Does Bon Clay Love Luffy?
Introducing Bon Clay and Luffy
Bon Clay, whose real name is Bentham, is an okama (a male who dresses and acts femininely) who has the power of the Clone-Clone Fruit, allowing him to transform into an exact copy of anyone he touches. He was initially an antagonist to Luffy and the Straw Hats but later became an ally. Bon Clay first met Luffy at the villainous organization Baroque Works’ base in Alabasta. Though they started out as enemies, Bon Clay gained respect for Luffy’s determination to save his friend Vivi.
Luffy is the main protagonist of One Piece and captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. He has the power of the Gum-Gum Fruit which turned his body rubbery and allows him to stretch at will. Luffy is known for his enormous appetite, goofy personality, fearless attitude and unwavering loyalty to his friends. When they first met, Luffy saw that deep down Bon Clay wasn’t evil and the two formed an unexpected bond. (1)
Though originally antagonists, Luffy and Bon Clay’s shared values of friendship and sacrifice laid the foundation for an enduring alliance between them.
Bon Clay’s Sacrifice for Luffy
One of the most poignant moments showcasing Bon Clay’s love and loyalty to Luffy was when he selflessly sacrificed himself to help Luffy escape capture in Alabasta. After Luffy defeated Crocodile, the Marines showed up to arrest him and his crew. With Luffy exhausted from his fight, Bon Clay disguised himself as Luffy to lure the Marines away, a brave act that allowed the real Luffy to get back to his crew.
Bon Clay led the Marines on a chase through the streets of Alabasta, determined to buy Luffy as much time as possible even though he knew he would be captured. When the Marines finally caught and unmasked him, Bon Clay proudly declared his friendship with Luffy before being dragged away in seastone handcuffs, willingly giving up his freedom for Luffy’s sake. It was an incredibly noble deed that demonstrated the depth of Bon Clay’s devotion to Luffy.
Bon Clay’s Admiration for Luffy
Bon Clay has made it clear throughout their interactions that he greatly admires Luffy’s determination and spirit. When disguised as one of the Mr. 3 pairs on Little Garden, Bon Clay (as Mr. 2 at the time) first met the Straw Hats. Even in this brief encounter, he was impressed by Luffy’s carefree attitude and strong will (Source). Later, when Bon Clay sacrifices himself to enable the Straw Hats’ escape from Impel Down, he tearfully tells Luffy that he admires the pirate’s unwavering resolve and commitment to save Ace (Source). Bon Clay is inspired by Luffy’s refusal to ever give up on his goals or abandon his friends. He sees Luffy as a representation of the free spirit and true loyalty that he also strives to embody. This deep admiration fuels Bon Clay’s dedication to aiding Luffy whenever possible.
Luffy’s Gratitude Towards Bon Clay
Luffy was incredibly grateful for Bon Clay’s help and sacrifice during their time together in Impel Down. As Luffy and the other prisoners were escaping, he wanted Bon Clay to join them. However, Bon Clay decided to stay behind and disguise himself as Luffy in order to stall the prison guards from pursuing them. This allowed Luffy and the others to continue escaping without being followed.
When Luffy realized that Bon Clay was staying behind, he was very sad as he knew it meant they would likely not see each other again. Luffy begged Bon Clay to come with them, not wanting to leave his friend behind. As they parted ways, Luffy tearfully thanked Bon Clay for everything he had done to help them (source). Despite only knowing each other for a short time, Luffy had formed a deep bond with Bon Clay and was incredibly grateful for the sacrifice he made.
Later on when Luffy and the other Straw Hats were escaping Marineford after Ace’s death, Luffy desperately wished that Bon Clay was with them. He reflected on how Bon Clay selflessly gave himself up for Luffy’s sake back in Impel Down. According to Luffy, Bon Clay is a true friend (source). Luffy’s immense gratitude for Bon Clay’s friendship and aid is a testament to just how much Bon Clay came to mean to Luffy despite their short time together.
Their Shared Values
Luffy and Bon Clay share a strong belief in the importance of friendship and helping their friends. As Luffy states when he meets Bon Clay in Impel Down, “You’re my friend! Of course I came to rescue you!” (source). This mirrors how Bon Clay selflessly risked his life to help Luffy escape Alabasta and defeat Crocodile. Bon Clay admires Luffy’s loyalty to his crew, which reflects his own dedication to friendship.
Both Luffy and Bon Clay value bonds over personal gain or status. When Bon Clay disguises himself as Zoro to lure the Marines away, Luffy is incredibly moved, recognizing this sacrifice for a friend. Luffy returns the favor when he refuses to leave Impel Down without Bon Clay, despite the risks. Their mutual respect and willingness to sacrifice for each other stems from a shared belief in unconditional friendship.
Luffy and Bon Clay also share a disregard for social norms or rules that get in the way of helping friends. They break into the feared Impel Down prison, cause massive destruction, and defy the World Government, all to uphold their loyalty. This rebel spirit prioritizes friendship over everything else, reflecting their similar values.
