One Piece Is Officially Upgrading Luffy’s Yonko Fleet After Elbaf

One Piece is currently in the climax of the Elbaf arc, where the Straw Hat Pirates and the Giants are faced up against the biggest threat of all, which was introduced officially in Chapter 1179 on April 6, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19 — Nerona Imu. With the arrival of Imu, the Holy Knights have also been powered up, posing a significant threat not just to Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates, but also to the entire country of Elbaf.

One way or another, Luffy and the Straw Hats will have to deal with this threat, and once dealt with, a significant reward awaits them in the form of a massive upgrade to their pirate fleet. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, has officially lined up a boost for Luffy and the Straw Hats in the form of the strongest fleet in the entire world, provided they manage to pull through the ordeal in Elbaf.

Luffy’s Alliance With Loki And Elbaf Giants Makes Luffy’s Grand Fleet Stronger Than Ever

Monkey D. Luffy is already one of the strongest pirates in the world of One Piece, and he has a powerful fleet at his disposal. Monkey D. Luffy saw the creation of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet at the end of the Dressrosa arc, specifically in One Piece chapter 800, titled “Sons’ Cups,” which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 43 on September 19, 2015. This chapter marked the birth of Luffy’s fleet, which is 5,650 strong and is said to be growing with each passing arc. While significantly powerful, featuring multiple Commanders, Luffy’s fleet is still nowhere close to the elite fighters of the world of One Piece.

“We hereby swear to, at any time and circumstance, become thy sword and shield, as repayment for all thou hast done for us in the past. We 7, with every fiber of our beings, do hereby very selfishly take, with these cups of sake, our vows to be your underlings.” — Straw Hat Grand Fleet bows to Luffy, One Piece Chapter #800

However, following the events of the Elbaf arc and the successful defense of the country against the threat of Nerona Imu and the Holy Knights, Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates will see their overall powers upgraded drastically. The Straw Hat Grand Fleet will gain a significant boost with the induction of Loki, the Accursed Prince, as well as the Giant Pirates. While Loki is also tipped by many to become a Straw Hat, in One Piece Chapter 1180, released on April 20, 2026, the Accursed Prince made his desire to stay back in Elbaf known. With the country requiring a powerful figure at the top to lead it and to defend against the forces such as Nerona Imu and the Holy Knights, Loki’s presence in Elbaf is absolutely necessary. This means that he cannot join the Straw Hat Pirates. However, he can still ally with them as the King of the country and the leader and be a significant Commander of Luffy’s fleet.

“You won’t find me anywhere else but Elbaf! Got it, you idiot?” — Luffy claims he will always be found in Elbaf, One Piece Chapter #1180

Along with Loki, the Giant Pirates are also likely to ally with Straw Hat Luffy. Previously, in the Dressrosa arc, Hajrudin swore allegiance to Monkey D. Luffy as the 6th ship captain of the Grand Fleet. This practically put the New Giant Pirates directly under Luffy’s flag. The Giant Warrior Pirates are currently not allied with Straw Hat Luffy. But, following a successful defense of Elbaf, the Giant Pirates are also likely to ally with Luffy, who was confirmed as the Sun God Nika of this generation in Chapter 1044 on March 23, 2022.

Boa Hancock And Kuja Are Set To Officially Ally With Straw Hat Luffy

While the induction of Loki and the Giant Pirates into the fleet is surely going to make Luffy significantly powerful, there are other allies to consider as well, and one of them is Boa Hancock. In One Piece Chapter 1059, Eiichiro Oda, which was released on September 12, 2022, Eiichiro Oda officially showcased the fate of Amazon Lily to us following an attack by the Navy as well as the Yonko Blackbeard. Boa Hancock was caught in quite a difficult position where she couldn’t stay in Amazon Lily anymore. She made her desire to seek out Luffy clear, and right now, she must be sailing towards him.

“I want to go to Luffy immediately!” — Boa Hancock, One Piece Chapter #1059

Hancock is not going to join the Straw Hat Pirates, but she has no other option but to fight side by side with the Straw Hat Captain. Her alliance with Luffy will further strengthen the Straw Hat Grand Fleet and make it a force so strong that it can rival the influence of the World Government. That is something that we are all eagerly waiting to see. Post-Elbaf, One Piece is officially going to take Luffy’s fleet to a whole new level of strength and grant it a significant upgrade overall.

Why Monkey D. Luffy Will Have The Strongest Pirate Fleet After Elbaf

Monkey D. Luffy is one of the most powerful figures in the world of One Piece at the moment in his fight against Nerona Imu, which was officially teased in One Piece chapter 1181, released on April 27, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump issue #22-23, it is likely to take his overall power to the next level. With the Straw Hat Pirates greatly upgrading their strength in Elbaf and the fleet receiving a major upgrade in the form of Loki, the Giant Pirates, and potentially even Boa Hancock, this group is going to make themselves known as one of the strongest on the seas. In fact, when compared to the other Yonko, their influence is going to be unmatched following the events of the Elbaf arc.

Right now, Shanks’ fleet is known to be remarkably weak overall, and Blackbeard doesn’t seem to have any major alliances forged at the moment. This leaves behind Buggy, who is already the weakest of the Four Emperors at the moment. By forging an alliance with such powerful individuals, Monkey D. Luffy is most certainly going to have the strongest fleet in the series, which could also make him the most influential and strongest pirate in the entire world, considering his overall strength.

It must also be remembered that One Piece chapter 1146 officially set up the Great War to come following the events of the Elbaf arc, upon its release on April 21, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #48. This war will require Luffy to gather up as many powerful allies as he possibly can before he takes on the forces of Nerona Imu and the powerful World Government elites, such as the Five Elders and the Holy Knights.

The latest chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.