This article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.
Zoro and Sanji are two of the most important characters in the world of One Piece, and while they're on the same crew, where they stand as Luffy's wings, they are also fierce rivals. One Piece fans have been locked in a debate of who the stronger one of the two is for decades now, and while fans often advocate for one or the other, the truth is that the two are equal.
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Zoro and Sanji are the Wings of the Pirate King, and together, they help Luffy soar. However, they're not the finished product just yet. Both still have a very long way to go. They’re far from their peak still, and some One Piece characters could definitely defeat them in a battle together.
Boa Hancock
- Affiliation: Kuja Pirates
- Devil Fruit: Mero Mero No Mi
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s
Boa Hancock is the captain of the Kuja Pirates — a female-only pirate crew made up of Haki users. With that, Hancock is definitely one of the most impressive pirates around, and she stands as One Piece’s strongest woman with the fall of Big Mom.
While Zoro and Sanji are strong, they’re still not on Hancock’s level. Sanji would be an easy win for Hancock. Zoro would also go down easily with Hancock’s hax Devil Fruit, as well as her superior Haki. Given that Shakky alone beat Roger Pirates, Hancock would demolish this duo.
Loki
- Affiliation: Elbaf
- Devil Fruit: Unknown Legendary Devil Fruit
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s
Loki is the Accursed Prince of Elbaf, and a potential addition to the Straw Hat Pirates after Elbaf. Loki has yet to be seen going all out, but one thing is clear: he’s on a whole different level than Zoro and Sanji at the moment. If Loki were to join, he would definitely become Luffy’s strongest underling, at least for a while.
Loki has a legendary Devil Fruit, and while its powers are unknown, fans are expecting something overpowered. Only Shanks was able to defeat him.
Akainu
- Affiliation: Marines
- Devil Fruit: Magu Magu no Mi
- Haki: Armament, Observation
Akainu is currently one of the strongest Marines there is, and he stands as the Fleet Admiral. Akainu rose to this position during the timeskip and his battle with Kuzan. At the moment, he would easily beat the likes of Zoro and Sanji.
Akainu’s Magu Magu no Mi is destructive, and even the likes of Sanji, with his blue fire, probably can't outdo it. Luffy’s wings will eventually surpass him in the Final Saga, but that time has yet to come.
Monkey D. Dragon
- Affiliation: Revolutionary Army
- Devil Fruit: Unknown
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s (Implied)
Monkey D. Dragon is the father of Luffy and the son of the legendary Marine, Garp. Dragon has already made a name for himself. After the events of God Valley, he founded the Freedom Fighters to combat the World Government. To see his goals come to fruition, Dragon needs to be among the strongest characters, which he definitely is.
Individually, Zoro and Sanji probably can’t even defeat Sabo at the moment, let alone a character like Dragon, whom Oda is keeping hidden until the latter parts of the Final Saga.
Monkey D. Garp
- Affiliation: Marines
- Devil Fruit: N/A
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s
Monkey D. Garp is an old legend in the One Piece world. Garp was on the same level as the Pirate King in his peak, and even now, in old age, he’s still powerful.
Garp showcased his power on Pirate Island and his Conqueror's Haki shone bright there. Garp almost defeated all the Blackbeard Pirates singlehandedly. This is an insane feat for an old man to accomplish. Garp is far superior to Zoro and Sanji, and probably even Luffy.
Rayleigh and Gaban
- Affiliation: Roger Pirates (Formerly)
- Devil Fruit: N/A
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s
Rayleigh and Gaban were the Wings of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The two of them were even said to be on the same level as Roger. Of course, that was during their peak. Now, they’re quite old. While they’re old, they’re still far stronger than Zoro and Sanji, and that’s especially apparent when it comes to Haki.
Rayleigh and Gaban are Haki masters who can even bypass immortality and go toe to toe with Yonko and Admirals, even past their prime. Zoro and Sanji have to surpass them, but they’re not on that level yet.
Dracule Mihawk
- Affiliation: Cross Guild
- Devil Fruit: N/A
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s (Implied)
If there’s one character Zoro and Sanji have to surpass, it’s Mihawk, the World’s Strongest Swordsman. Mihawk is currently with the Cross Guild, and a battle between him and Zoro is inevitable. But until that battle, Zoro and Sanji remain weaker than him.
Mihawk’s skills with the sword, as well as his Haki, are far superior to what Sanji and Zoro have at their disposal right now. Eventually, both will go on to surpass him.
Monkey D. Luffy
- Affiliation: Straw Hat Pirates
- Devil Fruit: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s
Monkey D. Luffy is the leader of the Straw Hat Pirates. As such, it’s unsurprising to see that he’s stronger than both Zoro and Sanji. Luffy could very well defeat the two together, and the power gap has only grown since Wano.
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Eventually, the power gap between them will get smaller, as was the case with Roger and his two Wings. However, it will never fully disappear. Luffy will always be the strongest pirate in the Straw Hats.
Gunko
- Affiliation: World Government
- Devil Fruit: Aro Aro Mo Mi
- Haki: Armament, Observation
Saint Gunko is a member of the Holy Knights, and is definitely one of their strongest members. She arrived on Elbaf with Shamrock, and it was immediately apparent that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Shamrock stated that Gunko could take down Loki, a Giant whose power is so great that only Shanks was able to defeat him.
Aside from that, Gunko also has immortality. Until Zoro and Sanji learn to control their Conqueror’s Haki, Gunko can simply one-shot the two of them, just as she took down 4 members of the Straw Hats easily.
Shamrock Figarland
- Affiliation: World Government
- Devil Fruit: Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Cerberus (Sword)
- Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s (Implied)
Figarland Shamrock is the twin brother of Yonko Shanks. Fans haven’t seen the true extent of his power, but knowing who he is related to, he can only be one of One Piece’s strongest characters.
Shamrock is said to have the same potential as Shanks, and, as such, Zoro and Sanji stand no chance against him. With his immortality, Sanji and Zoro can’t even scratch him.