a piece Chapter 1053, which was officially released on June 20, 2022 in Shuisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #29, introduced us to the new Emperors of the Sea for the first time. These new Yonko included Monkey D. Luffy, Red-Haired Shanks, Blackbeard and Buggy.
With the dawn of a new era in the world a pieceEach Yonko has made significant strides in terms of power. The protagonist of the story, Monkey D. Luffy is currently in Elbaf, where he is preparing to fight against Nerona Emu, the king of the world, and gain a whole new power in the process. With the climax of the Elbaf arc now fast approaching, Eiichiro Oda is finally making sure that the Straw Hat Pirates surpass all other factions of Yonko. Oda is setting up several power-ups for them to see them fight and crush the powers of the World Government.
Elbaf Ark of a Piece sets up 3 winners hockey players for the Straw Hat Pirates
The biggest power-up for the Straw Hat Pirates that was officially established in various chapters of the Elbaf arc is Conqueror's Haki. Crew Captain, Monkey D. Luffy, already known as the best user of Conqueror's Haki, has faced off against Kaido, Kizaru and other top tiers in his battles. in a piece In Chapter 1152, released in WSJ Issue #30 on June 23, 2025, Eiichiro Oda officially lined up the next upgrade for Monkey D. Luffy when it came to the Conqueror's Haki. With the Scopper Gaban specifically highlighting its unique applications on Luffy, Oda has lined up a significant upgrade for him, setting his ascension to a much higher overall level.
Listen, Straw Hat! Engrave in your mind how you will use your winning hockey. These guys are not immortal. – Scoper Gabban, a fragment chapter 1152
That said the Straw Hat Pirates aren't just dependent on Luffy when it comes to strength. Eiichiro Oda is making sure that the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates are equally raised, and among them, the Pirate King's wings are tipped to be the first. The Elbaf arc, particularly chapter 1152, lined up important Conqueror's Haki power-ups for both Zoro and Sanji. Roronoa Zoro has already used Conqueror's Haki, but he doesn't know how to use it. After being reprimanded by Scopper Gaban in Chapter 1152, Zoro is now determined to gain conscious control over his Haki and improve his overall level of power.
“Absurd..Haki is a power that must be controlled to be used properly. Your captain is one of the four emperors. How do you plan to help him without knowing?” – Scoper Gabban, a fragment chapter 1152
When it comes to Sanji, Chapter 1152 of the Elbaf Arc also set a significant winning Haki upgrade for him. Sanji has yet to tap into the power of his conqueror's Haki, but he already feels it in him, as confirmed by the chapter. At the same time, Sanji is paralleled by none other than Scopper Gaban, who himself was a user of Conqueror's Haki. His enemy, his main rival to take on in this arc is Saint Killingham, and as such, it is absolutely necessary for him to gain this power in the final saga of the story.
With both Zoro and Sanji gaining significant winner's haki upgrades, the Monster Trio is projected to become top-tier pirates in the same league as the Yonko of the One Piece world, which is sure to make the Straw Hat Pirates much stronger overall, leaving the other emperors in the dust.
One Piece: Yonko level members Straw Hats, explained
The Straw Hat Pirates are now Yonko's team. Here are Yonko level members in one piece.
One Piece Chapter 968 already set up the Straw Hat Pirates to overcome the Roger Pirates
Eiichiro Oda comes out of nowhere giving the Straw Hats significant power upgrades in Elbaf. One Piece Chapter 968, which was released in Shueisha Weekly Shōnen Jump Issue #8 on January 20, 2020, officially marked the disbandment of the Roger Pirates. In this particular chapter, it was clear that Roger believed that a new pirate crew would arrive in due time and overtake him and all of his crewmates. This pirate crew, as we all know, is none other than the Straw Hat Pirates, which means that Eiichiro Oda has always been advising them to surpass the legacy of the crew that conquered the entire world five years ago, the Roger Pirates.
“Those voices were telling the truth. Eventually someone will come and overtake us all. We were too early.” – goal d. Roger, One Piece Chapter #968
As the Asperia Kingdom flashback ends at the climax of the Elbaf arc, it's time for Luffy and the Straw Hats to fulfill this role in spectacular fashion, facing off against Nerona Emu and the Holy Knights.
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Why the Great War required the Straw Hat Pirates to become a stronger Yonko crew
a piece Chapter 1146, which was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump issue #21 on April 21, 2025, officially labeled the Battle of Elbaf as the 'Prelude to the Great War'. This means that after the end of the war in Elbaf, a great war is sure to follow. This battle requires Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates to be at a very high level of power, and in a way, the Elbaf battle is just a training arc for Luffy and the Straw Hats so that they reach much higher levels.
“Monkey D. Luffy, Loki! It's clear that none of you will submit to being slave soldiers. Therefore, Mu will wipe you out, just like Douzan!” – Nerona Emu in One Piece Chapter 1183.
Not only the monster trio, but other members of the Straw Hat team will grow in this segment of the story. For example, the Straw Hats' shipwright Frankie has access to Super Vega Cola's One Piece Chapter 1176, which was officially released on March 9, 2026 in WSJ issue #15, Weekly Shōnen Jump issue 14. Similarly, Helicopters has hinted that it may adopt its DevSail as a Doilwami. Revive all afflicted with this power with a mere touch of your palm.
It is quite clear to see that all the other Straw Hats are growing in their own way, and with each passing arc, they will grow closer to surpassing the levels of all the Emperor teams that exist in the world of One Piece. It's only a matter of time before they fulfill their true potential and surpass the legacy left behind by the pirate king named Roger, and we couldn't be more excited to see that.
The newest One Piece manga chapters by author Eiichiro Oda can be read via Viz Media and Manga Plus.
