Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, has been sailing the seas for more than 1,000 chapters. He’s now closer than ever to achieving his dream of finding the One Piece, and becoming the Pirate King. Although Luffy set out on his own, he gradually gathered a talented crew now renowned across the world of One Piece. The story behind each Straw Hat joining the crew is impactful enough on its own. Because Luffy gained their respect, they wholeheartedly believe he will become the Pirate King.
Looking back at those moments, maybe the Straw Hats were the first ones to believe in Luffy’s dream. It must be that they saw potential in Luffy that was hidden from everyone else. Their desire to remain a part of the crew, and to help Luffy, stems from the belief that, some day, Luffy will become the King of the Pirates. Luffy fought for his crew mates against a common evil, creating an unbreakable bond. He allowed them to be whoever they want, and they, in turn, joined his crew not just to achieve their own goals but his as well.
Zoro Is One of Luffy’s Most Faithful Companions
Zoro’s faith in Luffy has been unshaken from the start. He was the first person to acknowledge that Luffy will become King of the Pirates. After his fight with Mihawk, Zoro was ashamed of his defeat. Therefore, to prove his mettle to Luffy, he raised his sword (while lying on the deck from his injuries) and told Luffy about his conviction while also referring to him as the future King of the Pirates. Another iconic moment was his encounter with Kuma at the Thriller Bark, where Zoro begged the Warlord to take his life instead of Luffy’s, because the latter is destined to become the Pirate King.
Sanji Is Just as Confident as Zoro in Luffy’s Future
If Zoro can be considered Luffy’s right hand, then Sanji is his left. Sanji’s faith in Luffy goes beyond the relationship between a captain and crew member. Luffy helped him realize to his dream to search for All Blue, and offered him a place on his ship. In the “Zou” arc, when Sanji’s past was about to be revealed, Captain Bege apprehended Sanji on Big Mom’s behalf, and offered to take Luffy and the other Straw Hats under an Emperor’s banner. However, Sanji vehemently refused, saying that Luffy is not a man who will settle for being someone’s underling, because he is the future Pirate King.
Usopp Showed His Belief in the Future Pirate King
Usopp’s proclamation was extremely emotional. In the “Alabasta” arc, the Straw Hats faced an enemy fiercer than they had confronted before. They were against a Warlord and has a massive crew of elite fighters. In the middle of the chaos, Luffy went missing, and Usopp was told he had died. Refusing to accept the death of his friend, Usopp announced Luffy will become the Pirate King; therefore, it didn’t make sense for him to die. Despite always getting scared of his enemies, and having few hand-to-hand combat skills, Usopp nevertheless stood against a powerful foe, just to prove his point.
Nami Believes in Luffy Despite Her Hatred of Pirates
Because of her past, Nami always hated pirates, and believed them to be evile. However, getting to know Luffy has been an eye-opener for her. After Luffy saved her from Arlong, she became the Straw Hats’ official navigator. Despite always being angry at Luffy, she trusts him the most in the crew. In the “Whole Cake Island” arc, Luffy and Nami were up against Big Mom’s strongest crew members, and Nami proclaimed Luffy’s future role. Another instance of her faith in Luffy was shown in the “Wano” arc, when Ulti hit her and threatened her to say that Luffy won’t be the Pirate King. Even covered with wounds, Nami reminisced about when she first asked Luffy for help, and he saved her without hesitation. Ignoring the threat to her life, Nami refused to say Luffy won’t become the Pirate King, because she didn’t believe that.
Chopper Tells the Kids About the King of the Pirates
Kicked out of his group by his reindeer family, and then hated by humans, Chopper never truly had a place to belong. He was happy living with his foster father, who also passed away not long after. It wasn’t until he joined Luffy’s crew that he finally became a pirate, and realized his dream. In the “Punk Hazard” arc, Chopper was eager to save the kids who were being experimented on by Caesar Clown. While trying to assure one of the kids, Chopper promised that, no matter how terrifying Caesar was, he would never win against Luffy who was the future King of the Pirates.
Franky Gave an Iconic Proclamation of Luffy’s Destiny
Franky proclaiming Luffy to be the future King of the Pirates may be one of his most iconic scenes. As if going up against a Yonko wasn’t enough for the Straw Hats and their allies, another terrifying Yonko, Big Mom, joined the battle. Nami and Franky encountered Big Mom,against whom they were no match. While Nami suggested running away, Franky refused to say she was just an Emperor, but proclaimed that Luffy would be King of the Pirates.
Jinbe Left Big Mom’s Crew to Join the Straw Hats
The strongest and the most respectable Fish-Man, Jinbe carried a lot on his shoulders. Following Whitebeard’s death, he joined Big Mom’s banner, to protect his people. However, when Luffy arrived at Whole Cake Island, he told Jinbe he would wait for him in the Land of Wano. Long wishing to join Luffy’s crew, Jinbe didn’t hesitate to ask to leave Big Mom’s crew. She relented, for a price: the loss of years from Jinbe‘s life span. Interestingly enough, Big Mom’s powers only work on those who are afraid of her. Therefore, she was unable to extract Jinbe‘s life force. Jinbe said he had no fear of a mere Emperor, because he would become a crew member of the future King of the Pirates.
Robin’s Bond With Sanji Extends to the Rest of the Crew
Much like most Straw Hats, Robin never found a place she to call home until she joined Luffy’s crew. She holds her crew mates dear to her, especially after they saved her from the World Government. In the “Wano” arc, Sanji was helpless against a female opponent and, thus, could only call Robin for help. She was elated that Sanji trusted her so much. Therefore, seeing Black Maria insult Sanji didn’t sit well with Robin. She said that Sanji is not only a kind man, but also someone who is worthy of being one of the arms of the future Pirate King.
Brook Became a Star but Still Backed Fluffy for Pirate King
The two-year separation was just as hard on the rest of the Straw Hats as it was on Luffy. They focused on improving themselves so that they could be more helpful to Luffy. In the meantime, Brook somehow became a rising star, and was performing live in the “Sabaody” arc. After the Marineford War, Luffy was believed to be dead, because he disappeared. Nonetheless, shortly post-time skip, Brook announced during a live performance that, not only was Luffy alive, but that he will also become the King of the Pirates.