Joe

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Joe
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Formerly Cipher Pol / Ninth Tower (P9); later a rogue operative allied with Reg and Colin's faction
Occupation/Role	Ninth Tower instructor; swordsman; former intelligence operative; teaches martial arts, swordsmanship, academics, psychology, intelligence-network construction, and management
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Power Progression

Chapter	Development
11	Established as a veteran Ninth Tower instructor who excels in Observation and Armament Haki. 11
16	Demonstrates overwhelming superiority over Reg in an extended assessment, employing Six Powers techniques and Iron Body. 16
453	Fights Colin on nearly even terms despite initially lacking a proper weapon, displaying Geppo, Grand Tornado, and Light Shadow Slash. 453
585	Uses a suitable longsword to confront Jack, effortlessly eliminates surrounding pirates, and unleashes a substantially stronger Light Shadow Slash alongside Aokiji. 585
590	Reveals further named sword techniques, including Shadow: Twin Moon and Shadow: Banishment, while fighting Mountain Hag. 590
652	Demonstrates Great Swordsman-level destructive power by cleaving Enies Lobby's main gate apart with a long-range sword attack. 652

Appearance

Joe is a curly-haired older man who smokes and carries himself with an exaggerated, comedic flair. 10

• Sixty-five years old. 11
• Usually found in the Ninth Tower’s library or seventh-floor dojo. 11 16
• Wields a wooden sword while overseeing group training. 12
• During Joey's funeral, he wears flip-flops, a loose shirt, and sagging trousers while carrying a wooden sword. 449
• While operating in Wano Country, he disguises himself in a gray kimono and wooden sandals, resembling an unkempt ronin. 585

Personality

Joe initially appears unreliable and eccentric, theatrically conducting the welcome ceremony for P9’s new probationary members. Despite this manner, he retains clear authority over the trainees and leads their training into the primeval forest. 10

He is scholarly and selective with his guidance. Though generally weary of fighting and killing, he appreciates Reg’s extreme work ethic and personally explains the principle of sensing “breathing” to awaken Observation Haki. 12 17 In combat, Joe becomes serious and relentless when faced with persistence, repeatedly defeating Reg during an assessment until Reg collapses from exhaustion. 16

Joe is deeply affected by Joey's death, showing grief, anger, and frustration with the World Government's indifference. Though initially determined to seek revenge against Rayleigh, he ultimately abandons that pursuit after learning the full circumstances of Joey's death. 449 453 455

He is empathetic toward civilians harmed by the Great Pirate Era and openly questions the harsh treatment of refugees and pirates in Colin's territory. 450 He also possesses considerable cunning, readily performing an argument with Reg to mislead Aokiji regarding their preparations in Wano Country. 552

Despite his tendency to drift through life, Joe is capable of decisive rebellion when confronted with institutional corruption. His anger toward the World Government's suppression of the Void Century ultimately drives him to openly attack Enies Lobby. 455 652

Abilities & Skills

Observation Haki

Joe excels in Observation Haki and teaches its underlying principle: all things—including people, trees, stones, and earth—have their own “breathing.” 11 17

• Guided Reg toward awakening Observation Haki by explaining how to sense another being’s breathing. 17
• Demonstrates combat awareness sufficient to evade Reg’s rapid attacks with his eyes closed. 16
• His teachings connect meditation, sensory perception, and the ability to predict nearby movements. 17

Armament Haki

Joe is stated to excel in Armament Haki as well as Observation Haki. 11

• Used Iron Body to absorb Reg’s power-assessment strike, causing Reg’s fist to swell from the recoil. 16
• Possesses the physical control and defensive ability expected of a veteran P9 instructor. 11 16
• Employs Haki-enhanced swordsmanship in clashes with Colin and during the Onigashima operation. 453 585

Six Powers

Joe is proficient in Six Powers techniques and is capable of using them at a level far beyond that of ordinary trainees. 16 453

• Uses a burst of speed consistent with Shave to evade Reg and intercept Eileen during Reg's assessment. 16
• Uses Paper Art-like bodily flexibility and movement in combat. 16
• Uses Geppo to evade Colin's quicksand and sand-spike attacks from the air. 453
• Employs Shadow Charge, a high-speed movement technique that leaves afterimages and allows him to strike down multiple gunmen before they can react. 585

Martial Arts and Swordsmanship

Joe teaches both martial arts and swordsmanship on the seventh floor of the Ninth Tower. 11

• Easily deflects, blocks, dodges, catches, and counters Reg’s attacks during assessment combat. 16
• Uses practical combat experience and bodily instinct rather than merely physical force. 16
• Explains the connection between a swordsman’s ability to “cut iron” and perceiving the “breathing” of all things. 17
• Can generate Grand Tornado with his movements to repel or redirect attacks. 453
• His ultimate technique, Light Shadow Slash, releases innumerable light-like sword shadows and is powerful enough to severely injure Colin and threaten Doflamingo. 453 585
• Uses Floating Shadow: Circular Slash to exchange a dense barrage of attacks with Jack. 585
• Uses Shadow: Twin Moon, producing paired bright and dark sword energies, and Shadow: Banishment against Mountain Hag. 590
• Is recognized as a Great Swordsman after cleaving Enies Lobby's main gate apart from afar. 652

Instruction and Intelligence Training

Joe oversees foundational training and teaches non-combat skills crucial to P9 work. 11 12

