Hardy

Hardy wears the standard Marine uniform topped with a coat, and a black mustache sits above his lip.

Though he subscribes to Absolute Justice in hunting pirates, Hardy applies the doctrine with a lighter touch, placing the survival of his men above the chase. That outlook puts him sharply at odds with Nelson, who pursues only his own ambitions and dismisses the welfare of his subordinates. Hardy also clashes constantly with Eric, the two trading barbs whenever they appear together.

Holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Hardy commands those beneath him in the 8th Branch. He first tracked Apis to the Straw Hat Pirates and gave chase, but the moment they crossed into the Calm Belt he ordered his men to break off rather than risk their lives. When the 8th Branch later stormed Warship Island, he was stunned by the existence of Ryu and by Luffy's Devil Fruit powers. After the pirates fled the island and the Going Merry seemed to vanish into thin air, Hardy pressed the pursuit despite Eric commandeering one of his boats. His ships eventually caught up to the Straw Hats just as they ran into Nelson's fleet, where Eric again demanded a small craft to sail after Ryu.