Hyogoro

Hyogoro of the Flower is the former yakuza boss of Ringo and the most famous yakuza in Wano Country during the Kozuki Family's reign. During Kurozumi Orochi's reign, he was imprisoned in Udon's prisoner mines until he was freed by Monkey D. Luffy. As a prisoner, he was known as Grandpa Hyo (ヒョウじい).

Appearance
Hyogoro is a small, elderly man with a cyan tuft of hair and goatee that resemble small flames. He has a blue tattoo covering his shoulders and upper back that resembles a vest with pink flower patterns and a border.

As an inmate of the Prisoner Mine, he wore a black and white striped yukata undone above the waist, leaving his upper body bare aside from a small orange scarf. He also wore small round orange glasses and warabi sandals. He later draped a short light cloak over his shoulders.

At the battle at Onigashima, he wore a light-colored yukata with dark cherry blossom patterns and a dark cloak with bird symbols somewhat similar to the Kozuki Family crest.

Over twenty years ago, he was a taller heavyset man with longer hair and goatee resembling wilder flames. He regained this physique while being infected by the Ice Oni virus, with the addition of elongated nails and sharp molars on his right side.

Personality
Even if I die, I will never speak!! Damn Youngster!! Carrying out personal honor, helping the weak and never yielding to strong fools!! If I don't reciprocate that man's chivalry with chivalry, I can never show my face again!!

Despite being a yakuza boss, Hyogoro is an extremely honorable and kind man who was once famous throughout Wano for his unmatched chivalry as a samurai. Countless samurai and even Oden himself held utmost respect for him. Hyogoro deeply despises the tyranny of Kurozumi Orochi and the Beasts Pirates, denouncing their oppression of Wano's citizens and murder of everyone who stood up to them. When given the chance to submit to Orochi, he refused, yearning for the old days when honorable people were still alive. As such, due to his absolute dedication to samurai's honor, pride, loyalty, and chivalry, he was completely disgusted and infuriated to see Orochi's subordinates switch allegiance to Kaido right after Orochi was decapitated by Kaido.

After spending a long time in the prison, he became broken down physically and mentally, although he still voiced his disappointment with his lack of food despite such an attitude being punishable. However, when Luffy gave him more dango, Hyogoro took the pirate's honor very seriously and made no secret of his new fortune, being willing to accept death for it because of how it fulfilled his memories of the past. By his admission, he consigned himself to a miserable death in prison.

Upon reuniting with Raizo and made aware of the whereabouts of the alleged deceased members of the Nine Red Scabbards and Momonosuke, Hyogoro came to appreciate a new will to live, being very relieved that he did not die before knowing everything, and requesting to join the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance to overthrow Orochi and Kaido.

He can be bold to the point of staying in the path of an angry Big Mom just to test Luffy.

During the raid on Onigashima, he is shown to be optimistic, saying that he cannot imagine the alliance losing.

Wano Country
Hyogoro was respected by all the samurais of Wano for his immense chivalry and kindness towards the citizens. Shinobu believed that if Hyogoro joined their campaign in overthrowing Kaido and Orochi, he could rally all the samurais to their cause. Hyogoro's patriotism towards Wano is so great that he absolutely refused to cooperate with Orochi's plans for mass weapon factory industrialization despite the consequences of going against Orochi. After being imprisoned, most of the citizens thought he was executed by Orochi for defiance and his fellow prisoners no longer recognized him as the legendary Yakuza, simply referring him as Grandpa Hyo. They cared deeply for Hyogoro who no longer had the strength to work in the hard prison labor, but lack the courage to help him by defying the Beast Pirates. When Daifugo attacked Hyogoro for cheating the system, they pleaded him to stop hurting Hyogoro as he could possibly die due to his old age. However, when seeing him use an advanced Busoshoku Haki technique on a Gifter, the prisoners realize that he is Hyogoro. Hyogoro also expressed sadness at the death of the former benevolent Hakumai Daimyo Shimotsuki Yasuie after seeing his execution. Hyogoro held immense sympathy towards the impoverished citizens of Wano and their immense suffering and misery from Kaido and Orochi's tyranny. When Luffy was silently angered at the Ebisu Town citizens laughing at Yasuie's death, Hyogoro solemly explained about the side effects of the defective SMILE fruits which Orochi had fed his own citizens, including some of their fellow prisoners who had fallen victim to Orochi's twisted cruelty. When Daifugo and the other Beasts Pirates attacked his fellow prisoners, Hyogoro rushed to their aid, though was disappointed by their broken morale that led them to simply give into the Beasts Pirates' oppression. When Luffy successfully convinced them to retaliate back at the Beast Pirates, Hyogoro was elated while praising Kinemon for making an extremely wise choice of recruiting Luffy as their ally.

