The Straw Hat Pirates are nearing the end of their long voyage, and One Piece fans are more eager than ever to see who will complete Luffy’s dream crew of ten. Eiichiro Oda’s Final Saga has brought long-awaited payoffs, massive power shifts, and now, the possibility of a new crewmate from the legendary island of Elbaf. The contender is Prince Loki, a name that could change the Straw Hats’ hierarchy forever.

Loki isn’t just another powerful ally. He’s a character with deep Elbaf roots, a complicated past, and the potential to surpass even Roronoa Zoro in unexpected ways. While Zoro’s strength and loyalty make him Luffy’s right-hand man, Loki represents something different in the embodiment of legacy, power, and the future that awaits once Luffy’s dream is realized.

Loki Might Be the Straw Hats’ Final Missing Piece

Elbaf has long been teased as a pivotal location in One Piece, and the introduction of Loki gives the arc an emotional and narrative anchor. Disgraced among his people but trusted by Luffy, Loki mirrors the kind of misunderstood strength that defines many Straw Hats. Like Nico Robin or Jinbe, his addition would symbolize acceptance and redemption.

What makes Loki’s case so compelling is his unmatched power. Said to have defeated nearly every warrior on Elbaf and even killed Harald, the island’s mightiest fighter, Loki has already proven himself a near-unstoppable force. Only Shanks, one of the world’s strongest men, managed to best him, which is a feat that puts Loki in elite company.

If Loki joins, his sheer strength and potential Devil Fruit ability would instantly shift the Straw Hats’ power balance. He wouldn’t just be another fighter, he’d be a protector capable of matching Luffy’s vision for the Pirate King’s crew. That strength alone could push Zoro and Sanji down a rank, cementing Loki as the new “number two” in terms of raw power.

Zoro’s Spirit Will Still Outshine Loki’s Strength

Yet, surpassing Zoro isn’t just about fighting ability. The swordsman’s role in the crew goes far beyond muscle, because he’s Luffy’s spiritual counterpart and moral pillar. Zoro embodies the ideals of loyalty, pride, and willpower that define the Straw Hats’ bond. Even if Loki outmatches him in combat, he may never replace him in heart.

Zoro and Sanji’s growth has always paralleled Luffy’s rise, and history suggests that both men will eventually reclaim their status as Luffy’s wings. Their strength evolves with every battle, and if Loki joins, that rivalry could fuel their next transformation. In that sense, Loki might not dethrone Zoro, he might inspire his greatest power-up yet.

When Luffy finally finds the One Piece, Zoro’s legacy won’t be defined by rank or strength, but by his unbreakable resolve. Loki may surpass him physically, but Zoro’s unyielding loyalty and spirit will remain the foundation of Luffy’s empire in One Piece. In the end, strength alone doesn’t make a number two; conviction does.

Created by

Eiichiro Oda

First Film

One Piece: The Movie

Cast

Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi

Video Game(s)

One Piece: Unlimited World Red, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, One Piece: World Seeker, One Piece Odyssey

Character(s)

Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)