One Piece: Sanji, Shanks, And 6 More Characters Who Are So Strong They Don’t Even Need Devil Fruit Abilities

In the world of One Piece, various central characters have gained immense power through the use of Devil Fruits, a fact that should not come as a shock. Thus, it is well-known that prominent figures such as Monkey D. Luffy, Donquixote Doflamingo, Kaido, and others possess abilities derived from these extraordinary fruits.

Despite common assumption, consuming these particular fruits doesn’t guarantee someone will become a famous historical figure. After all, in the world of One Piece, there are numerous powerful characters who haven’t eaten a Devil Fruit. Yet, they still rose to prominence due to their Haki, skills, fighting styles, and more, demonstrating that success can be achieved without relying on this fruit.

Gol D. Roger

Worthy Of The Title Of Pirate King

Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)

It’s clear that Gol D. Roger didn’t require Devil Fruits to achieve greatness and transform into a world-altering figure, as demonstrated by his discovery of the One Piece and subsequent title as Pirate King. Apart from assembling an impressive crew consisting of skilled, intelligent, and powerful members, he was also a formidable fighter in his own right.

Much like other notable characters in this saga, Roger was an adept swordsman who bore a cutlass called Ace and possessed both Armament and Conqueror’s Haki abilities. He was incredibly powerful, capable of engaging in fierce combat with the infamous Devil Fruit user (and longstanding adversary), Whitebeard. Notably, he is the only individual on this list who has passed away, yet it’s crucial to mention that his death wasn’t orchestrated by the World Government; instead, he chose his own fate.

Shanks

The Captain Of The Red Hair Pirates And Luffy’s Mentor

Debut: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 4 (Anime)

Among pirates, Gol D. Roger, renowned for his high regard and formidable fighting skills despite lacking Devil Fruit powers, inspired numerous apprentices who adopted similar combat styles. Among these followers, Shanks stands out as the most notable. Originating from the Celestial Dragons, Shanks later carved out a distinguished pirate career that did not require consuming a Devil Fruit, unlike his comrade Buggy the Clown.

Just like Roger, Shanks is proficient in Haki, skilled at using its three aspects (Arms, Sight, and Conqueror’s) in tandem with his saber, Gryphon. What truly sets the Red Hair Pirates’ captain apart, though, is that he managed to ascend to the rank of Emperor even with only one arm. This is due to a selfless act where he sacrificed his left arm to save Luffy, Monkey D. It goes without saying that he will likely play a significant role in the upcoming story arcs of the series.

Roronoa Zoro

The Right Wing Of The Future Pirate King And A Powerful Sword Fighter

Debut: Chapter 3 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)

Despite the fact that Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist and future Pirate King, possesses the power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, it’s important to note that most of his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, are formidable fighters who haven’t consumed a Devil Fruit but rely on their unique talents instead. A clear example is Roronoa Zoro, an exceptional combatant within the crew and essentially its unofficial vice-captain.

Throughout his life, Zoro has dedicated himself to becoming a master swordsman, and his dedication has proven fruitful. He’s perfected his unique Three Sword Style and learned to use all three forms of Haki, earning him the role of Luffy’s trusted deputy and the most reliable fighter in the entire crew. His battles against powerful opponents such as Daz Bones, Kaku, and King have demonstrated his prowess.

Moreover, Zoro harbors ambitions beyond just being a formidable swordsman-he dreams of defeating Dracule Mihawk in battle and claiming the title of the world’s strongest sword fighter. It appears that he is well on his way to achieving this goal in the near future.

Sanji

The Left Wing Of The Future Pirate King And An Enhanced Superhuman

Debut: Chapter 43 (Manga) Episode 20 (Anime)

Sanji, a notable member of the Straw Hat Pirates, boasts such immense strength that he’s risen to become one of Luffy’s most reliable companions, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Zoro. Remarkably, this impressive position is held by someone who first joined the crew as their chef, but Sanji’s true power is often underestimated at first glance.

Sanji honed his skills in the Black Leg Style under the tutelage of Zeff, whom he considered both mentor and father. He perfected his Diable Jambe technique to amplify the force behind his kicks. This deadly pairing made Sanji a formidable opponent even before reaching the New World, as he vanquished foes such as Bon Clay, Wanze, and Jabra in combat. However, during the latest Wano Country Arc, hidden genetic alterations within him were activated, bestowing him with increased power, resilience, and agility.

