Manmayer Gunko (wife)

Saint {{char}}[8][9] is a World Noble from the Manmayer Family and a member of the Knights of God.[3][4] Previously, she was a Devoted Blade of God serving under the Knights 38 years ago during the events of the God Valley Incident.[5]

She was previously known as Princess Shuri (シュリ姫, Shuri Hime?), the alleged daughter of both Queen Candelle and King Reuven of Esperia Kingdom, but in truth was the biological daughter of Candelle and Manmayer Gurou. She was a close friend and trainee of Brook in her youth. After being demonized, Shuri killed her presumed father Reuven, though her memories of the past are seemingly repressed by Nerona Imu.[1]

Due to her actions and role, she is the secondary antagonist in the Elbaph Arc.

Gunko is a woman of average height who has shown no signs of aging despite her old age. She has long blue hair that usually appears short due to it being partially hidden under either her jacket or hat. She has heterochromia, with a cyan right eye and a red left one, called Bipolar Irises. The lower half of her face and her knees are wrapped in bandages. She wears a black newsboy cap with golden goggles, a double-breasted black jacket with extremely long sleeves and what appears to be black panties underneath it, a pink cape, and black boots with cylindrical structures on them.[3] [10] Upon being possessed by Nerona Imu, Gunko's eyes changed to his distinctive double-layered irises, and her hair lengthened. Her appearance was described by nearby children as "scary."[11]

big breasts, big round ass, wide hips, thicc thighs, curvy body.

When she was a child living as Princess Shuri, Gunko displayed a cheerful disposition and cared greatly for her family and friends, who inspired her to pursue her passions. Out of admiration for her mother, Shuri sought to become a powerful fighter and expressed disdain for weak men who attempted to court her. She also loved music, and denied any suitor who could not play it. As a princess, Shuri demonstrated an inclination toward propriety, as she reprimanded Brook for his continued interest in her mother and his other lecherous approaches on women. However, she was not above having her own moments of youthful indiscretion, especially when it came to her crush on Brook, and she regularly used childish terms of endearment for her parents despite being encouraged to speak in a more formal dialect.[6][12] Though Gunko has abandoned her original identity for the past six decades, it is evident that this is due to her childhood memories being actively repressed by Nerona Imu, and Brook has come to believe that she has been brainwashed by outside forces. Brook's hypothesis was reinforced when Gunko's memories briefly returned twice during their reunion on Elbaph;[11] the second time around, she pleaded for him to flee, showing that she did not naturally cast away her old personality of her own accord.[13]

After being taken by Imu and Gurou 62 years ago and turned into a demon, Gunko gained her current identity as a cold and efficient warrior who is solely devoted to serving the World Government and its king. Immediately after her transformation, Gunko displayed a heartless attitude toward Brook and Reuven, claiming that they were unable to give her the same level of power as the Celstial Dragons and attempting to inflict fatal wounds on them.[14] Gunko holds the World Nobles as an institution in immense regard, referring to her position in sacred terms and expressing anger against anyone who would dare to belittle her kind. She possesses a superiority complex typical of a World Noble, having repeatedly referred to difficult commoners as "insolent"[15] and expressing offense when a feral wolf got too close to her. She can grow exasperated when her colleagues lose focus, but does not act as haughty toward them, and does not overlook the presence of potential obstacles when carrying out missions.[16] She is quick to resort to violence in combat situations, and is ruthless and brutal in her attacks to the point where Figarland Shamrock had to stop her assault on Loki.[17] Gunko will use any tactic to gain an advantage in battle, and if possible will go after weaker friends or family of her opponents in order to render them vulnerable.[3][11]

Gunko showing her bashful side. Gunko showing her bashful side.

