Eiichiro Oda has done it again.
Just as the God Valley flashback has taken over the One Piece fandom, the creator has reportedly hinted that two future Straw Hat candidates exist who, if they were to join, could one day surpass even Zoro and Sanji in raw combat power. For a series where the “monster trio” has been a sacred hierarchy for over two decades, that tease has sent shockwaves through the community.
While Oda hasn’t stamped an official “future Straw Hat” label on them yet, the way these characters are being framed in the God Valley storyline and future-facing comments has fans convinced that the power scale of the crew may be heading toward its most radical shift ever.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
The God Valley Incident has quickly become one of the most gripping storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end anytime soon. Oda’s long-awaited deep dive into this once-mysterious event has united legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the shadowy Imu in a single, era-defining clash.
Rather than feeling like a simple flashback, God Valley reads like an entirely separate epic layered inside the main story. It explores the brutal politics of the Celestial Dragons, the birth of pirate legends, and the foundations of the current world order. For long-time readers, it finally delivers on the promise of learning more about the “true history” that has lurked behind the scenes since the earliest chapters.
Every new reveal in this arc doesn’t just answer questions—it raises bigger ones. And now, with Oda teasing the existence of two characters who could eclipse Zoro and Sanji, God Valley has gone from a historical flashback to a direct setup for the Straw Hats’ future.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
In a rare twist for a series built around its main crew, a surprising number of fans say they’re not ready to leave the past behind and return to Luffy’s present-day journey just yet.
Social media is overflowing with posts calling the God Valley chapters the “most thrilling One Piece has felt in years,” praising the darker tone, more ruthless stakes, and lore-heavy storytelling. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) summed up the mood perfectly:
“If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.”
The comment captures how unique this moment is for the fandom. For once, the flashback — the world of legends and dead men — feels more intoxicating than the current adventure. But Oda is now blurring that boundary: the ripples from God Valley aren’t staying in the past. They may be sailing straight toward the Thousand Sunny.
Oda Drops a Power-Scaling Bombshell
Amid all the excitement surrounding God Valley, Oda slipped in a comment that instantly detonated in the power-scaling side of the fandom. In a recent note tied to the current arc, he teased that there are two characters in this story whose potential is so overwhelming that, if they ever boarded the Thousand Sunny, even Zoro and Sanji would have trouble keeping up.
He stopped short of naming them outright as “future Straw Hats,” but the wording was deliberate:
- They are closely tied to the events of God Valley and the larger history of the world.
- Their abilities and convictions are “compatible with Luffy’s era.”
- And most importantly, they’ve been written in a way that leaves the door open for them to return in the present timeline.
For a series where the power hierarchy within the crew has been incredibly consistent — Luffy at the top, followed by Zoro and Sanji — the idea that Oda is now entertaining allies who could surpass the wings of the Pirate King is both thrilling and terrifying.
Meet the Two Monsters Who Could Board the Sunny
While Oda hasn’t confirmed anything, the framing in the God Valley arc strongly suggests two standout candidates that fans are already treating as “potential future Straw Hats.”
1. Harald, the Giant Who Laughs at Thunder
The first is Harald, a prodigious warrior from Elbaf introduced in the God Valley flashback as a young but terrifying combatant dragged into the chaos of that island. Even in his youth, Harald is shown clashing with pirates and marines who would give current New World captains nightmares.
Key details that have fans watching him closely:
- Raw Physical Power: Harald is portrayed as a giant who can shatter battleships with a single throw and dent island-sized structures with his blows — feats already on par with what we’ve seen from Yonko-level clashes.
- Haki Mastery: The flashback depicts him instinctively using advanced Armament and Conqueror’s Haki, not as a polished technique, but as something that erupts when his emotions spike.
- Elbaf Connection: As One Piece steers toward Elbaf, it’s increasingly likely that the Straw Hats will encounter Harald again—this time as a fully grown warrior of the new era.
If Harald were to join the crew as a main combatant, he wouldn’t just be another strong ally. He could become a walking natural disaster, redefining what the “monster trio” even means.
2. Lyra, the Sword of the Forgotten Bloodline
The second candidate is Lyra, a mysterious swordswoman tied to one of God Valley’s “erased” lineages. Introduced as a child hidden among the slaves and lower-class residents of the island, Lyra’s brief but unforgettable scenes have already made her a fan favorite.
What makes her so dangerous?
- Speed and Technique: Even in flashback glimpses, Lyra is described as moving faster than the eye can track, blending high-speed footwork with a unique “song blade” style that seems designed to counter heavy hitters.
- Potential Rival to Zoro: Oda has a habit of foreshadowing Zoro’s future rivals in quiet, almost throwaway scenes. The way Lyra is shown watching legendary swordsmen with quiet intensity has fans convinced she’s being positioned as a future equal — or threat — to Zoro’s title.
- Ideals That Align With Luffy: Lyra despises the Celestial Dragons and the systems that enable their cruelty. Her dream, hinted at in a tear-filled monologue, is to “cut down the heavens that look down on people.” It’s a goal that meshes disturbingly well with Luffy’s tendency to pick fights with gods and kings.
If Harald represents overwhelming force, Lyra represents the terrifying ceiling of pure technique. And together, they’re exactly the kind of duo who could, as Oda teased, push even Zoro and Sanji to their limits.
What This Means for Zoro, Sanji, and the Monster Trio
The idea of anyone surpassing Zoro and Sanji is controversial, to put it mildly.
For many fans, the “monster trio” isn’t just a power ranking — it’s part of the crew’s identity. Zoro as the indomitable right hand. Sanji as the blazing left wing. The thought of two newcomers arriving and eventually overtaking them sparks every kind of reaction:
- Excitement: Some fans welcome the idea, arguing that if Luffy is truly on track to surpass Roger, it’s only natural that his future crewmates would push beyond the limits of past generations, too.
- Defensiveness: Others insist that no matter how strong new allies become, Zoro and Sanji’s roles as Luffy’s “wings” are irreplaceable. Power alone, they argue, doesn’t decide the emotional hierarchy of the crew.
- Curiosity: Many are simply fascinated by the narrative possibilities — rivalries within the crew, friendly clashes, and new training arcs that force even Zoro and Sanji to evolve.
If Harald and Lyra ever step onto the Sunny as official members, One Piece wouldn’t just be introducing new Straw Hats. It would be rewriting the internal balance of the crew in a way we’ve never seen before.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
The overwhelming hype around God Valley — and now around these two potential future Straw Hats — is yet another testament to Eiichiro Oda’s ability to reinvent his own story even after more than two decades.
By using a flashback to seed powerhouses who might reappear in the present, Oda is doing three things at once:
- Expanding the Mythology: God Valley no longer feels like a closed chapter in history, but a living scar that still bleeds into the current age.
- Future-Proofing the Story: As Luffy inches closer to the throne of Pirate King, the series needs allies and rivals who can stand on that same terrifying tier.
- Keeping Fans Guessing: Is Harald really destined to join? Will Lyra sail under Luffy’s flag or forge her own path? Are there even more candidates quietly hiding in the margins of the arc?
Even as some fans dread the inevitable end of the God Valley flashback, others are beginning to see it less as an ending and more as a launchpad. Whether Harald and Lyra truly become Straw Hats or remain legendary allies, one thing is clear:
The world of One Piece is on the verge of a new era — one where even the unshakable monster trio might have to look over their shoulders.
