He was the first real wall. Before the New World, before Haki became a requirement for survival, and long before the chaotic heights of the Onigashima raid, there was Daz Bonez. You probably know him better as Mr. 1. Honestly, if you look back at the Alabasta saga, he wasn't just another eccentric villain in Crocodile’s lineup. He was a cold-blooded professional who forced Zoro to redefine what it meant to be a swordsman.
Without Mr. 1, Roronoa Zoro doesn't learn how to "hear the breath" of all things. Without that fight, Zoro probably dies somewhere in the Grand Line. It’s that simple. Daz Bonez represents a specific era of Oda’s storytelling where Devil Fruit powers felt invincible until they weren't.
The Man Who Became a Blade
Most fans focus on the "steel" aspect, but Daz Bonez’s backstory as a notorious bounty hunter in the West Blue is what actually makes him interesting. He wasn't a pirate by trade; he was a killer for hire. When he ate the Supa Supa no Mi (Dice-Dice Fruit), he basically became a living weapon. Every single inch of his body can turn into a blade. Imagine trying to punch someone and losing your hand because their chest turned into a razor-sharp edge.
That’s the nightmare scenario Zoro faced.
The Supa Supa no Mi is a Paramecia-type, but it’s often mistaken for a Logia because of how it alters the user's fundamental makeup. Daz Bonez doesn't just create blades; he is steel. In the early 2000s, when this chapter first dropped in Weekly Shonen Jump, it sparked massive debates about how anyone could possibly beat him without Haki. Back then, "Busoshoku Haki" wasn't even a term we used. We just thought Zoro had to get really, really lucky or really, really strong.
Why Alabasta Was His Peak (But Not His End)
The fight in Rainbase remains a top-five duel in the entire series for many long-term readers. It’s brutal. It’s messy. Daz Bonez doesn't use flashy energy blasts or magical spells. He uses physics. He uses "Atomic Spurt" to close the gap at high speeds and "Sparkling Daisy" to shred everything in front of him.
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One thing people often forget is that Mr. 1 didn't lose because he was weak. He lost because he was overconfident in his invulnerability. He had never met a swordsman capable of cutting steel. Why would he? In the four blues and the early Grand Line, being made of steel makes you a god among men.
"My body is steel. No swordsman has ever harmed me."
That line from Chapter 194 defines his entire philosophy. He isn't a martial artist; he's a fortress. When Zoro finally landed the Shishi Sonson (Lion's Song), it wasn't just a physical wound. It was a conceptual defeat. Daz Bonez's entire identity as an "uncuttable man" shattered in that single moment.
The Impel Down Resurgence
Fast forward a few hundred chapters. Most villains in One Piece disappear into the sunset or rot in a cover story. Not Daz Bonez.
Seeing him in Level 4 of Impel Down was a shock, mostly because of how stoic he remained. While other prisoners were losing their minds, he was just... sitting there. Working out. Keeping his edge. His loyalty to Crocodile is one of the more understated bromances in the series. When Luffy breaks into the underwater prison, Mr. 1 joins the fray not for freedom, but because Crocodile told him to.
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During the Marineford War, he actually stood his ground against Dracule Mihawk. Think about that. He got swatted aside eventually, sure, but he didn't hesitate. He stepped up to the world’s strongest swordsman to protect his boss. That takes a specific kind of "ride or die" energy that you just don't see in many minor antagonists.
The Power Gap and the New World
There’s a common misconception that Mr. 1 is "fodder" now that everyone has Haki. That’s a bit of a lazy take. In the One Piece Stampede movie (even if it's non-canon, the power scaling is usually vetted by Oda’s team) and the recent manga glimpses, Daz Bonez is still by Crocodile’s side in the Cross Guild.
If you think a guy with that much discipline hasn't learned basic Armament Haki during the timeskip, you’re kidding yourself.
Imagine a man whose body is already steel, now coated in Haki. He becomes a black-blade human. He’s essentially a walking Supreme Grade sword. With the Cross Guild now being a major player in the final saga, Daz Bonez is positioned to be a massive headache for the Marines and other pirate crews. He’s the perfect bodyguard for a man who doesn't like to be touched.
What Makes Him Different from Other Baroque Works Members?
- He has zero sense of humor, which makes him the perfect foil to the goofiness of Mr. 2 (Bon Kurei) or Mr. 3.
- His loyalty is absolute. Unlike most Baroque Works agents who were just there for the money or power, Bonez seems to genuinely respect Crocodile's vision.
- He’s one of the few characters who hasn't really changed his outfit or vibe. He’s consistent. He’s a professional.
- His design is heavily influenced by real-world martial artists and looks significantly more "grounded" than the colorful cast members like Miss Merry Christmas.
The Cross Guild Connection
Now that Buggy, Mihawk, and Crocodile have formed the Cross Guild, Mr. 1 is back in the spotlight. Sorta. He’s the muscle in the background. While the world is looking at the $3 billion Berries bounties on the leaders' heads, Daz Bonez is the guy making sure the operations run smoothly.
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There is a real chance we see a rematch between him and Zoro. Or maybe he fights a member of the Marines' SWORD unit. Either way, his presence signifies that the "old guard" of the Grand Line is still relevant. He represents the bridge between the early days of the series and the absolute chaos of the current "Throne Wars."
Honestly, Daz Bonez is the blueprint for how to keep a secondary villain relevant. You don't need a redemption arc. You don't need to become a "good guy." You just need to be consistently dangerous and loyal to a fault.
How to Scale Mr. 1 Today
If you’re trying to figure out where he stands in 2026's power rankings, look at his performance at Marineford. He was taking hits from top-tiers and getting back up. He isn't Emperor level, obviously. But he’s comfortably in that "High Executive" tier. If he has awakened his Devil Fruit—which, let's be real, most veteran Paramecia users have by now—he might be able to turn his entire surroundings into a forest of blades.
Think about "Doflamingo’s Everwhite" but with razors. Terrifying.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Theorists
If you're following the Cross Guild's moves in the manga, keep an eye on the background panels. Oda rarely keeps a character around just for nostalgia. Daz Bonez's return suggests that the biological/physical power of Devil Fruits still matters, even in a Haki-dominated world.
- Watch the Re-read: Go back to Chapters 190-195. Look at how Bonez moves. It isn't just slashing; he uses his feet like skates by turning the soles into blades. It's a high-mobility fighting style that many people overlook.
- The Mihawk Dynamic: Pay attention to how he interacts with Mihawk now that they are technically on the same side. The man who was "the uncuttable steel" is now working with the man who can cut anything. The irony is delicious.
- Anticipate the Rematch: While a full-blown 20-chapter fight is unlikely, expect a clash. Zoro still respects the man who forced him to grow, and a brief exchange of blows would be a great way to show how far both have come since Alabasta.
Daz Bonez isn't just a relic of the past. He’s a reminder that in the world of One Piece, your fruit is only as good as your discipline. And Mr. 1 is nothing if not disciplined.