SWORD

Functioning as a secret special force tied to Marine Headquarters, SWORD gathers personnel who have formally quit the chain of command while continuing to act for it. In Kuzan's words, they count as Marines and yet do not. On record their resignations are filed and their identification codes surrendered, but their loyalty stays intact and they can still fight as part of the larger force.

Unlike rank-and-file Marines, these operatives may disregard whichever orders they please and move freely, taking on jobs that would normally be off-limits, even picking a fight with one of the Four Emperors without clearance. The trade-off is that the Government accepts no blame for their conduct and can sever ties whenever convenient, offering no promise of rescue. Members can pose as pirates to legitimize their work, as Drake does, yet may also return to full Marine standing and earn promotions. Kept in the dark about Cipher Pol's missions, they hold a tense rivalry with CP0.

X Drake captains the unit, a former Rear Admiral who went undercover inside Kaidou's Beasts Pirates and rose into the Tobiroppo. Alongside him serve Rear Admirals Prince Grus, who wields the Gunyo Gunyo no Mi, and Kujaku, granddaughter of the tactician Tsuru. The 'Hero' Koby, trained by Garp, anchors the group with his partners Helmeppo and Hibari, a sniper who fires Flower Bullets. Cross Guild has assigned them bounties higher than typical Marines of equal rank.