Quick Answer
The Shichibukai (七武海, Shichibukai, “Seven Warlords of the Sea”) were seven powerful pirates officially allied with the World Government in One Piece. In exchange for immunity (frozen bounties, attacks on the Marines tolerated within limits), they fought on behalf of the Government against enemy pirates. They were part of the Three Great Powers alongside the Yonko and the Admirals. The system was abolished in 2026 (post-Reverie) by decision of the Five Elders (Gorosei), following the repeated betrayals of several Warlords.
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 a Shichibukai in One Piece?
A Shichibukai (Warlord of the Sea) was a pirate who had entered into an official pact with the World Government. The pact worked as follows:
- The Warlord keeps their crew and pirating activities (with restrictions)
- Their bounty is frozen and they become legally untouchable by the Marines
- In return, they fight for the Government during major conflicts (Marineford, for example)
- They hand over a portion of their plunder as “contributions”
The system was cynical by design: the Government used legal monsters to neutralise illegal ones. The Shichibukai were as much political tools as they were fighters.
Complete List of the 7 Shichibukai
| Warlord | Crew | Specialty | Final Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dracule Mihawk | Solitary | World’s greatest swordsman | Cross Guild |
| Sir Crocodile | Baroque Works | Suna Suna no Mi (Logia) | Cross Guild |
| Donquixote Doflamingo | Donquixote Pirates | Ito Ito no Mi + former Celestial Dragon (Tenryuubito) | Defeated (prison) |
| Bartholomew Kuma | Pacifista / Revolutionaries | Nikyu Nikyu no Mi | Deceased (Egghead) |
| Boa Hancock | Kuja Pirates | Mero Mero no Mi + beauty | Free pirate |
| Marshall D. Teach | Blackbeard Pirates | Yami Yami no Mi (Logia) | Yonko |
| Jinbei | Sun Pirates | Fish-Man Karate | Straw Hat Pirates |
| Edward Weevil | Weevil Pirates | Raw strength (fake son of Whitebeard) | At large |
| Buggy the Clown | Buggy Pirates | Bara Bara + luck | Yonko |
| Trafalgar D. Water Law | Heart Pirates | Ope Ope no Mi (rare) | Free pirate |
| Gecko Moria | Thriller Bark Pirates | Kage Kage no Mi (shadows) | Expelled |
Note: only 7 seats existed simultaneously. This list is the full historical record of all Warlords to appear in the series.
The Shichibukai in Order of Appearance
Dracule Mihawk — Hawk Eyes
The first Shichibukai introduced in the manga (East Blue, vol. 6). Nicknamed “Hawk Eyes”, considered the world’s greatest swordsman. A lone wolf, he lives in a castle on Kuraigana Island. His bounty, long hidden due to his status, was revealed at 3.59 billion Berries after the dissolution. Now a member of the Cross Guild alongside Crocodile and Buggy.
Sir Crocodile — The Sand Man
Main antagonist of the Alabasta arc. User of the Suna Suna no Mi (Logia, sand). His public bounty of 81 million ฿ was deliberately understated by the Marines to avoid admitting the mistake of appointing a dangerous schemer. Defeated by Luffy, freed by Luffy at Marineford, now a member of the Cross Guild. See the Crocodile Wanted Poster.
Donquixote Doflamingo — The Puppet Master
A renegade former Celestial Dragon (Tenryuubito). User of the Ito Ito no Mi (strings, Paramecia, Awakened). Antagonist of the Dressrosa arc, where he ruled the island while orchestrating a global trade in SMILEs. Defeated by Luffy and imprisoned in Impel Down. See the Doflamingo Wanted Poster.
Bartholomew Kuma — The Tyrant Who Loved His People
User of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi (Paramecia, repels anything including fatigue and suffering). Former king of Sorbet Kingdom, former Revolutionary, later turned into a Pacifista (cyborg) against his will. His cybernetic conversion by Vegapunk erased his memories. Died at Egghead saving Bonney, his daughter. See the Kuma Wanted Poster.
Boa Hancock — The Pirate Empress
Captain of the Kuja Pirates, ruler of Amazon Lily. User of the Mero Mero no Mi (Paramecia, turns people to stone through seduction). Regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world. Deeply in love with Luffy. Her public bounty has remained 80M ฿ since her appointment, but her true power is far greater.
