow prisoners, Hyogoro rushed to their aid, and he was elated when Luffy's actions inspired the prisoners to stand up against their oppressors. He praised Kin'emon for wisely recruiting Luffy as an ally in their cause.

Kozuki Family

Hyogoro had immense respect and gratitude for the Kozuki Family, particularly Kozuki Oden. He was one of the few individuals who stood by Oden's side during Oden's five years of humiliation in public, even complimenting Oden on his dancing.

When the Kozuki Family was believed to be wiped out, Hyogoro lost his will to live, but seeing Raizo alive renewed his determination. He requested to join the alliance to overthrow Orochi, and Raizo recognized the value of Hyogoro's charisma to their cause.

Monkey D. Luffy

Hyogoro held immense gratitude and respect for Monkey D. Luffy, who saved his life and offered him dango. Luffy's actions reminded Hyogoro of his past, and he openly attacked those who tried to harm Luffy. He showed great concern for Luffy's well-being and pleaded with Queen to spare Luffy, even offering to be punished in his place.

During their time together, Hyogoro trusted Luffy's instructions in the Sumo Inferno, and he offered to teach Luffy the advanced Busoshoku Haki technique he was trying to learn. Hyogoro believed that Luffy's arrival in Udon, where many potential allies were imprisoned, was fate and an ideal opportunity to reinforce their rebellion against the tyrants of Wano.

Hyogoro wished for Luffy to get stronger and even put himself in harm's way to help Luffy improve his skills. He had great faith in Luffy's abilities and defended him when others doubted him.

Beasts Pirates

Hyogoro strongly despises the Beasts Pirates and their ally Orochi due to their tyrannical rule over Wano. His refusal to submit to their authority led to his imprisonment. Hyogoro openly expressed his disdain for the Beasts Pirates when threatened by Daifugo, even in the face of danger.

When Queen witnessed Hyogoro's use of an advanced Busoshoku Haki technique to defeat Alpacaman, he expressed praise for the elderly man's abilities.

Kurozumi Orochi

Hyogoro was a staunch opponent of Orochi's rule as the shogun of Wano. He refused to acknowledge Orochi's authority and joined the Kozuki Revolution to overthrow him. Hyogoro was disgusted when he witnessed the Orochi Oniwabanshu and Mimawarigumi easily abandon their allegiance to Orochi and pledge loyalty to Kaido for their own self-preservation after Orochi was decapitated.

In addition to the manga and its anime adaptation, Hyogoro also appeared in video games.

He is a playable character in the following games:

• One Piece Treasure Cruise

• One Piece Bounty Rush

• Hyogoro's appearance from 20 years ago resembles the Kongōrikishi, which are the two wrathful guardians often found at the entrances of many Buddhist temples, and Fudō Myō-ō, a guardian deity primarily revered in Vajrayana Buddhism.

• Hyogoro wields authority over Wano's yakuza bosses, mirroring the preeminence of Fudō Myō-ō among the Wisdom Kings. In reality, Fudō Myō-ō is highly respected by some Yakuza members, who sometimes adopt his intense facial expression and demeanor as protection charms, even tattooing it.

• Hyogoro is the second person to instruct Luffy in the art of Haki, following Rayleigh. In this case, he teaches Luffy advanced Busokoku Haki.

• Standing at a height of 100 cm, Hyogoro is the shortest adult human male in the series, with Miss Buckin being the only other human shorter than him.

• Hyogoro's favorite drink is daiginjo.