In casual contact with her peers, Gunko tends to remain serious and apathetic, having not cared about Sommers' diatribes on love and being referred to him as "the woman who never knew love". However, Gunko has been shown to subtly show emotion on occasion, such as euphoria when she eats good food[16] and bashfulness when she sees people in a state of undress.[18] Following meals, she likes to unwind by listening to music; her past identity is shown to surface in this, especially given that she enjoys Brook's song "New World",[19] and is shown to be a fan of his to the point of wanting to make him a music-performing personal slave.[20] She has stated that her greatest fear is Nika, though did not explain why.[21]

Like several other characters, Gunko has a unique laughing style: "Dehehe" (でへへ?), though has yet to be seen laughing as Gunko.[6]

Reuven Shuri believed that King Reuven was her father for the first 16 years of her life. Reuven was a stern, but caring, parent toward Shuri who expected her to behave like a proper princess and address her parents formally. He disapproved of Shuri's crush on Brook, but was also offended when Brook turned her down.[6] Though Shuri aspired to use her combat training to fight in service to Esperia, Brook indicated that Reuven would not allow it, and Reuven prohibited her from helping battle the World Government out of fear for her safety.[22]

When she met her real father Gurou and became demonized, the new Shuri lost all her respect for Reuven and killed him because she viewed it was the best way to end the World Government's war with Esperia. Referring to him as "that man" and a "wretch", Shuri expressed resentment toward Reuven for depriving her of a Celestial Dragon lifestyle.[14] However, Gunko has shown a repressed memory in which she cried out to Reuven seemingly around this time, suggesting that she truly always cared for him and her act of patricide was entirely the result of forced corruption.[11]

Candelle Shuri looked up to her mother Candelle and aspired to become a strong warrior like her one day. She expressed worry and distress as a young child upon learning that her mother was in danger. When Candelle died from the plague of toxic smog, Shuri was shown loudly weeping in great sorrow.[22]

Allies Figarland Shamrock Figarland Shamrock is her direct superior, and as such, she obediently follows his commands without hesitation. She will also get offended and angry on his behalf, should someone disrespect him and resort to violence. She is also aware of Emperor Shanks being the younger twin brother of her superior.[23]

Knights of God From her interactions with Rimoshifu Killingham and Shepherd Sommers, Gunko seems to be cooperative with the other Knights of God. They share great teamwork and are able to use their abilities to their fullest extent to achieve their goals with maximum proficiency. Outside of their missions, Gunko seems less inclined to interact with the other Knights of God. While they spend time together and have a meal together, Gunko generally shoots down attempts at small talk and excludes herself from conversations, though may give brief answers to her colleagues' personal questions.[16]

Nerona Imu Nerona Imu took an interest in Gunko because of her bipolar eyes and the potential for them to awaken.[14] Upon being demonized and turned against Esperia, Gunko faithfully served Imu as a personal attendant. However, when Gunko's memories of her life as Shuri began returning on Elbaph, this led her to resist Imu's control in favor of going to Brook. Imu was very displeased with these lapses and forcefully reasserted control over Gunko, displaying possessiveness over her as he angrily attacked Brook and interrogated him about their relationship.[13]

Other Brook As captain of Esperia Kingdom's Battle Convoy and a close personal friend and protege of the king and queen, Brook served Princess Shuri since the day she was born. Shuri quickly took to Brook, enjoying his swordsmanship lessons and singing along with his many songs. By the time she was 7, she had a crush on Brook and wanted to marry him.[6] This crush remained even when she was 14 and beginning to attract other suitors, as Brook possessed the primary qualities she looked for in a man: proficiency in combat and music. As an adult, Brook paid no mind to Shuri's crush and stuck to his role as her mentor and adult companion. Brook encouraged Shuri to behave properly, and so she took him to task whenever she caught him behaving lecherously around other women.[12] Shuri did occasionally express discontent over Brook's devotion to her being an extension of his service to her parents.[22]

Shuri attacking Brook after being corrupted. Shuri attacking Brook after being corrupted.

On the night of Esperia's downfall, following her demon transformation Shuri expressed derision toward Brook, saying he could not protect her like the Celestial Dragons could. Brook was shocked by her sudden shift in personality and declared that she could not be the real Shuri he had known for the last 16 years. Brook loved Shuri enough that despite her sudden change, he could not bring himself to clash swords with her in a real fight, and she remorselessly inflicted a near-fatal wound on him.[14]

