The world of One Piece is filled with incredibly powerful pirates, but while the Yonko often dominate discussions about the strongest characters, there are numerous other pirates whose power levels rival or even surpass those of the Emperors of the Sea. From legendary figures who shaped the Golden Age of Pirates to current powerhouses who continue to influence the New World, these non-Yonko pirates have demonstrated extraordinary strength that deserves recognition. In this comprehensive ranking, we’ll explore the 9 strongest pirates that aren’t Yonko in One Piece, analyzing their feats, abilities, and impact on the series.
1. Gol D. Roger – The Pirate King
When discussing the strongest pirates in One Piece history, Gol D. Roger stands in a league of his own. As the only person to ever conquer the Grand Line and earn the title of Pirate King, Roger’s strength was unparalleled in his era. What makes Roger particularly remarkable is that he achieved this feat without the benefit of a Devil Fruit power, relying solely on his incredible Haki mastery and swordsmanship.
Roger possessed all three types of Haki at the highest possible level, with his Conqueror’s Haki being so potent that it could even affect the environment around him. Armed with his Supreme Grade sword, Ace, Roger could clash evenly with legendary figures like Whitebeard and even defeat the infamous Rocks D. Xebec during the God Valley incident. His bounty of 5,564,800,000 berries remains the highest confirmed bounty in One Piece history, a testament to the threat he posed to the World Government.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Roger’s strength is that he accomplished all of this while suffering from a terminal illness. Imagine what a healthy Roger in his prime could have achieved! His legacy continues to influence the current generation of pirates, with many characters still striving to reach the heights he attained.
2. Rocks D. Xebec – The Man Who Challenged the World
Rocks D. Xebec is perhaps the most mysterious yet terrifyingly powerful pirate in One Piece history. As the captain of the Rocks Pirates, Xebec commanded a crew that included future Yonko like Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido. His ambition was nothing short of world domination, and he was willing to challenge even the World Government itself to achieve his goals.
What makes Rocks particularly formidable is that he was considered a threat so great that it required the combined efforts of Monkey D. Garp and Gol D. Roger to defeat him at God Valley. This is the same Garp who would later be known as the “Hero of the Marines” and Roger who would become Pirate King—two of the strongest characters in the series needing to team up just to take down Rocks speaks volumes about his power level.
Recent revelations in the manga have shown that Rocks possessed incredible Haki, capable of bypassing even the immortality granted by certain Devil Fruits. His ability to infiltrate the Flower Room (where the World Nobles reside) and escape, as well as his confrontation with Imu, demonstrate that he was operating at a level far beyond most other pirates. While he never became a Yonko (as the system didn’t exist in his time), there’s no doubt that Rocks was Yonko-level or even beyond.
3. Dracule Mihawk – The World’s Strongest Swordsman
Dracule “Hawk Eyes” Mihawk holds the prestigious title of World’s Strongest Swordsman, making him one of the most formidable non-Yonko pirates currently active. As a former Warlord of the Sea, Mihawk has consistently demonstrated power that places him in the highest tier of One Piece characters.
Mihawk’s strength is perhaps best illustrated by his rivalry with Shanks. The two were known to have intense duels in their younger days, with their clashes being so legendary that they still echo through the Grand Line. Even after Shanks lost his arm, Mihawk refused to fight him, not out of disrespect but because he recognized that such a battle wouldn’t be honorable against a handicapped opponent. This shows both Mihawk’s incredible power and his code of honor.
In terms of feats, Mihawk has demonstrated the ability to slice through massive icebergs and even ships with minimal effort. His swordsmanship is so precise that he can attack targets from miles away with pinpoint accuracy. During the Marineford War, he clashed evenly with Vista, one of Whitebeard’s strongest commanders, and later showed no fear when facing off against an Admiral.
What truly sets Mihawk apart is that he achieves all this without a Devil Fruit power, relying solely on his supreme sword skills and Haki mastery. His bounty, while never officially revealed, would undoubtedly be in the billions, reflecting his status as one of the world’s most dangerous pirates.
4. Silvers Rayleigh – The Dark King
Silvers Rayleigh, known as the “Dark King,” served as the right-hand man to Gol D. Roger and the first mate of the Roger Pirates. Even in his old age, Rayleigh has demonstrated power that places him among the elite pirates in One Piece history.
