The Iron Curtain is a Marine special unit. Previously they had operated primarily in Paradise, but have since transitioned into the New World. They are led by Admiral Henry Benjamin, with Commodore Suzuran acting as their second-in-command and temporary commanding officer when Benjamin is unavailable.
Overview
The Iron Curtain was formed by Henry Benjamin in an effort to form a more active and nomadic group of marines. Not tied to a specific base, they are incredibly flexible in their duties and where they can be dispatched. This can range from destroying pirate or revolutionary groups, bringing countries back under the rule of the World Government, or providing backup to overwhelmed or understaffed marine forces.[2] While the group's general function is combat, they are, on occasion, assigned other missions, such as reacquiring lost treasure or exploring uncharted islands.[3]
Members
| Iron Curtain | ||||
| Members | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Benjamin | Suzuran | Samuel Axe | Diez Lucy | Vixen ‡ |
 | ||||
| Harker Mina ‡ | ||||
Strength
The members of the Iron Curtain are considered elite fighters amongst their rank. The group's leader, Henry Benjamin, in particular proved to be capable of going several weeks into battle with a grievous wound before his injury finally caught up with him, even then managing to force a draw against the two pirates he was fighting. In the same confrontation with said pirates, Suzuran, the group's second-in-command, managed to fight off three members of the Sea-Star Pirates simultaneously, even knocking out one of them in one hit.[4] While individually powerful, the unit has proven to have exceptional teamwork skills, overwhelming the members of the Slapstick Pirates and conquering the island Fort de Rocher during a coordinated raid. From working together, the marines of the Iron Curtain have managed to gain substantial praise, capturing numerous pirates and revolutionaries and even taking territories for the sake of the World Government.[5][6] Following the unit's expedition to the Hell Sea, the unit managed to bolster their numbers and strength by recruiting members from the native Black Skeleton and Tusk races,[7] as well as bringing larval and juvenile Ground Kings back to the Blue Sea.[8] The unit eventually grew enough in power and prestige to be sent, on its own, in order to capture individuals as powerful as Yonko commanders.[9] Suzuran had even Awakened the powers of the Kyubu Kyubu no Mi, allowing her to defeat Braveheart, a Passion of the Red.[10]
Ship
The Iron Curtain utilizes a modified warship, useful not only in combat, but also for transport. The ship has a great amount of storage space for holding both supplies and any treasure they may find while on a mission. Additionally, it has specialized jail cells for holding criminals, essentially making their brig a more mobile prison. It was these specializations that allowed Benjamin to request that the Iron Curtain's ship be transported over the Red Line, as opposed to being abandoned in favor of receiving a new ship, following the Iron Curtain moving into the New World.[11]
History
New Faces, New Places
While members of the Iron Curtain had been operating together for some time, it wasn't until Benjamin's promotion to Rear Admiral that he had enough sway in the marines to form his own, personal unit. He named Captain Suzuran as his second-in-command. Following this, Ensigns Diez Lucy and Harker Mina were assigned to the Iron Curtain.[1]
Demon Days
Having received an SOS message from the island of Salem, the Iron Curtain was dispatched to the island to render aid as part of a joint operation with the Beast Brigade.[12]
Pirates in Paradise
Using information gained from Lucifer Hyperion's logbook, Benjamin discovered the location of the pirate stronghold Fort de Rocher, and planned a coordinated strike to put it under marine control (although his original intention was to destroy it). During this time, they received help from Commander Logan, who was there on special assignment. While Kujira, the pirate that previously was the head of Fort de Rocher, and the Killer Whale Pirates managed to escape, all other pirates were captured, including the members of the Saltwater and Jawbreaker Pirates. Fort de Rocher was then transformed into a marine base. As a result of this operation, Samuel Axe was promoted to captain.[6]
Sea and Storm
The Iron Curtain, alongside members of P.B. Inc. and the now marine captain Logan, were called in to the island of Ismeretlen to defend it from the alliance of the Slaughter, Redwing, and Mirror Pirates. Benjamin took command of the operation, just before the pirate alliance attacked. The Iron Curtain and their allies split up across the island to fend off the pirates. While the marines' side took heavy losses, they managed to drive off the pirate invasion without losing the lives of the civilians.[2]
