With the reveal of a single gravestone, One Piece chapter 1158 has overturned long-held beliefs that fans carried for decades. Yamato's pilgrimage through Wano's Ringo region uncovered more than just respect for fallen heroes - it exposed the true identity of one of the Grand Line's most notorious shadow wielders. The grave belonged to Kozuki Moria, not the Gecko Moria the world recognizes, fundamentally altering everything about this former Warlord's origins.
What began as a simple cover story resolution has morphed into the series's most intricate character retcon yet. Moria's noble bloodline doesn't simplify his vengeful pursuit of Kaido. Instead, it transforms his entire narrative from petty pirate rivalry into a deeply personal crusade for homeland justice. This One Piece bombshell proves that solving one mystery can instantly lead to 10 more complicated questions.

The current cover story, Oni Child Yamato’s Golden Harvest Surrogate Pilgrimage, has been steadily leading up to this major reveal for several months. Yamato, together with Kiku and O-Cho, made their way to an old, weathered grave in Ringo to honor the memory of a warrior who had passed. The tombstone belonged to someone described as a warrior born in the West Blue but raised in Ringo, who died protecting his village from Kaido's forces.
The spoilers for One Piece chapter 1158 confirmed what some dedicated theorists had suspected. This hero was none other than Kozuki Moria, and not Gecko Moria as the world knows him. The revelation suggested that the former Warlord has been concealing his true identity and noble heritage throughout his entire pirate career.
This connection to the Kozuki clan fundamentally alters our understanding of Moria's character in One Piece. As a member of Wano's ruling family, he would be directly related to Kozuki Oden, making him either a brother or a close relative of the legendary samurai. This family tie could also connect him to Momonosuke and Hiyori, positioning him as their uncle or similar family member.
The implications extend far beyond simple family relationships. Kozuki family members traditionally possess knowledge of the ancient language needed to read Poneglyphs. This skill could make Moria an invaluable asset to any pirate crew seeking the One Piece, particularly organizations like Cross Guild that currently lack someone capable of interpreting these historical stones.
Recontextualizing the battle against Kaido in One Piece

Moria's past confrontation with Kaido takes on entirely new meaning through this One Piece revelation. What was previously understood as a standard pirate rivalry now appears to have been a desperate attempt to protect his homeland and people. The battle wasn't just about territorial disputes or crew conflicts - it was about defending Wano Country itself.
Considering the nature of Moria’s Devil Fruit powers, it is natural that his body would not be present at the burial site. His Kage Kage no Mi powers allow him to switch places with his shadow during dangerous situations. Fused with potential assistance from Absalom's invisibility abilities, Moria could have easily faked his death and fled to plot his revenge against Kaido.

This One Piece revelation portrays Eiichiro Oda's remarkable ability to intertwine seemingly unrelated plot threads. The link between Moria and Wano was first hinted at during the Thriller Bark arc via the presence of Shimotsuki Ryuma, the legendary samurai whose corpse was animated by Moria's powers. This early connection now appears to have been purposeful foreshadowing rather than mere coincidence.
The mystery's resolution creates new questions
While the essence of the hero's grave has been solved, this One Piece disclosure raises considerable new questions about Moria's past and future. How did he end up in the West Blue if he truly is a Kozuki? What cases led to his adoption of the "Gecko" moniker? Most importantly, will he someday return to reclaim his place in Wano's hierarchy?
The possibility for Moria to rejoin the main storyline has never been higher. His unique blend of noble heritage, Poneglyph-reading abilities, and personal vendetta against former Emperor Kaido makes him an extremely valuable wild card in the series' endgame. Whether he joins Cross Guild, forms new alliances, or seeks his own agenda remains to be seen, but his impact on the final saga of One Piece could be notable.