One Piece: Roronoa Zoro Could Be Dethroned As The No. 2 Of The Straw Hat Pirates

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This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.

Roronoa Zoro is the skilled swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates and a hugely popular character in *One Piece*. He was the first to join Luffy on his quest to become the Pirate King and has been a vital member of the crew ever since. Many fans consider Zoro to be the second-in-command, alongside Sanji, making them Luffy’s two strongest fighters. Together, Zoro and Sanji are often called the ‘Wings of the Pirate King,’ and it’s clear that the author, Oda, holds them in particularly high regard compared to the rest of the Straw Hat crew.

Zoro and Sanji are firmly established as Luffy’s right-hand men, but the balance of power within the Straw Hat crew could be shifting. Oda recently introduced Loki in Elbaf as a possible new member, and he’s a strong candidate to join the crew. If Loki does become a Straw Hat Pirate, it could mean Zoro would no longer be considered the second-in-command, which many fans might find disappointing.

Loki Could Dethrone Zoro As The Straw Hat Pirates’ Number 2

Loki Is Worth 2 Billion Berries

  • Luffy wants Loki to join the crew
  • Loki is stronger than Zoro

It’s pretty clear that Zoro and Sanji are irreplaceable as the Straw Hat Pirates’ core fighters – that dynamic is a given, and Oda will definitely keep it that way. However, I think we might see someone even stronger join the crew soon. Oda’s been hinting at Loki becoming a Straw Hat, and it feels like it could happen during the Elbaf arc. Currently, Loki isn’t interested in joining and has even told Luffy so. But knowing Luffy, he *really* wants Loki on board and isn’t giving up easily. He’s incredibly determined to make it happen.

Hey, Loki! Come on man! Join my crew. That way they’ll be forced to free you. — Luffy to Loki

Luffy and Loki are currently at odds, but they’ll soon be forced to team up against the incredibly powerful Imu. During this battle, Loki will likely begin to respect Luffy’s strength and may even decide to join the Straw Hat Pirates.

If Loki were to join the crew, he’d likely surpass Zoro as the second strongest member. Reports indicate Loki possesses incredible power – potentially enough to destroy the entire world and the island of Elbaf. He’s rumored to have a legendary Devil Fruit ability and exceptional Haki. With a bounty of 2.6 billion berries, Loki’s strength clearly exceeds Zoro’s.

To defeat him, I need to exceed everyone’s limits. I can’t settle for being average. – Roronoa Zoro

If Loki Joins, Zoro Will Officially Be The Third Strongest With Sanji

Zoro And Sanji Are Equal

If Loki were added to the Straw Hat crew, Zoro and Sanji would both become the third strongest members. The author has consistently shown that Zoro and Sanji are equally matched, so they would share this position for now. Eventually, fans can expect both of them to become even stronger than Loki and reach a level comparable to Luffy. This would create a dynamic similar to the legendary trio of Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban, where Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji all represent the same top tier of power.

One Piece Chapter 1161 is scheduled for release this week, as usual on Sundays. While it becomes available in Japan at midnight on Monday (JST), most international fans will be able to read it on September 28th. The official release date is September 28, 2025, and the chapter will be available for free on Manga Plus.

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2025-09-26 23:35