Eiichiro Oda's One Piece is currently at the climax of the Elbaf arc, where the extremely exciting battle between the king of the world, Nerona Imu, and the cursed prince Loki is currently taking place. So far, the Cursed Prince has done more than well to hold his own against the King of the World. However, One Piece chapter 1183, released on May 25, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26, made it clear that there was a stark difference in strength between the two.
As said, One Piece is still setting up a major power-up for Cursed Prince Loki, and this upgrade will likely come through Devil Fruit Awakening. Loki has the power of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr, but this Devil Fruit has not been awakened yet. Once Loki enters his awakened form, he will receive a significant buff in the fight against the King of the World, and we absolutely cannot wait to see it.
One Piece Sets Loki's Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr Awakening In Elbaf
IN One Piece Chapter 1175, Eiichiro Oda officially introduced the power of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr. This devil fruit was said to be of legendary nature and was protected in Elbaf as its national treasure. Over the years, several individuals, including the strong like Harald and probably even Jarul and Jorul before him, have tried to claim the Nidhoggr Devil Fruit ability for themselves, but they were all overpowered by Ragnir, who had guarded this fruit for eons.
“The mythical Zoan Ryu Ryu no Mi…it is said that whoever eats it can turn into the largest dragon in the entire world. The creature's size is relative to the original size of the one who ate the fruit. They say that this dragon breathes lightning, and when it flies, its jet-black wings turn day into night.” — The Jarul elders explain the size of Nidhoggr
Finally, 14 years ago, it was Loki, the cursed prince of Elbaf, who ended up consuming this Devil Fruit after encountering Ragnir and gaining its acceptance. Harnessing the power of the Nidhoggr Devil Fruit, Loki was able to defeat King Harald with ease and save Elbaf from a very grim fate. In the same chapter, Jarul explained that Elbaf has always had a legendary Devil Fruit that goes by the name Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr. This Devil Fruit allows one to transform into a giant black dragon, said to be the largest in the entire world. The size of this dragon is directly proportional to the size of the individual, meaning that the true power of this fruit can only be brought forth by someone with an ancient giant bloodline like Loki.
In One Piece Chapter 1175, Jarul further went on to explain that Elbaf's former war god, whose name is currently unknown, had the Nidhoggr ability, and by his side was the ice squirrel Ratatoskr, who is now Ragnir, with the power of the mythical Zoan Risu Risu no Mi, Model: Ratatoskr. Together they faced the sun god Nika evenly and delivered a phenomenal performance. Now Loki embodies the same power. However, he can take it a step further by awakening his Devil Fruit. All top level Devil Fruit users currently in Elbaf have already been awakened.
“In Elbaph we have a legend of a warrior god. He used a weapon known as Ragnir-Iron Lightning-and transformed into a huge dragon to face the Sun God! He fought alongside a trusty, loyal chipmunk known as Ratatoskr.” – Elder Jarul explains the power of Nidhoggr, One Piece Chapter #1175
Monkey D. Luffy uses the Power of Gear 5, which is the awakening of his fruit. Similarly, Nerona Imu has an awakening cloud and a black ring behind her neck, signifying Devil Fruit Awakening, as officially seen in One Piece Chapter 1179 of April 5, 2026 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19. Loki is the only top tier Devil Fruit user here who hasn't Awakened yet, but that may well change in the upcoming chapters of Elbaf as he continues his fight against Nerona Imu.
After 3 years, One Piece officially reveals anime remake trailer
“The One Piece” by Wit Studio has finally revealed its first trailer and Key Visual at Annecy Film Festival 2026.
Loki's awakening will give him an upgraded dragon form
When Loki awakens his Devil Fruit ability, he will become much stronger than ever before and, most importantly, receive a unique transformation. This was confirmed in One Piece chapter 1145 by none other than the King of Beasts, Kaido. According to Kaido, those who can transfer their powers to their surroundings have a Paramecia Type Devil Fruit, but gaining a unique transformation is a sign of a Zoan Awakening.
“Since you can transfer your power to your surroundings, it is safe to assume that you have awakened your Paramecia Fruit. But something is wrong! Transformations like these are typical of a Zoan Awakening!” – Kaido Explains Zoan Transformations, One Piece Chapter #1045
This was very well depicted in One Piece chapter 1044 on March 28, 2022, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19, when Luffy awakened the power of Hito Hito no Mi, model: Nika, and became the warrior of liberation, Sun God Nika. Similarly, Rob Lucci showed his Devil Fruit awakening in One Piece Chapter 1069 on December 12, 2022 and also unleashed a new, unique transformation. Kaku did the same in the same chapter, also showing off the awakened nature of his own Devil Fruit.
Loki's new Devil Fruit Awakening will thus give him a new dragon transformation. Considering that size is an important factor when it comes to Loki's dragon transformation, it is likely that the awakened form of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr, can grant the user an even larger dragon form with much greater firepower. Also, Nidhoggr is said to be the lightning dragon in the One Piece world, but it's entirely possible that upon awakening it can gain the power of fire manipulation along with lightning, making it doubly special.
“I am the sun god who will destroy the whole world!” — Loki explains his power, One Piece Chapter #1130
Why Loki's full power was able to surpass the sun god Nika after awakening
As it stands, Loki is expected to surpass even Monkey D. Luffy, the world's current Sun God Nika, with his awakened Devil Fruit form. Given the display Loki has put on so far, he seems to be equal to Luffy in terms of strength. When Luffy and Loki fought Gunko Imu in One Piece Chapter 1178 on March 28, 2026 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #18, Loki was just as impressive as Monkey D. Luffy in his Gear 5. In fact, Loki had a much better showing than him in finishing the battle much more effectively than the sun. If he manages to awaken his Devil Fruit right now, then he will rise to a whole new level of strength that even Luffy can't match right now.
In any case, both Luffy and Loki need to upgrade their current strength if they are to defeat the King of the World, Nerona Imu. Only by reaching a higher level of power, whether through Devil Fruit Awakening or some other means, can they save Elbaf once and for all.
All the latest chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
