LeBlanc Corvo

LeBlanc Corvo is the property of AbysmalShadows!

LeBlanc Corvo
Name
Japanese Name	レブランク・コルボ
Romanized Name	Reburanku Korubo
Official English Name	LeBlanc Corvo
Epithet	"Phantom Thief Corvo" (怪盗コルボ, "Kaitō Korubo"?)
Statistics
Species	Shandian
Age	28
Status	Alive
Height	198 cm (6'6)
Status
Residence	New World
Affiliation	World Government
Occupation	Marines
Portrayal
Japanese VA	Kenjiro Tsuda
English VA	Matt Mercer
Theme Song	La Espada (Battle Theme)
Devil Fruit
Japanese Name	Zushi Zushi no Mi
English Name	Press-Press Fruit
Meaning	Sound of Heavy Stomping
Type	Paramecia

“

You know we Marines are always on about justice this, justice that, but in the end its just a trick. It's all smoke and mirrors, a clever wool we put over your eyes so you don't see how full of shit we are. Without strength, there's no such thing as justice. The strong get to decide what justice is, while the rest of us are here to make sure you believe it.

”

LeBlanc Corvo is a Shandian Marine Vice Admiral.

Personality

Corvo is an extraordinarily complicated man, who struggles to live according to his own childish dream of justice whilst living in a world that is bereft of it. Bitter and resentful he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in his mission, even if it means compromising on his own ideals. At the same time, he laments what he must do to succeed blaming himself for being weak. But when able, he does try to be benevolent and virtuous when he can, because that is the justice he believes in, that he dreams of bringing into the world. Even if he fails more often than he succeeds.

He'll make the effort to avoid civilian causalities, and if he can he will prioritize them, but his thirst for justice is so strong it borders on vengeance. Pirates who've attempted to use hostages in the past have found themselves in a quandary, where negotiations with Corvo ends either in their immediate surrender or execution, civilian lives be damned. In those instances his sheer ruthlessness is apparent as not only will he execute them, he'll go on to find where they came from, who their friends, family and then execute anyone related to them.

Those who have seen this side of Corvo are terrified, but are also perplexed by his moments where he goes above and beyond to save lives. Its almost as if the youthful, naive dream of justice peeks through the veil of darkness surrounding his heart. He can be convinced, won over if his sense of goodness is appealed to, but by whom and when can change the result from a champion of good, to a harbinger of destruction.

Due to this complicated belief, he believes in Fake Justice (空空しいの正義, lit. "Sorazorashī no Seigi"^?), it is not a declaration but a sorrowful lament. What people believe is justice is only what they have been fooled into believing in. Its just an illusion, something to keep them placated. Justice is in Corvo's words, whatever the Marines say it is.

Powers & Abilities

Overview

Corvo is a Vice Admiral in the Marines, a grizzled veteran from the War of Empires and on-again off-again subordinate of Cipher Pol has made Corvo into an exceptionally gifted tactical fighter. He is an immensely skilled and highly decorated undercover officer from the Marine program Branching Rivers, and his work in capturing pirates, dismantling their networks, organizations, and allies make him a formidable opponent both on the field and from a position of command. With his fantastic memory abilities he mastered the esoteric Rokushiki, even diving its most powerful and secret technique, the Rokuogan. Were that not enough he would later obtain and become a devastating force multiplier on the battlefield during the War of Empires utilizing the awe inspiring power of the Zushi Zushi no Mi. Given his track record, Corvo is considered a hero within the Marines, as one of the front-liners who brought to light the beginnings that brutal war, as well as one of its combatants.

Phantom Eye

Phantom Eye (幻の眼, Maboroshi no Me) is the name affectionately given to one of Corvo's abilities. While this ability has little to deal with any ocular power, in reality it refers to his superb eidetic and photographic memory. Anything he see's, hears or experiences, Corvo is able to perfectly memorize it and recollect it at any time. This trait gave him quite the edge as an undercover agent, as he only needed to see something briefly before it was committed to memory. However its greatest strength and the reason for its epithet is that Corvo had a penchant for stealing the works and skills of others. While he lacked the ability to perfectly replicate what he saw, he could after witnessing a technique, or battle recreate the movements in his mind and train himself as he desired.

