Burgess

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Burgess first appears with the severely ill Doc Q while attempting to take the ship being prepared by Chris’s group. Chris offers him a choice: win the ship through combat or become his subordinate if defeated. Burgess eagerly accepts the challenge, but Chris evades every attack with Observation Haki and knocks him down with Armament Haki. Impressed rather than resentful, Burgess follows Chris and joins the crew 1 2.

Chris’s strength-based rule—“Let your strength speak”—immediately appeals to Burgess. He becomes determined to earn a division-command position and treats internal rank as something to be won through fighting. He does not, however, consider himself capable of challenging Chris for captaincy 2 3.

When the crew discovers the Sound Wave Fruit, Chris leaves the decision to Burgess. Burgess eats it after learning that its power suits his naturally loud voice. He immediately tests the fruit by firing a blue-white beam from his mouth, creating a large explosion far out at sea 9.

Burgess later challenges the newly recruited Lafitte for the First Mate position. Although Burgess fights seriously and uses his laser attack, Lafitte’s speed, wings, and hypnosis overwhelm him. Burgess accepts defeat without disputing the result and appoints Lafitte First Mate 10 12.

He remains one of the crew’s principal front-line fighters. Burgess participates in the destruction of the White Ghost Pirates and the defeat of Don Krieg’s forces, helping establish the Chris Pirates as a dominant force in the North and East Blues 31 32 37. His first bounty is set at 50 million Beli, a figure he considers insulting compared with Doc Q’s higher bounty 47. As the crew enters the Grand Line and the New World, Burgess participates in major campaigns, including the clashes against Gecko Moria on Thriller Bark 185 186, the arena trials in Challenge Town where he defeats Lindbergh to earn him as a crewmate 296 300, and the war against the Pudora Kingdom where he coordinates with Van Augur to defeat Big Bug Rodman 657.

Personality

Burgess is loud, direct, competitive, and eager for combat. He tends to favor immediate action over lengthy discussion, often charging into fights before the rest of the crew has finished assessing the situation 1 10 11.

He admires strength above nearly everything else. Chris’s defeat earns his respect immediately, while the crew’s rule that rank can be challenged through combat gives him a clear goal. Despite his bluster, Burgess recognizes the overwhelming gap between himself and Chris and has no desire to risk a suicidal challenge 2 3 9.

Burgess is also capable of sportsmanship. After Lafitte defeats him, he openly admits the loss and accepts Lafitte as First Mate. His impatience and pride remain easy targets for the rest of the crew, particularly Doc Q and Perona 12. He holds an uncompromising, all-or-nothing view of combat, believing fights should end strictly in victory or defeat 594.

Abilities & Skills

Physical Strength

Burgess possesses considerable physical power and close-combat ability. He attacks with enormous, fast punches and is strong enough to serve as one of the Chris Pirates’ primary assault fighters. He charges through enemy formations during raids and wars, matching veteran opponents blow-for-blow 11 32 37 185 539.

• Uses powerful punches and kicks in close combat.
• Excels at direct assaults, breaking through enemy formations, and brawling.
• Possesses immense physical resilience and endurance, though initially outmatched by opponents with extreme speed or advanced Haki 2 11 12.

Sound Wave Fruit

The Sound Wave Fruit is a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that converts the user’s shouts into destructive sound blasts. Burgess’s loud voice makes him particularly well suited to the ability 9.

• Fires a blue-white beam from his mouth (referred to as a Laser Cannon or sonic shockwaves) 9 185 213.
• Produces enough force to cause large explosions and pierce massive creatures like the Island Eater 9 109.
• Greater volume produces greater power.
• Can be utilized in close-quarters shockwave bursts or long-range laser blasts 185 213.

Haki Training

Burgess learns about Haki after Chris demonstrates Observation and Armament Haki during their first fight 2. Over time, he masters Two-Color Haki, specializing heavily in Armament Haki through his love of physical brawling 117. During his fight against Lindbergh in Challenge Town, he successfully refines his Observation Haki under intense pressure to track light-speed movements 297.

