Herbert

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Herbert (森伯特)
Alias(es)	Bright King; Guardian King; Gale Swordmaster; Wind God; Kozuki Bull-Horse (operational disguise) 90 117 189 304 398
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Flame Dragon Pirates; Flame Dragon Kingdom/Empire; leader of the Kozuki Pirates during covert operations 111 117
Occupation/Role	First Mate/Vice-Captain; swordsmanship instructor; field commander 13 28 106
Status	Active 421
First Appearance	Chapter 8 8

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Swordmaster	28	Ate the Paramecia-type Gale-Gale Fruit, integrated it with his swordsmanship, and was promoted to Vice-Captain. 28
Observation Haki	70	Awakened Observation Haki and fused wind perception with it, expanding his sensory range. 70
Second-level Observation Haki / strengthened Armament Haki	91	Could coat his twin Great Grade Swords with Armament Haki; Observation Haki reached its second level after six months of training. 91
Conqueror's Haki	121	Awakened it while protecting his fleet from a giant Lanternfish in the Abyss of the Deep Sea. 121
Dual Devil Fruit user / Beast King's Blessing	171	Consumed the Kirin Lion's horn and an Artificial Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Fruit; the horn's soul merged with the Dragon Fruit. 171
Peak Fleet Admiral-level combat power	201	His two Devil Fruits, Beast King's Blessing, swordsmanship, and rapidly improving Conqueror's Haki elevated him to this stated level. 201
Great Swordmaster	280	His sword slashes could incorporate wind, lightning, and flame, allowing him to destroy assassin bases with single five-hundred-meter attacks. 280
Advanced Emperor-level, nearing peak	341	In Inverse Scale Form, he injured Kaido with Conqueror's Haki Entanglement; his Armament and Conqueror's Haki had each advanced by one level. 341

Background / History

Herbert was once attacked by pirates and sold to slave traders. Julian rescued him, after which Herbert remained at Julian's side and committed himself to protecting commoners, fighting slave traders, and opposing the World Government's abuses 172 182.

While recovering from wounds, he received the Gale Style Swordsmanship manual and a katana from Julian. He quickly became the crew's foremost swordsman, teaching Allison and Pierre while defeating fellow Division Captains in sparring matches 8 9 13.

After receiving the Gale-Gale Fruit, Herbert accepted Julian's view that a Swordmaster should combine swordsmanship, Devil Fruit powers, and Haki rather than rely on a single path. His promotion to Vice-Captain was celebrated by the crew 28.

Appearance

In human form, Herbert is a dual-wielding swordsman usually seen carrying two Tachi. His transformations range from a pink Azure Dragon to a pink Flood Dragon Beastman with golden Kirin-like horns granted by the Beast King's Blessing 171 189.

• Azure Dragon Form — a roughly two-hundred-meter-long pink dragon capable of flight, storm generation, and Dragon Breath. 189 335
• Flood Dragon Beastman Form — a pink Dragon Person form described as ten to seventeen meters tall. 189 221
• Kirin-like golden horns — a distinguishing trait of his Beastman form, unlike Kaido's ogre horns. 189
• Onimusha mask and samurai attire — worn while posing as Kozuki Bull-Horse during the Punk Hazard raid. 111

Personality

Herbert is intensely loyal to Julian, whom he credits with saving him, providing sword techniques, and giving him a route to strength. He considers the crew his brothers and risked his life rather than abandon them to a Sea King 28 121.

He is disciplined, serious, and devoted to the way of the sword. He trains persistently to improve his Haki and swordsmanship, while showing little interest in romance despite becoming a frequent target of admirers 83 137 304.

Despite his combat role, Herbert is regarded as generous, knowledgeable, and approachable by the crew. He also recognizes clones as people and spared Stussy because she possessed human emotions and thoughts 28 113.

Abilities & Skills

Dual-Wield Swordsmanship

Herbert is a Swordmaster and later a Great Swordmaster who fights with two Tachi. His attacks combine high-speed drawing, large-scale slashes, and elemental power.

• Mastered Gale Style Swordsmanship, Phantom Style Swordsmanship, and Fire Bamboo Style Swordsmanship. 8 106
• His early Gale Style attacks were fast enough to cut iron and established him as the strongest of the Division Captains. 13
• His Great Swordmaster slashes can incorporate wind, lightning, and flame. 280
• Known techniques include:
  • Gale Void Sword — a restrained wide-area dual-sword attack that disorients enemies. 60
  • Phantom Gale Break — a tornado slash more than two hundred meters long. 90
  • Tougen! White Dragon — twin whirlwinds shaped like dragons, used against CP0. 111
  • Stormy Sky Slash — used to repel a giant Lanternfish while underwater. 121
  • Divine Dragon Hurricane Tornado Slash — a powerful attack Kaido struggled to counter. 341
  • Divine Sword: Flame Storm Void Slash — his strongest killing blow, combining hurricane and flame power. 342
  • Divine Sword Void Slash — the finishing strike that killed the colossal Lanternfish. 397

Gale-Gale Fruit

A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit capable of controlling hurricane power. Herbert develops it in tandem with swordsmanship rather than using it separately 28 70.

• Accelerates ships and merchant fleets; Herbert once used the ability for three days and nights to maintain sailing speed. 28 36
• Enhances the speed, range, and cutting power of his sword aura and Flying Slashes. 70
• Produces Wind Blades, tornadoes, and hurricane-based movement techniques. 70 90
• Enables Hurricane Assault, which can disperse thick fog. 100
• Unlike a Logia ability, it lacks Elementalization. 28

Haki

Herbert possesses all three forms of Haki and eventually uses Conqueror's Haki Entanglement.

