Will of D.

The "Will of D." is a form of inherited will surrounding members of the who bear the middle initial "D." in their names.
It is said that the Clan is the and is opposed to the World Government, namely its World Nobles, though most members do not know the true meaning of the name. Gol D. Roger, who learned its meaning during his voyage to Laugh Tale, is considered to be a central figure concerning the Will of D, with much discussion about those who have since bore the initial centering on them inheriting Roger's will. More often than not, people in the Clan of D. have been noted to be regularly involved in world-shaking events.
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==The Clan of D.==
According to Imu, the D. was once a label used by enemies of the First Twenty, and who were thus presumably aligned with the Great Kingdom. Donquixote Rosinante explained to Trafalgar D. Water Law that the "D." has been secretly inherited worldwide throughout history, and that in a certain land, the Clan of D. was referred to as "Natural Enemy of God", with "God" referring to the Celestial Dragons who are considered to be gods. In Mary Geoise, World Noble children were told that if they misbehaved, they would be eaten up by "D.". Similarly, elders of that country seemed quite wary of the "storm" that those with "D." were known to cause.
However, Imu has stated that present-day carriers of the initial usually do not know about its origins and meaning. Jaguar D. Saul displayed a lack of knowledge on the subject when Nico Robin asked him what it meant. Similarly, when she asked Monkey D. Luffy why those that carry the "D." fight, he was completely clueless as to what she was talking about. Luffy and Ace themselves never thought much about their names during their childhood, in spite of Sabo pointing out the obvious coincidence. Gol D. Roger is the first and, as of yet, only known "D."-bearer in the modern era story line to have discovered its meaning.
The moniker of D. is something that is passed down through families whose ancestors bore it. It does not appear as though the various families in the Clan of D. are all blood-related, given that they come from multiple races (with there being at least one D-bearing family from the giants race), and that members from different families have had children together like Roger and Rouge.
During his posthumous broadcast to the world about the Void Century, Dr. Vegapunk spoke concerning the Clan of D. and told them that among them there is "a"—or possibly "another"—but his message was temporarily cut off right then and his words were not heard.
===Traits of the Clan===
Though not having explicitly been connected to the name or clan itself, members of the clan of D. have been shown possessing many similar traits, in particular a degree of fearlessness and an inclination toward action, even when said actions may impact the entire world. Just about all known members of the Clan of D. have held leadership positions and roles. True to their reputation as world shakers, clan members have frequently been central figures in the world's greatest conflicts and incidents, and more often than not multiple members have been involved; interestingly, members have at times been on different sides and directly opposed each other. These tremendous events have included the Great War, the God Valley Incident, the Ohara Incident, the Duel on Banaro Island, the Celestial Dragon Hit-and-Run Incident, the Impel Down Great Escape Incident, the Summit War of Marineford, the Raid on Onigashima, and the Egghead Incident.
Although most of them do not know the historical significance of their name, Clan of D. members have frequently demonstrated animosity toward their supposed natural enemy the World Nobles, and an inclination to oppose them despite their great status. The first known clan member, Lili, sabotaged the attempts of the nobles' ancestors, the First Twenty, to cover up the events of the Void Century by spreading the Poneglyphs across the world. Luffy directly caused the aforementioned Celestial Dragon Hit-and-Run Incident by punching Saint Charlos with no regard for the consequences, and his father, Dragon, actively seeks to overthrow the Celestial Dragons from power. Though he is a high-ranking member of the Marines, Garp is noted to be strongly opposed to the World Nobles and rejected numerous offers to be promoted beyond Vice Admiral rank because doing so would put him directly under their authority. For much of his life, Law possessed a vendetta to kill Donquixote Doflamingo, albeit Doflamingo having long lost his noble status; Rocks D. Xebec put many Celestial Dragons under threat during the God Valley Incident.
Those who bear the "D." in their name seem to be able to withstand an incredible degree of punishment in battle and only surrender to death when they know it is truly unavoidable. In the same vein is an unusual behavior that seems to be common to "D." – they are often seen laughing or smiling right before they die (or think they are about to die), as though they have accepted their fate and exhibit no fear of death. Observers have expressed shock and confusion at this phenomenon, unable to believe that someone could so thoroughly come to terms with the end of their life.
So far, this trait has been shown 7 times:
*Gol D. Roger smiled in the moments before being executed.
*Luffy smiled on Loguetown's execution stand when he thought he was going to be beheaded by Buggy, the act being compared to how Roger smiled 22 years earlier at the same spot.
*Jaguar D. Saul smiled while laughing in his speech about living to Nico Robin during the midst of a Buster Call and being frozen, though he survived afterwards.
*Portgas D. Rouge is seen both crying and smiling when she named Ace, dying shortly after.
*Portgas D. Ace thanked everyone for loving him and died with a smile on his face.
