The <em>One Piece</em> universe is filled with incredible combat styles. From the unpredictable abilities of Devil Fruits to specific martial arts like Fish-Man Karate, both pirates and Marines have plenty of ways to fight. Yet, with the series now deep in its Final Saga, it is clear that one power system rules above all: Haki.
During the raid on Onigashima, Kaido made a very clear point about this reality, explicitly stating that Devil Fruits alone are not enough to rule the world because Haki transcends everything. Gol D. Roger stands as the solid example of this truth, having conquered the unforgiving Grand Line and claimed the title of Pirate King using nothing but his own immense willpower.
From flawlessly predicting enemy movements to coating weapons in destructive black lightning, Haki effectively levels the playing field. Possessing a strong spirit is the only way to shatter the strongest defenses in the world and take down its most powerful users. While many characters can use the basic forms of this energy, a rare handful have pushed their skills to a completely different level, boasting the strongest Haki in the entire series.
10
Harald
Boasting an overwhelming mastery over Conqueror’s Haki, the late King of Elbaph firmly cemented his place among the absolute legends of his era. While infiltrating the holy land of Mary Geoise, Harald clashed evenly with the infamous Rocks D. Xebec, sending powerful shockwaves from their collision that instantly knocked out everyone within a five-kilometer radius. Later on, their intense rematch on Elbaph ended up in a complete draw.
Even when facing fighters like Scopper Gaban and young Shanks, the Elbaph King’s overwhelming Haki made it impossible for either pirate to overcome him. After being manipulated by Imu through the Depths Covenant, Harald’s mind was hijacked to turn him into a weapon of mass destruction.
However, his overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki allowed him to briefly resist the mind control, something even Rocks had difficulty doing. It ultimately took a devastating, Conqueror’s Haki-infused lightning strike from his son, Loki, to finally shatter the giant’s legendary defenses and grant him peace.
9
Monkey D. Luffy
Monkey D. Luffy is far more than just a brawler with a goofy Devil Fruit; he is a combat prodigy who has perfectly mastered all three forms of advanced Haki. During his time in Wano, the Straw Hat captain unlocked future sight, internal destruction, and a Conqueror’s infusion strong enough to split the heavens against Kaido. This level of mastery proved crucial on Egghead, allowing Luffy to physically flatten Admiral Kizaru and Saint Saturn simultaneously.
The newly crowned Emperor continues to grow stronger in Elbaph as well. After Scopper Gaban revealed that Conqueror’s infusion actively inhibits the immortality of the Knights of God, Luffy used this vital knowledge to combine his Gear 5 form with a lethal Haki coating. The Straw Hat captain managed to grab a literal bolt of lightning to unleash the Gomu Gomu no Dawn Thor Rifle. This devastating strike completely obliterated Shepherd Sommers and fully neutralized his Devil Fruit.
One Piece: Every Gear 5 Ability, Ranked Weakest to Strongest
One Piece’s most transformative power-up, the Gear 5, is Luffy’s most devastating ability. However, there are layers to its destructive capacity.
In combat, Luffy uses his advanced Armament Haki to project his willpower outward, allowing him to destroy targets from the inside out and deal heavy internal damage. His exceptional Observation Haki perfectly complements this skill that lets him see seconds into the future. By seamlessly blending future sight, internal destruction, and Conqueror’s infusion into his awakened Gear 5 state, the Sun God clearly stands as a true powerhouse of the modern era.
8
Whitebeard
Long before relying on his destructive Devil Fruit abilities, Edward Newgate built his legendary reputation through pure combat mastery. During the infamous God Valley Incident, a younger Whitebeard fearlessly attacked Imu, who was possessing Saturn, and managed to deflect a mountain-shattering strike from a demon-transformed Rocks D. Xebec.
What made this powerhouse truly terrifying was his pure instinct in battle. Whitebeard possessed incredibly sharp Observation Haki, which allowed him to easily detect Kozuki Oden from miles away on the shores of Wano. Furthermore, he casually stopped multiple assassination attempts from Ace while snoring loudly in a deep sleep.
During his prime, Newgate pushed his Conqueror’s Haki to the absolute extreme. While fighting Gol D. Roger, he projected an invisible barrier of black lightning out from his naginata, creating a legendary clash that split the sky without their weapons ever physically connecting.
Even at death’s door, weighed down by a terminal illness and hundreds of fatal combat wounds, Whitebeard’s Armament Haki stayed incredibly sharp. It was potent enough to completely bypass the magma intangibility of Fleet Admiral Akainu, allowing the legendary pirate to inflict serious damage until his final breath.
7
Loki
The Accursed Prince of Elbaph is an absolute monster with a truly terrifying command over Haki. Even among the seasoned elite of the New World, Loki easily stands out as one of the rare fighters capable of using an advanced infusion of Conqueror’s Haki. His pure willpower is so potent that it can successfully bypass the immortality granted by Imu.
The Prince displayed this unprecedented power during a tragic confrontation to stop his maddened father, King Harald. By unleashing a Conqueror’s Haki-infused strike from his legendary hammer, Ragnir, Loki permanently canceled out the immortality granted by the Depths Covenant, killing his father in the process.
Loki’s Haki usage becomes even more devastating when paired with his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, the Ryu Ryu no Mi Model: Nidhöggr. While transformed into the largest known dragon, he smoothly weaves Conqueror’s Haki directly into massive lightning blasts. In addition, the Accursed Prince of Elbaph possesses a keen Observation Haki that lets him instantly sense Imu’s chilling arrival on the giant island. Through these incredible feats, Loki has repeatedly proven he has the sheer strength to clash directly with the ruler of the world.
6
Rocks D. Xebec
The infamous captain of Rocks Pirates possessed a truly terrifying mastery over Conqueror’s Haki…
