Yakuza

The yakuza are the outlaw organizations of Wano Country, conducting their business outside the law. They form a major force in the nation's economy, best known for running its casinos and for taking offense at anyone who causes trouble there. They also keep ties to the Red-Light District's courtesans, as Kyoshiro did while raising Komurasaki into a celebrated oiran.

Under the Kouzuki Family's rule, most yakuza enjoyed a good name thanks to the honorable conduct of their bosses. Hyougoro commanded such respect that he effectively controlled the Flower Capital's gangs and won the deference of the regional bosses; even casually disrespecting his name could provoke deadly retaliation. That changed under Kurozumi Orochi, when the Kyoshiro Family began strong-arming independent businesses for protection money and bullying lucky gamblers, leaving citizens fearful of the unpredictable Kyoshiro.

Loyalty runs deep within a gang. The Kyoshiro Family seals its bonds by exchanging sake cups, and Kyoshiro avenges any threat against even his lowest subordinate. Rival families, by contrast, can turn viciously hostile, as when the Kurokoma Family was suspected of luring a Mountain God to destroy the Hyougoro Family. Kyoshiro's closeness to Orochi, whom he served as money changer and bodyguard, also linked him to Kaidou's Beasts Pirates, whose enforcers he could call against enemies.

For decades the Hyougoro Family led the yakuza, with the revered boss Hyougoro commanding the Flower Capital while regional bosses Omasa, Tsunagoro, Cho, and Yatappe ruled Udon, Hakumai, Ringo, and Kibi. After Hyougoro refused to serve Orochi, Kaidou crushed his family and imprisoned the bosses, letting Denjiro rise under the alias Kyoshiro to become the country's top boss. Monkey D. Luffy later freed Hyougoro and the regional leaders, who rejoined the Kouzuki cause against Kaidou. The current acknowledged leader is Nekomamushi, with Denjiro and Hyougoro as former heads.