World Government Usage

While this unique ability made Corvo something of a novelty, the World Government had no shortage of skilled warriors. However, a member who could simply gaze upon a Poneglyphs and transcribe the contents of that ancient writing was something else entirely. It is for this reason that he would later be tasked with discovering the whereabouts of the Poneglyphs. The intent was that using this ability he could glimpse the Poneglyphs and later transcribe them for the World Government who would use one of their people capable of translating the texts. This more than anything was enough to make the World Government covet and make use of his ability. One of Corvo's overarching objective's even as he climbed the ranks is to discover and obtain the writings of a Poneglyphs.

Rokushiki

Further information: Rokushiki

Throughout his career as an operative in the Branching Rivers division, Corvo routinely worked alongside Cipher Pol agents and beheld many times the techniques of the Rokushiki. His enmity of Cipher Pol coupled with his rare ability to instantly memorize anything he see's allowed him to acquire the knowledge of these techniques. As he progressed as an agent Cipher Pol would dole out training as a reward for a successful mission, and many Corvo was if nothing else an eager student. His desire to master these techniques out of spite proved to be sufficient motivation as he was able to not only learn all six techniques but master them to a degree that he would eventually unearth develop the seventh secret technique the Rokuogan!

Suffice to say, given the nature of his missions, Corvo has extensive combat prowess, having fought with and against pirates for the majority of his time in the marines. After acquiring his Devil Fruit his combat abilities would only escalate, as he began combining his techniques and powers with that of his gravitational manipulation. Together it was even easier to hide his origins and the nature of his abilities simply by seamlessly blending the two together allowing him to deceive the crews he infiltration by demonstrating abilities many would consider superhuman. His strength, speed and apparent durability were nearly peerless, and the power of his blows would smash through his opponents with what many considered monstrous, almost otherworldly strength.

Rokuogan

One of the most prominent powers he obtained during his work as an undercover agent working alongside was the development and refinement of the most powerful technique of the Rokushiki - the Rokuogan. Almost as if he were flaunting his prowess and the devilish use of his Phantom Eye, he would go on to master the Rokushiki and later learn this technique, all without being a member of Cipher Pol. The reason being is that he detests them with every fiber of his being, and even while working alongside them prefers to one-up any of their skills, talents or abilities. This is due to the fact that while working as a member of Branching Rivers, many of his colleagues had fallen or were murdered as part of Cipher Pol missions. This cemented quite the deep seated hatred of them in his eyes, and while he is willing to stomach working with them, he has since developed a perverse joy watching them grit their teeth at the flaunting of their most powerful technique by a non-member. The power of this technique is further amplified when Corvo utilizes the power of his Devil Fruit along side it.

• Rokushiki Ogi: Rokuogan (六式奥義 六王銃, Six Powers Secret Technique: Six King Gun^?): The ultimate technique of the Rokushiki, wherein the practitioner using a double fisted attack is able to unleash a devastating shockwave in a linear cone directly into an opponents body damaging their internals. The power boasted by this technique is equal it not superior to even that of a Reject Dial, and can finish an opponent off in a single blow.
  • Tattoi Gensō: Rokuogan (貴い幻想六王銃, Noble Phantasm Six King Gun^?):

Devil Fruit

Further information: Zushi Zushi no Mi

While undercover as a pirate on a notable pirate crew Corvo was able to steal and consume the illustrious Zushi Zushi no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that grants him the ability to manipulate and control gravitational forces! Now, being that Corvo spent his life as a covert operative the way he utilizes this Devil Fruit is very deceptive and quite misleading. Rather than use the power of this fruit in an overt manner, Corvo instead prefers to disguise the use of his Devil Fruit through the usage of his weapons, or in other more subtle ways.

