Nekomamushi (Cat Viper) in One Piece

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were close friends when they were young. They learned about a pact between the Mink Tribe and the Kozuki Family and became curious about it. They left their home on Zou and went on a journey to Wano Country, but then got shipwrecked on Kuri Beach.

They were found by a man named Kawamatsu but the three were later caught and persecuted by humans. Fortunately, Kozuki Oden rescued them and brought them back to Kuri, where they became Oden's loyal retainers.

When they were short on money, they tried to steal from Shimotsuki Yasuie, but he showed them kindness instead. Yasuie encouraged them to use the money to better themselves for the sake of Oden and Wano. Following his advice, they educated themselves and trained to become strong warriors.

Thirty years ago, they went with Oden to the Flower Capital and met the Whitebeard Pirates. After a feast with them, they learned about the vastness of the world from Marco. Two weeks later, they stowed away on Whitebeard's ship, knowing Oden would want to join them. They revealed themselves after Whitebeard accepted Oden into the crew, and they sailed together for two years.

Around 26 years ago, during a clash with the Roger Pirates, Oden decided to join Gol D. Roger on his final journey. Nekomamushi and Inuarashi joined too, and they had many adventures with the Roger Pirates, including a visit to Skypiea and discovering the Road Poneglyph on Zou.

When Toki, Oden's wife, fell ill, they stopped at Wano, and Nekomamushi and Inuarashi chose to stay behind with Toki and her children. They didn't go with Oden to Laugh Tale (formerly known as Raftel). Before parting ways, they gave Roger a letter of introduction to the Mink Tribe.

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi told Kikunojo about Izou's time with the Whitebeard Pirates. About six months before Oden completed his journey, they were angry at Kurozumi Orochi, who was abusing his power as shogun. While Inuarashi and Kawamatsu stayed at Oden Castle, the others went to confront Orochi but found the Beasts Pirates threatening Oden's family in Kuri. When Oden returned, they informed him of Wano's situation, and he ordered them to protect his family and Kuri while he went to the capital alone.

For the next five years, they remained loyal to Oden, even though he was acting strangely and lost respect among Wano's people. Twenty years ago, Oden decided to take down Kaido, and the retainers eagerly followed him to Onigashima. On their way, they were attacked by Kaido's crew in the Udon region, and the battle ended with the samurai imprisoned in the Flower Capital, sentenced to be boiled alive in three days.

At the execution, Oden made a deal with Kaido and endured the boiling oil for an hour while explaining the reason for Wano's isolation. He asked his retainers to open Wano's borders for him. Oden survived the hour, but Orochi ordered a firing squad to kill him and the retainers. Oden threw them away from the pot to save them before meeting his end.

After Oden's death, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi argued and were captured by Orochi's forces but managed to escape. They returned to Zou but continued to quarrel, so they decided to rule Zou alternately, with Inuarashi ruling during the day and Nekomamushi ruling at night.

During the Timeskip

When Bepo and the Heart Pirates arrived at Zou, Nekomamushi took care of them because Bepo was originally from the island.

During an invasion by Jack and the Beasts Pirates, Nekomamushi took charge of the battle during the night. He fought Jack and was supported by the Heart Pirates. The fight lasted for five consecutive nights, with Inuarashi taking over during the day. Jack, becoming impatient, used a poisonous gas called Koro to torture the minks for information about Raizo, a ninja they were hiding. Despite the torture, the minks remained loyal and didn't reveal Raizo's location. In retaliation, Jack crucified Nekomamushi and Inuarashi and severely injured them, and severed Nekomamushi’s arm when he nearly broke out of his chains.

Dressrosa Arc

Jack left Zou after hearing about Doflamingo's defeat and capture. The Straw Hat Pirates, led by Sanji, arrived on Zou and helped the minks by driving away the remaining pirates and healing their wounds.

Zou Arc

After the incidents involving Capone Bege, Nekomamushi found an injured Pekoms and confronted Bege. Bege fled with Sanji and Caesar Clown, and Nekomamushi decided to keep the incident a secret and look after Pekoms.

When Monkey D. Luffy and his group arrived at Zou, Chopper checked on Nekomamushi and found him disobeying medical orders by eating and bathing. Chopper put him back to bed, but Nekomamushi later joined the Straw Hats to meet Luffy and Zoro. After Trafalgar Law warned about Kaido's threat, Nekomamushi partied with the alliance and other minks.

The next morning, Nekomamushi and the Guardians searched for Kin'emon and Kanjuro, encountering Inuarashi. They argued and clashed but stopped when Kin'emon revealed his identity and asked about Raizo. Nekomamushi and the minks revealed Raizo was on Zou and had been kept safe all this time.

As they spoke with Kin'emon, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi argued again, but Kozuki Momonosuke scolded them, reminding them of their loyalty to their lord. They apologized, called a truce, and led the samurai and Straw Hats to the hidden area where Raizo was.