Kozuki Family
Among the many Wano citizens, even Kozuki Oden himself held the utmost respect for Hyogoro. In turn, Hyogoro have the same amount of respect for Oden and his family. In fact, he and his wife were some of the few people who still stood by Oden's side when the then Kuri daimyo humiliated himself in public for five years, with Hyogoro's wife even complimenting Oden on his dancing. When the family was believed to have died out completely, Hyogoro came to lose his will to live and consigned himself to a miserable death in Udon. Seeing Raizo still alive renewed his will to live, and he requested to join the alliance to topple Orochi. Raizo was surprised to see the difference in Hyogoro's appearance since their last contact 20 years ago, but was nevertheless confident in his charisma being a valuable asset to their alliance. Even after Hyogoro's fall from grace, Kawamatsu continues to worry for his safety, imploring Luffy not to let the elderly yakuza die.

Monkey D. Luffy
Go ahead and kill me!! Meeting him has brought back nostalgic feelings! A long time since Hyogoro of the Flowers had his belly and heart filled!! This is the Samurai Country, in the past there were many men like that, you bastards have massacred them all!

Due to Luffy saving his life and offering him dango, Hyogoro held immense gratitude and respect for Luffy because of how he reminded him of his past. Luffy himself took a liking to Hyogoro and openly attacked Daifugo when the latter tried to kill Hyogoro despite the consequences of execution. Hyogoro showed great concern when Luffy was hurt by Babanuki and pleaded with Queen to spare Luffy, even offering to be punished in his place.

During the Sumo Inferno, Hyogoro was able to dodge attacks because he trusted Luffy's instructions. Once he found out about the advanced Busoshoku Haki technique that Luffy was trying to learn, Hyogoro offered to teach him. Upon learning that Luffy is an ally of the still living Momonosuke, Hyogoro came to believe that it was fate that Luffy was sent to Udon, where many potential allies are imprisoned by Orochi, and that it is the most ideal location to reinforce their rebellion against the tyrants of Wano.

Hyogoro wishes for Luffy to get stronger as he put himself in the path of an angry Big Mom in the hopes that Luffy can improve his skills. When the prisoners in Udon began to doubt Luffy after learning he is a pirate, Hyogoro vouched for him. He has shown to have great faith in Luffy's abilities as he continued to supervise his training after the prison takeover. Hyogoro also defended Luffy when his fellow yakuza tried to punish Luffy for speaking to Hyogoro so casually.

Beasts Pirates
Hyogoro strongly despises the tyranny of the Beasts Pirates and their ally Orochi and was thrown into prison for his refusal to submit. After being helped by Luffy, Hyogoro bravely declared his disdain for the Beasts Pirates when Daifugo threatened to kill him. When they first met after many years, Queen mocked Hyogoro for his miserable plight.

Once he witnessed Hyogoro used an advanced Busoshoku Haki technique to defeat Alpacaman, Queen expressed praise towards the old man.

Kurozumi Orochi
When Orochi seized power as the shogun, Hyogoro refused to acknowledge his authority. Eventually with the help of Kaido, Orochi had Hyogoro arrested and sentenced him to life imprisonment in Udon. Hyogoro also joined the Kozuki Revolution in order to overthrow him. Nevertheless, Hyogoro was disgusted when seeing the Orochi Oniwabanshu and Mimawarigumi easily relinquished their allegiance to Orochi and pledged loyalty to Kaido for self preservation after Orochi was decapitated.

Abilities and Powers
In the past, Hyogoro was once Wano's most famous yakuza boss, being in charge of all Underworld dealings in the Flower Capital. He carried enough respect to hold authority over the five yakuza bosses of the other regions of Wano. In fact, his popularity among the Wano population was so massive that Shinobu was certain that, even after two decades, Hyogoro alone would be able to recruit the necessary amount of samurai to stand a chance in the revolution against Orochi.

