Information Sheet #2

Note these information are taken from the 'One Piece Wiki'. The links are as follows:

https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/World

https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Underworld#cite_note-7

https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/World_Noble

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The World of One Piece:

The world is an as-yet unnamed planet on which One Piece takes place. While similar-if not identical-to Earth in many aspects, it is drastically different in others.

Dominating the world's surface is the Blue Sea, a body of saltwater broadly divided into quadrants: the East Blue, the West Blue, the North Blue, and the South Blue.[1][2] These divisions are formed by two natural barriers that bisect the world at roughly perpendicular angles:

~The Grand Line, a relatively narrow strip of ocean infamous for its unnatural, rapidly-shifting climates and monstrous wildlife—as well as being enclosed by the completely wind- and current-free Calm Belt regions.

~The Red Line, a huge (and mostly barren) landmass that functions as the world's only true continent.

All parts of the Blue Sea—Grand Line and Calm Belts included—contain numerous islands supporting many different degrees of life. Travel between these islands is relatively simple in the four Blues, but significantly more complex in the Grand Line, where (in addition to the aforementioned hazards) many islands produce unique magnetic fields that render the magnets of ordinary compasses useless, necessitating special "Log Pose" compasses.

North and South poles, both reputedly very cold, have also been stated to exist.[3][4] It is unknown where they are located, or whether they contain the actual magnetic poles that control compasses outside the Grand Line.

What is a compass?

A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or compass rose, which can pivot to align itself with magnetic north.

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What is the Underworld?

The Underworld is the whole system of connections, smuggling, and shady dealings which eludes the World Government's control.

the Underworld could be compared to a crime syndicate of tremendous scale, essentially gathering the most influential figures of the world (such as the Four Emperors, Seven Warlords of the Sea, World Nobles, and Super Rookies), though any individual partaking in its activities usually acts autonomously and for their own benefit. Although it is mainly active in the New World, it may also exist in other regions, like North Blue and West Blue.

Above all, the Underworld is based on a principle of absolute secrecy, and all connections are shrouded in mystery. Ironically, this is mostly so as to avoid to catch the Marines' attention, since some agreements are sometimes common knowledge around the Underworld. Furthermore, to ensure the anonimity of the different participants, it is customary to take an alias on.

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What are the world nobles?

The World Nobles, also known as the Celestial Dragons, are the aristocratic descendants of nineteen of the Twenty Kings who established what is now known as the World Government.

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Who are the five elders?

The Five Elders are a council of the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons that make up the head of state for the World Government. They essentially hold the greatest authority over the entirety of the world; the only exception being the mysterious sovereign Im whom they answer to.

Their influence over the World Government and its military is paramount and limitless, including command over the Marines, Cipher Pol, and even the Seven Warlords of the Sea prior to their abolishment, making them one of the main antagonistic groups of the series.

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What is the Cipher Pol?

Cipher Pol is a series of secret agencies who do investigations, assassinations and espionage for the World Government.

The various Cipher Pol cells are stationed throughout the world and investigate for the World Government. They supplement the Intelligence Branch of the World Government's Marine forces, but seem to operate more as a counter-insurgency agency that also has more general law enforcement duties.

They have some authority regarding recruitment for the Marines, even dealing with the Underworld for unique individuals. If they encounter pirates, they will apprehend them, but, as an agency, Cipher Pol seems to focus more on political threats to the World Government than more generic criminals.

There are eight official Cipher Pols that are numbered from CP1 to CP8, with two unofficial units named CP9 and CP0. In general (save the "zeroth" agency), the higher the Cipher Pol agency's number, the more important the tasks assigned to them. Cipher Pol No. 9 has the license to kill any citizen that does not cooperate with the World Government or acts contrary to its interests.

Because such a radical method of applying justice by the World Government should not be common knowledge, this group is a top secret organization. CP0 is known to the public, but is different from the other units in that its members work directly as enforcers for the World Nobles, and thus are the strongest agency.