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While it isn’t brought up often in the modern landscape ofOne Piece, the backgrounds of each Straw Hat are often fundamental aspects of the story. Besides creating amazing character moments and interesting plotlines, and regularly defining the motivations and connections of the characters, these fully fleshed-out backgrounds and backstories help the world feel fuller and more satisfying. From Zoro’s background as a young swordsman to Sanji’s connections to Germa 66, the background of each Straw Hat provides the building blocks for each memorable character.
However, one character’s background that doesn’t seem to be as fleshed out as the other Straw Hats is for the Straw Hat musician, Brook. Although most ofOne Piece’sStraw Hat crew are relatively young, Brook is incredibly old, far surpassing even characters like Big Mom in age. Due to this, there is a large portion of Brook’s life that hasn’t been covered by the series. Despite this, many fans suspect that this era of Brook’s life may prove to be important relatively soon.
Many Elements Of Brook’s Past Are Still A Mystery
This Includes His Time As A Battle Convoy
When Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are first introduced to Brook, they find the skeletal musician sailing alone. After a confrontation with Gecko Moria, Luffy and his allies learn that Brook was actually a member of an old pirate crew that wasdefeated on the Grand Line, leading to their deaths. However, through the power of the Revive-Revive Fruit, Brook was given a second chance at life, though after taking so long to reach his body, he became a skeleton.
They all call me the Soul King! - Brook
However, by the time Brook died, he was already 38 years old, meaning there were some large portions of his life that hadn’t really been touched upon. Additionally, Brook mentions that before he becamea member of the Rumbar Pirates, Brook acted as the battle convoy for a kingdom in the West Blue. Besides the fact that Brook learned most of his fighting abilities here, little is known of the kingdom he was originally employed by, including its name.
Brook’s Extended Backstory Could Reveal More Information
This Could Delve Deep Into The Workings Of The World Government
While this era of Brook’s life may simply be an explanation for how he became strong enough to join the Straw Hat Pirates, at the same time, it could hold more important information for the end of the series. With characters, likeSanji, receiving extended backstoriesto fill in some of the lesser-known moments of their lives, it would make sense if Oda were to explore some of the earlier portions of Brook’s life. On top of fleshing out his character, this era ofOne Piece’stimeline could also contain important information that may aid the Straw Hats leading up to the end of the series.
Mainly, being associated with an official island and kingdom, it is entirely possible that before he became a pirate, Brook may have had connections to the World Government. Specifically, Brook would have knowledge of how the systems ofOne Pieceoperated before the Great Pirate Era, well over 50 years before the series started. From here, Brook may be able to shed light on some of the secrets of the World Government that he originally thought were unimportant.
Brook Could Have Ties To The World Government
The Newest Chapter Supports This Idea
With the newest chapter ofOne Piecereleased, it is shown that Brook may have some knowledge of the God’s Knights, suggesting that Gunko may be in their ranks. This knowledge could have potentially come from his time as a battle convoy, further suggesting he may have had ties toOne Piece’sWorld Governmentat some point. Although he could have just as likely picked up this information from his time on the Grand Line, it seems less likely that this would be the case with how well the World Government tends to bury secrets.
I’m afraid this one likely holds an even higher rank… a God’s Knight… - Brook
From here, many fans are desperately hoping to seean expanded story for Brookbefore the end of the series. Sadly, with the rate the story is going, it seems unlikely that fans will be given much in this regard, with a short explanation of his past being the most that Oda will likely share. Still, there is always the possibility that Brook may receive an exploration of his younger life before the end ofOne Piece, in a similar vein to Sanji’s backstory on Whole Cake Island.
One Piece
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One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