Following this event, Benjamin was dispatched to assist in the transport of Maurier Harlan to Mary Geoise for execution. While Benjamin was initially expected to only be gone for a few days, he ultimately left the unit for five months following Harlan's escape in order to train with Bradford Silva, leaving the Iron Curtain under the command of Suzuran.[11]
Descent into Hell
Following his training, Benjamin had the Iron Curtain meet him at the Red Line in order to cross over into the New World, with Benjamin reassuming command of the unit. Following their reunion, the Iron Curtain crossed over the Red Line and headed into the New World, with their first mission being the charting and annexation of the islands in the Hell Sea.[11] After a difficult and grueling process going through The Whirlpool, the Iron Curtain arrived at the Hell Sea, soon arriving at the island Black Ivory. While exploring the island, the unit found themselves being attacked by the native species.[13]
Being forced to retreat, the members of the Iron Curtain were surprised to see that the two native races, the Tusks and the Black Skeletons, became more interested in killing each other than the marines as soon as they saw one another. Not wanting the hostilities to continue, Benjamin knocked out most of the fighters (as well as Lucy) using Haoshoku Haki, convincing them to take him to the leaders to host a parley. After much hostility between the two and the two races' Supreme Pontiffs explaining the origin of the feud, Benjamin managed to negotiate a treaty between the two.[14]
As a part of the treaty, Tusks and Black Skeletons were to join the Iron Curtain to learn better cooperation, and the island of Black Ivory became an affiliate of the World Government. Following a two month expedition through the Hell Sea, the Iron Curtain returned to the Blue Sea, having completed their mission. Because of Benjamin's fairness and aptitude with his own men, Admiral Fuyuki placed Vixen, a former criminal and recently recruited marine from the World Military Draft, on his unit.[7]
Muscular World
After the Sadala Kingdom made an announcement to gather pirates to eradicate a group of invasive species on their island, Benjamin took the Iron Curtain to the island to help deal with the situation, not wanting a World Government affiliate to be overly indebted to pirates.[15] After preparing for the excursion, the Iron Curtain was tasked with uncovering the truth behind why Count Jackedula, the one responsible for this debacle, released the animals and who he was working with. Benjamin left Suzuran in charge of this mission while he went with Phim D. Sera to dispatch the nest Brognan Foothill Dragons.[16]
Fallen Kingdom
Benjamin and the Iron Curtain were later dispatched in order to finally stop Whisper O. Dare and the Animalia Pirates. The unit managed to change them down, with Benjamin using his Haoshoku Haki to knock out a majority of the crew as soon as they were in range. Dare, the only one in his right mind to attack at that point, attempted to destroy the Iron Curtain's ship, but Benjamin managed to absorb the attack's kinetic energy and redirect it back towards Dare, sending him flying over the horizon. Benjamin later fished him out of the water and instructed his unit to tend to his wounds and find a pair of Seastone cuffs to put him in. While the rest of the unit took the Pan's Flute, the Animalia Pirates' ship, to a marine base to be turned over to World Nobles, Benjamin went off on his own in order to capture Cormac G. Jacquotte, the crew's first mate that escaped capture.[17]
They followed Jacquotte to an island controlled by the Iron Legion, preparing a contingent of Ground Kings for an assault should they resist.[8]
Red Saga
Unraveling Secrets
Benjamin led the unit once again on a mission attacking a Reaper Pirates' stronghold, under the command of Harley. Benjamin and Suzuran snuck into the island in order to prevent them from properly activating any defenses before the main force began their assault, doing so successfully. However, the ease of their operation was concerning, leading Benjamin to discover an underground lab which him and Suzuran investigated.[18] They were able to find Harley, as well as the Hybrid Units he had created. While they managed to defeat them, Harley escaped after gassing Suzuran with Famine and forcing Benjamin to save her. Even so, they were able to take control of the island and seize much of Harley's research.[19] It was then that the marines uncovered that the creator of the Red virus was Harley.[9]
The Color of Rage