Nico Robin decoded the Road Poneglyph hidden in the Whale Tree, and Nekomamushi revealed the purpose of the poneglyphs and the locations of two others. They shared that the Kozuki Family created the poneglyphs but lost the ability after Oden's death.

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi offered their help in fighting Kaido, and after Momonosuke asked for Luffy's assistance, an alliance was formed between the minks, the Kozuki Family, Straw Hat Pirates, and Heart Pirates, called the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance.

After leaving the secret room, Nekomamushi recognized Luffy's straw hat and reminisced about traveling with Oden on Whitebeard and Roger's ships. He revealed their plan to find Marco and shared concern about Zou's shaking, which was caused by Zunesha, the giant elephant Zou is located on.

Later, Pedro volunteered to join the Sanji Retrieval Team, and Nekomamushi allowed only him to go. As the team left Zou, they were surprised when Luffy jumped off Zunesha with his party.

Wano Country Arc

Nekomamushi and the Guardians found Marco in Whitebeard's village, Sphinx. Marco mentioned Edward Weevil's attacks on Whitebeard's allies, and he couldn't leave the village due to the threat. Marco asked Nekomamushi to pass a message to Luffy, but he ended up arriving in Wano with Nekomamushi and Izou.

Nekomamushi and the group reached Onigashima's back entrance and met up with Law and the Scabbards. They fought against Kanjuro and the Beasts Pirates, defeating them. Then, they entered Kaido's castle and attacked him.

On the roof of the Skull Dome, the Scabbards and the Mink Tribe prepared to fight Kaido. Then, Jack arrived at the scene, but Nekomamushi and Inuarashi transformed into their powerful Sulong forms and confronted him.

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi badly wounded Jack, forcing Kaido to step in and call Jack off to rest. The Scabbards and Izou continued to confront Kaido, dodging his attacks and landing their own hits.

Kaido retaliated, overpowering the Scabbards in human form. Later, Big Mom, Eustass Kid, Killer, Zoro, Luffy, and Law arrived on the roof. Law teleported the Scabbards to safety at Luffy's request, and they were tended to by a mysterious person in the treasure room on the second floor. They regained consciousness and saw what they believed to be Oden but turned out to be a drawing made by Kanjuro. The drawing exploded, and Ashura Doji sacrificed himself to save the others.

The Scabbards went to find Kanjuro but were confronted by Jack. Inuarashi stayed behind to battle Jack while the rest continued through the fortress, facing Orochi and Fukurokuju along the way.

As they moved through the castle, Nekomamushi was informed that Carrot and Wanda were fighting Charlotte Perospero, who was responsible for Pedro's death. Nekomamushi sought revenge for Pedro and chased after Perospero after knocking him outside the Skull Dome.

Nekomamushi transformed into his Sulong form and defeated Perospero. However, he was badly injured when storm clouds blocked the moonlight, causing him to revert back which gave the upper hand to Perospero. Fortunately, due to Kaido and Luffy’s clash, the clouds parted, and Nekomamushi regained his Sulong form and swiftly defeated Perospero. Then he joined others inside the castle and continued to battle.

After Luffy's victory over Kaido, Nekomamushi announced the Alliance's victory to the forces. Momonosuke became the new Shogun of Wano, and the Kozuki Retainers celebrated their success.

A week later, Nekomamushi joined the Straw Hats in feasting and celebrating. They faced a brief encounter with Admiral Ryokugyu, but the battle was stopped by Shanks outside Wano.

Nekomamushi and the group returned to the Flower Capital, where Kin'emon updated them on Tsuru's status. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi named Carrot as the next leader of the Zou Kingdom, believing in her strength and ability to carry Pedro's will.

Nekomamushi and the Scabbards supported Momonosuke as he took his place as the new Shogun of Wano.

Nekomamushi's personality can be described as a complex mix of aggression, stubbornness, loyalty, and genuine care for his friends and fellow Minks. He takes great pride in his position as one of the rulers of the Mokomo Dukedom, and his first encounter with Jack showcased his aggressive and merciless nature. He can be quite obstinate and stubborn, even when not angry, as demonstrated by his disregard for Tony Tony Chopper's orders to recuperate.

Despite his bravado and reluctance to follow orders, Nekomamushi has a strong sense of freedom and loyalty. He cares deeply for his friends and allies, as seen in his taking care of Bepo and the Heart Pirates when they arrived on Zou. He genuinely didn't expect them to help defend the Mokomo Dukedom, but he was impressed and appreciative when they decided to do so anyway.

His loyalty to his friends and allies is unyielding, as shown by his refusal to reveal Raizo's presence on Zou despite intense torture by Jack. He was willing to risk the kingdom's destruction to protect his friend. This loyalty also extends to treating anyone who harms his allies viciously, claiming he will devour any intruders he finds.

