In Chapter 1160, the Celestial Dragons participating in the Native Hunting Competition saw the Davy Clan, which included Blackbeard. They began spewing hatred, also questioning whether some of them were Buccaneers, the same race as Bartholomew Kuma. One Piece fans have always theorized that the antagonist was a Buccaneer, and now, it’s almost a reality.
The theory was further solidified after we saw the full appearance of Rocks D. Xebec (whose real name is Davy D. Xebec) in One Piece Chapter 1154. He also had a similar structure to a Buccaneer. Eiichiro Oda has dropped quite a few hints as to why the Davy Clan was deemed “dangerous,” clearly not just talking about their ambitious nature.
What Are Buccaneers in One Piece, and Why Was Kuma Targeted for It?
The Buccaneers are a nearly extinct race of humanoids and a mix of multiple races. As proven by Kuma and his father, Clapp, they are taller than the average human but smaller than giants. According to Scopper Gaban, they are rumored to have the blood of giants, but they age like normal humans.
Although their physique is unique and prevents Kuma from completely shutting down, they still look like humans and can only be distinguished by a blood test. This is how the World Government caught and enslaved Clapp and Kuma, as their information was leaked.
However, it begs the question, why is the World Government so insistent on capturing and killing every Buccaneer? In Chapter 1095, Jaygarcia Saturn revealed Kuma’s race, along with the fact that they had committed a grave crime against the world in the past. This caused them to hide from the World Government, as they would be forced into slavery or brutally killed otherwise.
Kuma’s story is a tragic tale. He can’t control his lineage, and yet he has faced such cruelty over it since he was a child. Saturn believes he’s the only surviving Buccaneer. One Piece has shown very few Buccaneers, with some of them being artificial. Here’s a list of them:
| Name | First Introduced | Real or Artificial |
|---|---|---|
| Bartholomew Kuma | Chapter 233 / Episode 151 | Real, half Buccaneer |
| Clapp | Chapter 1095 / Episode 1129 | Real |
| Pacifista | Chapter 505 / Episode 399 | Artificial, clones of Bartholomew Kuma |
| S-Bear | Chapter 1062 / Episode 1092 | Artificial, clone of Bartholomew Kuma, hybrid Lunarian |
The Buccaneers are one of three nearly extinct races in One Piece, alongside the Lunarians and the Three-Eye Tribe. Vegapunk’s speech reveals there is a deliberate erasure of these rare species, although we are yet to know the motive.
Chapter 1160 Nearly Confirms a Long-Running Theory About Blackbeard
Blackbeard and Kuma’s bodies are identical in shape and size, both of them being taller than the average human yet smaller than giants. Above the legs, their bodies are also round, and their faces are big. This led to One Piece fans theorizing that they might be of the same race.
In Chapter 1160, it’s revealed that more Davy Clan members reside in God Valley, not just Blackbeard. The Celestial Dragons barraged them with hate, calling for their bloodline to be wiped out, but one loudly questioned if they were Buccaneers, too.
The uncertainty doesn’t confirm that Blackbeard is a Buccaneer, but it hints that he could be one, after all. We can’t take the word of a Celestial Dragon, who might see their physique and mistake it for a race they hate. However, it would be an interesting connection between him and Kuma. Could Oda be planning to redeem Blackbeard in One Piece?
Do you believe Chapter 1160 confirmed the antagonist as a Buccaneer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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