Raizo
Raizo, known as Raizo of the Mist, is a ninja from Wano Country in the manga and anime series One Piece. He is a member of the Nine Red Scabbards, a group of elite samurai who served Kozuki Oden. Originally a member of the Kozuki family's Oniwabanshu, he later became a direct retainer to Oden and now works to fulfill his late master's dream of opening Wano Country's borders.
Overview
Raizo, known as Raizo of the Mist, is a ninja from Wano Country in the manga and anime series One Piece. He is a member of the Nine Red Scabbards, a group of elite samurai who served Kozuki Oden. Originally a member of the Kozuki family's Oniwabanshu, he later became a direct retainer to Oden and now works to fulfill his late master's dream of opening Wano Country's borders.
Appearance
Raizo stands over three meters tall with an extremely top-heavy, disproportionate physique, characterized by a massive head, a stocky torso, and short limbs. He has a crescent-shaped scar on his forehead and black hair styled into prominent side tufts that extend outward like spider legs. He wears traditional ninja attire styled with kabuki motifs, including large crest patterns and tasuki cords.
Personality
Raizo possesses a high sense of duty and adheres strictly to a code of non-lethal combat. He speaks using archaic samurai terminology and takes his responsibilities as a ninja seriously. Despite his stern duty, he is soft-hearted and easily influenced by others, often showing off his skills enthusiastically when prompted. He also holds a lingering complex regarding romance due to past rejections.
Abilities
Raizo ate the Scroll-Scroll Fruit (Maki Maki no Mi), a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to create special scrolls capable of absorbing, storing, and releasing physical attacks, elemental hazards, or large volumes of matter. In battle, he wields twin ninja swords and shuriken. Despite his size, he moves with great agility, employing traditional ninja techniques such as smokescreens, body-doubles, and paralysis arts. He can also use Armament and Observation Haki.
Background
After leaving the Oniwabanshu, Raizo joined Kozuki Oden's retinue and became one of his trusted retainers. Following Oden's execution, he was sent twenty years into the future alongside several allies. During their escape from Wano, he became separated from his companions and washed ashore on Zou, where the Mink Tribe protected him from the Beast Pirates at great personal cost. Reunited with the samurai alliance, he aided in the liberation of Udon prison and fought in the raid on Onigashima.
Relationships
Raizo maintains absolute loyalty to his late master Kozuki Oden and his son Kozuki Momonosuke. He shares a deep brotherhood with Kin'emon and the rest of the Nine Red Scabbards. He holds immense gratitude toward Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and the Mink Tribe for enduring severe hardship to protect him. He also shares a personal rivalry with Fukurokuju, the leader of the Orochi Oniwabanshu.
Trivia
Raizo's design, dramatic mannerisms, and catchphrases draw heavy inspiration from traditional Japanese kabuki theater—specifically the play Shibaraku—as well as classic ninja folklore such as Kirigakure Saizo of the Sanada Ten Braves.