X Drake is one of the most compelling figures in Eiichiro Oda's One Piece narrative. Operating as both a fearsome pirate captain and a secret captain within the World Government's covert special forces unit, SWORD, his double life drives deep narrative tension. While readers first met him during the Sabaody Archipelago arc as part of the infamous Worst Generation, his true allegiances and deeper background took years to fully unfold.
Understanding X Drake requires looking past his imposing dinosaur transformation and stoic demeanor. His journey explores themes of duty, parental betrayal, and survival within a corrupt military hierarchy. This deep dive examines his origins, his role in the beast pirates, his combat abilities, and why his narrative arc remains a high point of the post-timeskip era.
Origins and Family Background
Diehard fans know that a character's upbringing shapes their entire worldview in Eiichiro Oda's stories, and Drake's past is defined by tragedy and betrayal. Born as Diez Drake, he is the son of Diez Barrels, a former Marine officer who defected to piracy.
Life under his father was abusive and brutal. Barrels treated his son as a possession rather than family, subjecting him to harsh treatment that left physical and psychological scars. When the Donquixote Pirates attacked Barrels to reclaim the Ope Ope no Mi, the young Drake managed to escape the chaos.
That pivotal night changed the trajectory of his life. Rescued by the Marines—specifically by the man who would become Admiral Kizaru or under the guidance of officers who later formed SWORD—Drake chose to re-enter the system. But instead of remaining a standard Marine, he carved out a path that allowed him to operate outside conventional rules, blending his intimate knowledge of piracy with military discipline.
The Secret Role in SWORD
When Drake arrived in the New World and established the Drake Pirates, his public persona was that of a ruthless captain who joined Kaido's Beasts Pirates as one of the Flying Six, or Tobi Roppo. To the wider world and even to fellow Marines like Koby, his defection seemed genuine.
Behind closed doors, Drake operated as the secret captain of SWORD, a clandestine Marine unit that acts without official government backing. If members are captured or killed, the World Government disavows them entirely. This high-stakes double agent status put Drake in immense danger during the Wano Country arc, where he had to maintain his cover while gathering intelligence on the alliance between Kaido and Charlotte Linlin.
His undercover work reached a breaking point when Queen and Who's-Who discovered his true identity. Stripped of his cover and hunted by his own crewmates, Drake made a calculated gamble. He allied temporarily with Monkey D. Luffy, fighting alongside the Straw Hat Pirates against the Animal Kingdom Pirates. This alliance highlighted his pragmatic approach to justice, proving he values the eradication of immediate threats over rigid military protocols.
Combat Abilities and Devil Fruit Power
X Drake's physical prowess matches his tactical mind. He relies on a combination of advanced physical conditioning, expert swordsmanship, and a rare Zoan-class Devil Fruit.
The Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus
Drake ate the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus, an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit that transforms him into a massive prehistoric carnivore. This fruit grants him extraordinary durability, razor-sharp teeth and claws, and immense brute strength. In hybrid form, he gains enhanced agility and bipedal combat capability, allowing him to trade blows with heavy hitters like Killer and scratch the thick hide of powerful opponents.
Weapons and Haki
Beyond his transformations, Drake is a skilled dual-wielding combatant. He typically fights using a sabre in one hand and a four-bladed axe-like weapon in the other, blending close-quarters slash attacks with heavy cleaving momentum. He is also proficient in Busoshoku (Armament) Haki and Kenbunshoku (Observation) Haki, enabling him to defend against powerful attacks and track agile enemies in chaotic battlefields.
Common Misconceptions About X Drake
Many viewers and readers misinterpret Drake's motivations, leading to several persistent myths within the community.
- He is a traitor to the Marines: While he disobeys standard Marine command, SWORD represents a faction dedicated to true justice uncorrupted by the higher-ups or Cipher Pol. His actions against pirate emperors align with protecting innocent civilians.
- He fears Kaido: His entry into the Beasts Pirates was a strategic infiltration, not an act of subservience. Every move he made within Onigashima served a larger reconnaissance goal.
- He lacks emotional depth: Beneath his cold exterior lies a deep trauma stemming from his father's abuse and the failure of conventional authority, driving his independent streak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is X Drake's real name?
His birth name is Diez Drake, and his father was the infamous pirate and former Marine, Diez Barrels.
Is X Drake still a Marine?
Yes, he is a captain in the Marines and leads the covert special operations group known as SWORD, though his unit operates independently without official government backing.
What kind of Devil Fruit does X Drake have?
He ate the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus, an Ancient Zoan type that allows him to transform into a full Allosaurus or a powerful hybrid beast.
How did X Drake join Kaido's crew?
He purposefully sought out Kaido's territory in the New World, defeated several subordinates to gain attention, and eventually worked his way up to become one of the Flying Six.
