History Characters / OnePieceWorldGovernment

** While they are initially portrayed as stern leaders of the World Government, the Elders gradually show that not only do they not care for the lives of their subordinates, but failure or disobedience ''will not'' be tolerated. They expect their orders to be followed without question, and if given the order to sacrifice their lives, they expect it to be carried out. [[spoiler:They all hold a firm HumansAreInsects belief and that their subordinates are expendable no matter how loyal or useful they are to them. Should they either [[DefectorFromDecadence betray them]] or [[HeKnowsTooMuch know too much about their dark secrets]], the Elders will ensure they die a gruesome death. Even Rob Lucci, one of their greatest assets, is disposable in their eyes after everything he's done for them, and they consider letting him die during the Egghead Incident an acceptable sacrifice so long as they get their hands on the Mother Flame. As Vegapunk's broadcast about the truth of the world reaches the end of its countdown, the Elders debate about the idea of committing ''genocide'' on their entire fleet at Egghead to stop the broadcast; the only reason they ultimately relent is because they don't want to lose the power plant needed to produce more of the Mother Flame.]]
** Even when not judging lives expendable in order to further the Government's agenda, the Elders showcases a pretty dickish and condescending attitude to their direct subordinates, demonstrating next to no respect to even the most powerful and loyal of them. Saturn shuts Doberman's concerns down when he considers [[spoiler:sacrificing the [=CP0=] agents within Egghead]], expressing offence that he'd even dare try to question his decision. When Akinu calls them out over leaving him, the ''Fleet Admiral'' of the Marines in the dark about their backroom deal with Donflamingo [[spoiler:to fake his resignation from the warlords]], they basically tell him to shut up and do his job as a cog in the system, dismissing the honour of the marines he so values as a "trifling matter". When [[spoiler:cornering Nico Robin at Egghead, Saturn derides Akinu for letting her "slip between his fingers" and unironically calls him "[[EvilerThanThou soft]]" -- ignoring the fact that Akinu was ''the'' most ruthless and efficient marine at Ohara and never even had a chance to ''meet'' Robin himself]]. It's almost enough to make you [[SympathyForTheDevil pity the guy]] for having to deal with such [[UngratefulBastard ungrateful bosses]].

* NoNonsenseNemesis: PlayedWith. [[spoiler:Saturn is willing to delay the immediate execution of Bonney and the rest of his captives on Egghead solely because his mysterious powers and bizarre invulnerability to meaningful harm meant there is nothing they could do to stop him, allowing him the luxury of [[HopeCrusher ensuring she dies with her faith in Nika broken first]] to try and undo the HopeBringer's existence. When the situation ''does'' spiral beyond control, with an impending worldwide broadcast of "the truth of the World" imminent and chaos everywhere, [[GodzillaThreshold Saturn immediately stops holding back and summons the rest of the Elders to Egghead]], who proceed to ruthlessly and efficiently coordinate their efforts through their PsychicLink to corner all the separate forces around the Island and resume control before the 10-minute countdown has even fully finished, barely exchanging any dialogue towards those they're attacking. Their mental conversation reveals they didn't even know ''what'' Vegapunk was going to reveal, but the mere threat of some DarkSecret of the Goverment's being revealed was enough for them to pull out all the stops without hesitation]].

* SecretKeeper: Their primary characterisation, besides being the ones overseeing the World Government's affairs. They apparently know several important details about the MysteriousPast of the world's history and are '''adamant''' that nobody else will ever find these out. Even theorising about the Void History is forbidden, and should said theory get too close to the truth, they consider that sufficient grounds to [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill wipe entire islands off the map]] to ensure the secret stays buried. When [[spoiler:Vegapunk's DeadMansSwitch results in a worldwide broadcast to reveal "the truth of the World", they drop everything they're doing and [[NoNonsenseNemesis pull out all the stops]] to ''personally'' ensure the broadcast is stopped, turning into a major FreakOut when Vegapunk's preparations prove too much for them to acheive that. Tellingly, Vegapunk doesn't elaborate on some of the truly damming secrets of the Goverment's hypocrisy in his broadcast, acknowledging that he simply doesn't know enough about Imu to make a judgement call on him, and even that indirect reference to their biggest secret has the Elders cursing his name]].

