Koby’s Growth Summary
Koby has been Luffy’s friend since Chapter 2. After Chapter 1088, he’s become the top candidate for Luffy’s rival — whispered about as the strongest contender.
This article summarizes everything about Koby.
Navigator and Errand Boy on a Pirate Ship
He accidentally boarded a pirate ship while trying to go hobby fishing, and spent 2 years working as navigator and errand boy to avoid being killed.
That means Koby has firsthand experience working under pirates — and in terms of pirate seniority, he’s actually 2 years ahead of Luffy.
Koby’s Dream
Koby’s childhood dream was:
“To join the Navy, rise through the ranks, and catch bad guys.”
But out of fear for his life, he couldn’t even escape from Alvida.
Then he encountered Luffy’s declaration: “If I fight and die for it, that’s fine.” Those words moved Koby deeply, and he chose to risk his life for his own dream too.
Having witnessed Koby’s resolve, Luffy blasted Alvida away and freed Koby from the pirate ship.
In fact, from this very moment Luffy was already showing the first signs of being a liberator — he also freed Zoro from the execution post.
From Pirate to Marine, Thanks to Luffy
Even though he was forced into the role, the fact remains he spent 2 years on Alvida’s pirate ship — calling him a former pirate isn’t entirely wrong.
And then Luffy was about to expose that past to Lieutenant Commander Ripper — putting Koby in a desperate situation!
Cornered, Koby punched Luffy — and in that momentum, somehow managed to make his dream of joining the Navy come true.
Let’s think about what Lieutenant Commander Ripper might have been thinking in that scene.
“He said they’re not friends, but they came to the naval base together and were just eating together. It’s hard to fully trust him…”
“But he punched someone to prove they’re not friends — and ‘friends’ and ‘pirate crew’ really are different things. Fine, I’ll believe him.”
“Ugh, now he’s saying he wants to join the Navy. He’s friends with a pirate and was on Alvida’s ship…”
“But I couldn’t repay my benefactors for anything. Granting a friend’s wish could at least be some form of gratitude.”
“Well, he’ll probably run away soon enough. Letting him enlist shouldn’t be a problem.”
And so, thanks to Lieutenant Commander Ripper’s generous discretion, Koby officially became a Marine.
You can binge-read the cover story series depicting his subsequent growth and training in ONE PIECE DOORS — highly recommended!
The Man Who Became a Naval Officer
Naval officers refers to the following ranks, from top to bottom:
- Fleet Admiral (top of the Navy)
- Admiral
- Vice Admiral / Rear Admiral / Commodore
- Captain / Commander / Lieutenant Commander
- Lieutenant / Lieutenant Junior Grade / Ensign
As of Chapter 1088, Koby is a Navy Headquarters Captain — meaning he has already achieved the goal he declared to Lieutenant Commander Ripper upon enlistment.
Koby’s growth speed, reaching Navy Headquarters Captain in just 2 years, is comparable to Luffy’s becoming a Yonko 2 years after his pirate debut. His growth rivals Luffy’s.
His next goal to achieve might be this statement: ↓
Capturing Alvida
Alvida, the nemesis who twisted Koby’s fate, is currently an executive of the Four Emperors’ Buggy organization — making her a formidable target.
So which will be achieved first — capturing Alvida, or becoming Admiral?
The Admiral Seat
He’s currently a Captain, so four more promotions would make him an Admiral.
However, there seems to be a limit of three Admirals at any given time, so a slot needs to open up first.
Perhaps Kizaru is approaching the end of his tenure?
By the way, every Admiral who has appeared so far — Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, Fujitora, Ryokugyu — all had code names combining a color with one of the twelve zodiac animals.
So if Koby became an Admiral, what would his code name be?
Koby has distinctive pink hair, but ‘Momo Usagi’ (Pink Rabbit / Momousagi) already exists, so both pink and rabbit are taken.
Then maybe white — the symbol of justice? His rival and friend Luffy also turned pure white in his Nika transformation.
The zodiac signs already used include: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.
The remaining ones are Rat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, and Boar — so something like Shironezu (White Rat), Shiroryū (White Dragon), Shirohebi (White Snake), Shirokuma… well, along those lines.
Will Koby Become the Top of the Navy?
Garp fell after entrusting the future of the Navy to Koby and the others.
That means Koby will ultimately surpass even Admiral and become the top of the entire Navy — Fleet Admiral.
Just as Luffy becomes Pirate King, Koby will become the righteous Fleet Admiral. By then, a world free of the Celestial Dragons will likely have arrived.
Koby’s Strength — Bounty, Techniques, and Power Comparison
The bounty placed on Marines by Cross Guild. Koby’s bounty around Chapter 1088 was 5 stars (approximately 500 million Berries).
That’s equivalent to Luffy’s bounty right after defeating Doflamingo — a staggering figure.
The Six Powers (Rokushiki)
When reuniting with Luffy at Water Seven, Koby demonstrated Soru (the instant-movement technique).
According to Bruno: “If you have explosive leg power that makes you appear to vanish, you can also kick the air and float.”
In other words, mastering Soru means you can also use Geppo (Moon Walk) — and Koby indeed used Geppo in Chapter 1088.
He could likely use Shigan (Finger Gun) by coating his fingers with Armament Haki, though it’s a rather lethal technique that doesn’t quite suit Koby’s character.
Additionally, coating himself with Armament Haki when receiving an attack makes it a counter move superior to Tekkai (Iron Body). Using Observation Haki to read killing intent and dodge is effectively Kami-e (Paper Art) in practice.
Only Rankyaku (Storm Leg) might require some special knack to pull off.
So Koby, with his Haki abilities, can likely reproduce the equivalent effects of all Six Powers.
Koby’s Combat Power
In Chapter 1088, he pulverized a giant stone arm controlled by Pisaro using his technique “Honesty Impact” (実直拳骨, Onesuti Inpakuto).
In the Dressrosa arc, a similar-sized stone arm was destroyed — but that required the combined technique of Don Chinjao’s “Drill Dragon Nails” and Elizabello II’s light version “King Punch” (a left jab).
In other words, Koby’s strength equals those two fighters combined.
By the way
The stance and expression Koby makes when throwing Honesty Impact are remarkably similar to Luffy’s during his battle with Caesar Clown.
Foreshadowing & Easter Eggs
The reason Koby ended up on Alvida’s ship was:
“He mistook it for a fishing boat while trying to go fishing.”
Two years later, Zoro made a self-homage to this exact same gag.
Luffy’s Reaction
When Koby declared his goal of becoming Admiral, Luffy responded:
“Obviously! You’re gonna fight me, right? That’s only natural!!” — his reaction was exactly the same as when he heard Zoro’s dream. Another self-homage.
In other words: the rival of the Pirate King needs to be that strong. Anything less just won’t cut it.
Allies Who Fight for Koby
“Growing up, I barely had any friends.” “Let alone anyone who would ever fight for me — that was completely unthinkable.”
These words connect to the scene in Chapter 1080.
Even after becoming a Captain and being called a hero, Koby still carries a low self-image.
But the gap between how Koby sees himself and how those around him see him couldn’t be more enormous.
It’s genuinely moving.
A Pirate Who Spies for the Navy
A Marine once opposed Koby’s enlistment with the line:
“There are even examples of pirates working as Navy spies.”
That’s a reference to Vergo, of course.
And that’s a wrap for this one. See you next time!