Rayleigh’s mastery of Haki is truly exceptional. He is one of the few characters confirmed to possess all three types of Haki at an advanced level. During the Sabaody Archipelago arc, he demonstrated his incredible power by effortlessly dispatching several Marines and even clashing with Admiral Kizaru. What makes this feat particularly impressive is that Rayleigh was well past his prime at this point—imagine his strength in his younger days!
Perhaps the most telling demonstration of Rayleigh’s power came during the God Valley incident, where he single-handedly defeated Sommers, a powerful God’s Knight, while saving Shakky. This showcases that even against the World Government’s most elite forces, Rayleigh’s skills remain formidable.
Rayleigh’s bounty in his prime was likely astronomical, and his reputation as the “Dark King” suggests that he was nearly as feared and respected as Roger himself. His ability to swim from the Grand Line to the East Blue using only his physical strength further demonstrates his incredible capabilities.
5. Monkey D. Dragon – The Revolutionary Leader
Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army and father of Monkey D. Luffy, is perhaps the most enigmatic yet undoubtedly powerful character in One Piece. While his exact abilities remain largely mysterious, his position as the World Government’s greatest enemy speaks volumes about his strength.
Dragon’s power is such that the World Government considers him a bigger threat than any Yonko. This is particularly telling when you consider that the Yonko control vast territories and possess immense military power. The fact that Dragon’s revolutionary activities worry the World Government more than established Emperors suggests that his personal strength and influence are extraordinary.
While Dragon has yet to engage in serious combat in the series, there are several hints about his power level. He possesses some form of weather-controlling ability, likely related to wind or storms, as evidenced by the mysterious gusts of wind that seem to aid Luffy at critical moments. Additionally, his status as a former Marine and the fact that he trained Sabo personally suggest that he has incredible combat skills.
Dragon’s bounty would undoubtedly be the highest active bounty in the series if it were revealed, potentially even surpassing that of the Yonko. His ability to lead an organization that directly challenges the World Government’s authority while maintaining his freedom demonstrates that he possesses power comparable to the greatest pirates in history.
6. Marco the Phoenix – The Whitebeard Pirates’ Guardian
Marco the Phoenix served as the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and is one of the strongest characters never to have held a Yonko title. His mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix, grants him incredible regenerative abilities and the power of flight, making him one of the most versatile fighters in the series.
Marco’s strength was prominently displayed during the Marineford War, where he clashed with multiple Admirals and held his own against each of them. He managed to kick both Aokiji and Kizaru, two of the most powerful Marines, and even temporarily immobilized Akainu. His ability to regenerate from almost any injury makes him incredibly difficult to defeat in prolonged battles.
What makes Marco particularly impressive is his endurance. Throughout the Marineford War, he was constantly engaged in combat against top-tier opponents yet never showed signs of exhaustion. His Haki mastery is also exceptional, allowing him to effectively counter the Devil Fruit abilities of even the strongest opponents.
After Whitebeard’s death, Marco took on the responsibility of protecting what remained of the Whitebeard Pirates, demonstrating his leadership qualities as well as his strength. His recent appearance in Wano, where he helped fight against Kaido’s forces, shows that even in his older age, he remains a formidable force capable of challenging Yonko-level threats.
7. Sabo – The Flame Emperor
Sabo, the chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army and Luffy’s sworn brother, has established himself as one of the most powerful non-Yonko pirates in the current era. After consuming Ace’s Mera Mera no Mi, Sabo gained incredible fire-based abilities that complement his already formidable Haki mastery.
Sabo’s strength was first prominently displayed during the Dressrosa arc, where he effortlessly defeated Jesus Burgess, one of Blackbeard’s strongest commanders. Later, during the Reverie, he made headlines worldwide by destroying the Celestial Dragon’s symbol and clashing with Admirals Fujitora and Ryokugyu. The fact that he could fight two Admirals simultaneously and emerge unscathed speaks volumes about his power level.
What sets Sabo apart is his mastery of both the Mera Mera no Mi and advanced Haki techniques. His Dragon Claw fighting style, taught to him by Monkey D. Dragon himself, allows him to deliver devastating blows that can bypass conventional defenses. His Conqueror’s Haki is also highly developed, as evidenced by his ability to knock out multiple opponents at once.
