The Straw Hat Pirates currently stand as one of the four Imperial crews in the world One Pieceand the status was officially given to them in Chapter 1053 on June 19, 2022. Since then, the Straw Hats have only gone from strength to strength, but it would be incorrect to say that this crew is already at the peak of their abilities.
The Straw Hat Pirates can still get stronger, and Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piecehas lined up a new Devil Fruit user for them in the Elbaf arc. Finally, Oda makes the Straw Hats stronger than ever before.
One Piece's Elbaf Arc lines up the last Straw Hat Devil Fruit User
With One Piece draws closer to the end with each passing chapter, it is imperative that Eiichiro Oda completes the Straw Hat team. At the moment, Luffy only has nine minions when he originally aimed for ten, which was officially confirmed in One Piece Chapter 1 July 18, 1997. Looking at the Blackbeard Pirates, who have ten Titanic captains, and Shanks, who has ten powerful officers under him, Luffy is one person short. This person will likely join the Straw Hat Pirates after the events of the Elbaf Arc officially end.
“Let's see…I need to get some crewmates first. I hope I can find at least 10 people!” — Luffy confirms he wants 10 minions, One Piece Chapter #1
Also, it is very likely that the next Straw Hat will also be a Devil Fruit user since all the candidates put up by Eiichiro Oda are Devil Fruit users in one way or another. Currently, One Piece is at the peak of the Elbaf arch, where Nerona Imu fights against the sun god Nika. With this battle now set to end within the next few months, One Piece can finally turn their attention to the Straw Hat Pirates and officially upgrade their strength further with the acquisition of the last Straw Hat and a powerful Devil Fruit user.
Why Loki, Gunko or Bonney could be one of the Straw Hats' next Devil Fruit users
At the moment, there are several candidates for the position of the last Straw Hat, and all of them are Devil Fruit users, starting with Loki. Loki is the cursed prince of Elbaf, who is hated by the whole land. IN One Piece Chapter 1152, officially released on June 23, 2025, Monkey D. Luffy officially invited Loki to join the Straw Hat Pirates. With such a massive offering, Loki is the most straightforward candidate for the position of Last Straw Hat. At the time, Loki rejected this offer. IN One Piece Chapter 1180, Loki also officially stated that the only place where Imu could ever find him is Elbaf. This suggests that Loki intends to decline Luffy's offer once more and remain in Elbaf. However, on July 12, 2026, in One Piece Chapter 1188, Luffy once again called Loki his nakama, indicating that he has not given up on taking him to the Thousand Sunny yet. At the end of Elbaf we will see if Loki joins the crew or not. If he does, he will then be the last Devil Fruit user, wielding the power of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr, which was officially revealed to us in One Piece Chapter 1175.
“Loki, join my crew, man! If he joins me, then you can't complain if I free him, can you, Hajrudin?” — Luffy invites Loki and Ragnir to join the Straw Hats, One Piece Chapter #1152
Along with Loki, Princess Shuri is also a very strong candidate for the position of the last Straw Hat. This is because Shuri was manipulated by Nerona Imu, and her home, Esperia Kingdom, no longer exists. Shuri was always protected by Brook as a child, and he already asked the Straw Hats for help in rescuing her. If Princess Shuri avoids death in this arc, it is highly likely that she will sail alongside the Straw Hat Pirates and become the last member of the crew. Shuri is the user of Aro Aro no Mi, and her Paramecia-type Devil Fruit is sure to raise the total firepower of the crew tremendously, making her their fourth strongest member behind only the Monster Trio.
“Brook, when I grow up I want to sail the seas with you as a pirate!” — Shuri says she wants to sail with Brook, One Piece Chapter #1185
Finally, there is the case of Jewelry Bonney, who has been sailing with the Straw Hat Pirates for quite some time. Bonney wields the power of Toshi Toshi no Mi, which is one of the most overpowered Devil Fruits seen in One Piece. That said, she is the least likely candidate to become a Straw Hat due to her primary goal being to return Kuma to his former self. To that end, Bonney will likely stay in Elbaf, along with Vegapunk Lilith, in the new laboratory they found 3,000 years ago.
Vivi is set up as a straw hat candidate with a devil fruit
There is also the case of Vivi to consider, who is already an honorary member of the Straw Hat Pirates, as confirmed in One Piece Chapter 216 on January 28, 2002. Vivi is currently with the Morgans and Wapol, and she has already sent a message to Monkey D. Luffy so that she can reunite with him and the Straw Hat Pirates. That said, Nerona Imu is currently after Vivi as well, and there's no telling who will get to her first.
“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 shows Vivi's message, One Piece Chapter #1130
If Vivi manages to reunite with Luffy and the Straw Hats, she will no doubt become a member of the crew. In this case, she can also be a Devil Fruit user as Eiichiro Oda sets up Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Zaza for her. This Devil Fruit was first teased in One Piece Chapter 1182 on May 10, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24. Considering that this deity named Zaza only comes to prayers for rain, Vivi is the perfect person for this ability, and it would also boost her tremendously in the final part of the story. Either way, we're excited to see the final Straw Hat, who will most certainly be a Devil Fruit user, be introduced by Eiichiro Oda at the end of One Piece.
All the latest One Piece manga chapters by creator Eiichiro Oda are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
