One Piece is renowned for its rich lore, filled with colorful characters that often linger in the background. While numerous prominent figures grace the main storyline, many intriguing characters are relegated to the SBS (Shitsumon o Boshū suru?, or “I’m Taking Questions”) sections of the compiled volumes. Among them, Hanafuda, the King of Pirates, introduced in Volume 109 of SBS, stands out for his compelling backstory as the father of Ulti and Page One and for his significant connection to the formidable Zoan fruits used by the Beast Pirates.
Hanafuda once held an esteemed position among the Seven Warlords. However, his tenure ended after he was defeated by Portgas D. Ace, paving the way for Bartholomew Kuma to take his place.
**Disclaimer:** This article includes spoilers regarding the One Piece series.
Understanding Hanafuda’s Role in One Piece
While Hanafuda did not play an active role within the main storylines of One Piece, his existence coincides with the rise of Kaido during the era of the Worst Generation. Although the SBS did not delve deeply into his history, it established him as a pirate with immense strength and a notorious status.
His association with Kaido raises the possibility that Hanafuda occupied a position akin to King within Kaido’s inner circle, possibly aligning himself with Kaido under the belief that Kaido would ascend as the next Pirate King.
Hanafuda’s unique interest in collecting Ancient Zoan fruits, coupled with his title “King of Lizards,”implies he may have been the source of many dinosaur-themed Zoan fruits later distributed among the Beast Pirates. This connection is further emphasized by his children, Ulti and Page One, who wield dinosaur-related Devil Fruits as prominent members of Kaido’s crew.
His notorious reputation led him to become a Warlord, and through his alliance with Kaido, he encountered a decisive defeat against Portgas D. Ace. Although the timeline of this battle remains unclear, it is speculated that this loss put Hanafuda on Whitebeard’s radar, eventually resulting in his recruitment to the crew.
Tragically, Hanafuda met his demise at the hands of unnamed enemy pirates while attempting to reunite with Ulti and Page One post his defeat by Ace.
Examining Hanafuda’s Powers and Abilities
Despite his formidable stature, Hanafuda’s specific combat abilities and potentially unique Devil Fruit remain shrouded in mystery. The SBS offered no insights regarding these aspects, apart from a visual description of his presence. Given his history of battles against Kaido and his dynamic with other formidable foes, Hanafuda likely possessed combat skills beyond the standard exhibited by previous Warlords.
Visually, Hanafuda is shown wielding a kusarigama entailing a spiked iron ball, indicating he was highly proficient in weaponry and a significant threat in combat.
Although the SBS did not specify details about his Devil Fruit or Haki capabilities, it can be inferred that he might have had expertise in Armament Haki, particularly as he clashed with Ace, a Logia user, and a young Kaido. His title “King of Lizards”hints at a potential connection to a Zoan-type Devil Fruit; however, the specifics remain undetermined from the available lore.
Conclusion
Mark your calendars: One Piece chapter 1143 is set for release on March 23, 2025, promising a captivating storyline centered around the giants’ revolt against the God Knights.
Though Hanafuda has yet to appear within the manga or anime, there are hints that he could feature in future chapters. This speculation is bolstered by the enigmatic “Man Marked by Flames,”suggesting that Hanafuda’s complex story is too rich to remain untouched in the larger narrative.