A pirate’s life is not for everyone, even actual pirates. Whatever their reasons, it is clear the lifestyle loses its luster for some, despite, or perhaps even because of the time they invested in it beforehand. AlthoughOne Piecehas shown established pirates being active into their old age, some simply choose to bow out earlier. The exact reasons can vary, and in many cases, the life that follows will be no less challenging, as most ex-pirates are still fugitives. To qualify for this list, a pirate has to not currently be a member of a pirate crew, or act as a pirate in any direct capacity.
5Silvers Rayleigh
First Mate of the Roger Pirates
Known as the “Dark King,” Rayleigh was a longtime crewmate ofGol D. Roger, who sometimes held a disciplinary role thanks to his authority. Due to his participation in the Roger Pirates, he is one of a handful of known pirates to be aware of where the One Piece is. Although made legendary due to his career with Roger, Rayleigh kept a relatively low profile after their journey, acting as a coating mechanic for ships in the present day. He also settled down, marrying Shakuyaku, another former pirate.
Despite his retirement, his bounty is apparently still active. He has also maintained his impressive physique into his old age. Rayleigh is notably strong enough to confront the likes of Kizaru (a Marine Admiral) and Blackbeard (an Emperor), showing that the legend is still feared in the present day for a reason. While not an active pirate, he serves as a mentor to the likes of Monkey D. Luffy and Boa Hancock, capable of coaching each of them in all three forms of Haki, due to his expertise with each one.
4Jango
Lieutenant Commander in the Marines
Jango is a hypnotist who was once the temporary captain of the Black Cat Pirates, a position he achieved ironically due to his own captain, Kuro, desiring to quit piracy. Kuro managed to clear his bounty by having Jango hypnotize a crewmate who bore a passing resemblance into thinking he was the captain. This false captain was executed and the bounty was deactivated without suspicion. From there, he served as the butler of a wealthy heiress named Kaya, under the alias of Klahadore. Kuro notably planned to kill Kaya and inherit her wealth, after using Jango’s hypnotism to write him into her will as the sole beneficiary.
The flighty Jango was defeated by a single attack from Usopp, and ultimately was too late to rejoin his fleeing crew. Instead, he eventually made his way to a nearby island holding a dance competition. Here, he met Lieutenant Fullbody, a marine who also enjoyed dancing. The pair teamed up to defeat pirates who attacked the island. Ultimately, Jango himself was discovered to be a pirate, and the courts wished to sentence him to death. However, Fullbody scored an acquittal, at the cost of his own rank in the marines.
The pair eventually enlisted the unit of Hina, ahigh-ranking marinethe two both had feelings for. They have since both worked their way up to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, one above the rank Fullbody lost defending his friend.
3Hatchan
Officer of the Arlong Pirates
Hatchan was a longtime companion of Arlong, despite being less dedicated to the anti-human ideals of his captain. He was involved with the Arlong Pirates when they were little more than a nuisance on Fish-Man Island. He was a member of both theSun Pirates, and eventually the Arlong Pirates again, once its members and the Sun Pirates went their separate ways. Stationed atArlong Park, Hatchan was one of Arlong’s top three officers.
However, the crew’s top brass, including Hatchan, was defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates, who were in search of Nami. Hatchan was notably defeated by Zoro, despite him only using half the number of swords Hatchan did. After the majority of the crew was arrested, Hatchan escaped captivity and became the owner of a Takoyaki Restaurant that operated at sea. He eventually made new friends, and even became an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates. Nonetheless, Hatchan’s own activity as a “pirate” ceased after Arlong’s crew was captured.
2Viola
Officer of the Donquixote Pirates
Viola was only ever a pirate for her father’s sake. Dressrosa’s Princess witnessed her father, King Riku Doldo III, being captured byDonquixote Doflamingo, with the intent of executing him. Viola joined the crew in exchange for his life, with her mind-reading Devil Fruit power being deemed of great use.
Viola appears in the present story, attempting to seduce and assassinate Sanji. She failed in the latter part, being touched by the pirate’s sincerity. To this end, she told Sanji that his crew was being trapped, and began to work alongside the Straw Hats and their allies to rid Dressrosa of the Donquixote Pirates. After the crew was largely arrested, Viola seemed content to no longer act as a pirate. She has since only been shown attending the Levely as a princess, with her father restored to power once again.
1Morley
Revolutionary Army Commander (West Branch)
Knowledge of this giant’s career in piracy is, like her stature, relatively short. Despite having been alive for over a century and a half, all that’s truly known is that sometime in the past she was thrown intoImpel Down. Morley managed to escape, but did so in such a covert way that it would continue to be reputed as inescapable, before Shiki succeeded in escaping the prison as well. Morley’s Devil Fruit powers, which allowed her to manipulate solid ground, created a hidden room in the prison known as Newkama land. A Newkama herself, Morley presumably approved, if she herself was not involved in more directly cultivating it.
For unknown reasons, after escaping Impel Down, Morley became a member of theRevolutionary Army. This is an interesting career change, in part because a revolutionary is one of the few occupations more inherently dangerous than a pirate. But seeing as she is an escaped convict, Morley likely didn’t care about how safety factored into it. As a commander, she is one of the strongest members of the Revolutionary Army, and is brave enough to infiltrate Mary Geoise, the capital of the World Government. With all her daring efforts since, piracy seems but a footnote in the commander’s career as we know it.