* TraumaButton: He ''is'' one. When he finally [[spoiler:corners Nico Robin at Egghead, she recognises his voice as the one that was conversing with Clover over the Den Den Mushi, right before the obliteration of Ohara was initiated. This causes her to [[DeerInTheHeadlights freeze up]] shaking with terror for a moment and requiring the aid of her cremates to protect her from Saturn's vicious attempts to impale her]].

* PerpetualFrowner: All five of them maintain a serious demeanor and don't even smirk.

* NoNonsenseNemesis: PlayedWith. [[spoiler:Saturn is willing to delay the immediate execution of Bonney and the rest of his captives on Egghead solely because his mysterious powers and bizarre invulnerability to meaningful harm meant there is nothing they could do to stop him, allowing him the luxury of [[HopeCrusher ensuring she dies with her faith in Nika broken first]] to try and undo the HopeBringer's existence. When the situation ''does'' spiral beyond control, with an impending worldwide broadcast of "the truth of the World" imminent and chaos everywhere, [[GodzillaThreshold Saturn immediately stops holding back and summons the rest of the Elders to Egghead]], who proceed to ruthlessly and efficiently coordinate their efforts through their PsychicLink to corner all the separate forces around the Island and resume control before the 10-minute countdown has even fully finished, barely exchanging any dialogue towards those they're attacking.]]

* BadBoss: While they are initially portrayed as stern leaders of the World Government, the Elders gradually show that not only do they not care for the lives of their subordinates, but failure or disobedience ''will not'' be tolerated. They expect their orders to be followed without question, and if given the order to sacrifice their lives, they expect it to be carried out. [[spoiler:They all hold a firm HumansAreInsects belief and that their subordinates are expendable no matter how loyal or useful they are to them. Should they either [[DefectorFromDecadence betray them]] or [[HeKnowsTooMuch know too much about their dark secrets]], the Elders will ensure they die a gruesome death. Even Rob Lucci, one of their greatest assets, is disposable in their eyes after everything he's done for them, and they consider letting him die during the Egghead Incident an acceptable sacrifice so long as they get their hands on the Mother Flame. As Vegapunk's broadcast about the truth of the world reaches the end of its countdown, the Elders debate about the idea of committing ''genocide'' on their entire fleet at Egghead to stop the broadcast; the only reason they ultimately relent is because they don't want to lose the power plant needed to produce more of the Mother Flame.]]

* VillainHasAPoint: [[spoiler:Saturn unfairly blames Vegapunk for the destruction on Egghead during the Buster Call claiming Vegapunk's own greed and lust for knowledge brought about the situation. While it's nothing more than a petty jab at Vegapunk, Saturn isn't wrong. Vegapunk chose to research the Void Century in secret and his Satellite, York, who is a manifestation of his own greed brought about the whole Egghead Incident and never bothered to keep his ''own'' greed in check. Vegapunk's silence towards his statement implies he doesn't disagree with him.]] He also calls Vegapunk a scientist-for-hire when dismissing his moral objections which is true despite being a good person Vegapunk joined the World Government aware of their evil because the pay and ressources was the highest he could get, he has no allegiance to them.

* VillainHasAPoint: [[spoiler:Saturn unfairly blames Vegapunk for the destruction on Egghead during the Buster Call claiming Vegapunk's own greed and lust for knowledge brought about the situation. While it's nothing more than a petty jab at Vegapunk, Saturn isn't wrong. Vegapunk chose to research the Void Century in secret and his Satellite, York, who is a manifestation of his own greed brought about the whole Egghead Incident and never bothered to keep his ''own'' greed in check. Vegapunk's silence towards his statement implies he doesn't disagree with him.]]

* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: All five of them resemble historical figures notable for pursuing freedom and equality between people.

