This article contains spoilers from One Piece's Elbaf Arc.
The last tale of One Piece has been relentless when it comes to introducing powerful characters to fans. Fans have seen the Yonko make moves they never anticipated, and at the same time, the admirals engage in major battles. Legends like Garp have moved into battle, and at the same time, the old legends that existed in history, like Harald and Rocks, have also appeared.
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Amidst all this incredible action, Oda has revealed to fans the strongest pirate of all time, and fans know they are Davy Jones and Joy Boy. Joy Boy is specifically known as Imu's greatest fear, making him easily classed as the strongest pirate. Now, in the current timeline, Oda has confirmed the strongest pirate around, behind only the likes of Davy Jones and the legendary Joy Boythe first pirate in history.
Joy Boy and Davy Jones were the two strongest pirates of the Empty Century
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Joy Boy was the first to be called a pirate
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Davy Jones was the former king of the world
Right now, fans don't know much about the events that took place during the Void Century, but based on the bits and pieces that Oda has revealed, it's quite clear that the two absolute monsters that terrorized Imu, the strongest in the world at the moment, were Joy Boy and Davy Jones. Joy Boy was so strong that his Haku caused immense pain to the Imu in Egghead, giving them PTSD as well. Similarly, Davy Jones was incredibly strong as well. Davy Jones' power also struck fear into Imu, though perhaps not on the same level as the Joy Boys.
Still, based on everything that's been presented in the story, at this point, it's safe to say so Joy Boy and Davy Jones were the two strongest pirates that existed long ago in the Void Century. This is exactly why Imu wants to get rid of Joy Boy, as well as erase the Davy line permanently. Even though these two pirates were absolutely incredible and were on a completely different level than the rest, possibly even stronger than Imu back then, fans know that they don't matter right now because they're dead.
I have done all this to help Elbaf escape the circle of violence and fighting. Of course, I have always intended to let those who wish to enlist in the Navy do so, but not like this! I just want to serve you myself. Guards, tie me to the post and call Elder Jarul and Loki quickly. — King Harald, One Piece Chapter 1168
As said, Luffy is the next Joy Boy, although he hasn't fully realized his powers yet, and Blackbeard, who is the successor of Davy Jones, is also slowly building up his strength. In the current era, neither of these two is the strongest. The strongest pirate at the moment is none other than Red-Haired Shanks, and he is also the third strongest pirate in history, as far as fans know, right behind Davy Jones and Joy Boy.
Shanks is the second strongest pirate in one piece
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Oda confirmed that Shanks is stronger than Harald and Rocks
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Shanks Haki is comparable to the Joy Boys
Fans may be confused as to what makes Shanks the third strongest pirate in history One Piece. But to answer this question, one only needs to take a look at the Elbaf arc of One Piece. First, Shank's strength is already hyped to be absolutely incredible. The five elders themselves state that when Shanks is angry, he is unstoppable. Meanwhile, fans have seen a small glimpse of his powers when he absolutely demolished the leaders of the Kid Pirates, Kid and Killer, in a single swing of his sword. Shanks is so strong that he could terrify an Admiral and nullify their Devil Fruit powers by launching a bolt of Haki from miles away. No other character has shown such feats in One Piece, and this is only a fragment of his true power.
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All that said, the main reason why Shanks is the strongest pirate is none of those things. In the Elbaf Arc, Oda went a level beyond Shanks and showed us how strong he has truly become. The main reason why Shanks is the strongest pirate in history after Joy Boy and Davy Jones is that he could beat Loki and Ragnir all by himself.
Shanks beat Loki and Ragnir all by himself
To really understand the significance of Shanks beating Loki and Ragnir all by himself, one only needs to understand how strong Loki and Ragnir really are. Starting with Ragnir, it was revealed in One Piece Chapter 1170 that Ragnir has guarded the legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf for centuries. This is absolutely huge because almost everyone has tried to eat this legendary Devil Fruit, but they have not been accepted by Ragnir, meaning they have also not shown enough strength and willpower to deserve its acceptance. Harald failed at this, and so did countless others before him. Yet, Loki was able to earn Ragnir's trust and show him impressive fighting strength in One Piece Chapter 1170.
Ragnir's strength was plain to see. It could even withstand powerful blows with Loki's maximum power Conqueror's Haki and that did more than enough to push Loki back. At least, Ragnir is stronger than the Yonko commanders in the One Piece world and somewhere around the same level as the admirals, or rivaling even the Yonko in some aspects. This might sound ridiculous to fans, simply because Ragnir is also a squirrel, but ultimately that's what Oda has shown clearly in the chapters.
Beating Ragnir alone is a great achievement for anyone, though Shanks didn't just beat Ragnir, he also beat Loki. Another interesting thing that fans have to consider is Loki's power level.
Loki was stronger than Rocks and Harald
Fourteen years ago, the day Harald died, Loki was strong enough for Harald to call in to stop him. But he then proceeded to consume the legendary Devil Fruit of the country. Once he ate this legendary Devil Fruit, Loki became so strong that he could even overwhelm Harald. For context, at this point, Harald was polished by Imus' Deep Sea Covenant. This alliance made him so strong that he had surpassed the levels of Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Garp, and Whitebeard, among all the other legends that have existed in One Piece.
This strength, it ripples through him. It's almost scary. And now he is immortal. It chills the spine. He is more than a monster. At this point, he's a weapon. — The five elders about King Harald, a piece of chapter 1168
For Loki to overwhelm such a monster quite easily and overpower him in battle is beyond belief. Loki did not even go out, but his strength was such that Harald could not stand against him.
Shanks beat Loki 6 years ago and became the strongest pirate alive
At this point it has been clearly established that Loki was the strongest in the One Piece world recently, and that he had surpassed Rock's and Harald's levels, possibly even the Pirate King's, though that remains unclear at this point in the story. Six years ago, Shanks fought Loki and Ragnir together, and against all odds he was able to defeat them. For Shanks to defeat Loki and Ragnir together is absolutely incredible. This means Shank's power is far above the likes of Rocks and Harald as well.
Fourteen years ago, Shanks wasn't strong enough to stop Harald. But right now it's pretty clear to see Shanks grew enormously during this phase and gained enough power to not only beat Loki, but Ragnir at his side. He then chained them up and took them back to Elbaf. Shank's strength is legendary at this point, and no one else comes close. In the current generation, he is quite easily the strongest pirate.
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece focuses on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas to claim the great treasure known as One Piece. The manga is currently in its Final Saga. One Piece will be featured in this week's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date for One Piece Chapter 1170 is January 4, 2026. In Japan, One Piece is released at 12:00 JST on Monday, which is 11:00 EST or 8:00 PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on the Manga Plus and Shonen Jump apps. If you do that, the fans will always support the author.
