Best Pirate And Marine Rivalries In One Piece

This list will contain spoilers.

Summary

Sengoku & Whitebeard had a long-standing rivalry based on equal strength and mutual respect.
Rob Lucci & Luffy’s rivalry heightened after Lucci’s defeat in Enies Lobby and continued in Egghead Island.
Smoker & Luffy share a complex rivalry with respect, moral dilemmas, and consistent attempts to catch Luffy.

In the captivating realm of One Piece, where marines and pirates are traditionally sworn adversaries, an intriguing dynamic unfolds. Over the course of the series, certain individuals on each side find themselves locked in intense rivalries. Often, these rivalries arise due to the two characters possessing roughly equal power, which propels them towards confrontations almost instantly. Each is eager to measure their abilities against the other, aspiring to emerge victorious and claim supremacy.

On the contrary, a rivalry might develop if one character consistently embarrasses another, leading to an intense, long-lasting conflict; some of these rivalries have endured for multiple decades. Many people are familiar with the rivalries among pirates like Zoro and Sanji, for instance, but let’s delve into the competitive relationships that have formed between pirates and marines throughout the One Piece series as well.

6. Sengoku & Whitebeard

It’s Implied These Two Were Always Going At It When They Were In Peak Performance

When Whitebeard embarks on a journey to Marineford in an urgent mission to save his comrade Ace from execution, he identifies Sengoku upon seeing him from afar and addresses him directly. During the intense battle that follows, there are numerous instances of interaction between them, suggesting a long-standing rivalry. Given that Whitebeard was likely at the pinnacle of his powers around the same time as Sengoku’s promotion to Fleet Admiral, having disbanded from Rocks and established his own crew by then, this historical rivalry is not surprising.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that both characters are extraordinarily potent. Whitebeard is capable of inducing entire earthquakes with a single punch, while Sengoku boasts strength akin to the mighty Buddha due to his unique Zoan fruit. Despite Oda not delving much into their rivalry since the conclusion of the Marineford war, fans have been speculating about the potentially epic battles they would have engaged in during their prime years.

5. Rob Lucci & Luffy

The CPO-0 Agent Will Never Live Down His Defeat In Enies Lobby

In Water 7, Luffy encounters Rob Lucci for the first time. Instead of showing respect, Lucci publicly embarrasses Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, to further his mission of abducting Robin. However, Luffy is not one to idle by when a crew member is in jeopardy. After mastering his Gear 3 and Gear 2 techniques, Luffy manages to hold his own against Lucci, leading to an intense final showdown. Ultimately, Luffy emerges victorious over the CP-0 agent.

In the subsequent events, these two characters would cross paths again, as Lucci made a comeback on Egghead Island to face off against his enduring adversary. Given that Luffy had already unlocked his Gear Five by then in the narrative, it proved challenging for Lucci to inflict any substantial harm on the persistent pirate. This entertaining rivalry persisted and has carried on until now.

4. Smoker & Luffy

Smoker Just Can’t Seem To Catch Luffy, No Matter How Hard He Tries

In the series, Smoker, a marine, stands out due to his internal struggles. Though he acknowledges that pursuing pirates serves a higher purpose, he frequently encounters ethical predicaments when he witnesses them displaying more responsibility than the marines. This conflict began in Alabasta, where Luffy and his crew vowed to overthrow Crocodile to liberate the country, yet the marines claimed they would be the ones to reap the recognition for the deed.

In Punk Hazard, a situation reminiscent of earlier occurs, where Smoker once more encounters a dilemma: whether to arrest Luffy or permit him to disrupt Caesar Clown’s sinister research. This recurring predicament has fostered an intriguing rivalry between them, characterized by mutual respect and acknowledgement of their enmity. It would be fascinating to delve deeper into this dynamic in future storylines, as it has been only glimpsed in select arcs, but given its potential for development, it could prove captivating if Smoker reappears in the final saga.

3. Tashigi & Zoro

Two Talented Sword-Wielders Who Are Desperate To Prove Their Worth

From an initial perspective, it might seem plausible that Tashigi and Zoro would have frequent confrontations given their proficiency with swords. However, there’s a more profound explanation for their rivalry. You see, Tashigi bears a strong resemblance to Kuina, a dear friend of Zoro from his childhood, who tragically lost her life at a young age due to an unfortunate accident. When Zoro first crossed paths with Tashigi in Alabasta, he recognized this likeness instantly and felt compelled to engage the Marine in sword combat to gauge her abilities.

Ever since then, they’ve had frequent disagreements whenever they cross paths, almost as if they are both competing for dominance instead of focusing on their initial goal. Although Zoro clearly surpasses Tashigi in strength, especially with his new swords like Enma, it’s also evident that he encourages her to grow stronger, making for one of the most intriguing pirate and marine rivalries within the series.

2. Koby & Luffy

Childhood Friends Who Took Very Different Paths In Life

From the beginning, the competition between Koby and Luffy has been growing steadily. At that time, Luffy was all set to begin his journey as a pirate, whereas Koby had much ground to cover before he could attain the marine rank. However, through rigorous training under Garp, Koby advanced rapidly in the marines, while Luffy was still gathering his pirate crew members.

As companions throughout their lives, Luffy and Kobe constantly challenge each other to reach greatness, even though their allegiances set them at odds. It’s delightful for long-term fans to witness how much these characters have evolved since the initial episodes, and their continued regard for one another as rivals underscores a profound friendship that has endured over time. Though they chose separate paths in life, their bond remains unbroken, demonstrating an extraordinary level of camaraderie.

1. Garp & Roger

Legendary Rivals Who Came To Deeply Respect One Another

In the days when the formidable pirate Gol D. Roger was alive and full of vigor, it was only Garp, a remarkable marine officer, who could potentially challenge him. On numerous occasions, this incredibly strong marine managed to corner Roger, but the legendary pirate consistently escaped, leading to many confrontations throughout Roger’s quest for One Piece. Despite his relentless pursuit of capturing Roger, Garp chose to collaborate with him once on God Valley, a testament to his recognition and respect for Roger’s immense power. This alliance was aimed at defeating the Rocks Pirates together.

Towards the close of his life, Roger designated Garp as the caretaker for his son Ace, making it clear that while Ace and this other character might have been rivals in terms of power and prowess, they didn’t harbor the intense animosity a marine and a pirate typically would. This is one of those rivalries that captivates fans, as these two are among the strongest and most intriguing characters in “One Piece.” It’s always a pleasure to witness moments when these two powerhouses engage with each other, whether they’re engaging in heated battles or having casual discussions about their perspectives on the world’s current state.

2025-08-11 08:35