Warning: Contains spoilers for chapter #1117 of One Piece.

One Piece has finally confirmed the survival of one unexpected character, and he could play a major role in the series very soon, especially as the final war rolls around. Even though Vegapunk’s message was disappointingly cut short, the latest chapter of One Piece continues showing characters’ reactions from around the world including one surprising member of SWORD.

Chapter #1117 of One Piece reveals that Drake has indeed survived the battle on Onigashima and has reunited with the rest of SWORD. The chapter reveals Drake is currently at the G-5 Marine Base, specifically the hospital where Koby and the rest of the SWORD members who attacked Pirate Island are also being treated.

Drake is seemingly still recovering from his injuries despite it having been over a week since the end of Wano. The manga did leave Drake’s fate rather ambiguous the last time he was seen in chapter #1052 alongside Basil Hawkins, but the latest chapter finally confirms he will survive after all and might even cross paths with the Straw Hats again.

One Piece Finally Confirms Drake Is Still Alive

Drake and Luffy May Team Up Again Against Blackbeard

As the captain, Drake’s survival means SWORD will maintain stability going into the Final Saga. Drake’s leadership and presence will be especially crucial now that Garp has disappeared. More importantly, a transponder snail can be seen on the table by the window in Drake’s room, suggesting he has also been listening to Vegapunk’s message despite his request to be left alone. It will be interesting to see what conclusion SWORD comes to regarding the situation on Egghead, Vegapunk’s assassination, and the information revealed about the Void Century.

Though Drake did ally with Luffy at Wano, it is difficult to say whether the events of Wano could influence Drake’s opinion on the matter. However, as the captain of SWORD, his decision will likely hold great weight and there is no doubt that Koby will also defend Luffy as best as he can.

As things stand, SWORD and the Straw Hats may share a common enemy in Blackbeard, who is all but confirmed to be Luffy’s final foe. The chances of Garp being alive are slim, but the members of SWORD will surely try and retrieve him if he is, and it would be odd for Luffy to leave his grandfather to die at the hands of the same man responsible for Ace’s capture and death. Luffy already has enough of a motive to avenge Ace and adding Garp into the equation could see Luffy and SWORD form an unlikely alliance.

SWORD Is Yet To Assert Its Significance in One Piece

Overall, SWORD is certainly an interesting concept, just like Cross Guild, and has the potential to turn the tide of the story quite easily depending on the route Eiichiro Oda chooses to take with the organization. The members of SWORD are most likely to turn against the World Government if confronted with the truth about their wickedness as many of them share the same sense of reasonable justice. As such, both SWORD and their captain, Drake, will no doubt enter the spotlight again soon in One Piece.

One Piece is available from Manga Plus and Viz Media.