While unarmed he tends to use his fruit in a manner that makes his physical abilities appear far more exaggerated than they otherwise would be in their power and scope. He'll use something like a finger-flick to send opponents flying off in a direction, or casual blocks to completely negate attacks against by discreetly reversing gravity to create a repelling force. However this has a limit and thus he prefers to utilize his weapons when using the full breadth of his Devil Fruit's power. When equipped with one of his three sacred treasures his utilization of his Devil Fruit increases dramatically. What kind of gravitational manipulation he uses depends on the weapon, but in general each weapon has a sort of "theme" that influences the kind of attacks he'll use.

Weapons

Further information: Dai Raga Tachiuchi Kyo Sen

Is the ancient legendary weapon found by Corvo while undercover on a pirate crew as they scoured the wreckage of an old Marine base.

History

Corvo was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral in the Marines for having demonstrated meritorious service and an acknowledgement of his abilities.

Like many Marine hopefuls he earnestly believed in the righteousness of their cause; in fighting piracy and being the enforcers of justice. He sailed on many Marine vessels, always on the forefront to combat the pirate menace. But it was a fateful encounter with Cipher Pol that would alter the course of his career dramatically. On a routine visit to an island, mainly to stock supplies Corvo would become embroiled in a Cipher Pol operation.

The details remain scarce as the incident was immediately classified but he conducted himself well and due to his actions, plans that were underway were fast-tracked. This was Operation Branching River. Cipher Pol for all their power are relatively few in number, and cannot be everywhere they need to be. Thus to acquire the intel they need to conduct their most high level of missions for the World Government this operation was created; they would recruit Marines possessing the grit, characteristics and ability to go undercover anywhere they needed them to be to gather intelligence, and perform reconnaissance.

This way after they forwarded their intel up the chain of command, Cipher Pol could assign its elite operatives to the missions that merited their concern. This operation also allowed Cipher Pol a pool of ready applicants to reward for their service and induct them into their ranks. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. However Corvo utterly despised the agents of Cipher Pol viewing them as mere dogs of the World Government who had no concept of justice, instead slaughtering whomever they wanted. Still he begrudgingly worked by proxy alongside them, even if he detested what they stood for. All the power and backing of the World Government with none of the accountability. Many times he almost died because he was against their brand of justice.

What made Corvo unique was a trait he possessed a kind of eidetic photographic memory, one that appeared rather optimized for kinetic application. Members of Cipher Pol affectionately called this the Phantom Eye, for Corvo upon seeing something once would remember it in perfect vivid detail. As someone conducting intelligence operations this kind of ability was well regarded, as he could memorize and replicate information he obtained with perfect recollection. However it also meant that any technique he saw at least once, inevitably became his to use after a period of time. Having witnessed all of the Rokushiki he eventually became proficient in their use, and not long after achieving mastery. This was primarily because of the nature of his missions.

Corvos task was perhaps the most dangerous as he often infiltrated pirate crews to gather information, more specifically he was in charge of discovering the whereabouts of Poneglyphs from these crews. More often than not, Corvo’s combat prowess was tested time and time again, having to fend off entire former crewmates when his mission was at its end. His missions also involved discovering, assessing, and creating lists of priority targets for infiltration suspected of having information relating to the Poneglyphs, if the targets were deemed too powerful for him to handle alone. In these instances, he would create opportunities for Marine reinforcements to ambush them, even involving Cipher Pol if it was pertinent.

He would rapidly climb through the ranks due to his efforts and his capture of many dangerous pirate crews. Yet his sense of justice would take its toll. He bore witness to many tragedies, and with his Phantom Eye every one was permanently etched into his mind and in time came to believe in what he refers to as Fake Justice. He regretfully admits that justice isn't real, that everything is all smoke and mirrors, and that the only “justice” that exists is one brought about by those strong enough or clever enough to see it done. This isn’t a proud proclamation but rather a resigned and bitter acknowledgement on the reality of justice.