Nekomamushi exhibits feline behaviors, likely due to his being a Mink with a cat-like appearance. He enjoys licking his paws, playing with balls and cat toys, and even eating catnip. Despite these cat-like behaviors, he has unique qualities such as loving baths and eating lasagna, which sets him apart from regular cats.

He also has a distinctive "Goronyanya" laugh that incorporates the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow, "nya," and the onomatopoeia for purring, "gorogoro."

Nekomamushi is a large, imposing figure with a distinct feline appearance. He has a yellow fur coat with dark brown stripes, giving him a tiger-like appearance. His sharp teeth and claws add to his intimidating presence. One of the most noticeable features is his very thick, striped tail, which is a characteristic trait of Minks.

On his head, he has wild, bushy blonde hair that resembles a lion's mane. There is a prominent scar running from the left side of his forehead down to his cheek, adding to the ruggedness of his appearance.

Regarding his clothing, Nekomamushi typically wears a large robe adorned with circles, reflecting the cultural style of the Mokomo Dukedom. Around his waist, he sports a haramaki (a type of belly wrap), and he wears sandals, a light-colored shirt, and pants. As a distinctive accessory, he frequently carries a kiseru, a traditional Japanese smoking pipe.

Notably, as a retainer of the Kozuki Family, he bears the family crest somewhere on his body, though the specific location is not mentioned.

Due to past events where he was tortured by Jack, Nekomamushi lost his left hand and part of his left forearm. However, he adapted to the loss and replaced his missing hand with a prosthetic double-barreled gun.

Nekomamushi is an incredibly powerful and skilled individual, possessing a wide range of abilities that make him a formidable force in combat.

He has immense physical strength, as demonstrated when he lifted and slammed the massive and powerful Jack, an All-Star of the Beasts Pirates, with enough force to destroy a building. His sharp and powerful claws allowed him to instantly behead Kurozumi Orochi in his Beast Form and send Charlotte Perospero flying with a single swipe.

Despite his large size, Nekomamushi is remarkably fast and agile. He can cover vast distances in a matter of seconds and leap high into the air, making him a formidable opponent in battle.

Nekomamushi's vitality is exceptional, enabling him to fight against Jack and his forces for five days, recovering in 12-hour intervals. He survived exposure to Caesar Clown's Koro gas and endured an entire day of torture, even losing his right arm. His endurance is demonstrated by his ability to retain strength and almost break free from his chains despite exposure to the Koro gas, which incapacitated the other minks.

As a member of the Mink Tribe, Nekomamushi can activate the Sulong transformation by looking at the full moon. In this form, his strength, speed, agility, Electro (a Mink Tribe-specific ability), and combat abilities are magnified. During Sulong, he overwhelmed Jack and even defeated Charlotte Perospero with a single attack.

Nekomamushi is also skilled in swordsmanship, capable of emulating Oden's Oden Two Sword Style and using his own version known as Oden One Sword Style. His proficiency in this style allows him to wield his staff, channeling Electro through it.

As a former pirate, Nekomamushi is an able seaman with navigational skills. He carries a double-barreled gun in place of his lost left hand, demonstrating proficiency in using firearms.

In addition to his physical prowess, Nekomamushi possesses the ability to use Haki. He can employ Busoshoku Haki, allowing him to strengthen his attacks and defend against powerful opponents. He also has Kenbunshoku Haki, enhancing his perception and awareness in battle.

Allies

Inuarashi

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were once very close friends and allies. They shared adventures and experiences together, forming a strong bond. However, their friendship suffered a severe strain after the execution of Oden, a figure they both cared deeply about. Each blamed the other for Oden's death, leading to a deep rift between them. This animosity caused them to avoid meeting face-to-face, and when they accidentally encountered each other, they exchanged hostile words and insults, even preparing for a battle to the death.

Despite their enmity, they eventually recognized the need to set aside their differences for the greater good. They agreed to form a truce to avoid upsetting Momonosuke, indicating that deep down, they still care about the well-being of their people and the responsibilities they carry. As they reminisced about their past adventures, their former friendship resurfaced, and they became jolly and friendly with each other once again.

Pedro

Nekomamushi and Pedro had a positive and close relationship. As a member of the Guardians serving under Nekomamushi, Pedro and he shared mutual respect and trust. When Pedro requested to join the Sanji Retrieval Team on their mission, Nekomamushi granted only Pedro's request, displaying his belief in Pedro's abilities and acknowledging his unique capability to keep Pekoms in line.

After learning of Pedro's death and the circumstances surrounding it, Nekomamushi was deeply affected by the loss of his comrade. He was happy that Pedro died for a noble cause but was also determined to avenge his death by confronting the one responsible, Charlotte Perospero.

