The Tragic Love Disease of the Four Kuja Queens in One Piece: Why Was Tritoma the Only One Who Died?

 

In the world of One Piece, there are four known queens who once ruled the Kuja Tribe. Interestingly, all four are said to have suffered from the mysterious Love Sickness—a deadly illness that affects Kuja women when their love remains unexpressed for too long.

Among them, Tritoma suffered the most tragic fate. The queen who reigned before Boa Hancock is the only one who is confirmed to have died because of the Love Sickness.

So, what made Tritoma’s fate different from the other three queens—Gloriosa, Shakuyaku, and Hancock—who survived the disease?
Was it her emotions, her actions, or was it simply fate that doomed her?

While we await an official answer from Eiichiro Oda, here are some theories that may explain Tritoma’s unique and tragic end.

 

1. Shakuyaku Possibly Survived Because Her Love Was Returned

According to information from the Vivre Card Databook, Shakuyaku (the former Kuja queen now living in Sabaody) also once suffered from Love Sickness. However, unlike Tritoma, she survived. Why?

The most likely reason is that her love was reciprocated. Though it’s never explicitly stated that she married, her relationship with Silvers Rayleigh appears close and stable. In fact, she even refers to him as “uchi no hito,” a Japanese term often used to describe one’s spouse or someone deeply intimate.

Among the four known Kuja queens, Shakuyaku seems the most mature and rational. These traits may have influenced the nature of her relationship with Rayleigh, who is also calm and wise. Their mutual emotional maturity could have created a healthy dynamic—one that allowed her to survive the disease.

 

2. Gloriosa Survived... Because the One She Loved Died First?

A different theory surrounds Gloriosa, the Kuja queen who ruled before Shakuyaku. It is believed she once fell in love with none other than Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.

As fans know, Roger developed a terminal illness toward the end of his journey and required constant care from Crocus. After reaching Laugh Tale and achieving his dream, Roger turned himself in and was executed publicly.

Here’s where the theory comes in: Gloriosa may have survived not because her love was returned, but because the one she loved died.

With Roger’s death, the love that once consumed her may have lost its grip. The heartbreak of losing him may have “freed” her from the disease—ironically, it wasn’t the fulfillment of love that saved her, but the pain of loss.

Now, Gloriosa lives in seclusion near the Kuja village. She appears visibly older and more worn than Shakuyaku, which could reflect the emotional wounds she still carries silently.

 

3. Hancock's Case Is Still Unfolding

Boa Hancock’s fate differs from the others because her Love Sickness is still ongoing.
This makes her difficult to compare directly to Tritoma just yet.

Currently, Hancock is alive and active as the Kuja queen. But her love for Luffy remains unreciprocated—at least, for now. Her Love Sickness could still evolve: she might eventually suffer a fate like Tritoma’s, or her feelings could fade with time, much like Gloriosa’s did.

On the other hand, if Luffy ever returns her feelings—whether explicitly or subtly—Hancock might fully recover, just as Shakuyaku possibly did.

In short, Hancock’s love story isn’t over yet. And neither is the danger that comes with it.

 

4. So What Actually Happened to Tritoma?

Based on the patterns seen in Shakuyaku and Gloriosa’s stories, a theory arises about why Tritoma alone died from Love Sickness.

Like her predecessors, Tritoma most likely fell in love. However, unlike Shakuyaku (whose love was returned) or Gloriosa (whose loved one died), Tritoma may have loved someone who neither returned her feelings nor passed away.

In this scenario, her emotions had no outlet—no closure or resolution—which allowed the disease to consume her completely.

Interestingly, Tritoma also seems to be the only one who didn’t leave Amazon Lily to deal with her heartbreak.

Shakuyaku left the island and now lives with Rayleigh. Gloriosa was exiled (or left voluntarily), and only returned to the island thanks to Tritoma’s pardon—choosing to live in solitude thereafter.

But there’s no record or dialogue hinting that Tritoma ever lived off the island except as the Kuja Pirates’ captain. She appeared to have stayed on Amazon Lily, carrying the weight of leadership while silently battling her illness.

Perhaps it was this unwavering devotion to duty—and her unwillingness or inability to confront her emotions—that allowed the Love Sickness to fester unchecked. Unlike Gloriosa and Shakuyaku, who found their own form of resolution, Tritoma succumbed to her suffering.

Of course, this remains a theory. But if true, it paints Tritoma’s story as the most heartbreaking of all the Kuja queens.

 

If you have your own theories about Tritoma or the Love Sickness, share them in the comments!

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