Physical Abilities
In the past, Hyogoro was respected by countless samurais, Yakuzas, and even Kaido and Orochi themselves for his legendary strength. However, due to long term malnutrition on account of his imprisonment, along with the effects of old age, Hyogoro's strength has significantly declined. However, he is still strong enough to move five massive stone blocks.

After eating Queen's oshiruko supply, Hyogoro regained enough energy and strength to overpower the Beast Pirates with his swordsmanship.

Hyogoro has exceptional endurance despite his old age, as he could withstand an Artificial Zoan Devil Fruit enhanced Gifter, Daifugo's brutally kicking him without spitting out the food Luffy offered him. This, when combined with his superior Busoushoku Haki skills, allowed him to survive getting sent flying and crashing deep into a wall by Emperor Big Mom, which is an incredible feat by itself, as Big Mom is powerful enough to destroy cities, sink battleships, and even kill a strong giant as a child with just her bare hands. In spite of suffering this injury, he is able to fight the Beasts Pirates later on.

Hyogoro has displayed great agility in spite of his old age. He was able to avoid the sword attacks of Alpacaman and counterattack fairly easily, though he did have Luffy's future vision to tell him what would happen next.

Hyogoro has shown incredible willpower, able to resist the feral berserker effects of the Ice Oni virus from affecting his mind through sheer will, exploiting the strength enhancement effects to his advantage, shockingly impressed Apoo and Drake.

Becoming infected by the Ice Oni virus granted Hyogoro the return of the strength of his prime, though in exchange of his lifespan. With this, he was able to easily decimate many Beasts Pirates and the entire ex-Mimawarigumi as well as the Orochi Oniwabanshu.

Haki


Hyogoro is an extremely skilled and experienced Busoshoku Haki user, which is called "Ryuo" in Wano. He can harden parts of his body and can utilize an advanced application of Busoshoku Haki that allows him to emit his Haki a short distance without a medium. It is strong enough to strike down a Gifter without touching him. He also withstood an attack from Big Mom by guarding himself with Busoshoku Haki. He was skilled enough as a teacher to teach Luffy in the same advanced technique.

In the anime when Hyogoro uses advanced Busoshoku Haki, it is shown as a pink colored flowing aura.

Swordsmanship
Hyogoro is an extremely skilled veteran Samurai who learned the concept of Wano, where one wield their sword as an extension of their will, choosing what he does and doesn't want to cut. Despite his old age, malnourished body, and spending twenty years imprisoned in Udon, he managed to dispatch dozens of Beasts Pirates easily using his sword, then participated in the Raid on Onigashima. He uses a style called Hana no Ittoryu (花の一刀流). When his original strength was briefly restored to him, Hyogoro managed to defeat the captains of the Mimawarigumi and the Orochi Oniwanbanshi with his swordsmanship.

Attacks



 * Dohatsu Kohai (怒髪光拝): Hyogoro swings his sword slowly and and charges at full speed to slash through multiple enemies while leaving some kind of fire generated by unknown means behind. The name of attack also alludes to Hyogoro's flame-like hair; The word dohatsu (怒髪) means "infuriated", but the individual kanji meanings are "angry" + "hair". It is called Flaming Hair of Holy Rage in the Viz translation.

Weapons
20 years ago, Hyogoro wielded a long thin katana. He regained his sword after joining the rebellion.

Past
Years ago during the Kozuki Family's reign, Hyogoro was the most famous yakuza boss in Wano Country. He was allied with the Kozuki Family, whose patriarch, Kozuki Oden, was a fan of his since childhood. When Oden was 15, Hyogoro and his yakuza family got dragged into the Harem Revolt incident. 41 years ago, his subordinates informed him of Kin'emon stealing their money. Hyogoro simply told his men that they would not stand a chance against Kin'emon in a one-on-one fight. He later witnessed Oden defeating the Mountain God and was impressed by this feat.

20 years ago, Hyogoro was captured and his wife and men were killed for refusing to submit to the shogun Kurozumi Orochi. He was handed over to the Beasts Pirates and was imprisoned in Udon's Prisoner Mine.

