One Piece fans might believe Garp or Aokiji secretly founded SWORD, but all hints point to Bogard, Garp’s loyal and reserved right hand man.

The Marines are a prominent organization inĀ One Piece,Ā often serving as the main antagonistic force in several arcs. However, we know there are a few who arenāt corrupt and want to do good. SWORD is a secret unit that operates outside of Marine rules. While many fans believe Aokiji, who defected and joined Blackbeard, could be the founder, the mastermind is Bogard.
Bogard is the right-hand man of Monkey D. Garp, the Hero of the Marines and Vice Admiral, who opposes the Celestial Dragons. Heās another popular candidateĀ One PieceĀ fans believe would be the founder of SWORD. However, it takes more intellect and less tough love to run a secret unit.Ā Eiichiro OdaĀ has also left hints that Bogard serves a bigger purpose than heās letting on.
Bogard May Be the Founder of SWORD inĀ One Piece
Garp and Bogard are complete opposites of each other, but that doesnāt make him any less loyal to the Vice Admiral. Heās been at his side sinceĀ God ValleyĀ and witnessed the horrors that happened there, including Imuās existence. He was entrusted to train Koby and Helmeppo in swordsmanship. AlthoughĀ he doesnāt appear much, his role is subtle yet impactful.

The hint of Bogardās true purpose inĀ One PieceĀ lies in his appearance and who Eiichiro Oda was inspired by while making him. Heās likely a nod to Humphrey Bogart, specifically his character in the 1942 movie,Ā Casablanca.Ā From the signature fedora to his personality, it all matches up with the Marine.
InĀ Casablanca,Ā Humphrey Bogartās character, Rick Blaine, claims neutrality during World War II. However, he covertly supplies weapons to oppressed populations so that they can defend themselves. Does this not remind us of SWORDās purpose inĀ One Piece?Ā It goes directly against the law while upholding justice.
Furthermore, the most prominent Marines inĀ One PieceĀ are modeled after legendary actors. For example, Kizaru looks exactly like Kunie Tanaka. This same pattern applies to the other Admirals. Bogard is the only other Marine modeled after an actor. This suggests his purpose is equal to that of an Admiral.
Thus, what else could he be but the founder of SWORD? Other than the actor heās based on, Bogard has also witnessed the atrocities of God Valley and possesses a logical mindset. Garp and Aokiji might have the power and moral compass, but it takes more to lead an operation this covert, which their fame wouldnāt allow.
What Is Aokijiās True Goal inĀ One PieceĀ After Joining Blackbeard?

Aokijiās defecting from the Marines after losing the fight for the position of Fleet Admiral wasnāt a surprise to us. However, joining Blackbeard was certainly a choice we didnāt see coming. This action is incredibly out of character for him, and thus, the theories were rampant.
While we still have no idea why Aokiji joined the Blackbeard Pirates, many fans are betting thatĀ heās working under SWORDĀ and infiltrating the crew. Considering how dangerous Blackbeard is, itās a plausible theory. He could do it by dismantling the crew from the inside or by gaining intel and reporting back to SWORD. In the worst-case scenario, he is truly one of them.
It wouldnāt be the first time a SWORD member has posed as a pirate, either. X Drake was a Marine all along, and heās currently the captain of the unit. Here are the confirmed members so far:
| Character | Position | First Appearance | Bounty (Cross Guild) |
|---|---|---|---|
| X Drake | Captain of SWORD / Rear Admiral (Publicly Defected) | Chapter 498/Episode 392 | 222,000,000 (As a pirate) |
| Prince Grus | Marine Rear Admiral | Chapter 966/Episode 1090 | 500,000,000 |
| Kujaku | Marine Rear Admiral | Chapter 966/Episode 1090 | 500,000,000 |
| Koby | Marine Captain | Chapter 2/Episode 1 | 500,000,000 |
| Hibari | Marine Commander | Chapter 1061/Episode 1090 | 200,000,000 |
| Helmeppo | Marine Lieutenant Commander | Chapter 3/Episode 2 | 100,000,000 |
Overall, if Aokiji is revealed to be a SWORD member andĀ betrays Blackbeard, fans will cheer him on. Heās one of the only Marines, albeit former, who has a strong moral compass, just like Koby and Garp.