Sentomaru

Sentoumaru is the bodyguard of Vegapunk and is in command of the Marines' Science Unit. After the time skip, he is revealed to be a fully-fledged Marine.

Appearance
Sentoumaru is a large man with a stocky build similar to that of a sumo wrestler. His face and haircut, however, look like that of a child, except for the large scar extending from his left eye to the left corner of his mouth. His outfit consists of a shirt that resembles a giant brown bib or apron with an emblem meaning "heaven" on the front, and a large red and white rope or "tsuna" (traditionally worn by yokozunas). Sentoumaru also has bandages wrapped around his right fist and elbows, along with the Kanji Sen (戦) tattooed on his left bicep. Sentoumaru carries around a huge, two-edged axe, as tall as himself, and just as large.

Following the timeskip, he is shown wearing a Marine coat over his shoulders due to his acceptance into the Marines. He has also removed the bandages around his arms.

Personality
Since he brags about having the tightest defense, Sentoumaru also claims to have the tightest mouth and refuses to reply to any questions. However, despite his claim, he is willing to tell everyone about himself whenever something related to a question or an event occurs. Whenever he gives away information, he claims he is giving it away freely and not because the person he is talking to asked or was curious about something. Sentoumaru seems to have some sense of respect for worthy opponents, as when confronting and questioning the fake Luffy, who bragged that he was the real thing, Sentoumaru claimed that Luffy wasn't a piece of filth like he was.

Marines
Sentoumaru refers to Kizaru as "Uncle" (黄猿のオジキ, Kizaru no Ojiki, a Japanese word commonly used to refer to a yakuza family "father" boss). The Japanese term used does not mean they are family. It truly means that the pair are on a high level of respect (despite Sentoumaru shouting at Kizaru for using the wrong Den Den Mushi).

Pirates
Sentoumaru claims that he doesn't "particularly have anything against pirates". Nevertheless, he still fights against the Straw Hats with PX-1 and Kizaru. He was also anxious for Kizaru to contact him. He was afraid that if Kizaru did not contact him, all of the Rookies would be killed. This was all before Sentoumaru was a mere bodyguard for Vegapunk; after the two years passed, when promoted to the rank of Marines, Sentoumaru planned to arrest all the pirates who joined the Impostor Straw Hat Pirates crew, despite them being tricked.

He also has a certain level of respect for Monkey D. Luffy, having fought him personally, and then considering the fake an insult.

Bartholomew Kuma
Not much is known about their relationship, but Sentoumaru did address the Shichibukai as "Kuma-kou", the suffix being an honorific meaning a sarcastic and insulting way of addressing someone. Any possible relationship may stem from Dr. Vegapunk's research facility (as Sentoumaru is the bodyguard, while Kuma is the weapon).

Powers and Abilities
As Dr. Vegapunk's bodyguard, he claims to be a world-class guard. His fighting style is similar that of Bartholomew Kuma's, standing like a sumo-wrestler and strikes with open-palm thrusts, which are strong enough to push back and injure Luffy. He is also able to run very fast. This is seen when he runs after Luffy and easily catches up to him. In addition, he appeared unfazed by Usopp's giant smokescreen shortly beforehand.

Despite all this, he claims he is not a Devil Fruit user.

Weapons
Sentoumaru is seen carrying around a massive broadaxe, and only uses it against tougher opponents such as Monster Chopper. He did, however, used the flat side to smash Demalo Black to the ground with immense ease.

Haki
Sentoumaru is a Busōshoku Haki user, that means he can create an "invisible armor" around himself and use it to hit his enemies, and is even able to negate their Devil Fruit powers. He has shown himself to be incredibly proficient with this Haki, even among other users, as he claims to have the "world's greatest defense", shown when Luffy couldn't land even a single punch on him.

Attacks

 * Ashigara Dokkoi (足空独行 (アシガラドッコイ) Leg-Locked Heave-Ho): Sentoumaru smashes his opponents with an open-palm using Busoushoku Haki. This was first seen used against Luffy. The name of this attack is a pun as "Ashigara" (Japanese for "Leg-Locked") sounds the same as Ashigara, the name of the mountain where Kintaro (the character on whom Sentoumaru is based) was raised. This is called Sumo Slam in the Viz Manga and Ashigara Dokkoi Shove in the FUNimation subs.

Sabaody Archipelago Arc
Sentoumaru was first seen on top of a building when Dias attempted to escape his slavery from his Tenryuubito enslavers, although not introduced then. Sentoumaru had been disappointed that Dias could not possibly have survived in the New World.