Dracule Mihawk

The Current Strongest Sword Fighter In The World

Debut: Chapter 49 (Manga) Episode 23 (Anime)

In his travels, Zoro quickly realized that achieving the status of the world’s strongest swordsman wouldn’t be a walk in the park. This became apparent during the Baratie Arc when he encountered Dracule Mihawk, the current title holder. Unfortunately for him, their encounter ended with a humbling defeat at Mihawk’s hands. Given that Mihawk is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and one of the few in their ranks without Devil Fruit powers, this outcome was not entirely unexpected.

It’s obvious that Mihawk is an extraordinary swordsman, whether he’s using his massive sword Yoru (one of the 12 Supreme Grade swords), a simple knife, or anything else. If his initial duel against Zoro didn’t already demonstrate his prowess, he further proved it during the Marineford Arc when he split a colossal iceberg in half with a single stroke of his sword. Even after the dissolution of the Warlords of the Sea, Mihawk has managed to preserve his reputation by founding Cross Guild along with Crocodile and Buggy (and he’s the only one among them without Devil Fruit powers).

Monkey D. Garp

The Hero Of The Marines Is Also One Of Its Strongest Fighters

Debut: Chapter 92 (Manga) Episode 68 (Anime)

It’s no secret that Luffy has always been an exceptionally powerful young fighter, even before consuming the Gomu Gomu no Mi. This is largely due to the intense training he received over the years from his grandfather, Monkey D. Garp – a renowned Marine hero known for his prodigious physical strength and potent Haki, neither of which were acquired through eating a Devil Fruit.

Long ago, Garp managed to vanquish Rocks D. Xebec permanently (assisted by Gol D. Roger), showcasing incredible power that solidified him as a dominant force. Throughout the storyline, we’ve witnessed impressive displays of strength, such as firing a colossal cannonball at his grandson’s ship and obliterating the entire island of Hachinosu with a single attack known as Galaxy Impact. Even in his advanced years, Garp remains strong, and he has nurtured numerous Marine trainees, including Koby and Helmeppo, ensuring his influence continues.

Silvers Rayleigh

The Right Hand Of The Pirate King And Luffy’s Best Teacher

Debut: Chapter 19 (Manga) Episode 8 (Anime)

Previously mentioned, Gol D. Roger ascended to Pirate Kinghood with significant help from his steadfast crew of formidable pirates who stood by him unwaveringly. Among these was undoubtedly his vice-captain, Silvers Rayleigh, also recognized as the Dark King. He was an indispensable ally to Roger and excelled in handling all types of Haki, reaching a level where he could fend off strong Devil Fruit users like Marco the Phoenix, using merely one finger.

Beyond his abilities, it’s worth mentioning that Rayleigh is adept at handling various swords, such as a katana or longsword. It might be suggested that he was even more proficient in Haki than his own captain. He strategically leveraged his expertise to impart essential knowledge about this enigmatic power to his apprentice, Monkey D. Luffy, before he and his crew ventured into the New World. It’s clear that Luffy wouldn’t have progressed as far in his travels without Rayleigh’s tutelage.

Scopper Gaban

The Left Hand Of The Pirate King And Elbaf’s Mountain-Eater

Debut: Chapter 19 (Manga) Episode 0 (Anime)

To clarify, if Rayleigh resembles Zoro within the Roger Pirates, then it can be implied that Scopper Gaban, serving as a navigator with comparable power and sharing the title “Left Hand” with Rayleigh, might have a parallel role to Sanji in the Straw Hat Pirates. Unlike Sanji who wields a sword, Scopper Gaban prefers dual axes instead.

Besides this, it’s worth noting that Gaban possesses the ability to utilize all forms of Haki and stood out as one of the most powerful fighters in the Elbaf Arc, being the first character to inflict visible damage upon the God’s Knights on-screen. What makes Gaban particularly intriguing is that, much like Garp and Rayleigh, he maintains an impressive strength even in his advanced age – a testament to the fact that he must have been significantly stronger during his prime years.

2025-08-21 21:37