* BadBoss: While they are initially portrayed as stern leaders of the World Government, the Elders gradually show that not only do they not care for the lives of their subordinates, but failure or disobedience ''will not'' be tolerated. They expect their orders to be carried out without question and if given the order to sacrifice their lives, they expect it to be carried out. [[spoiler:They all hold a firm HumansAreInsects belief and that their subordinates are expendable no matter how loyal or useful they are to them. Should they either betray them or know too much about their dark secrets, the Elders will ensure they die a gruesome death. Even Rob Lucci, their greatest asset, is disposable in their eyes after everything he's done for them and was content in having him die during the Egghead Incident so long as they get their hands on the Mother Flame. Once Vegapunk's broadcast about the truth of the world, they are debating about the idea of committing ''genocide'' of their entire fleet at Egghead to stop the broadcast and only relente solely because they don't want to lose the Mother Flame.]]

* LackOfEmpathy: No matter how many civilians die from the corruption of the government, they only care about maintaining order, lives be damned and they all display ''horrific'' apathy and indifference towards human life in general. [[spoiler:They show no remorse when Imu destroys the Lulusia Kingdom solely to test the Mother Flame weapon and killing countless civilians without batting an eye and coldly tell the Marines who are listening that they heard nothing. When on Egghead, they are perfectly willing to sacrifice the lives of their own men to stop Vegapunk's broadcast.]]

* LargeAndInCharge: All of them are incredibly tall, reflecting their high position in the wWorld Government's hierarchy. When they meet with Sakazuki who himself is twice Luffy's height, he's shown to be the shortest person in the room.

** Saturn and Mars say HumansAreInsects, and as such, their transformations [[spoiler:are based on those who eat insects: a bird and a spider, respectively, to symbolize their belief in their superiority.]]

* LackOfEmpathy: The Elders generally display a total lack of care for human life aside from sheer pragmatism, and Saturn appears to be the worst of them. He expresses no concern over the lives of the Marines and Cipher Pol agents under his command [[spoiler:and was perfectly content in forcing Kuma into losing his free will for the Pacifista program and [[IHaveYourWife selling his daughter Bonney into slavery should he betray them]], stating he cares nothing about the well-being of a child. And this is all while knowing the very disease he's using as leverage was ''his own fault'']]. He's actually rather perplexed anyone would expect him to be ''capable'' of concerning himself with the feelings of 'insects' when [[spoiler:Vegapunk calls him on it.]]

* LackOfEmpathy: No matter how many civilians die from the corruption of the government, they only care about maintaining order, lives be damned and they all display ''horrific'' apathy and indifference towards human life in general. [[spoiler:They show no remorse when Imu destroys the Luluscia Kingdom solely to test the Mother Flame weapon and killing countless civilians without batting an eye and coldly tell the Marines who are listening that they heard nothing. When on Egghead, they are perfectly willing to sacrifice the lives of their own men to stop Vegapunk's broadcast.]]

** All of them are ''thunderstruck'' when they realize that not only has their collaboration with [[spoiler:[[EvilAllAlong York]] been overheard by the Straw Hat Pirates, but that said pirate group has regained control over Egghead and fooled them into revealing their hand by using York to their advantage.]]

* GenocideBackfire: [[spoiler:Ordering Ohara's destruction and everyone on it killed would eventually come back to bite them. Not only would it inspire Dragon to finally start the Revolutionary Army, Ohara managed to save its knowledge, allowing Vegapunk and others to continue where they left off, and Nico Robin would eventually become one of the biggest thorns in their side alongside Luffy's crew. Lampshaded when they realize Vegapunk's DeadmansSwitch going off and revealing the secrets they destroyed Ohara to keep hidden might easily be the scientist's revenge for the destruction of Ohara.]]

** When [[spoiler:Lucci asks him to spare Kaku]], Mars is annoyed and replies that is hard for him to spare a bug during an extermination, highlighting how, in his eyes, all humans are the same.

** They ''all'' notably lose their composure, cool and self-control when it becomes clear that [[spoiler:Vegapunk's broadcast is [[CantStopTheSignal going to go out]] and they have no way of stopping it short of destroying the very thing they came to Egghead to secure. They ''all'' become desperate to stop the broadcast, blindly rushing forward while snarling they don't have time to deal with the "weaklings" in front of them and all have a minor FreakOut when they realize that unlike the situation in Ohara, ''they might not be able to stop Vegapunk's plan''. It's both utterly satisfying seeing them lose their cool like that and utterly horrifying seeing how far they are willing to go to control the situation]].