• Armament Haki: Hardens his fists and body into jet-black armor capable of blocking heavy weapons, matching Moria, and clashing with reinforced armor 117 185 298.
• Observation Haki: Evolves during combat to predict high-speed trajectories and pinpoint evasive targets 297.

Combat Instincts

Burgess has strong battle instincts and a high tolerance for risk. He quickly identifies opportunities to fight, challenges newcomers under the crew’s hierarchy, and remains eager to test stronger opponents 3 10 12 28 47. He excels at adapting mid-battle, using punishing disadvantageous situations to rapidly awaken and hone his Haki 297.

Relationships

• Chris — Captain and the man who defeated and recruited Burgess. Burgess admires Chris’s power, follows his leadership, and refuses to challenge him because he believes the attempt would be fatal 1 3 9.
• Doc Q — Crewmate and frequent provocateur. Doc Q repeatedly urges Burgess to fight stronger opponents, while Burgess regularly complains about his taunts 2 3 9 12.
• Lafitte — Rival for the First Mate position. Burgess challenges him, loses to his hypnosis, and accepts him as First Mate 10 12.
• Perona — Crewmate who humiliates Burgess with her Negative Hollows after he insults her. Burgess becomes fearful of provoking her again 12.
• Trafalgar Law — Crewmate whom Burgess invites to compete for a division-command position. Law declines to fight immediately 18.
• Basil Hawkins — Crewmate and potential division rival. Hawkins postpones their proposed challenge until the crew has grown larger, frustrating Burgess 28 29.
• Gin — Ambitious crewmate whose rapid improvement adds another potential rival to Burgess’s pursuit of higher rank 47 50.
• Lindbergh — Former arena opponent who becomes a crewmate after a fierce battle in Challenge Town. Burgess respects his inventiveness and credits him with pushing his Haki to new heights 300.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment and Crew Hierarchy

Burgess serves as Chris’s first major combat recruit and helps establish the Chris Pirates’ central rule: authority is earned through strength rather than seniority or formal regulations 1 3.

Sound Wave Fruit Arc

His decision to eat the Sound Wave Fruit expands the crew’s offensive capabilities and gives Burgess a powerful long-range attack. The fruit also intensifies his confidence and his desire to compete for a division-command position 9.

First Mate Challenge

Burgess’s duel with Lafitte demonstrates the limits of his direct fighting style. His destructive laser is insufficient against Lafitte’s mobility and hypnosis, but Burgess’s willingness to accept the result reinforces the crew’s competitive yet strength-based culture 10 12.

North and East Blue Operations

Burgess is a prominent attacker during the Chris Pirates’ campaigns against the White Ghost Pirates and Don Krieg’s fleet. These victories contribute to the crew’s growing reputation and the issuance of its first bounties 31 32 37 46 47.

Grand Line and New World Campaigns

Burgess participates in major crew operations, including the defeat of Gecko Moria on Thriller Bark 185 186, the recruitment trials in Challenge Town where he defeats Lindbergh 296 300, and large-scale military engagements such as the war against the Pudora Kingdom where he coordinates with Van Augur and Law to eliminate elite veterans like Big Bug Rodman 657.

Notable Quotes

“I’m not passing up power like that.” 2

“But I’m definitely fighting for a division commander’s spot!” 3

“Challenge him yourself. I don’t have the guts. I’d like to live a few more years.” 9

“From now on, you’re the First Mate.” 12

“Thanks. Without you, my Two-Color Haki wouldn’t have improved this much.” 300

Trivia

• Burgess’s 50-million-Beli bounty is lower than Doc Q’s 70 million and Lafitte’s 85 million, which immediately provokes his competitive anger 47.
• He is the first Chris Pirates fighter shown using a Devil Fruit in a long-range attack after joining the crew 9.
• Despite being highly competitive, Burgess repeatedly acknowledges that Chris is far beyond his current level 3 9.