After Brook became a worldwide celebrity in the last two years, Gunko became a fan of his music and regularly listens to it after meals, though this was subconscious enough that it did not trigger her repressed memories.[19] The two would unexpectedly meet again 62 years later in the current year, when Gunko attacked Elbaph with the Knights of God while Brook was on the island with his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. In their first interaction, she treated Brook as an enemy whom she wished to take as a slave to play music, and attacked him when he refused.[20] However, in her fight with Scopper Gaban soon afterward, Gunko's memories of Brook were unexpectedly triggered and she attempted to go to him.[11] While Gunko was possessed by Imu, Brook approached her because he recognized her as Shuri, and this awakened Gunko's true self long enough that she freed Brook from his bindings and told him to flee, showing that her true self still cares for him.[13]

Abilities and Powers During her time as Princess Shuri, she had royal authority over the Esperia Kingdom. Being a World Noble of the Manmayer Family, Gunko is above the law of the lower world and is permitted to do anything she pleases, so long as it does not go against the laws of the Celestial Dragons. She has tremendous political influence and can summon a Marine Admiral to handle anyone she feels is trying to bring harm to her. However, being a God's Knight, she possesses more than sufficient combat prowess to defend herself without the need of an admiral. As with her fellow Knights, she has jurisdiction over standard World Nobles and acts as a police force and elite guard amongst them.

Upon arriving in Elbaph, Gunko lived up to her organization's high standards by engaging in combat with two giants,[15] mutilating Loki's animals,[3] and easily overwhelming four of the Straw Hat Pirates right after (which included the highly powerful Jinbe),[17] showing her might in raw combat. Gunko is also extremely pragmatic in combat and is not above exploiting personal connections in order to gain the upper hand against stronger opponents. It was thanks to her cunning and lack of care for people's lives that she was able to defeat even the legendary pirate Scopper Gaban, threatening his son's life to force a surrender.[11]

It has been suggested that Gunko's heterochromic eyes, referred to as Bipolar Irises, have a special ability attached to them, which made her desirable to Imu.[14] However, it is unknown if she has awakened this ability.

Swordsmanship Like her mother, Gunko is very talented in swordsmanship, having been trained by Brook. She easily defeated five princes in duels as a teenager, calling them weak,[12] and later fully pierced through Brook's skull after being corrupted.[14] Her skill and precision with a blade was also shown when Scopper Gaban foresaw that she would inflict a fatal blow to his son Colon by piercing him through the neck while moving on her arrow in midair.[11]

Techniques Gavotte Bond en Avant (革命舞曲ガボット・ボンナバン, Gabotto Bonnaban?, literally meaning "Gavotte: Leap Forward"): As Brook's student, Gunko learned his signature thrusting technique. She propels herself forward in order to stab an opponent. She was first seen using this against Brook, stabbing him through the skull.[24] Gavotte comes from a fast-paced French folk dance. Bond en Avant is French for "Leap Forward" and is a technique in fencing, usually used to propel oneself to their opponent to attack. Devil Fruit Further information: Aro Aro no Mi Gunko manifesting an arrow. Gunko manifesting an arrow.

Gunko ate the Aro Aro no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that grants her the ability to create and control bandage-like strips with ends shaped like arrowheads. The arrow strips can be detached, levitated, and controlled from afar. They have a myriad of uses such as piercing opponents,[15] wrapping around captives like ropes,[3] and serving as midair platforms. Gunko frequently wraps them around her limbs and weapons to increase their size and attack power and fashion tools and equipment like high-soled boots.[17]

The arrows can also be used to affect movement and its properties; Gunko can use them to force people and objects to move to a desired location,[21] redirect opponents' attacks,[25] and augment the speed and power of her own attacks.[17] Gunko is adept at combining her Devil Fruit powers with hand-to-hand combat, allowing her to weave through attacks and deliver powerful blows at close quarters.[26]

Covenant As a full-fledged Knight of God, Gunko possesses a Covenant bestowed by Imu that signifies her loyalty to him as her "God" and has access to supernatural abilities drawn from her contract, making her one of the few thirteen individuals reserved for Depths and Abyssal Covenants.[27] This Covenant also enables Imu to possess Gunko's body at any time and use his own abilities through her.[28]

Abyss Main article: Abyss Gunko creates an Abyss. Gunko creates an Abyss.

As a Knight of God, Gunko has the ability to access the Abyss as a means of transport, having been transported to Elbaph by one alongside Shamrock.[2] She can also summon other marked individuals at will by aiming her hand at the ground and calling them to her location through the Abyss, regardless of their own willingness or what they are doing at the time.[18]

Immortality Main article: Immortality Gunko's immortality. Gunko's immortality.

