One Piece: the Path of Mastery
Anime, Martial Arts, and Philosophy
Anime and manga are powerful art style originating from Japan. I was a fan of Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Pokemon when I was young. Those were influential cartoons on a lot of 1990s kids. Dragon Ball is particularly popular in the martial arts community.1
It was years since I had last tuned into a cartoon or picked up a comic. Recently I subscribed to the anime streaming service Crunchyroll. My buddies at work recommended the dark fantasy Attack on Titan.2
The somber world painted by Attack on Titan contrasts with the more light-hearted show One Piece. The main character, Monkey D. Luffy, provides fantastic comic relief. 3
One Piece presents a story of overcoming adversity alongside the levity. The swordsman Roronoa Zoro dreams of becoming the greatest swordsman in the world.
Zoro began training and developing his signature Three Sword Style at a young age. He was always beaten by the sensei’s daughter Kuina. Yet he trained more than any other student to succeed in martial arts.
The men of the realm told Kuina she could never succeed as a swordsman. Zoro promised Kuina that one of them would become the greatest swordsman in the world. After Kuina’s death, Zoro must fulfil the promise alone.
Promise me that one of us will some day become the world’s greatest swordsman! We’ll compete and see who gets there.
Victory or Death
Luffy and the crew journeyed to the legendary restaurant boat Baratie. The owner Zeff is an old pirate captain who had endured many periods of starvation at sea. This inspired him to open a restaurant that serves any sailor in need.
Gin is a starving pirate who escapes from the marines. Though he has no money, Zeff’s protégé Sanji feeds the pirate.
Gin: No, I won’t accept charity. Take the food away.
Sanji: If you survive won’t that let you fight for pride truly worth having in the future?
Gin: I’m sorry, thank you so much… I truly thought I was going to die. I’ve never eaten food so good before!
But after Gin escapes he goes home to see his captain: the ruthless Admiral Don Krieg. Krieg and his henchmen are starving after their fleet was destroyed by the legendary swordsman Dracule Mihawk. They attack the restaurant.
Mihawk appears and destroys Krieg’s remaining galleon. Yet Zoro challenges Mihawk. Mihawk crushes Zoro in the swordfight, yet Zoro displays incredible strength of will.
Mihawk: Why have you challenged me?
Zoro: My ambition drives me. I made a promise I intend to keep.
As Zoro’s swords break he concedes defeat. He exposes his chest and arms to receive the final blow. Mihawk finishes him with a slash across the chest. Yet Zoro survives. He vows to never be defeated again.
Zoro: So this is the power of the greatest swordsman in the world. Scar’s on the back are a swordsman’s shame.
Mihawk: It’s far too early for you to die. You’re strong but there is much for you to learn.
Zoro: I solemnly swear that I will never again be defeated!
Captain Luffy accepts his vow. Mihawk leaves the battle to Luffy and the cooks.
Grace in Defeat
Don and his pirates continue their assault. Luffy and the cooks defend the restaurant.
Gin turns out to be a powerful warrior known as the “Man-Demon”. He defeats Sanji with ease. Yet Gin feels mercy for the first time. He cannot bring himself to kill the cook who saved his life.
I can’t obey your order. This man saved my life. I won’t kill him. He treated me with such respect, dignity, and kindness.
Don is furious when Gin’s violates his order. He deploys poison gas against Luffy, Gin, and the cooks.
When Luffy defeats the admiral Gin comes to tears. Don refuses to accept defeat and blindly attacks his own crew in his rage. Gin knocks the admiral out and retreats with the remaining crew.
Let’s leave while we have a shred of dignity… With this poison in my veins I may have only a few hours left to live. But I feel free somehow, like I can live these few minutes on my own terms.
Inspiration and Improvement
There were several messages in this story arc that really spoke to me as a martial artist.
Be relentless in pursuit of your goals. What is your path of mastery?
Be compassionate and judicious to folks who ask for help. What does this person truly need?
Be gracious in defeat and failure. Failure is inevitable. Self-destruction is a choice.
Live free.
P.S. Are you tired of losing your hard-earned savings to taxes and inflation? Get on the fast-track to prosperity and liberation.
