Key Takeaways
- Most powerful characters in One Piece have Haki or Devil Fruit powers.
- Technology can provide significant power boosts in the absence of Haki or Devil Fruits.
- Natural lineage, like being a Giant, can also lead to immense strength in One Piece.
At this point in the series, a majority of the relevant One Piece characters are considered the best of the best in the universe. Featuring mostly the strongest characters and villains, most of the time, the power of a character feels like a hugely relevant factor in the modern landscape of the series. In fact, at times it seems like the One Piece world is ruled by the strongest characters, with those with fantastic powers making most of the decisions.
At times, it feels like every single one of these powerful characters has some sort of power, including a Devil Fruit or Haki. These powers, despite being rare in the One Piece universe, are the most common means to rise through the ranks of One Piece strength. Sadly, this can feel like the only means of strength in the entire series. Despite being the most common way, are Haki and Devil Fruits the only means of gaining strength in One Piece?
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Is Haki or A Devil Fruit Necessary For Power In One Piece
All The Strongest Characters Have One
As it stands, every single, high-tier character in the world of One Piece possesses some form of Haki or Devil Fruit. For example, the Emperors of the Sea and Navy Admirals, two of the most powerful groups in the entire show, all possess both a Devil Fruit and multiple forms of Haki, save for Buggy, who only possesses a One Piece Devil Fruit. In fact, to become a Navy Vice Admiral, a soldier needs to at least possess some form of Haki.
Without strength you won’t be able to save anyone. – Kizaru
However, not every character in One Piece has a natural inclination toward Haki or a Devil Fruit. Despite this seeming like a death sentence to a character’s strength, luckily, there are other options to become a top-tier character. Although these methods aren’t nearly as effective as One Piece’s powerful Haki or Devil Fruits, at the very least, they give characters a chance to stand with the best of the best.
Technology Is Nearly As Strong As Haki and Devil Fruits
Winning Through Brains
First off, one of the strangest, but quickest ways to power in the One Piece universe is through technology. Franky and Nami, the only two members of the Straw, in order to keep up with the rest of the crew, utilize some form of technology, giving them monstrous amounts of firepower to deal with physically stronger threats. Although Nami does utilize a fraction of the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit in the form of Zeus, on her own, she still has some amazing feats without the Homie. Additionally, the Germa 66 members, Sanji’s siblings, utilize their Raid Suits and other modifications to enormously boost their own power.
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Additionally, technology has been shown to be able to simulate the effects of One Piece’s Devil Fruits through the use of Vegapunk’s synthesized Green Blood. This power, utilized by the Seraphim in One Piece, allows the group to mimic several Paramecia Devil Fruits, allowing them to reach huge levels of power, without the Devil Fruit itself. Although this could be considered cheating, the Green Blood isn’t exactly a Devil Fruit, though it does impart the same weaknesses to the sea.
Natural Lineage Plays A Huge Role In Strength In One Piece
Power From Birth
The other way a non-Devil Fruit or Haki user can get strong is through natural lineage factors, such as being a member of one of One Piece’s mythical races. Being a Giant, for example, is a shortcut to having enormous levels of strength. With proper training, a Giant’s strength could allow them to be a top-tier fighter without Haki or a Devil Fruit. As is shown in One Piece’s Elbaf Arc, many of the Giants there are incredibly strong as a base. Although Haki or a Devil Fruit could make them stronger, between powerful races like the Minx, Lunarians, and Buccaneers, having a strong lineage could be enough.
Power isn’t determined by your size, but the size of your heart and dreams. – Luffy
In the end, although Haki and Devil Fruits aren’t the only ways to power in One Piece, so far they seem to be the best strategy. However, in the end, it’s generally a combination of factors that make a character strong. Mainly, a character’s training, hard work, and upbringing are the true elements of success in One Piece.
