Iron Mask Duval
Iron Mask Duval is the leader of the Flying Fish Riders kidnapping gang. He directs operations from a fortified island base and rides large fish mounts during pursuits at sea. His primary goal centers on exacting revenge against a specific man whose wanted poster caused widespread mistaken identity pursuits against him. Duval becomes known for his iron mask with cross emblems, aggressive charges toward the Thousand Sunny, and eventual transformation after direct confrontation with the Straw Hat crew.
Throughout his encounters Duval commands subordinates including the Makuro crew and later shifts his group identity to the Rose-Colored Life Riders. He provides assistance to the Straw Hats by safeguarding their ship and offering contact information after his personal grievances are resolved. His involvement spans initial sieges on the Thousand Sunny through later support during departures from the Sabaody Archipelago.
Appearance
Iron Mask Duval presents a heavily armored figure seated on a striped throne with legs spread wide and multiple weapons strapped across his chest. He wears an open jacket that exposes his chest along with black boots and a distinctive helmet featuring cross-shaped eye slits and spiked details. His curly hair and sunglasses remain visible beneath the mask during declarations while a visible wound on his back becomes prominent during outbursts of rage.12
After mask removal Duval reveals monstrous facial features that include long braided hair and multiple scars across his face. The surgical alteration performed later rearranges his bone structure to closely resemble another individual resulting in a handsome appearance with sparkles noted during self-admiration. He adopts ornate clothing and rides a white creature while maintaining a flowing hairstyle.34
Personality
Iron Mask Duval exhibits intense rage triggered by thoughts of the man who ruined his life causing his back wound to throb painfully. He expresses deep gratitude toward his Makuro crew for their support during planning and declares long-held desires to destroy targets with raw emotion that awes his subordinates. His reactions shift rapidly from shock upon learning of Camie's location to vengeful declarations aboard his fish mount.56
Duval displays vanity after his facial transformation by admiring his reflection in a mirror and questioning whether he is the most handsome man in the world. He insists on repaying debts to the Straw Hats while claiming all beautiful women as his own and promises to introduce others to notable figures at tourist spots. His crew responds with affirmations of his handsomeness during these declarations.78
History
Sabaody confrontation
Iron Mask Duval first directs the Flying Fish Riders from their island hideout after identifying the Straw Hat crew as targets during a siege on the Thousand Sunny. He orders preparations for attack and declares the ship as the one he has longed for in agony while vowing revenge on the man who ruined his life. Subordinates report Camie's presence aboard prompting immediate aggressive maneuvers.910
During the confrontation at headquarters Duval sits on his throne and experiences painful flashbacks to the wanted poster mix-up that led marine headquarters and bounty hunters to pursue him despite his lack of pirate status. He demands his life back and identifies the specific target as Sanji before his mask is removed revealing his true face. The subsequent battle results in Sanji performing a Parage Shot that rearranges Duval's facial features.1112
Post-alteration assistance
Following the alteration Duval adopts a new group name as the Rose-Colored Life Riders and provides his Den Den Mushi contact number to the Straw Hats while eating takoyaki for the first time. He later safeguards the coated Thousand Sunny at Grove 13 and assists during departures by locating crew members at Sabaody Park under orders to rescue Camie. His final recorded actions include promises regarding the mermaid princess to Brook.413
Relationships
Duval holds a personal grudge against Sanji stemming from the wanted poster confusion that caused his pursuit by authorities. After the Parage Shot resolves the facial resemblance he thanks the young master black leg and insists on repaying the debt by protecting the Straw Hat ship. He also interacts with Camie by declaring no business with mermaids initially before later promising introductions to the mermaid princess.147
Major battles
Iron Mask Duval leads the initial assault on the Thousand Sunny with flying fish riders zipping past the ship and issuing warnings about their five-minute flight capability. He points forward aggressively from his mount and confirms the target while ordering messages to his boss about the jackpot of capturing both the mermaid and the crew. The engagement shifts to his hideout where he receives reports and launches the full attack.915
The decisive confrontation occurs when Duval charges on his beloved bison Motobaro and demands the crew move aside before identifying Sanji as pirate black leg. His mask is removed during the exchange leading to emotional outbursts about the poster mix-up and resulting in the Parage Shot barrage that sends him flying with his face rearranged. Onlookers note the overwhelming victory as features are listed during the impacts.1617