One Pieceoften writes characters in and out of the storyline. A lot of characters' stories are often followed up, either through cover stories or bits in the main story that tease their involvement later. One such example was when Crocodile, formerly one of Luffy’s toughest enemies, returned as an ally in Impel Down, and even aided him during the Summit War, out of a shared hatred for the government.
He has since seen a resurgence in the story, acting as one of the secret co-leaders ofCross Guild, a mercenary organization putting bounties on marines. If Crocodile can become a force to be reckoned with once more, then there is no reason why other former villains cannot make returns to the story in a similar manner as well. Here are some villains primed for a potential return.
6Gecko Moria
Current Status: Escaped from Hachinosu
Gecko Moria, the captain of the Thriller Bark Pirates and a former Warlord, was noted for his inadequacy. The traumatic loss he suffered at the hands of Kaido made him attempt to control zombies for his pirate crew, rationalizing he would grieve less upon their death. However, as an extension of this apathy, he is past his relative prime. Doflamingo was ordered to execute him during the Summit War, but did not finish the job. Instead, Moria survived and tried to reconvene with his crewmates. After discovering Absalom, one of his few human crewmates, was murdered by theBlackbeard Pirates, he chose to be imprisoned rather than serve them.
Recently, it was confirmed that he was freed, as part of an effort conducted by Perona, another one of his living subordinates. With his freedom regained, it is unclear where he will go from here. It is quite possible he could join Cross Guild, seeing as he is, like a lot of their leadership, an established warlord, with a grudge against the World Government.
5Caesar Clown
Current Status: Co-Founder of NEO MADS
Caesar Clown was a colleague of Vegapunk, who had far less concern with the ethics of science than his counterpart. He was previously a subordinate of Donquixote Doflamingo, using the latter’s government ties to conduct his experiments without fear of punishment. Nonetheless, with his master’s defeat and dismissal, Clown was held hostage by the Straw Hats, and forced to ally with them for protection. After aiding them in Totto Land, he was set free.
Recently, he allied himself with Vinsmoke Judge, the estranged father of Sanji. It is not the pair’s first time meeting, however, as they were both previously part of an illegal research institute alongside the likes of both Vegapunk, and Queen (of theBeasts Pirates), known asMADS. The pair recently decided to pool their research together to form another institute in the same vein, known as NEO MADS. It is unclear to what extent the pair will reappear in the story, but they have a variety of prospective clients.
4Charlotte Katakuri
Current Status: Captain (?) of the Big Mom Pirates
Charlotte Katakuri was both the son and top subordinate of Charlotte Linlin, holding power in the Big Mom Pirates. With his mother’s defeat and presumed death at Wano, Katakuri has been poised by his siblings asa possible successor, only challenged by his half-brother, Perospero, who wants to claim the title based on seniority. Despite his clear alignment with evil, he was honorable as a fighter, and had a genuine respect for Luffy, believing him when he said he would become King of the Pirates.
He was most recently seen listening to Vegapunk’s message with some of his siblings, but before then, he was fighting with the Vinsmoke siblings, but Caesar Clown arrived with a gas compound that allowed them to escape, while Katakuri ended up hallucinating and fighting his brother, Oven. With Katakuri’s half-sister, Pudding, being kidnapped by Blackbeard, he will likely lead his crew to fight against the Emperor to retrieve her. If the circumstances require it, he may even team up with Luffy to achieve his goals. However, any sort of autonomy he may have is determined by whether Big Mom is still alive, as he would likely ultimately defer to her if she was.
3Donquixote Doflamingo
Current Status: Incarcerated at Impel Down
Donquixote Doflamingo was an Ex-World Noble, who turned to piracy in an attempt to regain the power he felt he deserved. Aftera successful coup to take Dressrosa, he established himself as an arms dealer, working with many in the criminal underworld. Eventually, a number of pirates, led by Luffy, deposed him, which led to him being incarcerated.
Now locked up in Impel Down, the World Government’s sea-based prison, he has kept his spirits about him despite his lack of freedom. This is likely because he expects a form of salvation. While it is unclear how well-founded this belief is, releasing Doflamingo himself is not without benefit. In addition to his criminal ties, Doflamingo, as an Ex-World Noble, possesses sensitive knowledge, the kind the World Government wants to keep the public, and especially other criminals. It is possible this could be his ticket to freedom. Like Moria, he may also join Cross Guild, as he too bears an obvious grudge against the government.
2Magellan
Current Status: Vice Warden of Impel Down
Formerly, the Chief Warden of Impel Down, Magellan was demoted after an escape conducted by Monkey D. Luffy. Being the duty bound person he is, the incident upset him so much that he genuinely considered killing himself. In his place, Hannyabal, his former subordinate, took the position of Chief Warden, an ambition he made no secret about holding. Magellan eventually returned to active duty again, much to the delight of his superior and colleagues.
It is quite possible Impel Down may once again suffer a breakout. Even with a handfulof its most dangerous criminals escaping, the chance of Doflamingo doing so, potentially taking others with him, is not impossible. If an escape does happen, Magellan would most likely be there, as the prison is his domain. Magellan may even get promoted back to his old position, as most of the blame would fall on the current Chief Warden instead.
