One piece properly explained the concept of Haki to fans in chapter 597 of the story, August 30, 2010, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #39. 16 years have passed since then and there are only four confirmed Armament Haki users in the ranks of the Straw Hat Pirates to date. Since Luffy's crew is now the Imperial crew in the New World, this number is certainly insufficient. However, with the series at the climax of the Elbaph arc, with the latest issue of chapter 1183 expected on May 24, 2026, the Straw Hats are looking to step up significantly. The creator of the series, Eiichiro Oda, is finally preparing upgrades for the Straw Hat crew, and among them is an Armament Haki boost for one of Monkey D. Luffy's crew members, Cyborg Franky.
One piece teased the subconscious use of haki for Cyborg Franky in chapter 1119
Franky is one of the strongest members of the Straw Hat Pirates, serving as the crew's Shipwright, who officially joined Chapter 437, which was published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump issue 2 on December 11, 2006. Since then, Franky has grown significantly stronger, especially through the timeskip when he performed surgery on himself and enhanced himself using the various technologies available on Karakuri Island. As a cyborg, Franky is incredibly powerful, but that doesn't mean he can't be stronger. Since the Straw Pirates are now the Emperor's crew, it is essential for them to have Haki.
Every Imperial garrison introduced themselves One piecewhether it's the Red Hair Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, Blackbeard Pirates, Best Beast Pirates, or Whitebeard Pirates, they have multiple Haki users. The Straw Hat Pirates are largely lacking in this regard, with only four official users of Armament Haki. Interestingly, Eiichiro Oda quietly teased Armament Haki for Cyborg Franky in the climax of the Egghead Arc. In Chapter 1119, officially published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 31 on July 1, 2024, we saw Franky being asked by Monkey D. Luffy to attack him. The goal was for Luffy to absorb all the energy generated by Franky's attack and channel it towards Mars. This attack combo was performed by Jewelry Bonney, Sanji, Franky and Luffy. Monkey D. Luffy himself stated that all three members used powerful Haki, which he then successfully channeled at Mars and completely blew it away from Egghead.
Bonney: What?? Are we hurting him?
Sanji: Keep up the pressure, Bonney!
Franky: Push on him like they're trying to squeeze the life out of his lungs
Luffy: Of course it's going to hurt! You all use Haki!!
— Exchange between Luffy, Bonney, Franky and Sanji in One Piece Chapter #1119
Franky using Haki in this instance was a surprise to me and many other One Piece fans as this power had not been teased for him until this point. Regardless, it was a change I welcomed as one of the main gripes of the series was the lack of power development for characters outside of the Monster Trio. We were all delighted to see Eiichiro Oda recognize the glaring flaws in Straw Hat Pirates and address them. As the story moves forward towards the end of the Elbaf arc, Franky has a great opportunity to use Armament Haki and level up as a pirate.
Running from the sea emperor? Do you even try Nami? Do you want to make our captain a pirate king or not? — Franky, One Piece Chapter #989
One Piece officially beats solo leveling at the Crunchyroll 2026 Awards
The results of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards were officially announced on May 23, 2026, and One Piece officially beat Solo Leveling.
Why Elbaph Arc Climax With Chapter 1183 Could Start Franky Battle
One piece Chapter 1183 is set to be officially published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26 on May 24, 2026. This chapter will be significant for the various Straw Hats throughout Elbaph right now as they take on the forces of the World Government, specifically Nero Imu and the Holy Knights. Two weeks ago we saw Eiichiro Oda preparing exciting battles for us to witness, with Luffy and Loki set to take on Nerona Imu and Zoro and Sanji taking on Super Sommers and Super Killingham.
Zoro: Hey, do your job right!
Sanji: Right back at you!!
— Zoro and Sanji Exchange, One Piece Chapter #1182
While these are the main fights, the other Straw Hats have their own challenges ahead of them through Killingham's now-revitalized MMA, thanks to him receiving the Omen from Nero Ima. This new battle against a loaded MMA sets up a potential moment for Franky to utilize Armament Haki. After subconsciously using it once in One Piece Chapter 1119, it would be fitting for Franky to use Haki again in the climax of Elbaf against the MMA army. This would greatly increase his overall power level and allow him to compete at the highest level.
Franky's overall power level with the new Vega Cola and Haki armor
Cyborg Franky officially defeated Sasaki, one of the elite Tobi Roppo of the Yonko Kaido in the Wano Country Arc, specifically in Chapter 1019, which was published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #33-34 on July 19, 2021. With Sasaki, he would have already officially become an officer, meaning that the elite Yonko would be given a new service. Command territory with any new upgrade. This is something that makes me happy as someone who has been following his journey since the Water 7 Arc. With the new Armament Haki upgrade, Franky could be strong enough to take on strong Yonko commanders of the same caliber as Jack the Drought, Charlotte Cracker, and even hold his own against characters like King and Katakuri, but that's not all.
Eiichiro Oda also officially prepared another power-up for Cyborg Franky in the Egghead arc, specifically in Chapter 1176, which was officially published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #15 on March 9, 2026. In this chapter, Vegapunk showed Franky how to transform natural energy, specifically Coke's heat energy, into Super Vega. This Super Vega Cola charged Franky to a high level of power, making him a relative of Jinbei.
This is Super Vega Cola! Your guts are perfectly designed, as advanced as a pacifist. That's why I was amazed to learn that you only use the bike to propel yourself!! You see Franky, fuel is passion!! Use this new stuff and your raw power will explode!!! — Vegapunk's Lilith to Franky, One Piece chapter #1176
If Franky gets the upper hand with Super Vega Cola and Armament Haki, then his overall power level should be in the same league as elite Yonko commanders like Queen, Smoothie, Katakuri, and King. In due time Franky will probably move on to Haki mastery and combine it with his scientific abilities. This would most certainly make him an elite fighter that only a handful can rival. With this upcoming upgrade for cyborg Franky in the climax of Elbaf and the arcs beyond, Eiichiro Oda finally addressed my criticism and that of many fans over the years of not turning on the Straw Hats enough. With battles now looming against the World Government's elite officers, this force is likely on the way.
You can read all the latest chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga through Viz Media and Manga Plus.
