One of the most enduring mysteries in One Piece is the identity of “Hinokizu,” also known as “The Man Marked by Flames.”
Blackbeard’s crew specifically mentions this mysterious individual, which raises the stakes, suggesting that Hinokizu holds significant importance in the ongoing plot.
Theories have been swirling for some time about who this mysterious figure could be, and fans are hungry for answers.
While many of these theories range from well-founded speculation to wildly imaginative guesses, one intriguing theory that recently emerged on Reddit suggests that the person behind the title might be none other than Kadar, a Marine rear admiral stationed at the G-2 Marine base.
On the surface, this theory seems somewhat far-fetched, especially considering that fans usually expect Hinokizu to be a prominent figure in the drapery of One Piece.
However, there are some subtle details that Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind One Piece, has sprinkled throughout the series that lend a surprising amount of weight to the possibility of Kadar being Hinokizu.
This speculation may sound outlandish at first glance, but when one digs deeper, the theory starts to gain some traction.
Moreover, if true, it could explain why Hinokizu has been such a hard individual to find.
If Kadar were indeed Hinokizu, it would be a brilliant plot twist, and exactly the kind of unexpected revelation that Oda is known for delivering in the One Piece narrative.
Why Kadar Could Be Hinokizu in One Piece
To understand why Kadar might be Hinokizu, we first need to take a look at the character of Kadar himself.
He was introduced to the One Piece world during the Fisher Tiger flashback in the Fishman Island arc, which is itself a significant part of the series as it goes into themes of discrimination and freedom.
Kadar, a Marine officer, was part of the group that fought against the Sun Pirates, a crew led by the legendary Fisher Tiger.
Interestingly, Kadar’s role in this arc is understated, but it’s important to note that Fisher Tiger allowed Kadar to escape, which could be a crucial detail in the grander scheme of the story.
Why would Fisher Tiger, a man known for his staunch anti-Marine sentiments, allow a Marine to live? Could this suggest there is something more to Kadar’s character that we haven’t yet explored?
In addition, a significant link can be made between Kadar and the current mystery surrounding Hinokizu.
Shiryu, a member of Blackbeard’s crew, speculates that Hinokizu might be connected to the World Government in some capacity.
This statement aligns with the idea of Kadar being Hinokizu, as Kadar is a Marine, and the Marines are, of course, a branch of the World Government.
Another member of Blackbeard’s crew, Laffitte, suggests that Hinokizu possesses the ability to “swallow enemies with a giant user,” which fans speculate could be the result of Hinokizu possessing a Devil Fruit power.
While this is still unconfirmed, it is worth noting that there was a scene in the Fishman Island arc where Kadar’s ship was sunk.
Could this event be hinting at Kadar having Devil Fruit abilities that would allow him to escape such a situation?
The Devil Fruit Connection
If Kadar is indeed Hinokizu and possesses a Devil Fruit ability, it adds a whole new layer of complexity to the character.
In the One Piece world, Devil Fruits grant their users extraordinary powers, but they also come with a significant drawback: the inability to swim.
Kadar’s ship being sunk raises the question of how he managed to survive such an ordeal. If he does have a Devil Fruit power, it’s possible that his ability somehow allowed him to escape the sinking ship unharmed.
This would fit with the theory that Kadar, or Hinokizu, is someone who is incredibly difficult to track down or defeat.
Laffitte’s comment about the ability to “swallow enemies” also opens up a number of possibilities when it comes to potential Devil Fruit powers.
Could Kadar’s power involve manipulating or controlling fire, tying into the “Man Marked by Flames” moniker? Or perhaps it involves some other elemental ability that allows him to “swallow” or overpower his foes.
While this is all speculation, it’s clear that Kadar’s survival of the shipwreck and Laffitte’s description of Hinokizu’s powers could be connected in some way, suggesting that Kadar may have more to his story than we originally thought.
Kadar’s Dual Role: Hinokizu and the Hound?
Another layer to this theory is the idea that Kadar might also be the Vice Admiral Hound, a figure who has shown himself to be something of a rogue within the ranks of the Marines.
The Hound is a character who questions the actions of the World Government, especially regarding the infamous Buster Call, an operation that involves mass destruction for the sake of eliminating threats.
In this theory, Kadar not only serves as the mysterious Hinokizu but also operates under the alias of the Vice Admiral Hound.
This would explain why the Hound is one of the few members of the Marines who traveled to Egghead Island but didn’t participate in any fighting.