*Trafalgar D. Water Law smirked at, mocked, and flipped off Donquixote Doflamingo when the latter was pointing a gun at his heart and preparing to shoot him, though he survived in the end.
*Monkey D. Garp laughed when Kuzan pierced him with his ice blade and he started freezing.
However, not all members of Clan D. demonstrate sharing this feature. Clou D. Clover has shown a fear of death and going as far as lying to not be killed, though prior to actually being killed seamlessly accepted his fate while crying. Marshall D. Teach has shown a fear of death when Whitebeard attacked him at Marineford, during which he started to panic and begged for mercy. Blackbeard, though he did not show fear when fighting Ace, could not accept death when it became a strong possibility.
==Carriers of the Initial "D."==
===Carriers' Profile===
Name 	Status 	Affiliation	Nickname 	Notes
Gol D. Roger 	Deceased	
*Former Captain of the Roger Pirates
*Lover of Portgas D. Rouge
*Father of Portgas D. Ace	"Pirate King""Gold Roger" 	
*He and his crew are said to be the only people to have fully explored the Grand Line, meaning both Paradise and the New World.
*Reportedly hid a treasure on the very last island of the Grand Line, Laugh Tale; his treasure is known as the "One Piece".
*Joined forces with Monkey D. Garp to defeat Rocks D. Xebec during the God Valley Incident.
*Had the highest bounty ever recorded for a pirate: 5,564,800,000.
*Only known carrier of the "D." to have known its true meaning.
*Died 24 years ago at age 53 when he was executed by the World Government at his hometown of Loguetown, 4 years after being diagnosed with a fatal illness. His death was meant as a warning to other pirates, but his final words ignited the Great Pirate Era.
Monkey D. Luffy 	Alive 	
*Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates
*Member of the Worst Generation
*Son of Monkey D. Dragon
*Grandson of Monkey D. Garp
*Adoptive younger brother of Portgas D. Ace
*One of the founders of the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance
*One of the Four Emperors	"Straw Hat" 	
*Inherited Gol D. Roger's straw hat through his mentor, Shanks.
*Close friends with Nefertari Vivi and her family.
*Assaulted Charlos, a Celestial Dragon, at the Sabaody Archipelago.
*Part of the Worst Generation along with Trafalgar D. Water Law and Marshall D. Teach.
*Once part of an alliance with the Heart Pirates, led by Trafalgar D. Water Law.
*Defeated Donquixote Doflamingo, a former Celestial Dragon.
*Said to be Joy Boy.
*Has been compared to Nika.
Portgas D. Ace 	Deceased	
*Son of Gol D. Roger and Portgas D. Rouge
*Adoptive grandson of Monkey D. Garp
*Adoptive older brother to Monkey D. Luffy
*Former Captain of the Spade Pirates
*Former Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates 2nd division	"Fire Fist" 	
*Born as "Gol D. Ace", but took his mother's surname out of respect.
*Was defeated by Marshall D. Teach during the Duel on Banaro Island.
*Died 2 years ago at age 20, while protecting his adoptive brother.
Marshall D. Teach 	Alive 	
*Admiral of the Blackbeard Pirates
*Member of the Worst Generation
*Former subordinate of the Whitebeard Pirates 2nd division
*Former Warlord of the Sea
*One of the Four Emperors	"Blackbeard" 	
*Defeated Portgas D. Ace during the Duel on Banaro Island.
*Part of the Worst Generation along with Monkey D. Luffy and Trafalgar D. Water Law.
*The first and only known bearer of the powers of two Devil Fruit: Yami Yami and Gura Gura.
*Entered in conflict with the Revolutionary Army, led by Monkey D. Dragon. at Baltigo.
*The first "D." carrier to show fear of death, as well as amorality, extreme disloyalty and nihilism.
Jaguar D. Saul 	Alive 	
*Former Marine Vice Admiral	None 	
*He is the only known giant who carries the initial "D.", though he said everybody in his clan does.
*Thought to be killed by Kuzan 22 years ago at the Ohara Incident.
*At age 127, he is the oldest known living carrier of the "D." initial.
*Savior of the last Ohara archaeologist and perennial target of the Government, Nico Robin.
*Currently preserving Ohara's remaining literature.
Monkey D. Garp 	Unknown 	
*Marine Vice Admiral
*Marine Instructor
*Father of Monkey D. Dragon
*Grandfather of Monkey D. Luffy
*Adoptive grandfather of Portgas D. Ace.	"The Fist""Hero of the Marines" 	
*Joined forces with Gol D. Roger to defeat Rocks D. Xebec during the God Valley Incident.
*Adopted and raised Portgas D. Ace on Roger's request.
*Has refused several promotions to Admiral due to his dislike of the Celestial Dragons.
*Fought against Marshall D. Teach's forces to rescue his protegé, Koby.
