Rokushiki in One Piece: The Superhuman Martial Art of the Marines and World Government

 

In One Piece, the world's strongest fighters use many different combat systems. Some rely on Devil Fruits, others use Haki, swords, or unique martial arts. Among the most extraordinary fighting styles is Rokushiki, also known as the Six Powers.

Rokushiki is a superhuman martial arts system that pushes the human body far beyond its normal physical limits. It is most closely associated with the World Government's Cipher Pol agents, especially CP9 and CP0, although several Marines have also demonstrated individual Rokushiki techniques.

The six fundamental techniques are Soru, Geppo, Tekkai, Rankyaku, Shigan, and Kami-e. Together, they provide an extraordinary combination of speed, mobility, offense, defense, and agility.

What Is Rokushiki?

The Japanese term Rokushiki (六式) can be translated as "Six Powers" or "Six Styles."

Unlike a Devil Fruit ability, Rokushiki is based on extreme physical training. Practitioners train their bodies to perform movements that would normally be impossible for an ordinary human.

The anime officially introduced the combat system during the Water 7 storyline. In Episode 245, the official One Piece website describes CP9's martial art as a system that draws weapon-like power from the human body, allowing its users to move at extraordinary speeds, travel through the air, and even cut through walls with a kick.

The six techniques complement one another:

Technique	Main Function
Soru	Superhuman speed
Geppo	Midair movement
Tekkai	Defense and durability
Rankyaku	Long-range offense
Shigan	Close-range offense
Kami-e	Evasion and flexibility

The result is essentially a complete martial arts system capable of handling almost every aspect of combat.

1. Soru , The Power of Superhuman Speed

Soru is the technique that focuses on extreme speed.

The user rapidly kicks the ground multiple times in an instant, generating enough force to move at such tremendous speed that they appear to disappear from their opponent's sight.

In battle, Soru can be used to:

• Close the distance between opponents instantly.
• Evade incoming attacks.
• Create surprise attacks.
• Move around an opponent at high speed.
• Combine with other Rokushiki techniques.

Soru is arguably one of the most versatile Rokushiki techniques. It has also been demonstrated by Marines, including Koby, showing that the technique is not exclusive to Cipher Pol.

Interestingly, Monkey D. Luffy eventually developed a technique based on the same basic concept. His Gear Second allowed him to reproduce movement similar to Soru through his own physical abilities.

2. Geppo , Walking Through the Air

Geppo, sometimes translated as Moonwalk, is perhaps the most visually spectacular Rokushiki technique.

The user kicks the air with tremendous force, effectively using it as a temporary platform. By repeatedly kicking the air, a practitioner can remain airborne and move through the sky.

According to descriptions of the technique, Geppo allows its users to travel through the air for extended periods without touching the ground.

This gives Rokushiki users an enormous advantage in combat.

A Geppo user can:

• Attack from above.
• Dodge ground-based attacks.
• Change direction in midair.
• Cross large gaps.
• Fight while airborne.

Some users combine Geppo with Soru to create extremely fast three-dimensional movements.

Sanji's Sky Walk is also based on the same principle, although Sanji developed his own version outside the traditional Rokushiki system.

3. Tekkai ,The Iron Body

Tekkai, or Iron Body, is Rokushiki's primary defensive technique.

The user contracts and hardens their muscles to make their body extremely resistant to physical attacks.

When activated, a Rokushiki user can withstand attacks that would normally cause serious injury.

This technique was prominently demonstrated by CP9 members such as Rob Lucci and Jabra.

However, Tekkai is not simply a magical shield. The technique depends on the user's physical conditioning, meaning stronger Rokushiki practitioners can generally produce more powerful defensive results.

Tekkai can also be combined with other techniques, allowing users to maintain defense while moving or attacking.

4. Rankyaku ,The Blade of the Leg

Rankyaku is one of Rokushiki's most dangerous offensive techniques.

The practitioner swings or kicks with tremendous speed and power, creating a compressed blade of air that travels toward the target.

In other words, the user's leg effectively becomes a long-range weapon.

Rankyaku gives Rokushiki users something they would otherwise lack: long-range offensive capability.

Instead of having to physically reach an opponent, the user can launch cutting air blades across the battlefield.

Kaku, one of CP9's strongest members, was particularly famous for his use of Rankyaku. His unusual fighting style allowed him to develop multiple variations of the technique.

Rankyaku is therefore an excellent example of how Rokushiki isn't simply about copying six basic moves. Advanced users can adapt the techniques to their own fighting styles.

5. Shigan ,The Finger Pistol

Shigan, also known as Finger Pistol, turns the user's finger into a weapon.

The practitioner thrusts a finger forward at tremendous speed and force, concentrating the impact into a tiny area.

The result resembles being shot by a bullet.

Shigan is particularly effective at close range because the attack can penetrate an opponent's defenses before they have time to react.

Rob Lucci was one of the most proficient Shigan users among CP9. His mastery allowed him to develop several variations, including attacks that dramatically increased the number and speed of his strikes.

The technique has also been used by Marines, including Vice Admiral Dalmatian, demonstrating that Rokushiki is not restricted exclusively to Cipher Pol.

6. Kami-e ,The Paper Art

While Tekkai focuses on absorbing attacks, Kami-e focuses on avoiding them.

The name can be translated as Paper Art.