Kozuki Family

Nekomamushi is extremely loyal to the Kozuki Family of Wano Country, especially to Oden and his descendants. He owes them a great debt of gratitude for protecting him, Inuarashi, and Kawamatsu from discrimination during their youth.

Nekomamushi's loyalty is so profound that he is willing to make significant sacrifices to protect and serve the Kozuki Family. He values their well-being above all else and is even willing to set aside his differences with his rival, Inuarashi, in order to appease Kozuki Momonosuke, the heir of the Kozuki Clan.

Nine Red Scabbards

Nekomamushi shares an extremely strong and close friendship with the other members of the Nine Red Scabbards, even after being separated from them for twenty years. Their bond runs deep, and Nekomamushi is willing to risk his life and kingdom to protect his fellow scabbard, Raizo, from harm. He remained resolute in not revealing Raizo's whereabouts, even under severe torture. Nekomamushi's loyalty and camaraderie with the Nine Red Scabbards are unwavering.

Heart Pirates

Nekomamushi took in the Heart Pirates, primarily because Bepo, a member of the Heart Pirates, is a native of Zou. Despite not expecting their help in fighting Jack, he was impressed by Bepo's determination to defend his home. Nekomamushi seems to appreciate their dedication and willingness to stand up for what they believe in.

Straw Hat Pirates

Nekomamushi, like the rest of the Mink Tribe, is deeply grateful to the Straw Hat Pirates, particularly Sanji, for saving them from peril. He understands the emotional distress caused by Sanji's leaving with Capone Bege for his impending marriage and demonstrates empathy by asking Wanda and Carrot to keep it a secret.

Nekomamushi also holds a great deal of respect and faith in Monkey D. Luffy, believing him to be the future Pirate King. He is concerned for the safety of Nico Robin, given her ability to read Poneglyphs, but he trusts that her crewmates will protect her. Nekomamushi shows curiosity and interest in the backgrounds and stories of various members of the Straw Hat crew, such as Luffy's connection to Shanks and Franky's apprenticeship under Tom.

Enemies

Jack

Nekomamushi has a deep and intense enmity towards Jack, who invaded Zou and caused great harm to the Mink Tribe. When informed of Jack's invasion, Nekomamushi immediately rushed to confront him.

Jack's brutal actions, including using poison gas and torturing him for information, have left a lasting impact on Nekomamushi. He swore never to forget what Jack had done and cursed him, vowing that the consequences of his actions would follow him until his death.

Nekomamushi, along with Inuarashi, eventually fought and defeated Jack during the battle at Onigashima, showcasing their determination to avenge the wrongs done to their people.

Charlotte Perospero

Nekomamushi holds an intense hatred towards Charlotte Perospero due to his role in the death of Pedro. During the battle at Onigashima, Nekomamushi singles out Perospero and confronts him outside the Skull Dome.

He transforms into his Sulong form, vowing that this will be the last moonlight Perospero will ever see. Despite Perospero injuring him and gloating about his luck, Nekomamushi's determination remains unyielding. When the clouds part, Nekomamushi delivers a final Sulong attack, defeating Perospero and avenging Pedro's death.

Others

Pekoms

Despite Pekoms being a pirate, Nekomamushi cares for him, likely due to their shared heritage as Minks. When Nekomamushi finds Pekoms badly injured, he confronts Capone Bege, demanding answers about what happened to him.

This shows Nekomamushi's concern for the well-being of his fellow Mink, even if they are on opposite sides. His actions indicate a sense of kinship and compassion for Pekoms despite their different allegiances.

In addition to the manga and its anime adaptation, Nekomamushi also appeared in video games. He is a playable character in the following games:

• One Piece Thousand Storm

• One Piece Bounty Rush

Nekomamushi also makes supporting appearances in One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum.

• "Neko Mamushi" means "Cat Viper", later titled "Master" in the manga.

• Nekomamushi was integrated into the manga by Oda after Brook's voice actor, Chō, made up a song about "going off to meet the Cat Viper", which impressed Oda.

• His design and love for lasagna are reminiscent of the comic strip cat Garfield.

• His use of a smoking pipe may be a reference to a specific Garfield comic strip where Garfield takes Jon Arbuckle's pipe.

• His design also bears similarities to the Cheshire Cat from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

• The song he hums while eating in the anime sounds similar to Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th Symphony in C minor.

• Initially, Nekomamushi's height was stated as 318 cm (10'5") in the Vivre Card databook, but later Oda revealed his height to be 522 cm (17'1") in SBS Volume 96.

• Nekomamushi's favorite foods are lasagna and kamaboko, while he dislikes hot food.

• Kamaboko is one of the main ingredients in oden, and fittingly, Nekomamushi was one of Kozuki Oden's main retainers.

• Nekomamushi's animal resemblance is a wildcat.

• His hobby is swimming at night.

• Nekomamushi's birthday is November 22, which comes from "Good Kitty".