Bentham

Bentham is exuberant, theatrical, and intensely emotional. He dances through conversations, speaks in dramatic declarations, and embraces both masculine and feminine expression as part of his okama identity.

Beneath that flamboyance lies an uncompromising code of friendship. Bentham can participate ruthlessly in Baroque Works operations, including impersonating a king to provoke civil conflict, but personal bonds inspire immediate and profound loyalty. Once he recognizes the Straw Hats as friends, he risks death for them without expecting repayment.

He also possesses considerable courage. Bentham feels fear and despair but continues acting when a friend’s survival depends on him. His willingness to stay behind while others escape becomes a defining pattern.

Bentham ate the Mane Mane no Mi, a Paramecia-class Devil Fruit that lets him perfectly copy anyone whose face he has touched with his right hand. Touching his own face with his left hand restores his natural appearance.

The transformation reproduces the target’s face, voice, and body, including physical characteristics. It does not copy clothing or Devil Fruit powers, and Bentham cannot use his specialized martial arts effectively while inhabiting a body unsuited to them. He stores numerous identities and can switch between them rapidly.

His combat style, Okama Kenpo, combines dance movements with acrobatic kicks. Bentham’s legs are exceptionally powerful, and the swans attached to his costume can be fitted over his feet as sharp weapons for Swan Arabesque. He is agile, durable, and capable of fighting Sanji on nearly equal terms.

Bentham first meets the Straw Hats at sea without either side realizing that they are enemies. He demonstrates his Devil Fruit by copying their faces, inadvertently giving them the knowledge needed to detect his later disguises.

In Arabasta, Bentham impersonates Nefertari Cobra and stages an attack on civilians, helping Baroque Works inflame the rebellion. He later fights Sanji, using Nami’s appearance to disrupt the cook’s attacks before Sanji learns to identify him by behavior rather than appearance.

After his defeat, Bentham protects the Going Merry and disguises his own crew as the Straw Hats to draw away Hina’s Marines. He later encounters Luffy in Impel Down, crosses the prison to secure treatment from Emporio Ivankov, and remains behind to open the Gates of Justice for the escaping prisoners. He survives and eventually becomes the new queen of Level 5.5’s Newkama Land.

Monkey D. Luffy becomes Bentham’s close friend despite their opposing affiliations. Bentham repeatedly risks his freedom and life to protect Monkey D. Luffy, particularly during the escapes from Arabasta and Impel Down.

Sanji is Bentham’s principal opponent in Arabasta. Their martial-arts duel is closely matched, and Sanji eventually defeats him by learning to strike before he can exploit another person’s appearance.

Nami’s copied form initially prevents Sanji from fighting effectively. Nefertari Cobra’s identity is used by Bentham to provoke the Arabastan rebellion, making the king one of the principal victims of his infiltration.

Crocodile employs Bentham through Baroque Works but never inspires the loyalty Bentham later gives his friends. Nico Robin operates as the organization’s vice president above him.

Emporio Ivankov treats Monkey D. Luffy after Bentham carries him through Impel Down. Bentham reveres Emporio Ivankov as a leading okama figure.

Galdino and Buggy escape Impel Down alongside Bentham. Bentham’s final diversion deeply affects Galdino, who later acts in support of the comrade Bentham wanted to save.

Hina captures Bentham after he diverts the Marines from the Straw Hats at Arabasta. Magellan confronts Bentham when he remains behind to operate Impel Down’s controls.