“I think about ten men should do,” Luffy declared when he embarked on forming his pirate crew with the goal of becoming the next Pirate King. Over his lively adventures, Luffy has gathered nine crewmates, the latest being Jinbe during the Wano Country arc. With just one spot left to fill, the fandom remains divided and full of theories about who the destined tenth Straw Hat Pirate will be. Vivi is a strong contender, and Yamato has also left a significant impact on Luffy.
However, it might be time to set aside both of them (not literally) as potential new crew members. Instead, a new character from Elbaf has surfaced as a leading candidate. Luffy himself has invited him to join the Straw Hat Pirates in the One Piece manga.
Will Loki Become a Straw Hat Pirate in One Piece?
Loki resting in One Piece
One Piece fans had been hearing about Loki and were eager to discover more about him as the story approached Elbaf island. However, Loki’s character took an unexpected turn, revealing him as the “shame of Elbaf.”
Since the beginning of the Elbaf arc, Luffy has been the only one who believed there was more to Loki than the harsh opinions widespread among the giants. The Straw Hats’ captain has a remarkable talent for understanding people, and a bond has grown between Luffy and Loki since their fateful meeting.
With the arrival of Imu on Elbaf via Gunko, one of the God’s Knight members, the homeland of the giants is thrown into chaos by nightmares and converted demon soldiers. Luffy, along with Zoro and Sanji, has come to understand the turmoil in the Sun World.
In the latest One Piece chapter 1152, Loki asks to be freed so he can fight against the God’s Knights, but the other giants remain hesitant to release him due to his past as a king slayer—and understandably so. It is at this moment that Luffy steps forward and invites Loki to join his crew.
Luffy’s keen judgment of character is well-known. Whenever he wants someone on his crew, he never hesitates to ask immediately, as seen with all current members. Even Zoro and Sanji support the idea, although they worry about how Loki will fit on their ship and how they will manage to feed a giant.
Of course, Loki refuses, not wanting to be considered Luffy’s subordinate. But this is Luffy we’re talking about—a man who doesn’t accept refusal lightly. Currently, Loki is sharing his side of the story about the tragic day when his father, King Harald, was killed. His redemption arc is expected to unfold soon in the Elbaf storyline.
Loki possesses all the qualities to become a Straw Hat member. He already has the captain’s approval and stands out as a serious candidate for the coveted 10th Straw Hat. While a few individuals such as Gaimon and Kin’emon have declined the invitation after Luffy asked them to join, Loki is clearly a different case.
Like Luffy, fans are eager to explore more of Loki’s virtuous nature and witness his abilities in the upcoming chapters of the One Piece manga. So, do you want Loki to join the Straw Hat Pirates? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