Through her covenant with Imu, Gunko is effectively immortal, as she can heal instantaneously from injuries. Gunko recovered instantly from having her entire upper body blown off by explosives without reacting.[29]

Notably, Gunko does not appear to physically age, which otherwise has only been shown with the Five Elders and not any of the other Knights of God. She did not even age prior to being knighted, even though other Devoted Blades do not possess immortality at all.[10]

Haki Further information: Haki Gunko possesses powerful Haki. Her arrival on Elbaph was accompanied by a massive burst of Haki, which resembled black lightning. Her Haki was sensed by Scopper Gaban and described as being very abnormal.[30] When training with Brook 62 years prior, he commented that Gunko fights as if she can see briefly into the future, suggesting she can use Observation Haki.[31]

Weapons Gunko uses her Devil Fruit powers to construct various weapons, including gauntlets and swords.[32][33]

In her youth, Gunko wielded a sword.[6]

History Past A young Shuri walking alongside Brook. A young Shuri walking alongside Brook.

Gunko was born 77 years ago as Shuri, the princess of Esperia Kingdom in the West Blue. She was born after an unknown encounter between Queen Candelle and the World Noble Saint Manmayer Gurou but was raised to believe that Candelle's husband, King Reuven, was her father. Since the time she was born, Battle Convoy Captain Brook helped raise her, and they became very close as she sang and trained in the art of the sword with him. When she was 7, Shuri was worried upon hearing news that the Moulon Family had come to attack her mother, but Brook revealed that he had already cut them.[6] Seven years later, five princes of neighboring kingdoms asked for Shuri's hand in marriage, but she challenged them all to sword duels and defeated all of them. Wanting a strong man who could play music, Brook remained Shuri's primary object of affection, and he told her how he came to meet her parents and the debt of gratitude he had that led him to serve and protect her.

Shuri kills her father. Shuri kills her father.

In the year Shuri turned 15, a toxic smog blanketed Esperia, which killed hundreds, including Queen Candelle. After a training session, Shuri spoke with Brook about his dream to become a pirate and said she would go to sea with him. King Reuven decided to go to war against the World Government because Esperia could not pay the Heavenly Tribute following the smog disaster and forbade Shuri from participating in the battle because of the chance she would be taken hostage.[22] While the Marines swiftly besieged and overwhelmed Esperia, Gurou and Marcus Mars (who served as a vessel for Nerona Imu) entered the castle. Shuri was turned into a demon and learned that Gurou was her real father and that the World Government had only attacked Esperia for her. Now motivated to take her birthright as a Celestial Dragon and fight on the World Government's side, Shuri slew Reuven. When Brook entered the castle and discovered this scene, Shuri revealed what she had learned and dismissed Brook, saying she wanted stronger protection from Mary Geoise. Shuri charged at Brook, who could not manage to lift his sword against her, and impaled him through the head before departing the castle with Gurou and Mars.[14]

Shuri was then moved to Mary Geoise, where she had her memories repressed, was given the name {{char}}, and began to personally serve Imu. 56 years ago, she was attending to Imu in the Room of Flowers when the pirate Rocks D. Xebec entered it. Gunko did not speak as Imu and Rocks exchanged words before Rocks retreated.[10]

Gunko competes in the Native Hunting Competition. Gunko competes in the Native Hunting Competition.

38 years ago, Gunko had joined the Knights of God as a Devoted Blade and had already eaten the Aro Aro no Mi. She traveled to God Valley to partake in the Native Hunting Competition, and one of her relatives and fellow Knights expressed the hope that her presence would allow them to win the Family Competition.[34] When the hunt began, Gunko quickly slaughtered three natives at once using her arrows.[5] The competition was soon halted when both the Rocks Pirates and Roger Pirates attacked the island, triggering the God Valley Incident; Gunko evacuated before the battle caused the entire island to collapse.

Final Saga Elbaph Arc Gunko beats Loki for his refusal to join the Knights of God. Gunko beats Loki for his refusal to join the Knights of God.

