Quick Answer
The Will of D (Dの意志, D no Ishi) is the spiritual legacy shared by characters bearing the mysterious “D.” in their name in One Piece. This group includes Monkey D. Luffy, Monkey D. Garp, Monkey D. Dragon, Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Ace, Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard), Trafalgar D. Water Law and Jaguar D. Saul. Dubbed “the natural enemy of the Gods” by the Five Elders (Gorosei), they embody a will opposed to the established order. According to legend, they are the spiritual heirs of Joy Boy and return cyclically throughout history to challenge the World Government.
Article written by the Wanted Store team — sources: One Piece manga vols. 1-110+ by Eiichiro Oda, Toei Animation anime, official SBS. Updated on April 26, 2026.
What is the Will of D?
The Will of D is a central concept in One Piece introduced as early as volume 12 by Saul (a giant who was a friend of Ohara). It is a spiritual legacy passed down through generations to individuals scattered across the world, identifiable by the mysterious “D.” between their first and last name.
This “D.” is never publicly explained in the manga. Most characters who carry it do not know what it means themselves. But certain holders of knowledge (Saul, Sengoku, the Five Elders) know its meaning and consider it an existential threat.
Complete list of characters bearing the D.
| Character | Affiliation | Status | Poster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkey D. Luffy | Straw Hats, Four Emperors (Yonko) | Alive | View |
| Monkey D. Garp | Marine (Vice-Admiral) | Alive | View |
| Monkey D. Dragon | Revolutionary Army | Alive | View |
| Gol D. Roger | King of the Pirates | Deceased (executed) | — |
| Portgas D. Ace | Whitebeard Pirates | Deceased (Marineford) | — |
| Portgas D. Rouge | Ace’s mother | Deceased | — |
| Marshall D. Teach | Blackbeard (Yonko) | Alive | View |
| Trafalgar D. Water Law | Heart Pirates | Alive | View |
| Jaguar D. Saul | Giant, former Marine | Presumed alive (returned at Egghead Island) | — |
| Harwar D. Donquixote | Former Celestial Dragon (Tenryuubito) (ancestor) | Deceased | — |
Other characters may carry the D. but without official confirmation (theories about Bonney, Shanks, Vivi).
The common traits of the “D.” bearers
All D. bearers share certain statistically remarkable traits:
- Smiling in the face of death — Roger laughed on the scaffold, Ace smiled before dying, Luffy smiles in the worst situations. This has become a visual signature of the clan.
- Magnetic charisma — the ability to rally others behind a cause. Roger, Whitebeard and Luffy each united hundreds of pirates.
- Refusal of unjust authority — a natural opposition to the Government (Roger, Dragon, Luffy) or to oppression (Garp refusing to become an Admiral).
- Unyielding will — the capacity to survive impossible situations through sheer determination.
- Connection to Joy Boy — according to Dr Vegapunk, they embody the spiritual legacy of the lost hero of the Void Century.
“The natural enemy of the Gods”
The phrase “the natural enemy of the Gods” (神の天敵) was used by Saint Jaygarcia Saturn (Five Elders / Gorosei) at Egghead Island to describe the D. clan. This label is revealing:
- The “Gods” = the Celestial Dragons (Tenryuubito) and, above them, Im-sama and the Gorosei
- The D. clan represents the cosmic antithesis of the divine order established by the World Government
- Their very existence is an existential threat to the Celestial Dragons’ (Tenryuubito) cosmology of power
This definition places the D. clan at the heart of the main narrative conflict: freedom vs. absolute authority.
Theories about the Will of D
Theory 1 — Direct descendants of the Ancient Kingdom
The D. clan would be composed of the last heirs of the Ancient Kingdom destroyed by the 20 kingdoms during the Void Century. The “D.” would mark their lineage, a kind of genetic code of resistance.
Theory 2 — Cyclical reincarnations of Joy Boy
According to Dr Vegapunk (Egghead Island): Joy Boy returns regularly throughout history. Roger was a partial reincarnation (having not fully awakened Nika), Luffy is the complete reincarnation. The other D. bearers would be partial incarnations or messengers.
Theory 3 — A secret generational pact
The D. would be an ancient pact passed from parent to child, without new bearers always knowing its meaning. Garp may have chosen the D. for Luffy knowingly.
Theory 4 — “D” = Dawn
Some fans believe the “D.” is an abbreviation of Dawn. The first chapter of One Piece is titled “Romance Dawn”. Luffy would usher in the dawn of a new era through his quest.
The role of the D. clan in the ending of One Piece
The D. clan occupies a privileged narrative position:
- Roger discovered the truth at Laugh Tale and passed the dream on to Luffy
- Luffy is the cosmic heir who must accomplish what Roger could not
- Dragon is the political heir preparing the world revolution
- Blackbeard is the antagonist D. — his role remains mysterious but possibly the inverse
- Law is the strategic ally, bearer of the Ope Ope no Mi (potential immortality)
- Garp is the bridge between the Marines and the family — a symbol of the system’s incongruity
The final storyline will revolve around the fulfilment of the Will of D by Luffy and the fall of the World Government.
Why is the D. kept hidden?
The World Government has known for 800 years that the D. represents a threat. It has attempted several times to eliminate the lineage:
- Roger’s execution (Loguetown) — to break his influence
- Hunting Ace (Roger’s son) — public execution at Marineford
- Persecution of young Sabo (a potential ally of the lineage)
- Buster Call on Ohara — elimination of the researchers who could have revealed the meaning of the D.
But the D. always survives, passed down from generation to generation. This is one of the deepest narrative engines of the series.
FAQ — The Will of D
What does the D. mean in One Piece?
Its exact meaning is never explicitly revealed in the canon. Several theories exist: descent from the Ancient Kingdom, reincarnation of Joy Boy, abbreviation of Dawn, or an ancestral pact. Oda will likely reveal it at the end of the series.
Who are the characters bearing the D.?
The main ones: Luffy, Garp, Dragon, Roger, Ace, Rouge, Blackbeard (Teach), Law, Saul. Others exist or are theorised (Bonney, Shanks, Vivi).
Why does the D. clan smile in the face of death?
It is a visual signature of the clan that Oda repeats deliberately: Roger laughing at his execution, Ace smiling before dying, Luffy smiling in the worst moments. It symbolises their absolute freedom in the face of death and authority.
Why are they called “natural enemy of the Gods”?
This expression used by Saint Saturn (Five Elders / Gorosei) at Egghead Island means they are the cosmic antithesis of the Celestial Dragons’ (Tenryuubito) order. Their existence fundamentally threatens the self-proclaimed divine legitimacy of the Government.
Are Luffy and Dragon really connected to Roger?
Not directly by blood, but through the Will of D. Garp (who once faced Roger) likely knows the secret. Dragon and Luffy are Monkey D., Roger was a Gol D. — different branches of the same mystical lineage.
Why does Blackbeard also carry the D.?
Marshall D. Teach embodies the antagonist D.. He represents the possibility that the Will of D is not necessarily good — it is an unyielding will, not justice. Blackbeard uses this will for personal conquest rather than liberation.
When will the revelation of the D. come?
Probably in the final arcs of One Piece, possibly at Laugh Tale via the Rio Poneglyph. With the end of the series announced for the coming years, the revelation should arrive soon.