Wano Country Arc
After moving five big block rocks in the Prisoner Mines, Hyogoro went to collect his dango allotment and was disheartened to see that he only received one piece of kibi dango for his work. The guard punched Hyogoro for talking back, leaving him lying on the ground. The deputy warden Dobon then arrived and stepped on Hyogoro, but was then defeated by the prisoners Monkey D. Luffy and Eustass Kid, and Luffy picked up Hyogoro and carried him on his shoulder.

On the next day, Hyogoro thanked Luffy for saving him. Luffy then gave Hyogoro some of his meal tickets in an act of kindness.

The next day, Hyogoro was attacked by the guards, who were suspicious about him having so many meal tickets. However, he refused to give up his dango, as Luffy's actions reminded him of Wano's past and he was willing to die now that this had fulfilled him. Before Daifugo could kill Hyogoro, though, Luffy came in and attacked the guard. Hyogoro and Luffy were then caught and brought before Queen. After Queen mocked him for being a weak old man, Hyogoro begged Queen to spare Luffy.



Hyogoro and Luffy were sentenced to fight in death matches called the Sumo Inferno. Both of them were forced to wear collars that will behead them if they step out of the ring, but they were allowed to have their handcuffs removed for combat. As the first group of opponents attacked them, Hyogoro watched as Luffy instantly knocked them out with Haoshoku Haki. After Luffy defeated more opponents, Hyogoro was puzzled when Luffy mentioned Silvers Rayleigh.

Hyogoro and Luffy were eventually confronted by Alpacaman and Madilloman. Thanks to Luffy being able to predict their attacks, Hyogoro was able to avoid them. When Luffy told Hyogoro about trying to learn an advanced Busoshoku Haki technique, Hyogoro demonstrated this technique and defeated Alpacaman with it.

Hyogoro tried to teach Luffy, but the latter continued defeating opponents without making any progress. They eventually exhausted to nighttime when everyone else went to sleep. Hyogoro questioned Luffy why he wanted to defeat Kaido, and in the process, Raizo came to explain everything. Surprised to see Raizo and learn that the Nine Red Scabbards and Momonosuke are all still alive, Hyogoro came to renew his will to live and requested to join their alliance to topple Kaido and Orochi. He also revealed many potential allies that were locked in the prison.

During the night, Hyogoro and Luffy ate oshiruko that were stolen from Queen but overate and grew fat. On the next day as the Beasts Pirates gathered around the ring, Hyogoro and Luffy prepared for the next set of matches, but Queen went to turn on the Picture Tanishi. Hyogoro then tearfully witnessed the execution of Shimotsuki Yasuie. When Luffy commented that no one should laugh when a person dies, Hyogoro explained about a side effect of the SMILE fruits. After watching Luffy's crewmates causing a commotion at the execution site, Hyogoro saw Kamazo and the recaptured Kid brought to the prison. After Kid revealed Kamazo to be his crewmate Killer, Hyogoro noted that Killer became a victim of a defective SMILE fruit.



Soon afterwards, Hyogoro witnessed Big Mom breaking into the prison. Unlike Luffy and the Beasts Pirates, Hyogoro was not shocked since he was unfamiliar with her. He was then surprised to see Big Mom overpowering Queen. After Luffy unwittingly admitted that he ate the oshiruko for which Big Mom was looking, Big Mom directed her anger towards Luffy and pushed him and Hyogoro out of the ring. Fortunately, Luffy managed to remove the collars. Hyogoro stayed in Big Mom's path, hoping that Luffy could become stronger by fighting her. Hyogoro noted that what Luffy just did was superior to what he had been trying to teach him, and so if Luffy could do that, he should be able to protect him from the attacking Big Mom. However, Big Mom instantly sent Luffy and Hyogoro crashing into a wall. Luffy worriedly apologized to Hyogoro as he pulled him out of the wall, and Hyogoro revealed that he used Haki just in case. Hyogoro told Luffy more about the advance usage of Busoshoku Haki before Big Mom chased Luffy throughout the Prisoner Mines.



After Queen subdued Big Mom and took her away from the Prisoner Mines, Hyogoro watched Luffy fight the Beasts Pirates, commenting that Luffy was not easily discouraged. After Raizo freed Kawamatsu and joined up with Kikunojo and Chopper, Hyogoro told Kikunojo and Raizo to reveal themselves in order to rally the prisoners. Hyogoro and his allies then prepared for battle. As they fought against the Beasts Pirates, they were soon cornered by prisoners who were infected by the Mummy virus. Hyogoro was amazed when Luffy managed to sway them into rebelling against the Beasts Pirates. He was then pleased to see Luffy defeat Warden Babanuki.