Could he be playing a double role, working as a Marine while secretly undermining the World Government’s efforts from within?
Furthermore, the theory suggests that Kadar, as Hinokizu, has been sabotaging the World Government for quite some time.
One potential act of sabotage would be leaking sensitive information, such as the plan to assassinate Dr. Vegapunk, to Morgans, the head of the World Economy News Paper.
This would fit with the idea that Kadar, or Hinokizu, is motivated by revenge, possibly because of a personal vendetta against the World Government.
The theory posits that Kadar might be the son of one of Saturn’s test subjects individuals who were experimented on and given the mysterious “Sapphire Scales.”
If true, this would give Kadar a strong reason to resent the World Government and to seek revenge by undermining their operations from the inside.
Ginny, Bonney’s Mother, and Saturn’s Fate
The theory takes yet another turn by suggesting that Kadar, as the Vice Admiral Hound, is also the one responsible for capturing Ginny, the mother of Jewelry Bonney.
Bonney, a key figure in the current storyline, is searching for information about her mother, who has been missing for some time.
If Kadar is indeed the person who captured Ginny, it would tie him directly into the larger narrative involving Bonney, the World Government, and the mysterious experiments carried out by Saturn and the other Gorosei.
This adds another layer of intrigue to Kadar’s character, positioning him as a central figure in one of the most emotional and high-stakes plotlines in the current One Piece arc.
The theory even goes so far as to suggest that Kadar, as Hinokizu and the Hound, will eventually play a role in Saturn’s downfall.
In a twist of irony, the man whose experiments may have driven Kadar to seek revenge could ultimately be killed by the very person he wronged.
This would be a classic example of poetic justice, a common theme in One Piece, where characters often face the consequences of their actions in unexpected ways.
Road Poneglyph and Fisher Tiger’s Role
One of the most significant pieces of evidence that ties Kadar to the identity of Hinokizu is the location of the Road Poneglyph.
According to the theory, Hinokizu was in possession of the Road Poneglyph that was once located on Fishman Island.
This Poneglyph was likely taken from the island around twenty years before the start of the story, which would align with the timeline of Fisher Tiger’s attack on Mariejois and his subsequent battles with the Marines, including Kadar.
If Kadar was indeed involved in the events surrounding Fisher Tiger and the Road Poneglyph, it would explain why he has remained such an elusive figure throughout the series.
As someone with knowledge of the Poneglyphs and their significance in the One Piece world, Kadar would have a vested interest in keeping his identity hidden, especially from the likes of Blackbeard and the other Yonko who are searching for the Poneglyphs in order to reach the legendary One Piece treasure.
Challenges to the Theory
While this theory is certainly compelling, there are several challenges and inconsistencies that make it difficult to fully accept.
One of the biggest obstacles is the fact that Hinokizu, or the “Man Marked by Flames,” is widely believed to be a much more prominent figure in the One Piece world than someone like Kadar, who has played a relatively minor role in the story thus far.
If Hinokizu is truly in possession of one of the Road Poneglyphs, it’s hard to imagine a character like Kadar, who has been largely forgotten by both the audience and the other characters, holding such a key piece of information.
Moreover, the theory relies on a number of coincidences and assumptions, such as Kadar being both Hinokizu and the Vice Admiral Hound.
While it’s not impossible for a character to play multiple roles in the story, it would require a significant amount of explanation to make this theory believable.
For example, how would Kadar, as the Hound, manage to operate within the ranks of the Marines without raising suspicion?
And how would he have come into contact with figures like Blackbeard and his crew, who seem to know more about Hinokizu than most other characters in the series?
The Possibility of Oda’s Surprise
Despite these challenges, it’s important to remember that Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, is known for delivering unexpected twists and revelations that leave fans reeling.
Many plot points that initially seemed far-fetched or impossible have later turned out to be true, thanks to Oda’s masterful storytelling and ability to weave together complex narratives.
If Kadar is indeed Hinokizu, it would be one of the most surprising twists in the series, but it wouldn’t be out of character for Oda to pull off such a revelation.
While the theory that Kadar is Hinokizu offers some intriguing insights into the character and the larger One Piece story, it remains speculative at best.
There are still many unanswered questions and inconsistencies that need to be addressed before this theory can be fully accepted.
However, as with many aspects of One Piece, only time will tell if this theory holds water or if Oda has something even more unexpected in store for fans.
Regardless of the outcome, the mystery of Hinokizu is sure to play a major role in the story moving forward, and fans can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