• Teaches regional customs and cultures, psychology, intelligence-network building, and management. 11
• Administers written, assassination, and infiltration assessments. 17
• Recognizes Reg’s diligence and becomes more approving as Reg continues training and studying. 12
• Possesses valuable intelligence concerning Queen's Mythical Zoan, the Lion-Scorpion Fruit, including the danger posed by its poison. 553
• Demonstrates strategic adaptability by coordinating with Reg and Aokiji during preparations for the Wano operation. 552 553

Relationships

• Colin — Fellow Ninth Tower instructor and Joe's longtime friend, former fellow recruit, and comrade-in-arms. Colin supports Reg’s placement in P9, while Joe accepts Colin’s choice despite questioning it. 10 449 Joe later calls in a favor Colin owes him to pursue Joey's death, and the two engage in an intense duel that ends without a decisive victor. 449 453 455
• Reg — Former trainee and later ally. Joe tests Reg harshly, then provides key guidance that helps Reg understand and awaken Observation Haki. 12 16 17 18 Years later, he works alongside Reg in Wano Country and retains a teasing, mentor-like rapport with him. 552 553
• Joey — A separate senior P-associated figure whose death profoundly affects Joe. Joe initially seeks revenge against Rayleigh over Joey's death but relinquishes the pursuit after learning the truth. 449 453 455
• Eileen — Fellow P9 member. She refers to him as “Brother Joe” and comments on his unusual seriousness during Reg’s assessment. 16
• Jabra — Fellow P9 member who watches Reg’s assessment under Joe’s supervision. 16
• Kalifa — Laskey's daughter and Joey's granddaughter. Joe comforts her after she learns of Joey's death. 449
• Laskey — Fellow P-associated operative who returns to Tower Forest Island with news of Joey's death and attempts to dissuade Joe from pursuing Rayleigh. 449
• Ai — Colin's student, who helps Joe secretly gain access to Colin after he arrives at Long Ring Long Land. 450
• Aokiji — Temporary ally during the Wano operation. Joe and Reg cooperate with Aokiji in planning against Kaido and Doflamingo, and Aokiji later assists Joe against Jack. 552 585
• Mountain Hag — Joe's former colleague. Their confrontation on Onigashima reveals Joe's understanding of her personal circumstances despite their opposing positions. 590
• Spandine — Enies Lobby's chief official, whom Joe confronts after invading Enies Lobby and demanding answers about the Void Century. 652

Story Role / Major Arcs

Welcoming the new P9 members

Joe presides over the welcoming ceremony after Reg, Jabra, and Wotori survive the Ninth Tower trial. He introduces them as probationary P9 members and leads the existing trainees into the forest for training. 10

Ninth Tower instructor

Joe is established as a veteran instructor with exceptional Haki proficiency. His classes cover martial arts, swordsmanship, academic subjects, psychology, and intelligence work; he also administers internal assessments. 11

Reg’s assessments and Haki guidance

Joe measures Reg’s power at 180, then overwhelms him in repeated combat exchanges until Reg faints, ultimately allowing him to pass. 16 Afterward, he explains that Observation Haki begins with sensing the “breathing” inherent in all things, directly contributing to Reg’s later awakening. 17 18

Six Powers qualification

Joe serves as one of the instructors evaluating Reg’s Doriki for Six Powers training. He passes Reg’s tests and confirms that Colin will personally guide Reg once the qualification requirement is met. 19

Joey's death and break with the past

Joe returns to Tower Forest Island following Joey's death and comforts the grieving Kalifa. Angered by the abandonment of Joey's pursuit and dissatisfied with the World Government's decisions, he takes leave to seek Colin's assistance. 449 After confronting Colin and fighting him to a draw, Joe learns the truth surrounding Joey's death and gives up his attempt to avenge him against Rayleigh. 453 455

Journey to the Kingdom of Zh

Joe travels to Long Ring Long Land and witnesses the misery caused by the Great Pirate Era. His encounter with Ai leads him to Colin, whom he seeks out secretly. 450 Although Colin invites him to join his cause, Joe declines formal recruitment, expressing a wish to live an ordinary life rather than devote himself to revenge or world peace. 455

Wano Country operation

Joe returns to active operations as part of the group sent to Wano Country. He works with Reg and Aokiji to plan an approach against Doflamingo, Kaido, and the Three Calamities, while providing intelligence on Queen's Lion-Scorpion Fruit and its poison. 549 552 553

At Onigashima, Joe confronts Jack, kills multiple Beasts Pirates combatants, and forces Jack to recognize his strength. He later joins Aokiji in striking down Doflamingo's apparent body, though Doflamingo escapes through deception. 585

Joe also battles Mountain Hag, gradually realizing that her actions are tied to a personal conflict involving P9. Despite his sympathy for his former colleague, he resolves to fight seriously. 590

Attack on Enies Lobby

Joe openly invades Enies Lobby, cleaving apart its main gate and scattering its defenders. He confronts Spandine over the institution's purpose and the World Government's prohibition against investigating the Void Century, openly declaring his intent to settle accounts with the Five Elders. 652

Trivia

• Joe prefers being called “Brother Joe” rather than “Lord Joe.” 16
• Joe and Joey are distinct individuals; Joey's death is the event that drives Joe to seek revenge against Rayleigh. 449 455
• He is described as having held a Power Level of “000” in his youth, though the exact value is not specified in the provided text. 11
• He once had the potential to advance to P0 but refused, like Colin. 16