Say Hello To The Newly Awakened Haki User In The Straw Hats

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This article contains spoilers from the Elbaf Arc of One Piece.

The Straw Hat Pirates are a hugely powerful group in the world of One Piece, and they’ve already proven themselves as one of the strongest groups – known as a Yonko – in the story’s final arc. While they’re already incredibly strong, they aren’t quite ready to take on and defeat the World Government just yet, but they’re steadily growing more powerful.

Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat crew still have a lot of room to grow, and the upcoming Elbaf Arc promises to show that growth. We can expect to see them all develop their abilities in various ways – some might get new weapons or improve their existing ones, while others will likely unlock new powers like Haki. That’s what fans are most looking forward to!

During the Egghead Arc, there were hints that one member of the Straw Hat Pirates may have already unlocked a special power called Haki, though they aren’t fully aware of it yet. This character is already showing the potential to use Haki, and fans can expect to see them master this ability in future storylines.

The Straw Hat Pirates Lack Haki Users

  • Only 4 Straw Hats Use Two Haki Types Right Now
  • Yonko Crews Need More Haki Users

The Straw Hat Pirates are a formidable crew, but it’s clear that most of them aren’t on the same power level as Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. Even strong members like Jinbei need to improve significantly. The incident in Elbaf, where a single Holy Knight easily defeated most of the crew, highlighted this weakness. Nami, Usopp, Robin, Jinbei, Brook, and Franky all need to become much more powerful if the Straw Hats want to continue progressing and facing increasingly dangerous opponents. It’s a simple fact that the crew as a whole needs to level up.

Haki is a power that exists within everyone, a natural ability to sense spiritual energy and potentially dominate opponents. However, very few people actually awaken or realize they possess it. — Silvers Rayleigh

A great way for each member of the Straw Hat crew to become stronger is by mastering Haki. It’s surprising that, despite being a powerful pirate crew, only four members currently use the two basic types of Haki. While Usopp can access Haki, his skills need a lot of development. Overall, the Straw Hats need to significantly improve their Haki abilities.

Currently, Luffy and Zoro are proficient in all three types of Haki, while Sanji and Jinbei can use two. Usopp has demonstrated Observation Haki only once. This means most of the Straw Hat crew doesn’t have access to this powerful ability, and that needs to be addressed as the story moves into the Final Saga, starting with the Elbaf arc. Interestingly, Franky may have unknowingly used Haki during the Egghead Arc.

Franky Could Be The New Haki User of The Straw Hats

  • Used Haki Subconsciously Vs Mars
  • Needs To Awaken Armament Haki In Elbaf

During the Egghead arc of One Piece, the Straw Hat Pirates encountered the Five Elders. A notable moment revealed a new user of Haki among the Straw Hats. Luffy, while fighting Mars, used a clever tactic: he held onto Mars, absorbed power from his allies, and then powerfully launched him away to prevent his return.

It was incredible watching Luffy! He was clinging to Mars’ wings and basically told Sanji, Franky, and Bonney to give him everything they had. He absorbed all that power – Sanji’s fiery Ifrit Jambe, which was definitely infused with Haki, and Bonney even coated her fist with Haki – and then, using his rubber body, he channeled it all right back at Saint Mars. It was a truly awesome display of power!

Of course, it hurts a lot. You guys are using Haki after all. — Luffy to Bonney, Sanji, and Franky

Unlike the others, Franky didn’t seem to be using Haki. But when Luffy was hit, it was clear Franky’s attacks were strengthened by it. If they hadn’t been, Luffy wouldn’t have felt any impact, and the whole attack would have been pointless. This means Franky used Haki during that powerful blow, and Luffy then redirected that energy. This doesn’t make Franky a Haki expert, just that he instinctively used it in that moment, suggesting he’ll develop this ability further in the future.

Franky’s Full Haki Awakening Could Come In Elbaf

Franky has shown some ability with Haki on Egghead, but he’s likely to fully unlock its potential during the events on Elbaf. Currently, only five Straw Hat pirates are free to move around in the land of the Giants: Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and Franky. Chopper will probably stay with Scopper Gabban for a bit longer before rejoining the fight. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji are already traveling to the Sun Realm to confront the demon army.

Franky is sure to participate in the upcoming battle, and to be effective, he needs to use his Haki. He’s already demonstrated this ability once on Egghead, and will likely do so again, but this time with complete control, allowing him to become a stronger fighter.

Fans Expect Nico Robin To Learn Haki Soon

  • Robin Needs Haki Just As Much As Franky

Many fans believe Nico Robin will learn Haki next. She’s already a skilled fighter, and she recently defeated Saint Sommers in Elbaf, showcasing her potential. While she couldn’t overcome his ability to revive, mastering Haki would significantly boost her strength and make her an even more dependable combatant.

I’ve been thinking about Robin’s potential, and while she couldn’t overcome true immortality – only Conqueror’s Haki seems to work on those beings – she’d become a far more powerful fighter overall. I really believe she’d be able to challenge the top commanders of the Yonko, and even hold her own against the Marines’ Admirals for a good while. It all comes down to her unlocking her full potential. I have a strong feeling that both Franky and Robin are going to develop Haki soon, and it’s just a matter of time before we see them fully unleash that power.

Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga, One Piece, follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, on their adventure to find the legendary treasure, the One Piece. The story is currently in its final arc. A new chapter, 1172, will be released in this week’s Weekly Shonen Jump. It will be available on February 1, 2026, at 12 AM Japan Standard Time (11:00 AM Eastern Time, 8:00 AM Pacific Time). Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump app, which directly supports the author.

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2026-01-20 00:35