Sabo’s bounty of 3 billion berries places him among the elite pirates in the world, and his title as “Flame Emperor” suggests that his influence extends beyond just the Revolutionary Army. His combination of Devil Fruit powers, Haki mastery, and tactical brilliance makes him one of the most well-rounded and dangerous fighters in the series.
8. Scopper Gaban – Roger’s Left Hand
Scopper Gaban, known as the left hand of the Pirate King, is a legendary figure from Roger’s crew who has recently demonstrated incredible power in the current timeline. As the third most important member of the Roger Pirates (after Roger and Rayleigh), Gaban’s strength was instrumental in the crew’s conquest of the Grand Line.
Gaban’s most impressive feat came during the God Valley incident, where he showcased Conqueror’s Haki so advanced that it could bypass even immortality. This makes him one of the few characters in One Piece capable of affecting seemingly invulnerable opponents, placing him in an exclusive tier of power.
Wielding twin axes that he can charge with Haki, Gaban demonstrates incredible offensive capabilities. His fighting style appears to be a perfect balance between power and precision, allowing him to take on multiple powerful opponents simultaneously. The fact that he was trusted as Roger’s left hand, alongside Rayleigh as the right hand, suggests that his strength was comparable to that of the Dark King himself.
While Gaban hasn’t been as extensively featured as some other characters on this list, his recent appearances have solidified his status as one of the strongest non-Yonko pirates in One Piece history. His ability to remain active and powerful even decades after the Roger Pirates disbanded demonstrates his exceptional longevity and skill.
9. Trafalgar Law – The Surgeon of Death
Trafalgar D. Water Law, captain of the Heart Pirates and one of the Worst Generation, has proven himself to be one of the most formidable non-Yonko pirates in the current era. His Ope Ope no Mi grants him incredible spatial manipulation abilities, making him one of the most versatile and dangerous fighters in the series.
Law’s strength was dramatically demonstrated during the Wano arc, where he achieved what many considered impossible: he defeated Big Mom, one of the most powerful Yonko, in combat. While he had assistance from Eustass Kid, the fact that Law could contribute meaningfully to defeating an Emperor speaks volumes about his power level.
What makes Law particularly dangerous is his strategic mind combined with his Devil Fruit abilities. His ROOM technique allows him to manipulate everything within a designated space, making him nearly unstoppable in controlled environments. His mastery of Haki, including advanced Armament Haki capable of damaging Kaido, further enhances his combat effectiveness.
Law’s bounty of 3 billion berries places him among the elite pirates in the world, and his reputation as the “Surgeon of Death” is well-earned. His ability to perform complex medical procedures using his Devil Fruit powers, combined with his combat skills, makes him one of the most unique and powerful characters in the series.
Honorable Mentions
Several other pirates deserve recognition for their incredible strength despite not making the top 9:
- Boa Hancock: The Snake Empress and former Warlord possesses all three types of Haki and a powerful Devil Fruit that can turn opponents to stone.
- Shiki the Golden Lion: Roger’s rival who fought both Garp and Sengoku simultaneously and possesses the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, allowing him to manipulate gravity.
- Kuzan (Aokiji): The former Admiral who joined Blackbeard’s crew and possesses incredible ice-based powers that can freeze entire oceans.
- Vista: The 5th division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates who could match Mihawk in swordsmanship and possesses immense Haki.
- Dorry and Brogy: The co-captains of the Giant Pirates with a combined bounty of 3.6 billion berries and incredible strength that rivals Yonko-level threats.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Non-Yonko Power
The world of One Piece is filled with incredibly powerful pirates beyond just the Yonko, and these 9 strongest pirates that aren’t Yonko demonstrate the depth and diversity of power in the series. From legendary figures like Gol D. Roger and Rocks D. Xebec who shaped the Golden Age of Pirates to current powerhouses like Mihawk and Sabo who continue to influence the New World, these characters have left an indelible mark on the series.
What makes these non-Yonko pirates particularly fascinating is that many of them achieved their status without the vast territories and resources that come with being a Yonko. Their strength comes from personal power, exceptional abilities, and in many cases, the will to challenge the status quo. As One Piece continues toward its final saga, we may yet see more of these incredible characters in action, potentially even revealing new heights of power that could change the balance of the world forever.