When Kizaru arrives on the island he attempts to look for his subordinate but is unsuccessful. Later Sentourmaru is seen on top of a building wondering why Kizaru had not contacted him, since the fight had already started. When Sentoumaru finally contacted Kizaru, Kizaru was scolded by Sentoumaru for trying to use a Black Den Den Mushi instead of his Baby Den Den Mushi. After the Straw Hats defeat PX-4, Sentoumaru arrives, revealing only his name in passing, and attacks the Straw Hats with PX-1. Luffy attempts to split up the Straw Hats, but Sentoumaru goes after him, Robin and Chopper; PX-1 pursues Nami, Franky and Sanji; and Kizaru intercepts Zoro, Brook and Usopp. Luffy tries to attack him, but without effect, and Sentoumaru knocks the boy back, claiming to have the strongest defense in the world.

After the Straw Hats try to escape, he follows Luffy and sics PX-1 after a wounded Zoro. He manages to best the weakened Luffy physically even without using his broad axe. During the fight, despite his claim of being the "Most silent man in the world", he reveals many things about Kuma and his powers. He is last seen looking surprised at Chopper's "Monster" form, before being attacked.

Whitebeard War
Near the final stretches of the Battle of Marineford, Sentoumaru arrived from the back of the bay, backed up with an army of at least twenty Pacifista, being the master stroke of the Marines' strategy, which would change the battle and enforce it to its final phase. Sentoumaru claimed that they have waited long enough, and it is their turn to strike.

Sentoumaru is seen later in the battle, complaining with Boa Hancock because she destroyed quite a number of Pacifistas. When Hancock, being asked why she acted that way, replied that "love strikes like a hurricane", Sentoumaru remained quite confused about the sense of the answer.

After Shanks' arrival, he is seen standing down along with the Pacifistas he commands.

The Straw Hat Reunion
After confirmation has been made that the Straw Hat Pirates have returned, Sentoumaru, now officially a member of the marines, is eager to head out and fight Luffy once again, commenting that he must be now on a whole new level than the rookies from 2 years ago or the ones there presently. He also plans to bring along Pacifista units PX-5 and PX-7.

He later arrives to Saboady Archipelago Grove 46 with the Marines, surrounding the pirates and blocking all entrances and exits. As the assembled pirates try and fail to fight the Pacifista, Sentoumaru confronts the Luffy impostor, questioning why was he being called "Straw Hat." Unfazed by the impostor's empty threats, Sentoumaru proceeds to smash him into the ground with the broad side of his axe. Disgusted by the fake trying to pretend he's the real Luffy, he then orders PX-5 to identify him: "Three-Tongued" Demalo Black, bounty 26,000,000. Sentoumaru realizes that the pirates have been fooled, but decides that the fact that they allowed themselves to be fooled is reason enough to arrest them. Having been made aware of the real Luffy's presence by the Pacifista, he orders PX-5 to target him. Luffy dodges PX-5's laser, but the blast makes him lose his disguise. Sentoumaru once again orders PX-5 to attack Luffy, but Luffy dodges the second attack with ease and destroys it with a single, Haki-imbued punch. Sentoumaru is shocked by Luffy's ability to wield Haki. Luffy then leaves the scene, despite Sentoumaru's ineffectual pleas for him to wait.

Major Battles

 * Sentoumaru, Kizaru and PX-1 vs. Straw Hat Pirates
 * Sentoumaru and Pacifistas vs. Whitebeard Pirates and their allies
 * Sentoumaru, PX-5 and PX-7 vs. subordinates of the Impostor Straw Hat Pirates
 * Sentoumaru vs. Demalo Black

Translation and Dub Issues

 * Sentoumaru's name contains the kanji for "peach" (桃) in reference to the Japanese story Momotarō, from which the Admiral names are also derived. He is also seen eating peaches while waiting for Kizaru to call him.
 * Each kanji in Sentoumaru's name, when broken up, is read as Sen (戦), to (桃) and maru (丸). Put together, it means "Battle Peach Ring".
 * He is so far the only character in the series to have his name written in kanji, rather than katakana (barring aliased people like the three Admirals).

Trivia

 * His design is heavily based on that of the Japanese folklore hero Kintarō (also known as samurai Sakata no Kintoki), who was notable for wearing nothing but a bib, carrying a massive axe, and sumo wrestling with bears. Additionally, his attack, Ashigara Dokkoi, is a pun on Mt. Ashigara, the place where Kintaro was raised.
 * Sentoumaru, like Enel, is seen with the tomoe symbol.

Related Articles

 * Marines
 * Pacifista
 * Kizaru
 * Bartholomew Kuma