The Straw Hat Pirates are the main characters of Eiichiro Oda a piece series, and they have, over the years, gone from strength to strength, officially rising to the status of Yonko. a piece Chapter 1053 was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump issue #19 on June 20, 2022. Since then, the team has been highly respected around the world, and they have continued to increase their dominance of the seas.
That said, the Straw Hat Pirates still have a major flaw, and that is the significant power differential between the strongest and weakest members of the group. While the monster trio of the Straw Hat Pirates is incredibly powerful, some of the other members are noticeably weaker compared to the other Yonko teams. This is one of the biggest flaws that Eiichiro Oda is finally fixing with the Elbaf Arc by handing power-ups to the crew's lesser-known fighters.
Elbaf of One Piece is fixing the Straw Hat Pirates' power level flaw by strengthening the Ark Crew.
a piece Straw Hat Pirates vary in power level. The captain of the crew, Monkey D. Luffy, is an official Yonko, as confirmed in Chapter 1053 dated June 20, 2022, and thus the strongest of them all. Luffy has his wings, Zoro and Sanji, who are both incredibly powerful and still growing in strength. Wings isn't on the same level as Luffy right now, but in the Elbaf arc, in particular a piece In Chapter 1182, published on May 10, 2026, in Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24, Eiichiro Oda lined up major battles for them, setting them up to receive a massive power-up as the Supreme King's Adept Color so they could take on the likes of the Holy Knights.
Zoro: Hey, do the job right!
Sanji: Back to you!
– Zoro and Sanji go to war, One Piece Chapter #1182
After the likes of Pirate King's Wings, there's Jinbe. Eiichiro Oda has done a great job at Elbaf pushing him to the next level. In Jinbe's case, we know that he is incredibly powerful even though he was handed a severe defeat by the Gunko of the Holy Knights in One Piece Chapter 1146 in April 21, 2025, WSJ Issue #21. That said, he made a quick comeback in Chapter 1176, where he unleashed a powerful Vagabond Drill against one of the powerful MMAs produced by Saint Killingham. Jinbe's full power has yet to be demonstrated in Elbaf, but he is sure to receive an upgrade in terms of power as well.
Franky, Chopper, and Robin have already received major power ups
In Nico Robin's case, she was seen fighting St. Somers in 2012 a piece Chapter 1148 May 12, 2025, in WSJ Issue #24. In this chapter, Nico Robin was able to outsmart and overwhelm Somers, but unfortunately, his immortality meant that he kept coming back and eventually defeated him. However, the fact that he was able to fight her and injure her by shattering her body is a testament to the fact that Robin is stronger than ever, even if it doesn't go all out.
“I know very well that you are immortal and a thorn man. If we can get you out of here, we can finally free the children!” – Nico fights Robin Somers, One Piece chapter #1148
Franky, on the other hand, is one of the Straw Hats who received a power-up directly from Oda via Super Vega Cola in One Piece Chapter 1176 on March 9, 2026. This new power has pushed him to a level that Jinbe likes, and we at proper1 can't wait to see what he's capable of. Same goes for helicopters.
After Nerona Emu used the power of Domi Reversi on Elbaf to turn most of the giants into her puppet soldiers, Chopper was able to use the power of his Devil Fruit to wipe them out. This could potentially hint at Hito Hito no Mi's Devil Fruit Awakening and thus become an important force for the Doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates.
“It's Super Vega Cola! Your insides are as advanced as the Pacifista. So I'm surprised to learn that you use cola to power yourself!! You see, Frankie, fuel is passion! Use this new stuff, and your raw power will explode!!!” — Vegapunk Lilith powers Frankie, One Piece Chapter #1176
More power ups will officially make the Straw Hat Pirates the strongest team ever
With most of the crew upgraded, we're left with Nami, Brook, and Usopp, all of whom have either received minor buffs or are on their way to receiving major upgrades. In 2015, a brook was seen taking a tank attack from a Nerona emu on Gunko's body a piece Chapter 1173 on February 9, 2026, and these attacks were coated with the color of the Supreme King. If nothing else, Brook has received a significant upgrade in his overall defensive abilities. For him to tank attacks from someone as strong as Gunko-Emu suggests that he is now more powerful than ever.
Gunko: Brook, run away!
Brooke: Who are you? Why did you say to run? I came here to settle this issue!
Emu via Gunko: Shut up! Who are you, Gunko?
– Emu attacks Brook in Color of Supreme King, One Piece chapter #1173
Nami hasn't had a chance to show off her upgraded skills yet, but when it comes to her and Usopp, they'll both have their moment to shine before Elbaf is captured. All things considered, the Straw Hat Pirates are stronger than ever before, and by giving every member of the crew a significant moment to shine, Ichiro Oda has done wonders for this team and finally made them worthy of being called the Emperor of the Seas team.
It should be noted that after Elbaf, the biggest battle in one piece will be officially revealed. According to Eiichiro Oda's message for Jump Festa 2026, which was revealed on December 21, 2025, the next arc will take the crew to an island where only the Pirate King has set foot. This means that the race a piece It will be very hot, and Luffy will need his crew more than ever.
“We're going to the island that only the Pirate King could reach!!? The man with The Burn Scar will also appear. Characters who never had the chance to meet will finally meet each other. The two of them will meet, and the two of them will meet.” – One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, Jump Festa 2026 message
It also means that all crew members have greater responsibilities on their shoulders than ever before and a higher level of strength to perform. All Straw Hat Pirates fans are in for a ride as their favorite characters will officially unlock higher levels of power and make a big case for themselves to become the strongest team in the world.
All the latest One Piece manga chapters by Eiichiro Oda are available to read through Manga Plus and Viz Media.