Monkey D. Dragon 	Alive 	
*Leader of the Revolutionary Army
*Former Captain of the Freedom Fighters
*Former Marine
*Father of Monkey D. Luffy
*Son of Monkey D. Garp	"Rebellious Dragon""World's Worst Criminal"	
*Directly opposes the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
*Entered in conflict with the Blackbeard Pirates, led by Marshall D. Teach, at Baltigo.
*His right-hand man, Sabo, is sworn brothers with his son, Monkey D. Luffy.
Portgas D. Rouge 	Deceased	
*Lover of Gol D. Roger
*Mother of Portgas D. Ace	None 	
*Died 22 years ago from childbirth after carrying her son, Ace, in her womb for 20 months.
Trafalgar D. Water Law	Alive 	
*Former member of the Donquixote Pirates
*Captain of the Heart Pirates
*Member of the Worst Generation
*Former Warlord of the Sea
*One of the founders of the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance	"Surgeon of Death" 	
*The only known survivor of Flevance.
*Had his life saved by Donquixote Rosinante, a former Celestial Dragon.
*Arch-enemy of Donquixote Doflamingo, a former Celestial Dragon.
*Part of the Worst Generation along with Monkey D. Luffy and Marshall D. Teach.
*Saved Monkey D. Luffy's life during the Summit War of Marineford.
*Once part of an alliance with the Straw Hat Pirates, led by Monkey D. Luffy.
*Shows interest in the meaning of the Will of D.
Rocks D. Xebec 	Deceased	
*Former Captain of the Rocks Pirates	Unknown
(if any) 	
*Leader of what became known as the "Strongest Pirate Crew in the World".
*Aspired to become king of the world and attacked the Celestial Dragons in one occasion.
*Was defeated by the combined efforts of Monkey D. Garp and Gol D. Roger.
*Reported to have died 38 years ago at the God Valley Incident.
*Fell into obscurity due to continued efforts of the World Government to erase his historical influence.
*Said to have been an extremely vicious and violent man, thus the only "D." bearer to be inherently "evil".
Nefertari D. Lili 	Deceased	
*Member of the Nefertari Family
*Ancestor of Nefertari Cobra and Nefertari Vivi
*Former Queen of the Arabasta Kingdom
*One of the twenty people who found the World Government.	Unknown
(if any) 	
*Earliest known and first known female carrier of the "D." initial.
*Founded the World Government alongside 19 other monarchs, but refused to become a Celestial Dragon.
*She was the only one out of the 20 original monarchs not to move to Mary Geoise, but she seemingly vanished during her return to Arabasta.
*Responsible for scattering the poneglyphs around the world, thus earning the ire of Imu.
*Authored a letter that has been passed down along generations of her family, telling them to protect the poneglyphs.
*Her descendant, Nefertari Cobra, was killed by Imu and the Five Elders.
*Nefertari Vivi is currently her only living descendant.
Nefertari Cobra 	Deceased	
*Member of the Nefertari Family
*Descendant of Nefertari D. Lili and father of Nefertari Vivi
*King of the Arabasta Kingdom	None 	
*Died sacrificing himself to save Sabo from Imu and the Five Elders.
Nefertari Vivi 	Alive 	
*Member of the Nefertari Family.
*Descendant of Nefertari D. Lili, and daughter of Nefertari Cobra.
*Princess of the Arabasta Kingdom.
*Former member of the Straw Hat Pirates	None 	
*Close friend and perennial ally of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew.
*At age 18, she is currently the youngest known carrier of the "D." initial.
*Due to the death of her father, Cobra, she is currently the last member of the Nefertari family.
Clou D. Clover 	Deceased	
*Director of the Ohara Library.	None 	
*His deceased older brother was said to have carried the initial D. on his name as well.
*Performed extensive research into the Void Century and learned the name of the Great Kingdom.
*Helped inspire Ohara Incident survivor Nico Robin's interest in archaeology and the Poneglyphs.
*Died during the Buster Call that annihilated the island of Ohara.
==The Will of D. in History==
The first ever known carrier Nefertari D. Lili, in spite of being part of the First Twenty and thus an enemy of the Great Kingdom, still conspired against her own side for unknown reasons, leading to the scattering of Poneglyphs around the globe. Since then, the Nefertari Family has continuously followed Lili's will to protect the Poneglyphs through a letter of her authoring, which has been passed down among generations of Arabasta kings. Emet appears to be familiar with the Will of D, going as far as enacting Joy Boy's plan for wanting Emet to protect the life of someone whom he wants to protect is in danger after learning of Luffy's middle name.