He has seen the corruption of the government, even if he’s more than willing to engage in it himself to get the mission. This has led him to become a very contradictory and hypocritical person. He simultaneously despises Cipher Pol, as he sees them having been robbed of any real ambition, working tirelessly as dogs of the world government while seemingly ignoring the fact that he is the exact same. His bitter and resentful nature is tempered by his strong desire to see True Justice meted out, but finds the reality of the world to be so corrupt yet he tries anyway.

He wants to turn his idea of Fake Justice into True Justice, and that is what compels him to fight on as a Marine. It is the driving force behind his actions, even if he has to dirty his hands now, it simply means he just isn't strong enough yet.

War of Empires

About six months prior to what would later become known as the War of Empires, Corvo and his fellow “Rivers” were compiling various bits of information, and soon began to see a bigger picture forming. At the time Corvo was chasing down a particularly troublesome pirate captain, one who he had failed to capture after infiltrating her crew. Not only was he responsible for Marines ambushing and capturing the majority of her crew, the two were… close. Suffice to say Captain “Honey” Lagoon Blaklava had it out for the man, worse she had his vivre card. A detail he did not disclose to his higher ups; as it was a moment of weakness that turned into an ongoing headache. Her tenacity was something to behold, hell hath no fury as a woman scorned as they say. Many a time she had ambushed him whilst he was undercover, forcing him to always stay on the move. Nonetheless this constant surveillance would indeed force to improve his abilities as an operative.

However it was the information he and his Rivers were piecing together that was drawing a troubling future. Corvo discovered that Honey was involved with smuggling weapons made by the Underworld in Paradise into the New World. Worse, that they weren’t using the standard shipping lanes, instead whole pirate crews were selling their services to create what was functionally a black shipping route used exclusively by their ilk. Even more troublesome was that pirate crews that should have been rivals at best, and enemies on principle had reached an accord, and were working together.

Mass sums of resources, beyond just weapons, such as ships, provisions, and supplies were being funneled into the New World at an alarming rate. All signs pointed that someone very powerful, with a lot of influence was preparing for war. They just didn't know who or what for. Over the course of the following months, Corvo, Cipher Pol and his fellow Rivers ramped up their missions, expanded their infrastructure, and bolstered Marine presence where it was needed to attempt to throttle this pipeline. Despite their success in capturing numerous rookie crews, they failed to stem the tide of weapons and pirates that were showing up in the New World.

It was Corvo eventually facing off with Captain Honey and her subsequent capture and the incident surrounding it, did they acquire one of the final pieces of the puzzle of who was going to war. Corvo managed to intercept a pirate ship posing as a merchant vessel, and were it not for his experience in the underworld, and underworld connections he would have missed it entirely. The ship contained schematics and materials for the construction of radical new weaponry that were to be transported and built at a location in the New World. A location Corvo inferred was a weapons factory. As fate would have it, one overseen by Captain Honey herself. His fated encounter with her would be one of the turning points in this shadow campaign.

Knowing that she possessed his vivre card, Corvo orchestrated a two pronged approach; the first part was by having the original vessels crew replaced with marine personnel, and he would stage a retreat from another position and happen upon this location in a damaged ship. In this way he would put in her a false sense of superiority, and he would strike and end what they had between them. As he predicted she struck, fast and hard, and was particularly ruthless about it. What surprised him though was that didn’t gloat, didn’t scream or condemn him, the battle was deathly silent, their blows conveying what needed to be said. In the end he played his loss well, for she believed she had finally defeated him, and the last stain on her honor crushed beneath her heel.

With Corvo captured, all that was left was to notify her superiors and begin the construction. While captured, he freed himself and rendezvoused with the Marines in waiting and they launched a surprise attack. This time he held nothing back, and while much of the weapons factory was damaged, they were able to salvage much to discover who was behind this. One of the four emperors.

This intel was immediately forwarded up the chain, and all the higher leadership of the Marines met to discuss their future plans. Corvo was included due to his on the sea experience and his continued presence along with his fellow Rivers, and they were immediately dispatched to the New World to ascertain which of the emperors were moving towards war and why. Did they obtain one of the Ancient Weapons? There was great cause for concern, and so he and his fellow Rivers made their way towards the New World.