Monkey D. Luffy officially promoted to the position of Yonko in One piece Chapter 1053, which was published in Chuehsha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #29 on June 20, 2022. In this chapter, the Straw Pirates advanced to a new level alongside the Buggy's Cross Guild, joining the same ranks as Blackbeard and Shanks. Since then, the Straw Hats have continued to grow significantly in power and influence, as has their captain, Monkey D. Luffy.
As the Emperor of the Sea, Monkey D. Luffy has immense power at his disposal that stems from the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, one of the most powerful mythical Zoan-type devil fruits in One piece. In addition, he also has a powerful Conqueror's Haki, which he uses with tremendous finesse. Despite this, one of the more recent pirates introduced in the story, Cursed Prince Loki, ranks above him in terms of overall power. Loki's power is such that only red Shanks has been able to defeat him so far, and even characters stronger than Rocks D. Xebec like King Harald were no match when he was in his hybrid form.
One Piece Creator Eiichiro Oda set up Hybrid Loki to be stronger than Luffy
IN One piece Chapter 1175, which was published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #14 on March 2, 2026, Eiichiro Oda officially introduced one of the most legendary Devil Fruits in the series, which is Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr. This devil fruit, eaten by Loki 14 years ago, was guarded by Ragnir in Elbaf for centuries and was eventually eaten by none other than the Cursed Prince. The power of this Devil Fruit is immense, even shocking both Scopper Gaban and Shanks when they witnessed it in action against King Harald. While Loki was already a tremendously powerful individual before consuming this devil fruit, this ability, along with the Ragnir buff he gained with it in One Piece Chapter 1170 January 5, 2026 Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue #6-7, took him to a whole new level.
“Mythical Zoan Ryu Ryu no Mi…it is said that whoever eats it can turn into the largest dragon in the entire world. The size of the creature is relative to the initial size of the one who ate the fruit. This dragon is said to breathe lightning and when it flies, its jet black wings turn day into night.” — Jarul explains Nidhoggr's ability in One Piece chapter #1175
To put this into perspective, just look at the life of King Harald, whom he officially defeated in battle in the same chapter. King Harald was a monstrously powerful being who was as strong as Rocks D. Xebec. In fact, the two were equal in power, as depicted by Oda in several chapters, namely One Piece Chapter 1155 on July 21, 2025 and later in the series, in One Piece Chapter 1158 on September 1, 2025. While Harald was already as strong as Rocks D. Xebec, who himself became stronger through Roger than Roger accepted Pima. via Depths Covenant in One Piece Chapter 1168, which was officially released on December 8, 2025 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #2.
Harald: This mad power… rages within me. It's freezing!
Mars: This is the power of immortality.
Warcury: It's chilling.
Nusjuro: He is now beyond any monster. Now he's a weapon.
— Exchange showing Harald's rise in power after the Depths Covenant, One Piece Chapter #1168
The power of the Depths Covenant was such that Harald received a significant boost to his overall physical strength, and on top of that he also gained the powers of immortality and regeneration. Thus, the version of Harald that Loki took on in battle in One Piece Chapter 1170 was much stronger than Rocks, and with the power of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr, Loki was able to not only defeat him, but surpass him.
In terms of strength, Loki's offensive abilities were taken to the next level when he utilized his hybrid form, and it is this hybrid form of his that currently ranks even above Luffy's Yonko, although the latter is strong enough to rival the likes of Yonko Kaido, or stand up to Admiral Kizaru and the Elder Five. Loki, especially in his Nidhoggr hybrid form, is on a whole other level, ranking even above the highest levels of the One Piece world.
One Piece officially corrects the straw pirates' biggest mistake
Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, is finally fixing the Straw Hat Pirates' major flaw by giving them a new upgrade in Elbaf.
How Loki became a pirate after the death of King Harald
Most fans don't associate Loki with being a pirate. However, One piece Chapter 1171 officially confirms to us that after the death of King Harald, Loki took a skeleton crew and a pirate ship with him and operated in the Grand Line to oppose the World Government. While technically Loki never flew the pirate flag, he was labeled as such by the world government. Specifically, he was probably hunting government ships in the Florian Triangle, just as Harald had been operating there for years before his death. It was because of this activity that the world government gave him a special reward of 2.6 billion berries.
“It was years ago when a giant ship was sighted at sea, piloted by a captain of truly immense stature. The ship was never identified as it hid deep within the mist-shrouded regions, yet it only ever targeted World Government ships.” — Nero explains Loki's actions as a pirate to Ima, One Piece Chapter #1178
In reality, Loki's reward should have been much greater. However, since the World Government never really confirmed for themselves that Nidhoggr was back in the world, or that the one with the ability was none other than Prince Loki, his reward remained rather low. All things considered, Loki is on a completely different level of power when it comes to Luffy and has the potential to be even stronger if he awakens his devil fruit.
Why Loki's Devil Fruit Awakening could widen the gap between him and Luffy even more
Devil Fruit Awakening is a unique concept that comes into play when the user's mind and body finally catch up with the ability, as explained by Yonko Kaido in One Piece Chapter 1045 in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #18 dated April 4, 2022.
“Awakening is what happens when your mind and body catch up with your powers. And they sure are ridiculous powers!” – Kaido explains Devil Fruit Awakening, One Piece Chapter #1046
Monkey D. Luffy finally awakened his Devil Fruit in One Piece Chapter 1044 and it was clear to us how significant a power increase he displayed. His Awakened transformation is a level up from his Gear 4 form. The same can be said for the other Awakenings we've seen as well. For example, Law's Ope Ope no Mi awakening allowed him to deal fatal damage to Big Mom, breaking several of her bones and damaging her internal organs. Normally, Ope Ope no Mi would never be able to deal this level of damage.
The same would be true for Loki. He is a user of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr, but it seems that this ability is not yet awakened. If so, Loki has yet to connect to his Awakened form. If he manages to awaken this Devil Fruit, which remains a strong possibility at this point, then the gap between him and Luffy would only widen. Loki is already among the strongest in the One Piece world, only Shanks has been able to beat him so far. If his Devil Fruit awakens, he could potentially go even higher than Shanks in terms of overall power, and even if he no longer called himself a pirate, he would still rank among the most dangerous people in the entire One Piece world.
All the latest One Piece chapters from creator Eiichiro Oda are available to read through Manga Plus and Viz Media.