• Observation Haki — enhanced by wind perception; by the end of Skypiea training, it had reached its second level. 70 91
• Armament Haki — coats his twin swords and later combines with Conqueror's Haki in battle. 91 341
• Conqueror's Haki — awakened through his determination to save his crew; can incapacitate ordinary Marines and pressure trained officers. 121 189 234
• Conqueror's Haki Entanglement — used in Inverse Scale Form to wound Kaido. 341

Artificial Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon Form

Herbert became the second documented dual Devil Fruit user after consuming an Artificial Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Fruit strengthened by the Beast King's Blessing 171 172.

• Transforms into a colossal pink Azure Dragon capable of flight and weather manipulation. 172 335
• Uses Dragon Breath to destroy warships and can summon wind, rain, storms, and lightning. 189 335
• Gains a durable Flood Dragon Beastman Form suited for direct melee combat. 189 221
• The Beast King's Horn supplied the fruit with a soul, compensating for the Artificial Devil Fruit's original deficiency. 171 201
• Inverse Scale Form greatly raises his power but has a limited duration. 339 342

Command and Diplomacy

Herbert serves as a trusted field commander for the Flame Dragon Kingdom.

• Led the Kozuki Pirates in the raid on Punk Hazard and ordered the seizure of research data and Devil Fruits. 111 112
• Negotiated the alliance between Fish-Man Island and the Flame Dragon Kingdom. 117
• Led large formations of City Defense Army soldiers, Sky Generals, Fish-Men, and Giant warriors to Skypiea's training grounds. 196
• Directed the recovery of Heavenly Gold while minimizing Marine casualties by targeting warship hulls instead of personnel. 189

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Phantom — one of Herbert's twin Tachi; used as a Great Grade Sword and later identified among his Famous Swords. 70 111
• Wind Slash — Herbert's second Tachi, paired with Phantom for his dual-sword techniques. 70 111
• Seven Star Sword — provided by Julian to hone Herbert's willpower and Conqueror's Haki. 137 201
• Kirin Lion's Horn — consumed to obtain the Beast King's Blessing and empower the Azure Dragon Fruit. 171
• Onimusha mask — part of his Kozuki Pirate disguise during the Punk Hazard operation. 111

Relationships

• Julian — Captain, rescuer, and sworn brother; Herbert serves as Julian's First Mate and considers protecting him his mission. 28 106 341
• Pierre — fellow officer and frequent partner in the Kozuki Pirates' operations, including the Punk Hazard raid. 111 113
• George — fellow Division Captain who serves alongside Herbert during raids and Heavenly Gold interceptions. 60 189
• Brahms — Fish-Man liaison who guided Herbert on Fish-Man Island and helped organize the migration to Jaya Island. 116 117
• King Neptune and Queen Otohime — Fish-Man Island rulers with whom Herbert formed an alliance for the Flame Dragon Kingdom. 117
• Caesar Clown — captured at Punk Hazard; Herbert kept him alive as a potentially useful scientist. 112 113
• Stussy — clone captured at Punk Hazard; Herbert recognized her humanity and spared her. 113
• Issho — ally who praised Herbert's benevolence and righteousness; later returned with him after rescuing trafficked children. 182 193
• Noah — Herbert's nephew, whom he personally collects from Hot Spring Island. 421

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Early Flame Dragon Pirates — Became the crew's leading swordsmanship instructor, helped train other officers, and earned recognition as the strongest Division Captain. 9 13
• South Blue raids — Commanded raids on kingdoms such as Astucia, using restrained force against guards while seizing wealth from nobles and rulers. 56 60
• Skypiea training — Participated in the six-month Mud Gravity Space training and gained major improvements in physique, swordsmanship, and Haki. 70 91
• Punk Hazard operation — Led the Kozuki Pirates under the identity Kozuki Bull-Horse; destroyed the World Government research center, captured Caesar and Stussy, liberated test subjects, and recovered research data and Devil Fruits. 111 112 113
• Fish-Man Island alliance — Represented the Flame Dragon Kingdom in diplomacy with Neptune and Otohime, leading more than five thousand Fish-Men and five hundred Mermaids toward Jaya Island. 117
• Conqueror's Haki awakening — Protected the returning Fish-Man fleet from a giant Sea King and awakened Conqueror's Haki in the process. 121
• Heavenly Gold raids — Led attacks on World Government tribute shipments, stealing Heavenly Gold and Devil Fruits while using the Kozuki Pirates as a cover identity. 189 256
• Wano conflict — Activated Inverse Scale Form to avenge Julian after Kaido defeated him, severely injuring Kaido with Conqueror's Haki Entanglement. 339 341
• Lanternfish and Alchemi rescue — Saved the Gold Ship from a gigantic Lanternfish, recovered its Pure Gold Lantern, and rescued Dr. Mischina Ashiye and his daughter from within the creature's stomach. 397 398

Notable Quotes

“Nothing is impossible in this world! Like me, I was just an ordinary person, but after meeting Lord Flame Emperor, I am now the Guardian King of the Flame Dragon Kingdom. Protecting Lord Flame Emperor is my mission!” 341

“When a person learns to approach problems with human emotions and thoughts, they are human.” 113

Trivia

• Skypieans refer to Herbert as the Wind God after seeing him fly with Hurricane Step and clear threats around God Island. 90
• He is known as the Friend of Women because of the persistent attention he receives from admirers, despite repeatedly rejecting their advances to focus on his goals. 304 305
• Herbert feared Julian might arrange a marriage for him, having seen Pablo constantly mobbed by women. 83