If you’ve been following the Egghead Island arc or keeping up with the chaos in the New World, you know that the power balance in the One Piece world is currently screaming toward a breaking point. But honestly, one of the most misunderstood groups in the entire series isn't a pirate crew or a rebel army. It's SWORD. Fans constantly debate over who the official one piece sword members actually are, and the confusion makes sense. For years, Oda kept the details vague. We saw X Drake under cover, then we saw Koby and Helmeppo doing their thing, and we just assumed it was a secret branch of the Marines.
It’s way more complicated than that.
SWORD isn’t just "Secret Marines." They are "Marine HQ Secret Special Force" members who have essentially handed in their resignation papers while still wearing the uniform. Think of them as the freelancers of the military. They don't follow the World Government’s orders, but the Marines don't take responsibility for their actions either. If a SWORD member gets captured by a Yonko, the Navy basically says, "We don't know this person."
That’s a heavy price to pay for freedom.
The Current Roster: Who Is Officially In?
Let’s get the facts straight. Being a "Marine" doesn't make you a member. To be part of this specific unit, you have to be willing to operate outside the Chain of Command. This is why Garp—despite being the mentor to almost everyone in the group—is not technically a member of SWORD. He’s a Vice Admiral. He has a serial number. He’s "in the system."
X Drake was our first real look at the group. For the longest time, we thought he was just another member of the Worst Generation who turned to a life of crime. Then, during the Wano Country arc, the mask slipped. He’s the Captain of SWORD. His position is fascinating because he managed to infiltrate Kaido's Animal Kingdom Pirates, reaching the rank of Tobi Roppo, all while reporting back to the Marines. That takes a specific kind of mental fortitude. You aren't just a spy; you are a man without a country.
Then there is Koby. If there is a "main character" of the one piece sword members, it’s him. Koby represents the moral compass of the group. His growth from a crying chore boy on Alvida’s ship to a Hero of the Rocky Port Incident is the stuff of shonen legend. But his status in SWORD is what allowed him to negotiate with Blackbeard or act on his own during the chaotic events at Hachinosu.
Prince Grus is a name that caught people off guard. He’s a Rear Admiral with the Gungi Gungi no Mi (Clay-Clay Fruit). He’s moody, slightly cynical, and carries a very different energy than Koby’s starry-eyed optimism. Grus represents the tactical side of the unit. He isn't there for the glory; he’s there because the job needs to get done without the red tape of the Elders slowing him down.
We also have Kujaku, the granddaughter of the legendary Great Staff Officer Tsuru. This is a massive lore drop. It shows that SWORD isn't just a bunch of rebels; it has deep roots in the Marine hierarchy. She uses the Muchi Muchi no Mi (Whip-Whip Fruit), which lets her command inanimate objects. It’s a weird, powerful ability that fits the "anything goes" vibe of the team.
Don't forget Hibari. She’s the skilled sniper of the group who seems to have a very close, almost protective bond with Koby. There are a ton of fan theories suggesting she might be related to Akainu because of her specific dialect in the Japanese text, but for now, she’s just one of the most reliable field agents the unit has.
Finally, there’s Helmeppo. Good old Helmeppo. He’s a Lieutenant Commander now. While he’s often the comic relief, his loyalty to Koby and his willingness to dive into pirate-infested territory without backup proves he belongs in this "suicide squad" of Marines.
Why SWORD is Different from CP0
People often mix these up. CP0 (Cipher Pol Aigis Zero) are the "Heavenly Dragons' strongest shields." They report directly to the World Nobles. They are the ultimate corporate stooges.
SWORD is the polar opposite.
While CP0 does the dirty work of the elites, SWORD does the work that the elites are too cowardly or too bogged down by politics to handle. A SWORD member can attack a Yonko without the Marines needing a formal declaration of war. That’s the loophole. The World Government loves it because they get the benefits of the missions without the diplomatic fallout. The members love it because they can actually follow their own sense of Justice.
The Tragedy of the "Discarded" Marine
There’s a reason Kuzan (Aokiji) explained the concept of SWORD so clearly during the standoff with Blackbeard. To be among the one piece sword members is to accept that you are replaceable.