* VillainousBreakdown: All five begin to seriously lose their cool once it becomes clear [[spoiler:Vegapunk's final message can't be stopped and the secrets the World Government has wiped out entire islands to keep secret are about to be revealed.]]

* UnderestimatingBadassery: Saturn genuinely believes that he's smart enough Vegapunk can't pull the wool over his eyes and if the other scientist tries anything [[spoiler:while putting a self-destruct into Kuma]], Saturn, being a scientist himself, will know it. [[spoiler:Vegapunk still managed to outsmart Saturn by still putting one in, [[LoopholeAbuse just not the kind that Saturn expected.]] Vegapunk also outsmarted him by putting Bonney above even the Five Elders on the Pacifistas' command structure. In fact, in the end, Vegapunk outsmarts Saturn and the Five Elders at every possible turn.]]

* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:The transformed Ju Peter tries to swallow Luffy whole, only for Dorry and Brogy to slice his head off, freeing Luffy. He gets better.]]

** They ''all'' notably loose their composure, cool and self-control when it becomes clear that [[spoiler:Vegapunk's broadcast is [[CantStopTheSignal going to go out]] and they have no way of stopping it short of destroying the very thing they came to Egghead to secure. They ''all'' become desperate to stop the broadcast, blindly rushing forward while snarling they don't have time to deal with the "weaklings" in front of them and all have a minor FreakOut when they realize that unlike the situation in Ohara, ''they might not be able to stop Vegapunk's plan''. It's both utterly satisfying seeing them loose their cool like that and utterly horrifying seeing how far they are willing to go to control the situation.]]

* RuleOfSymbolism: For all their talk of acting as the WellIntentionedExtremist leaders of the world, the Egghead Arc has them [[spoiler:taking on the bizarre and notably-horrible forms of genuine monsters (with comments from several character highlighting how unnatural and ghastly they appear) fighting against the incarnation of the God of Liberation and Freedom on the "island of the Future" and [[TheUnfettered uncaringly destroying it in their merciless attempts to annihilate Luffy]], showing that they're truly just [[DevilInPlainSight antagonists to the world and the ideal of freedom itself]]]].

* BadBoss: While they were initially portrayed as stern leaders of the World Government, the Elders gradually show that not only do they not care for the lives of their subordinates, but failure or disobedience ''will not'' be tolerated. They expect their orders to be carried out without question and if given the order to sacrifice their lives, they expect it to be carried out. [[spoiler:They all hold a firm HumansAreInsects belief and that their subordinates are expendable no matter how loyal or useful they are to them. Should they either betray them or know too much about their dark secrets, the Elders will ensure they die a gruesome death. Even Rob Lucci, their greatest asset, is disposable in their eyes after everything he's done for them and was content in having him die during the Egghead Incident so long as they get their hands on the Mother Flame. Once Vegapunk's broadcast about the truth of the world, they were debating about the idea of committing ''genocide'' of their entire fleet at Egghead to stop the broadcast and only relented solely because htey didn't want to lose the Mother Flame.]]

* LackOfEmpathy: Zigzagged. They ''are'' capable of some degree of remorse for their actions, such as the destruction of Ohara. However, they have shown countless times that they believe that the ends justify the means. No matter how many civilians die from the corruption of the government, they only care about maintaining order, lives be damned. [[spoiler:The Egghead Arc fully has them cross into this territory, that they all display ''horrific'' apathy and indifference towards human life in general. They showed no remorse in Imu destroyed the Luluscia Kingdom solely to test the Mother Flame weapon and killing countless civilians without batting an eye and coldly tell the Marines who are listening that they heard nothing. When on Egghead, they are perfectly willing to sacrifice the lives of their own men to stop Vegapunk's broadcast.]]

* LargeAndInCharge: All of them are incredibly tall. When they meet with Sakazuki who himself is twice Luffy's height, he's shown to be the shortest person in the room.

* WouldHurtAChild: They had the island of Ohara destroyed during a Buster Call to stop Clover from revealing the name of the ancient kingdom, which killed several children in the process. They also ruthlessly hunted Robin since she was eight years old to ensure Ohara died with her. [[spoiler:They make killing Jewelry Bonney their top priority on Egghead upon learning she has the highest authority over the Pacifistas and become hellbent on killing her to regain control over them.