One Piece's The Elbaph arc is currently at its climax, with the final battle against Saint Nero Im, who descended on Elbaph in Chapter 1179, and the Holy Knights officially begun. As stated by editor Eiichiro Oda himself in chapter 1181, the battle to save Elbaph has now officially begun, and this fight pits the Straw Hat Pirates against the greatest force in the world, led by the King himself. This fight will not be easy for the Straw Hat Pirates and will require them to increase their strength significantly.
Eiichiro Oda has specifically prepare a few select members of the Straw Hat Pirates for Haki power-ups in the Elbaph Arcand they're set to get them in the coming chapters as this Warland arc races to its final conclusion. With the new Haki abilities, the Straw Hat Pirates will officially become one of the most powerful threats on the seas, rivaling the likes of the Red Hair Pirates led by Shanks and the Blackbeard Pirates led by Marshall D. Teech.
Chapters 1152 and 1180 of One Piece officially set the main Haki enhancement for the two Straw Hats
Eiichiro Oda, creator One piecehas officially prepared a major upgrade for the two main fighters within the Straw Hat Pirates, they are the “Wings of the Pirate King”. This came with the introduction of the Holy Knights into the expanding One Piece storyline. In One Piece Chapter 1152, which was officially published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 30 on June 23, 2025, Eiichiro Oda officially confirmed through the character Scopper Gabana that the only way to get rid of the Saint Knights completely is to clothe the weapons in the Color of the Supreme King, also known as Conqueror Haki.
Gaban specifically went on to state that Saint Knights are not immortal and can only be truly defeated with Conqueror's Haki. He then points out that out of Zoro and Sanji, the former used Conqueror's Haki, but has no control over it, which he must fix. Meanwhile, Eiichiro Oda kept Sanji's Haki Conqueror tendencies a secret in the same chapter.
“Looks like there's more than one of you with High King Hakim. You swordsmen there…seems to be pretty cool with it!” — Scopper Gaban, One Piece Chapter 1152
One piece Chapter 1181 once again set up a major Haki upgrade for the Straw Hat Pirates after reviving Sommers and Killingham, the two main enemies for Zoro and Sanji in the Elbaph arc. This was after the descent of Nero Ima in chapter 1179, which was officially published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump 19 issue on April 6, 2026. Both Sommers and Killingham received the power of the Omen directly from the King of the World. This greatly encouraged them and allowed them to achieve their goals of kidnapping the children and taking them back to the Holy Land again. As stated by Oda himself, Zoro and Sanji will need control of the Supreme King's Color to defeat them, which is why major upgrades are already in store for them.
One Piece's Elbaph Arc officially shows the power difference between Luffy and his wings
Luffy's wings, Zoro and Sanji, are very powerful. They still pale in comparison to Luffy.
Eiichiro Oda set up Zoro and Sanji for Haki Buffy to defeat Sommers and Killingham
Roronoa Zoro and Sanji are next in line within the Straw Hat Pirates to receive a major upgrade. With the Elbaph Arch at its peak, the battle against Nero Imus and his minions won't last long. The group had already shown a desire to end the mission quickly in Chapter 1180, and as such, the giant children would soon be targeted. It's up to Zoro and Sanji to stop them from wreaking havoc on Warland.
Together, Zoro and Sanji are known as the Wings of the Pirate King and mirror the Pirate King's previous wings: Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban. Both Rayleigh and Gaban have access to Conqueror's Haki. To be the Sword and Shield of the Pirate King, both are required to have this ability. Only with Conqueror's Haki can they go to fight and defeat the Holy Knights. As such, both Zoro and Sanji gain these upgrades in this arc, since defeating enemies requires it.
“Haki is a power that is only useful when you consciously wield it. How do you expect to support your captain, the Sea Emperor, without knowing it?” — Scopper Gaban on Zoro's unblooming Haki, One Piece Chapter 1152
In Zoro's case, the power-up comes in the form of Conqueror's Haki control, which he is sorely lacking at the moment. In Sanji's case, this upgrade will enhance his skill set by adding Conqueror's Haki and cover his legs in these flames.
Why Usopp, Robin and Nami could be next in line to get Haki in Elbaph
Besides Zoro and Sanji, other members of the Straw Hat Pirates could also get Haki power-ups in the Elbaph Arc. While Somers and Killingham are the main arc threats besides Imo, MMA isn't quite taken care of yet. With Killingham now resurgent, the MMA threat could return stronger than ever, giving huge roles to the likes of Usopp, Robin, Nami, Franky, and Brook.
If you want to rule them, at least have the pride to fight them head on, you coward! — Usopp to Imu, One Piece Chapter 1177
Non-Devil Fruit users such as Nami and Usopp require Haki to be able to fight the threats posed by MMA. Elbaph has been explicitly labeled as the Arc of Usopp by many, and even Eiichiro Oda acknowledges this. By giving Usopp a major Haki power-up and helping him stop MMA, Usopp's character arc could have been elevated to a whole new level. Meanwhile, Nami's arsenal needs upgrading if she is to fight against the elites of the One Piece world, and she would also greatly benefit from a Haki boost, just like Nico Robin.
Franky's Haki armor user status in Elbaph
Curiously, Franky was already able to subconsciously awaken Haki in the Egghead Arc when he fought Mars alongside Luffy, Bonney, and Sanji in Chapter 1119, which was officially released on Manga Plus on July 1, 2024. In this chapter, when Franky hit Luffy, he openly exclaimed that the group had caused him immense pain.
Of course it will hurt if you use Haki! — Luffy after being hit by Frank, Sanji and Bonney in one piece Chapter 1119
As a result, Franky unwittingly runs into Haki, something that many other characters in the One Piece world have done in the past, including the likes of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. In that case, an MMA fight would be the perfect opportunity for Franky to show off his Haki again and learn how to use it properly this time. Only then will the Straw Hat Pirates reach the next level of power in the coming chapters of the Elbaph arc, which is coming to a close.
All the latest manga chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece are available to read on Manga Plus.
