What Is Baroque Works?
Baroque Works is one of the most sophisticated and secretive criminal organizations ever introduced in the One Piece universe. Operating as a shadow syndicate, its primary goal was to destabilize the Kingdom of Arabasta to pave the way for a new nation under its leader's control. What made Baroque Works One Piece so unique was its corporate-like structure and the absolute anonymity of its members. Most Baroque Works agents did not even know the identity of their boss, referred to only as Mr. 0, or the true purpose of their missions until the final stages of Operation Utopia. The organization functioned by recruiting bounty hunters, mercenaries, and assassins, providing them with a sense of prestige and the promise of high-ranking positions in the new world order Crocodile envisioned.
Agent Hierarchy
The structure of Baroque Works was strictly hierarchical, designed to ensure that failure at the lower levels would not compromise the upper echelons. At the very top sat the President and Vice-President. Below them, the organization was divided into several distinct tiers based on strength and specialization. The male agents were assigned numbers as codenames, while their female partners were given holidays or days of the week. This pairing system ensured that every mission had a balanced team of combatants. The hierarchy was as follows:
- The Billionaires: These were high-ranking grunts who aspired to become Officer Agents. They managed the lower-level members and handled significant logistical tasks.
- The Millions: The lowest rank of the organization, consisting of approximately 1,800 foot soldiers who served as the primary manpower for large-scale operations and distractions.
- The Unluckies: A specialized duo (Mr. 13 and Miss Friday) who acted as messengers and executioners for those who failed or betrayed the organization.
Officer Agents
Officer Agents were the elite core of Baroque Works. These individuals were almost exclusively Devil Fruit users or masters of unique martial arts. They were tasked with the most sensitive missions and reported directly to the Vice-President. Unlike the lower-ranked members, Officer Agents were aware of the grander scale of the organization's influence, though they still remained in the dark regarding Mr. 0’s true identity for most of their tenure. These agents were the primary antagonists for the Straw Hat Pirates during the Arabasta Saga, representing the highest level of threat the crew had faced at that point in their journey.
Mr. 0 to Mr. 13
The numerical codenames of Baroque Works agents denoted their strength, with Mr. 1 being the strongest (second only to the boss) and the numbers increasing as power decreased. Here is a breakdown of the notable male agents and their roles:
- Mr. 0 (Sir Crocodile): The mastermind and President, a Shichibukai with the power of the Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit).
- Mr. 1 (Daz Bonez): A cold-blooded assassin with the Supa Supa no Mi, allowing him to turn his body into steel blades.
- Mr. 2 Bon Kurei: The only agent without a female partner, serving as both the male and female representative. He used the Mane Mane no Mi to mimic anyone's appearance.
- Mr. 3 (Galdino): A tactical genius with the Doru Doru no Mi (Wax-Wax Fruit) who specialized in traps and psychological warfare.
- Mr. 4: A physically powerful but slow-witted agent who utilized a 4-ton bat and a gun that "ate" a Devil Fruit to become a dachshund.
- Mr. 5: An agent with the Bomu Bomu no Mi, capable of making any part of his body explode.
- Mr. 13: A sea otter who, along with his partner Miss Friday, served as "The Unluckies."
Miss All-Sunday
Miss All-Sunday, later revealed to be Nico Robin, served as the Vice-President of Baroque Works. She was the only individual who dealt directly with Crocodile and handled the organization's communications and recruitment. Her role was vital because of her ability to read Poneglyphs, which was the true reason Crocodile partnered with her. While she appeared to be a villainous enforcer using her Hana Hana no Mi powers, her ultimate goal was the discovery of the Rio Poneglyph, making her alliance with Baroque Works one of convenience rather than shared ideology.
Crocodile's Plan
The endgame for Baroque Works One Piece was "Operation Utopia." Crocodile's plan involved orchestrating a massive civil war in Arabasta by framing King Cobra for the theft of rain using Dance Powder. By creating a drought and inciting rebellion, Crocodile positioned himself as the nation's hero while secretly preparing to seize the throne. His ultimate objective was not just a kingdom, but the ancient weapon Pluton, which was rumored to be hidden somewhere within Arabasta's borders. With Pluton, Crocodile intended to create a military superpower that could rival the World Government.
Defeat and Aftermath
The fall of Baroque Works came at the hands of the Straw Hat Pirates and Princess Vivi. In a series of legendary battles across Alubarna, each Officer Agent was defeated by a member of the Straw Hat crew. Monkey D. Luffy eventually exposed Crocodile's powers by using water and blood, defeating the Warlord in the underground tombs. Following the collapse of the organization, most Baroque Works agents were arrested and sent to Impel Down. However, several members, including Crocodile, Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3, played significant roles in the later breakout during the Marineford arc, showing that the legacy of these agents continues to impact the One Piece world.
FAQ
Who was the leader of Baroque Works?
The leader was Sir Crocodile, a former Warlord of the Sea who operated under the codename Mr. 0.
Why was Nico Robin in Baroque Works?
Nico Robin joined as Miss All-Sunday to gain protection from the World Government and to find the Poneglyph located in Arabasta.
What happened to the Baroque Works agents after Arabasta?
Most were imprisoned in Impel Down, though some eventually escaped during the massive breakout led by Luffy, while others, like Miss Goldenweek, started new lives on various islands.