After visiting Laugh Tale, Kouzuki Oden mentioned that he and the Roger Pirates had learned the meaning of the D. name. After that, Roger noted the World Government was hiding his true name, Gol D. Roger, but considering everything he and his crew learned in Laugh Tale, he understands the reason for this conspiracy. During their final meeting, Roger was asked by Whitebeard what "D." is, and Roger appeared to have told him. Whitebeard later noted during the Summit War of Marineford that killing someone with a "D." would not extinguish the flames of their will because someone would eventually inherit that will and carry on Roger's wish.
Kureha was the first person in the series to mention the "Will of D." when she revealed that the true name of the late Pirate King was Gol D. Roger. She told Dalton that Chopper had joined up with a very dangerous man.
The "Will of D." has also been mentioned by Nico Robin three times, the first being when she rescued Luffy from quicksand during Operation Utopia; she asked Luffy about the meaning of the "D." and why those with the name fight, but he had no idea. The second was when Robin was talking to Gan Fall after they pulled up the ancient belfry. Gan Fall mentioned feeling that Luffy left the same impression on him as Gol D. Roger did. The third time was when Robin tried to ask Silvers Rayleigh about the significance of the "Will of D.", bringing up the Void Century at the same time. He did not reply on what the "D." stood for but stated that they (the Roger Pirates) had discovered the details of the Void Century; however, Robin declined his offer to tell her about it, determined to discover the truth herself.
Later on, Trafalgar Law wondered aloud that the Will of D. will almost certainly call up a storm again. It is still not clear exactly what he meant, but it hints that Silvers Rayleigh had a clear purpose for wanting to find Monkey D. Luffy on Amazon Lily. After the timeskip, Law mentioned the Will of D. once more when Doflamingo asked him why he had so much faith in Luffy.
==Knowledge of D. in the World==
In contrast to the openness of Luffy and other "D"-bearers, there are some "D." families who seem to know its significance, if not its meaning, and try to keep it secret from the public, such as Law's. Overall, despite the historical animosity between them and the Clan of D., the World Government has typically taken no action against these families, and some of their members have gone on to serve the Marines in very prominent positions. In most cases, the government does not seem to have any issue with the moniker being printed on wanted posters either. Persecution of those bearing the D. does exist though, as Clou D. Clover lost his brother to unknown assailants and had to lie about not possessing the initial in order to survive. It seems that some high-ranking Marines have some awareness of the initial's significance, as Sengoku showed interest in Ace because of it. When Sengoku was explicitly asked by Law if he knows about the meaning of the "D.", he gave a vague answer, but seemed shocked to find out that Law also carries the initial and thought about the checkered fate of the "D." carriers.
However, actions will be taken to cover up the moniker in particularly extreme cases concerning people who are extremely famous worldwide or delve into actions or subjects considered taboo. The most notable case was with Roger, who was renamed "Gold Roger" by the press upon becoming Pirate King; nowadays, most people in the world do not know that those with the D. bear the same initial as the Pirate King. When Luffy awakened the Gomu Gomu no Mi and took the form of Nika, the Five Elders ordered that the D in his name be removed from his updated wanted poster, unsuccessfully, after seemingly having no issue with the initial being printed in his six previous posters. Rocks D. Xebec also had his full name hidden and is known by most as simply "Rocks". After Portgas D. Ace became the central focus of the Summit War of Marineford, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said the prominence of the D. in his name posed a greater danger than any other global impact of the war and feared it becoming too well known among the world.
==Translation and Dub Issues==
The 4Kids dub chose to refer to the Will of D. as "Gol D.'s spirit", in reference to Gol D. Roger, while the Funimation dub refers to it as the "spirit of D" in the Drum Island Arc. Both of these derive from a mistranslation of the original Japanese text. 4Kids' use of "Gol D.'s spirit" in Dr. Kureha's conversation with Dalton can be considered erroneous. While Gol D. Roger is spoken of in previous lines, Kureha made no mention of Roger in that particular line of text in the original Japanese.
In the recap supplement Grand Times, the holders of the D. were referred to as the "Men of D."
==Trivia==
*When Whitebeard was discussing the Will of D., he mentioned One Piece in the same statement, implying that "D." and the One Piece are connected by more than just Roger. This was not the only time that both were mentioned in the same chapter: Usopp and Robin asked Rayleigh about One Piece, the Void Century, and the Will of D., all within one conversation. Additionally, it was when they found Joy Boy's treasure on Laugh Tale that the Roger Pirates learned the meaning of D.
*Although the term "Natural Enemy of God" seems to specifically refer to the Celestial Dragons as the god, Monkey D. Luffy also fought and defeated Enel, who held the title of "God" of Skypiea. During their fight, Nami referred to Luffy as Enel's "natural enemy", though this was due to Luffy's rubber powers canceling out Enel's lightning and electric powers.
*Trafalgar Lami is the only known named blood relative to a D. carrier who is not a confirmed D. carrier as well.
*Portgas D. Ace once jokingly conferred the D. onto his brother, Sabo, referring to him as .
==References==
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