Rhode

Biodata

Appearance

• Build: Tall, middle-aged, and broad-backed 29 39.
• Weapons: Wears steel gloves with ten sharp, pointed fingertips 30.
• During mourning: Becomes visibly haggard, with stubble covering his jaw, after Barlo’s death 39.

Personality

Rhode romanticizes piracy as a life of adventure, power, and status. Inspired by Golden Lion Shiki’s legends, he considers dominion over the sea and sky the ideal achievement of a pirate. He openly dismisses freedom and family as lesser ambitions, yet treats his own crewmates as trusted partners 29 31 32.

Boisterous and quick to laugh, Rhode celebrates successful raids with banquets and encourages recruits to embrace killing and robbery as ordinary parts of pirate life. His concern for his men does not extend to their victims: he kills without hesitation while personally shielding his subordinates from attacks 30.

His loyalty has both practical and uncompromising sides. While searching for Roger, he avoids pointless danger and chooses comfortable routes through Shiki’s territory. During the actual battle, however, his devotion to Shiki overrides Louis’s wish to survive, leading him to demand a return to combat despite their injuries and the storm 33 46.

Abilities & Skills

Armament Haki

Rhode’s strongest specialty is Armament Haki, which he applies to both his body and his weapons 32 37.

• Hardens his arms to block swords without injury 30.
• Coats his clawed gloves to increase their lethality 38 47.
• Protects his neck strongly enough that Louis’s kick cannot break through 47.
• Reduces the damage from Rokuogan, but cannot fully stop its internal shockwaves 47.

Observation Haki

Rhode possesses basic Observation Haki and teaches its fundamentals to Louis 32.

• Provides Louis with an initial foundation for sensing surrounding presences 32.
• Lacks future sight; his rudimentary proficiency does not prevent Louis from binding his arms during their final fight 47.

Close-Quarters Combat

Rhode is a powerful hand-to-hand fighter whose immense strength and pointed steel gloves allow him to tear opponents apart, earning him the title “the Ripper” 30 37.

• Fights the Zoan user Flog in a prolonged clash before other captains intervene 37.
• Produces enough force with his claw attacks for their wind pressure to gouge the deck 47.
• Is stronger than Louis in a straightforward fight; Louis’s victory depends on Rhode’s existing injuries, an ambush, and unfamiliar techniques 48.

Endurance and Combat Experience

Rhode is a seasoned New World pirate with considerable resilience 33 46.

• Survives being knocked into the sea by the Roger Pirates despite serious injuries and suspected broken bones 46.
• Continues fighting after a surprise attack pierces his back and after taking Rokuogan directly to his internal organs 47.
• Recognizes Finger Pistol and Soru as Six Powers techniques, allowing him to identify “Mario” as a spy 47.

Equipment

• Steel claw gloves — Gloves with ten pointed fingertips capable of piercing bodies. Rhode combines them with his physical strength and Armament Haki 30 38 47.

Background / History

Inspiration and Recruitment of Mario

Rhode went to sea after hearing legends of Golden Lion Shiki and eventually became one of his subordinate captains. By age thirty-five, he had spent years operating in the New World 31 33.

He welcomed Louis into the Blood Hand Pirates under the identity of Mario, unaware that the newcomer was a Cipher Pol infiltrator investigating Shiki. Rhode later explained that he had recruited Mario because they seemed to click, rather than for a calculated purpose 29 36.

During Mario’s first merchant-ship raid, Rhode encouraged him to accept the violent side of piracy. Impressed by his apparent dedication to training, Rhode subsequently taught him the basics of Armament and Observation Haki 30 32.

Shiki’s Summons and the Search for Roger

Rhode brought his crew to Shiki’s floating island, enthusiastically explaining the admiral’s powers to Mario. At the gathering, he defended Baro and Mario against the rival captain Flog, reaffirming that partners were the only people worth trusting at sea 31 32.

After Shiki ordered his forces to find Roger, Rhode conducted a leisurely search through prosperous parts of Shiki’s territory. He was willing to die for Shiki’s ambitions, but saw no value in losing his crew pointlessly before the decisive battle. Flog repeatedly harassed their ship during the search, worsening the crews’ longstanding hostility 33.

When the fleet regrouped, Rhode attended Shiki’s strategy meeting with Baro. He declined Mario’s request to accompany them after Baro warned that bringing a new recruit might displease the admiral 35 36.

Baro’s Murder and Flog’s Execution

The discovery of Baro’s mutilated body devastated Rhode. He ordered Aili to prepare his first mate for a dignified burial, then led his men against Flog after witnesses reported seeing Flog follow Baro the previous night. Other captains restrained both men to await Shiki’s judgment 37.

Rhode accepted the apparent evidence against Flog without realizing Louis had arranged the entire incident. Louis had killed Baro, impersonated him to provoke and mislead Flog, and deliberately mutilated the body to conceal his methods and inflame Rhode’s anger. When Louis secretly forced Flog to attack Shiki, the admiral incapacitated Flog, and Rhode executed him with Haki-coated claws 38.

Rhode subsequently withdrew into grief while Louis temporarily took charge of the crew. Louis urged him to recover for the coming battle, invoking both their remaining companions and Shiki’s ambitions. Rhode resumed command, cremated Barlo, and scattered his ashes over the sea as the fleet departed 39.

Battle Against the Roger Pirates

At Aethelwold, Rhode remained confident in Shiki’s victory despite acknowledging the Roger Pirates’ superior leading fighters. He ordered artillery support for Shiki’s officers and sent Mario into the boarding battle 39 40 41.

During the fighting, the Roger Pirates knocked Rhode into the sea. After a storm devastated the fleet, Louis found him adrift and hauled him aboard a surviving ship. Rhode attributed his injuries to a powerful “Big Cat” among Roger’s fighters 45 46.

Betrayal and Death

Louis intended to escape the battle, but Rhode insisted that they return because Shiki had not ordered a retreat. After first pleading for help, Rhode invoked his authority as captain and ordered Louis to take him back. Louis pretended to agree, invited Rhode to the helm, and attacked him from behind with Lotus Finger Gun 46.

Rhode recognized Louis’s Six Powers and accused him of being a spy. Although his Armament Haki remained formidable, his existing injuries left him unable to overcome Louis’s evasive techniques, hair restraints, and repeated Rokuogan attacks. As Rhode lay incapacitated, Louis confirmed his responsibility for Baro’s death and raised a sword to finish him 47.

Louis subsequently threw Rhode’s body into the sea and continued fleeing the storm 48.

Relationships

• Golden Lion Shiki — Idol and superior. Shiki’s legends inspired Rhode to become a pirate, and Rhode remained willing to die for his ambitions even after the fleet’s devastation 31 46.
• Cutter Barlo / Baro — First mate, right-hand man, and dear friend. Barlo handled practical duties such as navigation while Rhode served as the crew’s inspirational leader. His death left Rhode temporarily unable to lead 36 39.
• Louis / Mario — Recruit, Haki student, and eventual killer. Rhode trusted his apparent enthusiasm and work ethic, never discovering his infiltration until their final confrontation 30 32 36 47.
• Flog — Rival captain under Shiki. Their longstanding grudge made Flog a convincing target for Louis’s framing of Baro’s murder 33 37 38.
• Aili — Subordinate entrusted with caring for Baro’s remains and preserving his dignity 37.

Notable Quotes

“The world is beautiful because of adventure! The very essence of a person's life is one adventure after another!” 29

“I love my crew more than anything! But betrayal? I hate it more than anything, you bastard!!” 47