Kobe became one of One Piece’s most beloved characters growing up alongside Luffy, but his newly revealed backstory made him even easier to love. Author Eiichiro Oda has traditionally shared more fascinating details about the world of One Piece and its characters in the Q and A Section (SBS) of each manga volume. The Japanese release of One Piece Manga volume #107 features a fascinating backstory featuring Kobi that the manga has never covered, and an amazing story that elevates the fan-favorite character to greater heights.

The Future Island arc featured interesting storylines that didn’t take place on Vegapunk’s Egghead Island. One such episode includes Garp and SWORD rescuing Kobe from Blackbeard Hachinosu. One SWORD member, Teddy Bear, and Hibari, an amazing sniper, is determined to save Kobi, and thanks to SBS in issue #107, readers now know why.

Thanks to a post by content creator and One Piece superfan Arthur X, a teddy bear found in Hibari’s bag during Kobe’s rescue attempt revealed a touching connection between the two young SWORD members. The backstory explains why she secretly named the bear Kobi-senpai and the reason makes Luffy’s rival more impressive than the One Piece admirals.

Kobe’s actions won Hibari’s heart and respect from one piece fans

Every time Kobe returns in a piece of history, he dramatically improves his skills and shows his worth in the Navy. Still, the manga didn’t have time to cover the story of how Teddy Bear lost his life. SBS #107 revealed that Hibari’s teddy bear, who appeared during Hachinosu’s rescue mission, was a lucky charm that she had loved since childhood, and was hunted by Kobi in the middle of the War Zone. After learning how important Bear is to Hibari, Kobi disappears for a few days and eventually returns with Bear badly injured in his possession. From then on, Hibari looked at Kobi differently.

Related: Live-action One Piece anime and manga prove they need more Kobe

Kobi’s actions during the attack on the Hachinosu assessed the level of strength he gained under Garp’s tutelage and the extent of the pink-haired Marine to his fellow SWORD members. Hibari, Helmeppo, and even Vice Admiral Garp risk their lives to save Kobe from being attacked by wild, powerful Devil Fruits using pirates. The newly revealed backstory really enhances Koby’s character. He proves to be a man whose work inspires those around him, just like Luffy, cannot be said for the current leadership of the Navy.

Kobe’s adventures deserve to be animated.

It’s incredibly rare to find a story so detailed and full of likeable characters that the story itself can’t cover due to time constraints. The Oda Answers in the Oda Piece’s Manga volumes range from funny gags to more lore to further impress the series’ international fans. As the anime starts to get eerily close to the manga’s current content, a piece of Oda’s manga could use an engaging filler arc to help pull it forward. Kobi’s quest to save Hibari’s teddy bear in War Zone seems like a filler arc that One Piece fans should see.

Sources: Arthur – O’Hara/X Library, Jaralomi/Reddit

One Piece is available from Manga Plus and Viz Media.

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one piece

Created by: Aichiro Oda

First movie: One Piece: The Movie

First TV Show: one piece

take on Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappe Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Tantani, Yuriko Yamaguchi.

feature(s) Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbe (One Piece)

video games): One Piece: World Red Unlimited, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, One Piece: World Quest, One Piece Odyssey