Bon Clay’s Transformation into Luffy
Bon Clay ate the Mane Mane no Mi Devil Fruit, which gave him the ability to transform into anyone he had touched. During the Alabasta arc, Bon Clay transformed into Nami in order to distract the Straw Hats and help bring down Vivi’s kingdom (https://www.cbr.com/times-bon-clay-luffys-best-friend-one-piece/). However, after battling Luffy, Bon Clay developed a deep respect for him. So when the Straw Hats were trying to escape Alabasta, Bon Clay used his powers to transform into Luffy as a distraction. This allowed the real Luffy and his crew to get away safely while Bon Clay selflessly risked himself against the Marines.
Bon Clay’s powers gave him the perfect opportunity to mimic Luffy’s appearance and mannerisms. Since the Marines were focused on capturing Luffy, having Bon Clay turn into a Luffy clone served as an incredibly helpful diversion. While transformed, Bon Clay could even stretch like Luffy thanks to his Devil Fruit. Bon Clay’s sacrifice highlighted his growing bond with Luffy and set the stage for their future friendship.
Their Reunion at Impel Down
When Luffy infiltrated Impel Down to rescue his brother Ace, he eventually reached Level 5 where he had an emotional reunion with his old friend Bon Clay. Bon Clay had sacrificed himself earlier at Alabasta to allow the Straw Hats to escape, so Luffy was shocked and overjoyed to see Bon Clay was still alive.
According to a discussion on Reddit (source), their reunion was a heartwarming moment. Luffy cried tears of joy and grabbed Bon Clay in a big hug. Bon Clay was also ecstatic to see his friend again, exclaiming “Mugiwara!” with delight.
After the initial excitement, Luffy thanked Bon Clay for his sacrifice at Alabasta. Bon Clay brushed it off, saying he was happy to help a friend in need. Despite being imprisoned in the hellish Level 5, Bon Clay’s spirit was unbroken. Reuniting with Luffy gave him new hope.
Their joyful reunion proves the deep bond of friendship between Luffy and Bon Clay. Even when separated, they still cared deeply for each other. This emotional moment is a highlight of Impel Down and shows how friendship can survive even in the darkest circumstances.
Working Together to Escape
When Luffy invaded Impel Down to save his brother Ace, he encountered his old friend Bon Clay locked up in Level 5. Bon Clay had sacrificed himself to stall the prison guards back in Alabasta, allowing Luffy and crew to escape. Luffy was overjoyed to see his friend alive in Impel Down
Bon Clay was eager to help Luffy in his mission to save Ace. He joined Luffy, along with other Impel Down prisoners like Ivankov, Crocodile, and Jinbei, in fighting their way up through the prison levels. As stated on Reddit, Bon Clay’s powers to mimic people’s appearances was hugely helpful in disguising their group and sneaking through Impel Down.
At Level 1, when they were surrounded by the prison’s Demon Guards, Bon Clay selflessly stayed behind to hold off the guards, allowing Luffy and the others to continue on. He boldly declared he would meet Luffy again at the Grand Line as a friend. Luffy was incredibly grateful for Bon Clay’s sacrifice.
Parting Ways at Marineford
After teaming up to escape Impel Down, Luffy and Bon Clay continued working together when they arrived at the battle of Marineford. Luffy was focused on saving his brother Ace, while Bon Clay assisted however he could. When Luffy succeeded in freeing Ace, the two pirates fled the battlefield together (Bentham | One Piece Wiki | Fandom).
However, Admiral Akainu attacked Luffy and Ace, gravely injuring them. At that point, Bon Clay made the difficult decision to stay behind at Marineford as a diversion so Luffy could escape. Bon Clay disguised himself as Zoro and selflessly battled the Navy forces, buying time for Luffy. Both Bon Clay and Luffy were sad about parting ways, but they knew it was necessary. Their goodbye was reluctant but showed their deep mutual respect and friendship (Had he gone to Marineford, would Bon have joined the crew?).
A Deep Bond of Friendship
Despite their unlikely alliance, Luffy and Bon Clay formed a deep bond of friendship over the course of their adventures together. While their initial alliance in Alabasta was one of convenience, Bon Clay grew to admire Luffy’s fearless spirit and unwavering loyalty to his friends (https://www.reddit.com/r/OnePiece/comments/a7jib5/kinda_unfair_that_luffy_takes_credit_for_bon_clay/). After sacrificing himself to enable Luffy’s escape from prison, Bon Clay demonstrated the depth of his devotion (https://www.cbr.com/times-bon-clay-luffys-best-friend-one-piece/).
Luffy, in turn, showed his gratitude by coming back to rescue Bon Clay from Impel Down. Their reunion was a joyous one, as they worked together again to break free. While forced to part ways at the chaos of Marineford, their time together had cemented a true friendship. Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, Luffy and Bon Clay’s shared values of loyalty and sacrifice for one’s comrades bound them together. This unlikely but unbreakable bond serves as a testament to the power of friendship in the One Piece world.
