After 6 years, One Piece welcomes a new Straw Hat Commander

The Straw Hat Pirates have some of the most powerful individuals in the world One Piece. IN One Piece chapter 1052, which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #29 on June 20, 2022, the Straw Hat Pirates officially became a Yonko team. As such, all of its members were promoted to the position of Yonko commanders or officers.

Since then, the Straw Hat Yonko commanders have made quite a name for themselves, and in Egghead they gained further infamy when they went up against the likes of a Navy Buster Call and even the Five Elders. Eiichiro Oda is now planning for another Straw Hat Commander to join the fray, ensuring that this crew becomes even stronger in the final saga and rises to new levels after the events of Elbaf.

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda officially sets up the induction of the last Straw Hat boss after Elbaf

When Monkey D. Luffy set out on his journey on July 18, 1997, he made it clear that he wanted at least 10 pirates under him. Right now, Luffy has nine pirates under him, which means there is room for at least one more person, although there may be more than one who can join him.

“First of all, I need to get a crew. I think at least 10 more members should do it!” — Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1

Jinbe, who joined the Straw Hat Pirates officially in One Piece Chapter 976 on April 6, 2020, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19, was the last member to join the crew 6 years ago. After the events of Wano, he was officially promoted to the position of the last Straw Hat Yonko commander. The next straw hat pirate who joins the crew 6 years after Jinbe will be the last straw hat yonko commander and will most certainly be significant in the final saga. Right now, One Piece is in the Elbaf arc, and Eiichiro Oda, the author of the story, has lined up quite a few candidates for the position of the last Straw Hat Yonko commander. For example, Loki, who is the Cursed Prince of Elbaf, officially introduced in One Piece Chapter 1130, officially became a candidate when Luffy invited him in Chapter 1152, released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #30 on June 23, 2025.

“Luffy: Hey, Loki! Join my crew, man! If he joins, then you can't complain if I free him, can you, Hajrudin?” — Luffy asks Loki to join, One Piece Chapter #1152

Similarly, there are other major candidates that Eiichiro Oda has lined up to join the Straw Hat crew and fill the role of the last Yonko commander. Jewel Bonney, who has been sailing the Straw Hat since Egghead, also fits the mold, but other characters, such as Princess Nefertari Vivi of Arabasta and Princess Shuri of Esperia, also fit the billing. There are quite a few individuals for Oda to choose from, but at the end of the day, not all of them can play the exalted role of the last Straw Hat Yonko commander.

Why Princess Shuri and Nefertari Vivi could be the last Straw Hat commanders

Of all the candidates Eiichiro Oda has lined up, Princess Shuri or Nefertari Vivi are the most likely to be the last Straw Hat Yonko commander. Firstly, Straw Hat Pirates only has two female characters right now, they are Nami and Robin. In every sea the Straw Hat has sailed, at least one female character has joined the crew. For example, in East Blue, Nami joined the Straw Hat Pirates. In Paradise Half of the Grand Line, Nico joined Robin. In the New World, there has been no female recruitment yet. Apart from this, Loki, who was the prime position as the last Straw Hat, rejected the idea of ​​leaving the country by officially telling Imu in One Piece Chapter 1180 that the only place he would ever find him would be Elbaf.

“Where else would you find me but in Elbaf? Remember that, you idiot!” — Loki taunts Imu, One Piece Chapter #1180

With the country's weakness evident, there is no way Loki will abandon the people of the land and leave them exposed to threats like Nerona Imu and the Holy Knights once again. While Loki would absolutely love to sail the seas again, he must stay behind and defend his country and only sail against the World Government when the time is right.

On the other hand, both Princess Shuri and Nefertari Vivi are set up by Eiichiro Oda to join the crew. IN One Piece Chapter 1131, which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #47 on October 21, 2025, showed Eiichiro Oda Princess Vivi sending a message to the Straw Hat Pirates. This is a significant action that will most likely result in Luffy and crew launching a rescue mission to retrieve Vivi. As such, Vivi is next in line to join the crew and could potentially fill the role of the last Straw Hat's commander.

“When Luffy transforms into his free form, is that X mark visible on his arm? It seems unnatural to me. His hands seem blurry but the mark is crystal clear.” — Nico Robin highlights Vivi's message, One Piece Chapter #1130

There's also Princess Shuri, whose backstory is currently being explored in the Esperia Kingdom flashback. One Piece chapters 1184 and 1185 officially expand Shuri's past and showcase her relationship with Brook. Considering that Shuri is the princess of this arc save for Luffy and the Straw Hats, she has a huge chance to be freed from Imu's control and saved after 70 long years. If Shuri manages to survive this ordeal, she has a chance to sail the seas with the Straw Hat Pirates by reuniting with Brook. It makes for an interesting dynamic, but more than that, a very powerful straw hat commander for the crew.

“Brook, when I grow up I want to sail the seas with you as a pirate!” — Shuri shows her desire to sail with Brook, One Piece Chapter #1185

Nefertari Vivi could hold the power of the rain god Zaza

Princess Shuri joining the Straw Hat Pirates is a real possibility and could potentially happen here in Elbaf when the arc ends. But it still does not rule out that Princess Nefertari Vivi joined. It seems Imu has her sights set on Vivi and will do anything to get her, but the Straw Hat Pirates won't let that happen. Vivi can't sail back to Arabasta, and she can't stay with the Morgans and Wapol, which is exactly why she sent a message to the crew in One Piece Chapter 1130. As Luffy and the Straw Hats fight for Vivi, she will someday sail with the crew again, even if it's for a short period of time. As she does so, she can further increase the strength of the crew, especially if she continues to claim the Rain God Zaza Devil Fruit.

Rain God Zaza was officially introduced in One Piece Chapter 1182 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24 on May 10, 2026. This deity only comes to the prayers for rain, which Arabasta is particularly famous for. With Vivi's blue hair drawing many connections to the Arabasta Desert Kingdom, as well as the Rain God Zaza, she is the most likely candidate to hold this Devil Fruit, and together with the Sun God Nika, she could greatly assist in destroying the forces of Nerona Imu and the World Government.

“Appearing to the rhythm of the prayers for rain… Rain God Zaza!” — Saint Killingham explains the origin of Zaza, One Piece Chapter #1182

It is possible that either Shuri or Vivi could go on to become the last Straw Hat commander, or both could join the crew and serve as the final Yonko commanders under Luffy. Either way, the Straw Hats are set for a significant boost, and we absolutely can't wait to see how things unfold.

All new chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece can be read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.