The Elbaf Arc Is Setting Up the Biggest Crew Addition in One Piece History
Ever since Monkey D. Luffy declared in One Piece Chapter 1 that he wanted at least ten crewmates, fans have been counting. Right now, the Straw Hat Pirates officially have nine members — and the mystery of who will fill that final slot has never been more urgent. With the Elbaf arc reaching its explosive climax and Nerona Imu descending upon the land of giants, the candidates for the 10th Straw Hat aren’t just powerful — they’re literal gods.
Chapter 1191 ended on one of the most jaw-dropping cliffhangers in One Piece history. Luffy, Loki, and Hajrudin combined their strength and launched the devastating Gokoku Sovereignty attack directly at Imu. The result? We have absolutely no idea — and that’s exactly what makes Chapter 1192, releasing September 6, 2026, one of the most anticipated chapters in the entire series.
Why the 10th Member Matters More Than Ever
Here’s the thing most fans forget: Oda didn’t just randomly pick the number ten. Luffy’s rivals — Blackbeard with his Ten Titanic Captains and Shanks with his ten powerful officers — both have exactly ten subordinates. Luffy is the only Emperor crew still sitting at nine. That gap isn’t just a narrative loose end; it’s a promise Oda made to readers nearly three decades ago.
And now, in the land of Elbaf — a country literally ruled by gods — the candidates for that final position have god-tier abilities and god-tier backstories.
The Three God-Level Candidates for the 10th Straw Hat
1. Loki — The Accursed Prince of Elbaf
Loki is the most obvious candidate, and it’s not even close. In Chapter 1152, Luffy directly invited Loki to join the Straw Hat Pirates. The giant prince rejected the offer — but in One Piece, rejection never means no forever. Remember? Robin said no at first. Brook did too. Sanji literally tried to leave multiple times.
What makes Loki a god-level pick is his Devil Fruit: the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr. In Elbaf’s mythology, Nidhoggr was considered a god — a creature with the power to destroy the entire world. As confirmed in Chapter 1175, Loki is now the God of War of Elbaf. He’s literally a god fighting alongside Luffy against Imu. If that’s not Straw Hat material, what is?
But here’s the catch: Loki might choose to stay and protect Elbaf. With Imu actively threatening his homeland, walking away to sail with Luffy seems… unlikely. Unless the battle forces his hand.
2. The Nika Connection — Luffy as the Sun God
This one is more meta than literal, but hear me out. Luffy himself is already the Sun God Nika — his Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika makes him a living deity. The Elbaf arc has been building toward the idea that the Straw Hat Pirates aren’t just becoming the strongest crew on the seas — they’re becoming divine.
Zoro and Sanji were both set up for Supreme King Haki in Chapter 1152. Luffy’s endurance skyrocketed after tanking Imu’s most powerful attacks. The power scaling in Elbaf isn’t just about getting stronger — it’s about the Straw Hats transcending what an Emperor crew is supposed to be. And that transformation ties directly into who the 10th member will be.
3. Hajrudin — The Giant Warrior Already Fighting Alongside Luffy
Don’t sleep on Hajrudin. The massive giant warrior has been a Straw Hat Grand Fleet member since the Dressrosa arc, and in the Elbaf battle, he’s been fighting side by side with Luffy, Loki, and even against Imu directly. His participation in the Gokoku Sovereignty attack shows he’s operating at a level far beyond his Grand Fleet status.
The question is whether Oda will promote Hajrudin from fleet member to official crewmate. It would make the Straw Hats’ composition even more unique — a crew that includes a god, a cyborg, a skeleton, a reindeer, and now a literal giant.
What Chapter 1192 Could Reveal
The Gokoku Sovereignty attack that ended Chapter 1191 is a make-or-break moment. If the combined assault of Luffy, Loki, and Hajrudin can actually damage Imu, it changes everything. It proves that mortal gods can challenge the Creator of the World. And if they can’t? Luffy will need to push Gear 5 even further — and the 10th Straw Hat might need to step up in a way we haven’t imagined yet.
There’s also the question of Scopper Gaban. The former Roger Pirate lost his left arm protecting Luffy and remains badly injured. Chapter 1192 could determine whether he can still contribute to the fight — or whether he’ll become the reason the Straw Hats need reinforcements.
Imu’s transformation is another wild card. The enormous body, four horns, and overwhelming black aura suggest a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit — possibly connected to one of the ancient gods that once ruled the One Piece world. The parallels between Imu’s divine power and the god-level abilities of the Elbaf candidates are impossible to ignore.
The Bigger Picture: Why Oda Is Doing This Now
Think about the timing. The Final Saga is underway. Oda has set a deadline for the series’ conclusion. Blackbeard is making his move. The Marines are preparing. And in the middle of all this, Luffy is standing in the land of gods, fighting the literal Creator of the World, with god-level allies at his side.
The 10th Straw Hat won’t just be a crewmate. They’ll be the final piece of the puzzle that makes the Straw Hat Pirates the most powerful crew in One Piece history. And based on everything the Elbaf arc has set up, that person — or giant — is going to be someone who makes fans lose their minds.
For more on the Elbaf arc’s implications, check out our deep dive on Imu’s rubber body and what it means for the battle, and our analysis of when One Piece’s final saga could actually end.
What Do You Think?
Who’s your pick for the 10th Straw Hat? Is Loki the obvious choice, or is Oda setting up someone even more shocking? Could the 10th member be someone we haven’t even considered yet? Drop your theories in the comments below — because if there’s one thing One Piece fans love, it’s debating who gets to wear that straw hat. 🏴☠️
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