This article contains spoilers from the Elbaf Arc of One Piece.
The Straw Hat Pirates are one of the most powerful crews on the seas of the One Piece world, and fans know that in the Final Saga, they have already established themselves as a mighty Yonko crew. The Straw Hat Pirates will continue to go from strength to strength, because even though they are already an Emperor crew, they are not yet ready to face the World Government and dismantle them in battle.
It's Time To Admit One Piece's Last Villain Could Be A Member Of The Straw Hat Pirates
The final villain of One Piece might not be Blackbeard, but a Straw Hat member.
Luffy is far from reaching his peak, and the same applies to every other member of the crew as well. In the Elbaf Arc, fans will most certainly see all the Straw Hats develop in some ways, and that truly is exciting. While some will gain new weaponry or improve their arsenal in one way or another, others will most likely gain powers such as Haki, and that is what fans are truly excited to see.
One particular character in the Straw Hat Pirates might have already awakened Haki, as was teased in the Egghead Arc, but only subconsciously. Regardless, this Straw Hat is already a new Haki user, and fans will most certainly go on to see him tap into this power fully later down the line.
The Straw Hat Pirates Lack Haki Users
- Only 4 Straw Hats Use Two Haki Types Right Now
- Yonko Crews Need More Haki Users
While the Straw Hat Pirates are a powerful Emperor crew, it cannot be denied that apart from the Monster Trio, the rest of the crew needs to get far stronger than they currently are. Even Jinbei, who easily dismantled Who's Who in combat during the Wano arc, needs to step up greatly. In Elbaf, the vast majority of the Straw Hat crew was taken down by one Holy Knight in Gunko, which was a clear indication of the fact that this group needs to get stronger and reach higher levels of power immediately. The likes of Nami, Usopp, Robin, Jinbei, and Brook, along with Franky, need to get much stronger than they currently are, and that is simply the reality of things at the moment.
Haki is a power that is dormant in everyone everywhere. The ability to sense spiritual energy and overwhelm enemies is something everyone has to some degree. But most people never discover it. — Silvers Rayleigh
One way that each member of the Straw Hat can improve is by learning Haki. It is quite surprising to know that despite being an Emperor crew, the Straw Hat Pirates only have four users of two basic Haki types. Of course, Usopp also has access to Haki, but in his case, it isn't proper, so he needs to make great advances in that department. In either case, the Straw Hats need to work on their Haki tremendously.
So far, Luffy and Zoro have access to all three types, with Sanji and Jinbei having access to two types, and Usopp having access to Observation Haki, which he only used in one arc in a one-off moment. As such, the vast majority of the crew does not have access to this power, and that needs to change in the Final Saga starting with Elbaf. Curiously enough, one Straw Hat might have already used Haki in the Egghead Arc without even realizing it, and that is Franky.
Franky Could Be The New Haki User of The Straw Hats
- Used Haki Subconsciously Vs Mars
- Needs To Awaken Armament Haki In Elbaf
In the Egghead arc of One Piece, fans saw the Straw Hat Pirates collide with the Five Elders. One particular clash was more interesting than the others in the sense that it gave the fans a new Haki user within the ranks of the Straw Hats. When Luffy took on Mars, he decided to grab onto him while absorbing the power of a few of his allies, and then launching him a great distance so that he wouldn't come back to bother them again.
As Luffy held on to Mars' wings, he asked Sanji, Franky, and Bonney to unleash their full power on him, absorbing their attack power and then using his rubber body to direct it at Saint Mars. Sanji obviously utilized the power of Haki when he used Ifrit Jambe. Meanwhile, Jewelry Bonney was clearly seen using Haki on her fist.
Of course, it hurts a lot. You guys are using Haki after all. — Luffy to Bonney, Sanji, and Franky
One Piece: Oda Has Already Revealed The New Power Level Of The Straw Hats Pirates After Elbaf
Elbaf will mark major growth for the Straw Hat Pirates. Many members will reach new heights in One Piece.
Franky was the only one who did not visibly use Haki. However, when Luffy was hit by all these attacks, he clearly implied that all the attacks were powered up by Haki. If they weren't, Luffy would not feel the damage from Franky's attacks, and he would simply be useless in this combo in the first place. Clearly, Franky utilized Haki in this powerful attack of his and Luffy then went on to redirect it towards Mars. Of course, that doesn't mean that Franky is a master of Haki. It simply means that in this particular moment, he subconsciously tapped into his Haki, and that he will go on to learn this power later down the line.
Franky's Full Haki Awakening Could Come In Elbaf
While Franky has already tapped into the power of Haki once on Egghead, his full awakening is yet to come, and that is what Elbaf will most likely do for his character. It must be remembered that only five Straw Hats are currently unbound in the country of the Giants, and they are Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and Franky. As far as fans know, Chopper is likely going to stay with Scopper Gabban for a while before returning to the battlefield. Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji are already headed to the Sun Realm where they will go on to take the demon army in battle.
Franky will most definitely join this fight, and if he is to prove useful in this battle, he needs to tap into his Haki. Having already done that once on Egghead, Franky will most certainly go on to do it again, only this time, he will do it with full control over his powers and grow as a fighter.
Fans Expect Nico Robin To Learn Haki Soon
- Robin Needs Haki Just As Much As Franky
Another Straw Hat that fans expect to learn Haki is Nico Robin. Robin is an excellent fighter, and in Elbaf, she even managed to overpower Saint Sommers, which is great for her character. Unfortunately, she couldn't get past his immortality, which is why she ended up losing the battle. However, if Robin were given Haki, she would become much stronger and more reliable as a fighter.
Still, she wouldn't be able to counter immortality, given that only Conqueror's Haki works against the immortals. But overall, as a fighter, Robin would be much more effective, and she would then go on to truly be able to take on the Yonko Commanders of the One Piece world and even hold her own against the Admirals for a significant period of time. All Robin needs to do is tap into her inner power and bring it out the best way she can. Franky and Robin are likely going to be the next Haki users in the Straw Hat Pirates, and it is only a matter of time before they bring out this ability of theirs to the absolute fullest.
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece focuses on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas to lay claim to the grand treasure known as the One Piece. The manga is currently in its Final Saga. One Piece will be featured in this week's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date of One Piece Chapter 1172 is February 1, 2026. In Japan, One Piece drops at 12AM JST on Monday, which is 11:00 AM EST, or 8:00 AM PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps. Doing so will ensure that fans always support the author.