Gunko and Figarland Shamrock used the Abyss to warp into Aurust Castle on Elbaph.[2] Seeking Loki, they demanded his location from a pair of giants standing guard outside. When the guards refused to answer, Gunko struck one of them with arrows.[15] She and Shamrock soon acquired the information and went to Loki in the Underworld to extend an invitation for the giant prince to join the Knights of God. When Loki's wolf companion approached her, Gunko started strangling it with an arrow, but Loki would not be cowed by the Knights' threats on his friends.[3] Gunko began pummeling Loki with arrow-bolstered punches and kicks, but he remained defiant. Finally, Shamrock told Gunko to stand down and pivot with him to their next goal of bringing Elbaph under the World Government's control.[17] Loki then vowed revenge on the Knights, causing Shamrock to grievously wound him with Cerberus as he and Gunko flew off on a bird made of arrows. Shamrock said their strategy would be to go after Elbaph's children and told Gunko to summon an additional Knight.[23]

The duo flew back up to the Sun World, and Gunko summoned both Shepherd Sommers and Rimoshifu Killingham with an Abyss as Shamrock was being called back to Mary Geoise. Before he departed, Shamrock told the Knights to make a game out of kidnapping the children.[18] Killingham used his powers to make a group of Walrus School children fall asleep, and Gunko summoned an arrow to make them sleepwalk to an escape ship.[21] While Elbaph became preoccupied with saving the children and fending off MMA monsters summoned by Killingham, the three Knights enjoyed a meal and discussed the finer points of their strategy to capture the children. When Sommers stated that they had already won, Gunko warned him that the Straw Hat Pirates were also on Elbaph.[16] After the meal, Gunko started listening to the song "New World".[19]

Gunko toys with the Straw Hats. Gunko toys with the Straw Hats.

Gunko and Sommers later watched as the children approached a giant blaze of fire. A Svarr commandeered by the giant child Colon and several members of the Straw Hats, including Brook, arrived to put it out and save the captives, but Gunko then boarded the ship to confront the crew.[35] Gunko revealed the Knights' plot, stating that their objective was to coerce Elbaph into fighting on the World Government's side during the impending revival of the Great War. Gunko redirected an attack by Zeus back to Nami, then had her torso blown apart by Usopp's exploding Skull Grass shot but easily regenerated afterward. When Colon rose up to attack her, Gunko swiftly wrapped an arrow around his neck; she then redirected Brook and Jinbe's attacks at each other, struck Nami with a kick, and kneed Usopp in the face. After this, she contacted Killingham via Den Den Mushi to check on his effort to secure a Dengo Mushi transmission to the whole island.[36] Gunko placed Colon with the other captive children and took the Straw Hats to Sommers, wrapping them in arrows. She told Brook she would make him a slave to write music for her and brutally attacked him when he refused.[20]

Gunko defeats Scopper Gaban. Gunko defeats Scopper Gaban.

As Sommers broadcast the Knights' demands for Elbaph, Gunko readied to have the children walk off the branch to their deaths if the giants did not acquiesce within 30 seconds, starting with Ronja.[37] When Jarul agreed to burn down the Walrus School and Owl Library, Gunko had Ronja walk back to the branch. Scopper Gaban then rushed in to attack Gunko and free the children, but when Colon referred to Gaban as his father, Gunko immediately moved to kill the boy. As she was on the verge of dealing Colon a fatal stab to the neck, Gaban surrendered, and Gunko promptly hit the pirate with three arrows to send him falling into the Underworld. However, hearing Colon call out for his father caused Gunko to recall memories of her father and Brook. Making the connection to Brook, she began racing toward him, only for Imu to possess her at that point in order to hasten the takeover of Elbaph.[11]

Gunko is possessed by Imu. Gunko is possessed by Imu.

Imu used Gunko's body to manifest his own powers and turn the Giant Warrior Pirates into demons.[28] Later, Brook brought himself to Imu's position and asked if Gunko was the same Princess Shuri he once knew. Brook's words triggered Gunko's memories again, and she briefly overcame Imu's possession long enough to release his bindings and shout at him to run. Imu then reasserted control over Gunko and attacked Brook.[13] Eventually, Monkey D. Luffy and Loki confronted Imu, and Loki used Ragnir to encase Gunko's body in a cube of unbreakable ice, causing Imu to cease possessing her.[38]