The user relaxes and manipulates their body with extraordinary flexibility, allowing them to move and bend like a piece of paper.

Instead of blocking an incoming attack, the practitioner allows their body to move around it.

This makes Kami-e particularly effective against:

• Punches
• Kicks
• Projectiles
• Bladed attacks
• High-speed attacks

The technique demonstrates an important principle behind Rokushiki: perfect physical control.

A fighter doesn't necessarily need to be stronger than an opponent if they can simply avoid being hit.

The Secret Seventh Technique: Rokuogan

Although Rokushiki consists of six fundamental techniques, there is a secret seventh technique known as Rokuogan.

Rokuogan is translated as Six King Gun in the English version.

Unlike the other techniques, Rokuogan is not simply another basic movement. It represents an extremely advanced level of Rokushiki mastery.

The user places both fists close together and releases a powerful shockwave into the opponent.

One of its most terrifying characteristics is its ability to cause internal damage rather than relying solely on external impact. The technique is considered an ultimate attack of the Rokushiki system.

The most famous and currently only known user is Rob Lucci.

During his battle against Luffy at Enies Lobby, Lucci used Rokuogan as one of his most devastating attacks.

Rob Lucci: The Ultimate Rokushiki Master

If there is one character who represents Rokushiki better than anyone else, it is Rob Lucci.

Lucci was a member of CP9 and was introduced as an extraordinarily powerful martial artist.

Unlike fighters who specialize in only one technique, Lucci mastered all six Rokushiki techniques.

His abilities include:

• Soru
• Geppo
• Tekkai
• Rankyaku
• Shigan
• Kami-e
• Rokuogan

The combination makes Lucci an exceptionally versatile fighter.

His mastery also illustrates an important concept in the Rokushiki system: physical strength determines the effectiveness of the techniques.

Rokushiki users' physical power can be measured through a system called Doriki. The higher the user's Doriki, the greater the potential power of their Rokushiki abilities.

Rokushiki and the Marines

Although Rokushiki is most strongly associated with the World Government's Cipher Pol, some Marines have also learned and demonstrated its techniques.

Known Marine users include:

• Koby — Soru
• Momonga — Soru and Geppo
• Dalmatian — Soru and Shigan
• Vergo — Rokushiki techniques
• Tashigi — Rokushiki techniques

These examples show that Rokushiki can be considered part of the advanced combat training available within the World Government's military structure, rather than an ability belonging exclusively to CP9.

However, the exact extent to which Rokushiki is taught throughout the Marines is not clearly established.

Rokushiki vs. Haki

Rokushiki and Haki are two completely different systems.

Rokushiki primarily focuses on physical mastery and specialized body techniques, while Haki involves the development of one's spiritual and mental power.

However, the two systems can work together.

A physically powerful fighter who masters Rokushiki and Haki can potentially combine:

• Extreme speed from Soru
• Aerial movement from Geppo
• Defense from Tekkai
• Long-range attacks from Rankyaku
• Penetrating attacks from Shigan
• Evasion through Kami-e
• Haki-enhanced attacks

Later in the story, characters demonstrate increasingly sophisticated combinations of physical abilities and Haki, showing that Rokushiki can remain relevant even among high-level fighters.

Why Is Rokushiki So Powerful?

The strength of Rokushiki comes from its completeness.

Most fighting styles specialize in one particular area. Rokushiki provides almost everything a fighter needs.

Speed

Soru allows instantaneous movement.

Mobility

Geppo allows the user to fight in the air.

Defense

Tekkai dramatically increases durability.

Long-Range Attacks

Rankyaku creates cutting air blades.

Close-Range Attacks

Shigan concentrates devastating force into a single point.

Evasion

Kami-e allows the user to dodge attacks through extreme flexibility.

And at the highest level:

Ultimate Attack

Rokuogan delivers devastating internal shockwaves.

This makes Rokushiki one of the most well-rounded martial arts in the One Piece universe.

Characters Who Adapted Rokushiki

One of the most interesting things about Rokushiki is that its principles can be adapted by fighters outside the traditional system.

Luffy, for example, developed a movement similar to Soru through Gear Second.

Sanji developed Sky Walk, which follows the basic principle of Geppo by using powerful kicks to move through the air.

These examples demonstrate that the fundamental ideas behind Rokushiki can be understood and incorporated into completely different fighting styles.

Final Thoughts

Rokushiki is one of the most iconic martial arts in One Piece.

What makes it special is that it doesn't depend on a Devil Fruit. Instead, it represents the extreme potential of the human body when pushed beyond its natural limits.

The six techniques each represent a different aspect of combat:

Soru gives speed.
Geppo gives mobility.
Tekkai gives defense.
Rankyaku gives ranged attacks.
Shigan gives devastating close-range power.
Kami-e gives extraordinary evasiveness.

Together, they create a complete superhuman martial arts system.

Characters such as Rob Lucci, Kaku, Blueno, Koby, Momonga, and Vergo demonstrate different levels and interpretations of Rokushiki. And with Lucci's mastery of Rokuogan, the series shows that the Six Powers can be taken even further.

For One Piece fans, Rokushiki is particularly interesting because it represents one of the series' central ideas: with enough training, the limits of the human body can become almost as extraordinary as the supernatural powers provided by Devil Fruits.

©SEVENKIX ANIME