TRITOMA = CROCODILE: The Most Canon Breakdown You’ve Ever Seen
Tritoma is a kind, cheerful, mischievous, and ambitious empress of the Kuja tribe, drawing a parallel to Monkey D. Luffy. She first appears in Chapter 1156 — g̲o̲ (ご – 5) m̲u̲ (む – 6). Starting out as a “errand girl,” Tritoma soon replaces her predecessor, Shakky, whom she once admired. She unexpectedly dies from Love Sickness toward an unknown person (when unrequited, leading to apathy, frustration, and loss of matter), leaving the Kuja throne unstable for 13 years. She loses her crown.
During this time, a certain pirate appears on the Grand Line under the alias “Crocodile” (not a snake, but a predatory reptile), full of ambition to become Pirate King and find the One Piece. After some initial maritime successes, overestimates his abilities he challenges Whitebeard, whom he admired, in an attempt to take his place. This challenge leads to a crushing defeat, frustration, and a turn to the shadowy side of the World Government (as a Warlord of the Sea) and the creation of his own kingdom with an Ancient Weapon.
Beneath his outward composure lies emotional instability, a fragile ego, and a vengeful nature — his true character. Interestingly, Crocodile retains a passion for power, fame, and influence. He wants to matter.
Wielding the Sand-Sand Fruit, he spreads chaos, intrigue, and war. He brings drought to the land and famine to the people. But his rule collapses in battle against Luffy, who is full of the same idealism and ambition he once had. He loses his crown again.
Speaking of Alabasta — Crocodile despises ideas of loyalty and patriotism. In Alabasta, while convincing Vivi of the nature of humanity and how states truly work, he says: “Love for your country will destroy you”, “In the end, your people will annihilate themselves”, “You can’t save this country.” He speaks like a cynical misanthrope and nihilist. (What shook his faith in people so deeply? Why does he care so little for loyalty to the people?)
In Baroque Works, he is obsessed with the “Mr. and Miss” partner system (perhaps a reflection of a failed personal relationship), making a single exception for the queer Bon Clay, accepting that he is both man and woman. (Why is he so tolerant toward a queer person, and why does he not impose the partner rule on him?)
When forming Baroque Works, he hides his identity even from his closest subordinates. Currently, as part of Cross Guild, he is content to take the lead in actions while letting someone else (Buggy) take the public hit.
Crocodile guards the secret of his past, which involves a debt to Ivankov. The revelation of this secret would be so devastating that it allows Ivankov to “keep Croco-boy on a leash” and use him for personal advantage. Notably, Ivankov’s most prominent — and admittedly awkward — power is altering a person’s sex hormones. By the way, we never saw Crocodile’s face during Gol D. Roger’s execution!
Oda repeatedly hints that Luffy could have shared Crocodile’s fate had he abandoned his dreams and allowed himself to grow bitter. In battle, Crocodile admitted: “I could have been just like you. Do you know how many people I’ve betrayed?” and “The more a man learns about the ocean, the less he shouts grand declarations. The more you learn, the less you dream.” To which Luffy replied: “You’re pathetic. I’ll surpass you.”
Crocodile hates being made a fool of. He hates losing. He considers it pitiful and weak. And, in his own words: “The losers can’t decide justice”, “The strongest wins.” In Alabasta, when Mr. Prince pulls off a ruse, Crocodile temporarily forgets about the Poneglyph, the rebellion, and the country’s impending destruction, rushing to find him with the words: “I never leave alive those who make a fool of me!” (Who fooled him so badly in the past that he swore such a vow?)
During the Marineford War, right after Luffy’s father’s identity is revealed (and why didn’t we see Crocodile’s reaction to that, even though we saw the reactions of random extras?), Crocodile did everything in his power to help Luffy save his brother — and, most importantly, survive. His remark is particularly striking: “If you want to protect someone, do it properly.” Protect someone? That sounds entirely out of character for a man who rejects any emotional bonds with people.
After meeting Luffy in Impel Down and the events of Marineford, Crocodile seems reinvigorated, filled with motivation for new achievements. He heads to the New World with Mr. 1, later teams up with Mihawk in the Cross Guild, and so on — all while actively keeping track of Luffy’s rise (numerous background scenes show him reading wanted posters and newspapers).
