Unleashed Willpower: 8 One Piece Characters So Strong They Don’t Need Devil Fruit Abilities

In the vast, sprawling world of One Piece, Devil Fruits are often considered the ultimate power-up. They grant their users incredible, often bizarre, abilities that can turn the tide of a battle and make them a force to be reckoned with. From Luffy’s rubber body to Kaido’s dragon form, these magical fruits have defined the power scaling of the series. However, as the story has progressed and the concept of Haki has been explored in greater detail, a new truth has emerged: a select few characters possess a level of willpower, skill, and sheer physical power that allows them to stand toe-to-toe with the strongest Devil Fruit users in the world, without a single supernatural ability. This list explores the eight most formidable warriors in the series who prove that in the Grand Line, a strong will is far more valuable than a devil’s curse.

The Monster Trio and Beyond: The Pinnacle of Raw Strength

When it comes to the Straw Hat Pirates, all eyes are on the “Monster Trio”—Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. But while Luffy is a Devil Fruit user, two of his most powerful crewmates rely solely on their innate abilities.

• Roronoa Zoro: As the future World’s Strongest Swordsman, Zoro’s entire identity is built on his mastery of the blade. He has never relied on a Devil Fruit and his power comes from his insane physical strength, his mastery of the Santoryu (Three-Sword Style), and his exceptional control of Armament Haki. His ability to wield three swords simultaneously and imbue them with Advanced Conqueror’s Haki makes him a living testament to the power of pure skill.
• “Black Leg” Sanji: The cook of the Straw Hat Pirates, Sanji’s strength is rooted in his “Black Leg” fighting style, which is a martial art based entirely on kicking. He uses his incredible leg strength, speed, and the power of his Ifrit Jambe, which he combines with Armament Haki, to ignite his kicks with immense heat. Sanji’s refusal to use his hands in combat for anything but cooking is a point of pride and a clear demonstration of his dedication to his craft, proving that he can be a top-tier fighter without ever needing a Devil Fruit.
• Dracule “Hawk Eyes” Mihawk: The current World’s Strongest Swordsman and Zoro’s ultimate rival, Mihawk is the pinnacle of swordsmanship. His duels with Shanks were legendary, and he wields the black blade Yoru, one of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords. Mihawk has no Devil Fruit, and his power is a combination of his unparalleled skill with a blade and his masterful use of Haki. He is a character who embodies the idea of a “pure” warrior, and his strength is a constant benchmark for the rest of the world.

The Legends of the Past and Present

The history of the One Piece world is filled with legends who achieved god-like status through their own sheer willpower. These are the men who stood at the top of the world without a single Devil Fruit power.

• Gol D. Roger: The Pirate King himself. Roger was the man who conquered the Grand Line and set off the Great Pirate Era. Despite being one of the most powerful pirates to ever live, he had no Devil Fruit. His power came from his mastery of all three forms of Haki, including the rare and powerful Conqueror’s Haki. His final clash with Whitebeard, where they imbued their weapons with Haki to unleash a world-splitting attack, is a clear sign that a Devil Fruit is not a prerequisite for being a top-tier fighter.
• “Red-Haired” Shanks: As one of the Four Emperors, Shanks is an anomaly. He is the only Yonko without a Devil Fruit, and his power is so immense that he was able to stop a war with a single glance and scare off Admiral Ryokugyu with a powerful burst of Haki. His mastery of Conqueror’s Haki is considered to be among the best in the world, and his strength is a clear sign that raw willpower and skill can triumph over the most powerful abilities in the world.
• Monkey D. Garp: The legendary “Hero of the Marines,” Garp is a cornerstone of the series’ power scaling. He famously fought alongside Gol D. Roger to defeat Rocks D. Xebec and his crew. Garp’s strength is a result of his incredible physical power and his mastery of Armament Haki, which he uses to throw cannonballs with the force of a supernova. His title as “Garp the Fist” is a clear sign that his power comes from his own body, not a magical fruit.
• Silvers “Dark King” Rayleigh: The right-hand man of the Pirate King, Rayleigh is a living legend. Despite his old age and “retirement,” he was able to easily hold off Admiral Kizaru in a one-on-one fight. Rayleigh has no Devil Fruit and his power comes from his mastery of all three forms of Haki, which he used to train Luffy. He is the perfect example of a character who has a deep understanding of the world’s core power system and is able to use it to its full potential.
• Kozuki Oden: The legendary samurai of Wano Country, Oden was a powerful warrior who was once a member of both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates. He was able to give Kaido his only permanent scar, a feat that no one else has ever accomplished. Oden had no Devil Fruit, and his power came from his exceptional swordsmanship, his immense physical strength, and his mastery of all three forms of Haki. His ability to wield both of the 21 Great-Grade swords, Enma and Ame no Habikiri, is a testament to his incredible will and strength.

These characters prove that in the world of One Piece, while a Devil Fruit may give you a shortcut to power, it is ultimately your will, your skill, and your Haki that will determine your place in the world. The absence of a Devil Fruit is not a weakness; it is a sign of an indomitable spirit and a warrior who has chosen to forge their own path to greatness.