Imagine spending twenty years in the service, rising through the ranks, and then "resigning" your code so you can go undercover. If you die, there’s no funeral at Marineford. There’s no medal for your family. You are a ghost.
Kuzan’s own status is the biggest question mark in the series right now. Is he a member? He’s currently a Titanic Captain for Blackbeard. He told Smoker he’s still "himself," but he hasn't been officially confirmed as a SWORD agent. If he is, he’s the highest-ranking "discarded" Marine in history. If he isn't, he’s the most dangerous wildcard on the seas.
The Hachinosu Incident: A Turning Point
The recent battle at the Pirate Island (Hachinosu) changed everything for our understanding of this group. We saw them move as a unit for the first time. We saw their synergy.
Koby’s "Honesty Impact" wasn't just a cool move; it was a statement. It showed that the "New Generation" of Marines—the ones who aren't bound by the "Absolute Justice" of Akainu—have reached a level of Haki that can challenge the top tiers of the pirate world.
But it also showed their weakness. They are young. They are idealistic. And when Garp had to step in to bail them out, it cost the Marines one of their greatest legends. The fallout of Garp’s disappearance is going to fall squarely on the shoulders of the SWORD members. They wanted the freedom to act; now they have to live with the consequences of that freedom.
Misconceptions About SWORD Membership
I see this all the time on Reddit and Twitter: "Is Smoker in SWORD? Is Tashigi in SWORD?"
As of right now, no.
Smoker is a rebel at heart, sure. He hates the system. But he still operates within it. He uses his rank to get things done. Tashigi is the same. To be in SWORD, you have to be "off the books." Smoker is very much on the books. He’s a Vice Admiral in charge of G-5. You can’t run a major base and be a secret "resigned" Marine at the same time. The logistics don't work.
Also, Sengoku is likely the "founder" or at least the patron of the group. His relationship with Rosinante (Corazon) was the prototype for SWORD operations. Corazon was a Marine, but he was deep undercover as a pirate. He had no official backup. That’s the SWORD blueprint.
What’s Next for the Unit?
The world is sinking—literally. With the revelations from Vegapunk’s broadcast, the role of the Marines is going to shift. If the World Government is willing to let the world drown, what does a Marine do?
The one piece sword members are the only ones positioned to do the right thing without being branded as traitors immediately. They’ve already "quit." They are in the unique position of being able to form alliances with people like the Revolutionary Army or even the Straw Hat Pirates if the situation calls for it.
We are likely heading toward a massive internal schism in the Navy. On one side, you’ll have the followers of Absolute Justice like Ryokugyu and Akainu. On the other, you’ll have the "Moral Justice" crowd, likely led or inspired by the actions of SWORD.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of the endgame, keep your eyes on Prince Grus and Kujaku. Oda doesn't introduce high-ranking officers with unique Devil Fruits just for them to be background characters.
- Watch the Code: Look for characters who don't seem to follow the standard Marine protocol. If they aren't worried about "permission," they might be SWORD.
- The Kuzan Factor: Re-read the chapters involving Blackbeard and Kuzan. The way Kuzan talks about SWORD is too intimate for an outsider.
- Koby's Haki: Koby is being set up as the Garp of his generation. His involvement in SWORD is his path to becoming an Admiral without losing his soul to the Celestial Dragons.
The story of the one piece sword members is ultimately about the struggle to be a good person within a corrupt system. They are the ones who realized the system can't be fixed from the inside, so they stepped just outside the door—close enough to help, but far enough to stay clean.
Keep an eye on the upcoming chapters involving the fate of Garp. The response from SWORD will tell us exactly how much power this "secret" group actually has in the final saga.
To stay ahead of the curve, focus your attention on the G-14 base. This is where the SWORD members have been congregating near Egghead. Any Marine seen operating out of G-14 who isn't strictly following orders from the Five Elders is a prime candidate for the roster. Pay attention to the interaction between Koby and the citizens he saves; his "Hero" status is a narrative shield that the World Government finds increasingly difficult to ignore, even if he is technically a "resigned" officer.