Nazawa Family

Based in Nazawaka City, the Nazawa Family holds the role of governing house over that settlement, and the city's vigilante force counts as a private body attached to them. The clan is a non-canon creation, introduced in the novel ZORO, and its residence lies within Nazawaka City itself.

At some point the Nazawa took charge of governing Nazawaka City, and the post of headman passed through their line. Under Matsuba Nazawa's leadership, the city's vigilante corps came to be made up chiefly of swordsmen. His tenure ended four years before the novel when his own son Taketo engineered his death and claimed the headman's seat. Before he died, however, Matsuba secretly composed a will naming his other son, Umeno, as the true heir and concealed it away.

The family's fortunes turn during the novel's events. When Roronoa Zoro and Umeno discover the hidden will, they expose Taketo's scheme to export the city's prized Seven-Colored Paper, hand him over to the Marines for his crimes, and clear the way for Umeno to take his rightful place as headman.

Three members of the house are known. Matsuba Nazawa served as headman until his death and authored the concealed will. His eldest son Taketo seized power by causing that death, only to be turned over to the Marines once his treachery came to light. Umeno Nazawa, named the rightful successor in his father's will, ultimately rose to become village headman with Zoro's help.