Marshall D. Teach — Blackbeard
Became a Shichibukai by handing Ace over to the Government. Used his status to free the worst criminals from Impel Down, specifically Level 6. Betrayed the pact almost immediately to become a Yonko. The shortest Shichibukai career in history. See the Blackbeard Wanted Poster.
Jinbei — The Fish-Man Hero
Former captain of the Sun Pirates, former apprentice of Fisher Tiger. The first Fish-Man Shichibukai. Resigned after Marineford out of loyalty to Whitebeard, reverting to enemy pirate status. Would later join Luffy’s crew as helmsman. See the Jinbei Wanted Poster.
Edward Weevil — The Fake Son
Claims to be Whitebeard’s biological son. Colossal physical strength but simple-minded. Manipulated by his “mother” Bakkin. A minor but memorable appearance. His parentage remains dubious — possibly a clone or hybrid.
Buggy the Clown — The Unlikely Warlord
Became a Shichibukai by accident during the timeskip, following the Impel Down breakout. His reputation was massively inflated by the escapees who rallied to him. Became a Yonko after the dissolution.
Trafalgar D. Water Law — The Surgeon of Death
Captain of the Heart Pirates. Earned his seat by delivering 100 pirate hearts to the Government. Luffy’s ally since Punk Hazard. User of the Ope Ope no Mi, considered one of the most powerful Devil Fruits in the world. Current bounty: 3 billion ฿. See the Law Wanted Poster.
Gecko Moria — The Living Shadow
A former Yonko aspirant. User of the Kage Kage no Mi (Paramecia, shadow manipulation). Defeated by Luffy at Thriller Bark, expelled by the Government after that embarrassing failure. Reappeared at Egghead hunting for Absalom.
Why Was the System Abolished?
Several reasons accumulated over time:
- Repeated betrayals — Crocodile (Alabasta), Doflamingo (Dressrosa), Blackbeard (Marineford). The pact simply didn’t hold.
- Competition from the Pacifista — the Marines had developed Pacifistas (Kuma-based cyborgs) via Vegapunk to replace the Warlords.
- Political pressure — the Reverie (kings’ summit) openly criticised the use of criminals as tools of the state.
- Final decision — the Five Elders (Gorosei) voted for dissolution during the Reverie of arc 90 (post-Whole Cake Island). All Warlords reverted to enemy pirate status with their bounties reinstated.
Three former Warlords (Mihawk, Crocodile, Buggy) responded by founding the Cross Guild, an organisation that places bounties on Marines.
Yonko, Shichibukai, Admirals: The Three Great Powers
| Criterion | Yonko | Shichibukai | Admirals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Independent pirates | Allied pirates (government) | Marine officers |
| Number | 4 | 7 (abolished) | 3–4 |
| Individual strength | World’s top tier | Top 1–5% | World’s top tier |
| Collective strength | Massive crew | Limited crew | Entire Marines |
| Still active in 2026 | Yes | Abolished | Yes |
FAQ — The Shichibukai
How many Shichibukai were there?
Seven at any one time. The name 七武海 comes from 七 (7) + 武海 (warrior seas). When a seat became vacant, the Government appointed a replacement after evaluation.
Does the Shichibukai system still exist in 2026?
No. It was officially abolished during the Reverie (arc 90, vol. 90+). The Five Elders (Gorosei) voted for dissolution following repeated betrayals and the development of the Pacifista. All former Warlords reverted to enemy pirate status.
Who was the most powerful Shichibukai?
Dracule Mihawk, without question. His revealed bounty of 3.59 billion places him at Yonko-junior level. Marshall D. Teach (before becoming a Yonko) and Doflamingo (Awakened) were also at the very top of the rankings.
How did one become a Shichibukai?
By invitation from the World Government or by application with proof of strength. Law delivered 100 pirate hearts for his seat. Doflamingo inherited his thanks to his Celestial Dragon (Tenryuubito) background. Mihawk was invited spontaneously.
Why did Boa Hancock remain a Shichibukai until the dissolution?
Hancock maintained her status without any major betrayal. Her power and loyalty to Amazon Lily made her valuable to the Government. She resigned just before the official dissolution.
Which former Warlords became Yonko?
Two: Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard), who betrayed the pact to free Level 6 of Impel Down, and Buggy the Clown, by accident through the Cross Guild.
Are there official Wanted Posters for the Shichibukai?
Yes. Wanted Store carries individual posters for most of the Shichibukai: Crocodile, Doflamingo, Blackbeard, Jinbei, Law, Kuma.