The unit was later to Berski Island in order to arrest the Yonko commander Ilphen Lazarus, deemed one of their most dangerous missions to date. After making landfall, they were soon met in the field by Lazarus and his troops, immediately leading to a battle between the two forces.[20] The battle was soon interrupted, however, by the arrival of the Red, a group led by Brand and Braveheart. This forced the Iron Curtain to retreat into the Berksi Islanders' stronghold, with the blessing of Lazarus. In order for both parties to escape, they agreed to work together to fight the Red, with the Iron Curtain protecting and covering the non-combatants while the island warriors took on the Red head-on.[21]
After the civilians were evacuated, Benjamin and Lazarus held off the Red before the Red Bomb could go off. However, as the last of the fighters were able to escape, the Red Bomb went off. However, Benjamin was able to hold back the wave of the virus long enough for the ships to cast off and escape. Benjamin didn't perish on the island, being grabbed by Lazarus and taken to one of his ships as the island, which was actually a giant turtle, dove into the ocean to avoid the Red Bomb. The Iron Curtain then assisted the civilians in relocating and settling on their auxiliary island of Volsung Island for three days until Lazarus awoke.[22]
Fallen Fortress
After tracking their movements for some time, the Iron Curtain received the okay on an ambush against the Templar Pirates on an island in the New World. The captain of this pirate crew had previously defeated Benjamin during his rescue mission of Maurier Harlan, making the operation a personal affair for the vice admiral.[23] While Godfrey Alexander's main body was able to escape, Benjamin captured one of Alexander's clones, recovered a LORE Devil Fruit, and some important documents to the Templar Pirates.[24]
Trivia
- User:Jmayfie01 provided gender-swapped images and names for the members of the Iron Curtain:
- In site-wide popularity polls, the Iron Curtain placed as follows:
- In the 1st Group Popularity Poll, the Iron Curtain ranked 33rd, tying with The Library.[25]
- This makes them the third most popular marine group on the Wiki and the second most popular group owned by Black Dwarf Star.
- In the 1st Group Popularity Poll, the Iron Curtain ranked 33rd, tying with The Library.[25]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Faces: Diez Lucy and Harker Mina officially join the Iron Curtain.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sea and Storm: Benjamin and the Iron Curtain arrive on Ismeretlen to reinforce the marine forces there.
- ↑ Guardian of the Cove: Benjamin and his team are sent to Gold Axe Cove to recover the late Lucifer Hyperion's treasure.
- ↑ Confrontation: Benjamin engages the Sea-Star Pirates in battle.
- ↑ A Final Obstacle: The Iron Curtain fights the Slapstick Pirates for the treasure in Gold Axe Cove.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Pirates in Paradise: The Iron Curtain takes Fort de Rocher.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Why We Do This: Black Skeletons and Tusks join the Iron Curtain as an agreement to the two races' ceasefire.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Broken: The Iron Curtain deploys Ground Kings against the Iron Legion.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Spreading Plagues: Benjamin and Suzuran discover that Harley created the Red virus.
- ↑ Ironheart: Suzuran reveals her Awakened Devil Fruit powers.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Reunion: Benjamin returns to the Iron Curtain after five months of training.
- ↑ Harbringer: The Iron Curtain and Beast Brigade go to the island of Salem for search and rescue efforts.
- ↑ Black Island: The Iron Curtain arrives at Black Ivory.
- ↑ Blood Feud: The Iron Curtain flees from the Tusks and Black Skeletons.
- ↑ Uneasy Allies: The Iron Curtain arrives to assist the Sadala Kingdom in killing a group of rampaging monsters.
- ↑ Investigative Inclines: The Iron Curtain are tasked with uncovering the mystery of who released the invasive species.
- ↑ The End Of Their Reign: The Iron Curtain defeats and captures the Animalia Pirates.
- ↑ A Silent Reaping: Benjamin and Suzuran infiltrate a Reaper Pirates' base as a precursor for invasion.
- ↑ Vulcanism: Benjamin and Suzuran battle Harley and his Hybrid Units.
- ↑ Red Rage: The Iron Curtain arrive on Berski Island to arrest Ilphen Lazarus.
- ↑ Two Fronts: The Iron Curtain and Berski Islanders are attacked by the Red.
- ↑ Red Washing Over: The Iron Curtain and Berski Islanders escape onto ships from Berski Island as a Red Bomb goes off.
- ↑ Rematch: The Iron Curtain conduct an ambush on the Templar Pirates.
- ↑ Recess: The Iron Curtain's operation against the Templar Pirates ends.
- ↑ 1st Group Popularity Poll: The Iron Curtain place 33rd in the 2023 Group Popularity Poll.