This article contains spoilers for One Piece.
Since the beginning of One Piece, ever since Luffy embarked on his journey from the East Blue, fans have been enjoying the growth of the Straw Hat Pirates. Over the years, the Straw Hat crew has developed greatly, with new members joining as Luffy gets closer to the One Piece. Originally, Luffy began his journey with just 4 others from the East Blue, those being Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Since then, the crew has added many members to their roster.
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In the Paradise half of the Grand Line, fans saw 4 more members join, those being Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook. Unfortunately, in the New World, new recruits have slowed down, with just Jinbe being added in Wano. However, it’s clear Oda has plans for a few more members, at the very least. In Elbaf, Loki is a huge potential new Straw Hat. But if Loki joins, so will his trusted and sentient weapon, Ragnir. Both Loki and Ragnir are, at the moment, stronger than Luffy’s wings, Zoro and Sanji. Zoro and Sanji have to get a lot stronger to hope to surpass them.
Zoro And Sanji Are Luffy’s Wings
- The Two Strongest Straw Hat Pirates After Luffy
- Fierce Rivals Who Shield Each Other’s Back
The Straw Hat Pirates had very humble beginnings in the East Blue. Back then, they weren’t anything special, in the grand scheme of things. However, with time, they grew stronger. Luffy was easily the strongest member of the crew, with Zoro and Sanji right beside him. It's clear who the top 3 strongest members are.
Luffy has had access to his Devil Fruit, the Gomu Gomu no Mi, since the beginning of his adventure. With that, he can make use of his powerful Gears. After the timeskip, Luffy learned Haki, and he has been mastering it ever since. Luffy’s strength has reached new heights with his Devil Fruit Awakening. Now, he’s far ahead of the other two.
Zoro is Luffy’s wing. He is known to be the swordsman of the crew, and as such, he’s the most talented with a blade. Most of Zoro’s upgrades come through his swords. At the moment, his best sword is the one he acquired in Wano from Hiyori — Enma. Enma was previously wielded by Oden, and it can bring out his Haki.
Sanji is Luffy’s other wing, and as opposed to some popular beliefs within the One Piece fandom, he’s actually Zoro’s equal. This was confirmed multiple times by Oda. While Sanji’s main role is that of a cook, he’s an extremely talented combatant as well. Sanji is gifted in Haki, especially Observation Haki. He also has a modified body, making him akin to a cyborg.
In other words, both Zoro and Sanji are powerhouses in the Straw Hat Pirates. Without them, Luffy and the crew would’ve never made it this far. However, in Elbaf, two new characters might be joining the crew, and they’re both stronger than Luffy’s wings. These characters are Loki and Ragnir.
Zoro and Sanji Are Weaker than Loki and Ragnir
- Loki and Ragnir Are Potential Straw Hat Pirates
- Ragnir Can Fight Top Tiers Of The One Piece World
With every new arc, there’s almost always a character that fans are sure could be a great addition to the Straw Hat Pirates. In Wano, it was Yamato, in Whole Cake Island, it was Carrot, and in Egghead, it was Bonney. In Elbaf, however, Luffy has already invited someone to join, and that's Loki. If Loki joins, so will Ragnir, and they're both so strong that even Zoro and Sanji can’t compete at the moment.
Loki Is The Accursed Prince of Elbaf
Loki is a character first mentioned in Whole Cake Island. He’s the Prince of Elbaf, and while fans always knew he’d be strong, nobody imagined he’d be on the level of old legends.
Loki, as the son of Harald, carries ancient giant blood within him. That alone makes him strong. However, it doesn’t stop there as he also has an overpowered Devil Fruit, known to be a prized treasure in Elbaf. What this Devil Fruit is, is a mystery, but it’s strong enough to make Loki believe that he is the Sun God.
I am the Sun God enshrined in the legends of this land. You will not speak to me without permission, human. I consider myself the strongest alive in the Lands. This is the Warland, Elbaf's Kingdom of Violence. The most powerful nation in the world which once lived and breathed warfare. And I'm the Sun God who brings the world to an end, Loki! — Loki introducing himself in the Elbaf Arc.
Loki’s feats are very impressive too. He was the one to take down Domi Reversi’d Harald. Not only that, but all of Elbaf couldn’t take down Loki. The intervention of Shanks was needed to chain him.
Ragnir Is A Sentient Yonko Level Weapon
Loki doesn’t fight alone anymore. During the Elbaf flashback, Loki acquired his ultimate weapon, Ragnir. Ragnir, however, isn’t a normal weapon. It is a sentient weapon, and this was achieved through it eating a squirrel Zoan Devil Fruit.
Now, at last, thou art an undying Knight in service to Mu. Thou wilt create an Abyss on Elbaf. That will be thy bond to us. And when Thou hast completed thy final duty, after that, thy wish wilt be granted. Elbaf will be welcomed among the World Government's member nations. — Saint Imu Nerona to Harald
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In other words, Ragnir can act on its own, independently of Loki. As shown in the flashback, Ragnir is quite strong, as it fought against Loki, and was even able to shatter Loki’s Conqueror's Haki infused weapon. This is impressive, and a bigger feat than anything shown by either Zoro or Sanji. It could definitely be said that Ragnir is a Yonko Level weapon.
Zoro and Sanji Have To Grow Stronger To Surpass Loki and Ragnir
It’s unlikely that Zoro and Sanji will surpass Loki at the end of Elbaf. Loki is far too powerful at the moment, with a Yonko level bounty.
However, Ragnir is definitely a weapon they could come to surpass soon. While Ragnir is strong, he isn’t quite as strong as Loki. Nevertheless, surpassing just Ragnir is useless, as Loki and Ragnir are a duo.
Eventually, in the final saga, Zoro and Sanji will reach new heights, and maybe become even stronger than Loki. For now, however, if Loki and Ragnir join, Zoro and Sanji will be outclassed.
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 1170 is January 4, 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.