After the prison takeover, the prisoners became skeptical when they learned that Luffy is a pirate. Hyogoro became worried as he tried to reassure them. He then wondered where Luffy went. While seeing the prisoners bowing to Momonosuke, Hyogoro realized that they needed a goal in order to fight. After Chopper treated Luffy and the infected prisoners, Hyogoro was pleased to see how much trust Luffy had gained. He then got reacquainted with the four yakuza bosses who were also imprisoned in Udon. When they threatened Luffy for speaking to Hyogoro casually, Hyogoro once again vouched for him.



As the day of the Fire Festival drew closer, Hyogoro continued supervising Luffy's Busoshoku Haki training. He also received Yasuie's last message. After Luffy finished with his training and left Udon two days before the raid on Onigashima, Hyogoro was contacted by Kin'emon, who told everyone participating to use the remaining time to prepare. Hyogoro also informed his fellow rebels in Udon that Cho would be bringing weapons from Ringo.

The rebels gathered at Habu Port and on the day of the Fire Festival, they joined the Scabbards at Tokage Port on a fleet of ships. After Jinbe arrived to aid the rebels, Hyogoro joined Law and the Scabbards on the Polar Tang and volunteered to lead the samurai. He also took part in their discussion on how to enter Onigashima.

After the Straw Hats defeated the guards at the torii gates, the rebels arrived at Onigashima. Hyogoro then joined Denjiro in the southern forces. After Denjiro's forces split into two groups, Hyogoro and several rebels infiltrated the Performance Stage in the Skull Dome, where they found Momonosuke tied to a crucifix. They then waited patiently for the time to strike.

After Kaido disposed of Orochi for his New Onigashima Project, Hyogoro was greatly disgusted when the Orochi Oniwabanshu and the Mimawarigumi swore their allegiance to Kaido out of self-preservation, throwing away their warrior pride and honor without hesitation. After the Scabbards and Izou launched a surprise attack on Kaido, Hyogoro and the rebels revealed themselves as the all-out war on the Beasts Pirates began.

As the battle raged on, Hyogoro and the yakuza leaders decided to go after the Tobiroppo. Despite the number of enemies, Hyogoro stated that he could not imagine the alliance losing. When Luffy used Gear Fourth to attack one of the Numbers, Hyogoro commented that Luffy looked like a Wisdom King.

After Queen unleashed the Ice Oni virus, Omasa became infected. He prepared to take his own life, but Hyogoro stopped him. As Chopper began mass-producing the antidote, the yakuza bosses volunteered to guard him. During the struggle, Hyogoro got infected by the Ice Oni virus, but he physically returned to his prime self. The Mimawarigumi challenged him, but Hyogoro managed to defeat them. As his infection worsened, Hyogoro ordered Yatappe to end his life before he could completely transform into an ice oni. Yatappe struggled with the task, and as he swung his sword, Chopper stopped it and administered the cure to Hyogoro. With the effects reversed, Hyogoro returned to his short stature. As Chopper slapped Queen and exclaimed that he was not a "tanuki", Hyogoro inwardly apologized for having called him such.

Major Battles

 * Hyogoro and Monkey D. Luffy vs. Madilloman and Alpacaman
 * Hyogoro, Monkey D. Luffy, Tony Tony Chopper, Raizo, Kikunojo, and Kawamatsu vs. Beasts Pirates (Prisoner Mines)
 * Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance vs. Beasts Pirates and their allies

Playable Appearances

 * One Piece Treasure Cruise

Trivia

 * His appearance from 20 years ago resembles the Kongōrikishi, the two wrathful guardians at the entrance of many Buddhist temples, and Fudō Myō-ō, a guardian deity primarily revered in Vajrayana Buddhism.
 * Hyogoro holds authority over Wano's yakuza bosses, just as Fudō Myō-ō is preeminent among the Wisdom Kings. In real life, Fudō Myō-ō is highly revered among some Yakuza members who often draw on his intense facial expression and demeanor, sometimes tattooing it as a protection charm.
 * He is the second person to teach Luffy the art of Haki (after Rayleigh). In this case, it is advanced Busokoku Haki.

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