Haki Vs. Devil Fruits was One Piece's hardest debate until Oda revealed the answer

It has been over two decades since One Piece started, and fans globally have been fascinated with its two main power systems. Those are Haki and Devil Fruits. Early on, Devil Fruits took center stage, infusing users with mysterious and often overpowered abilities. Eventually, Haki was introduced, which is a type of spiritual force that gradually became essential to survival in the New World.

Fans have been in a constant debate about which among them is stronger. But recent developments in the manga, as well as statements by characters like Kaido and portrayals of titans like Gol D. Roger and Shanks, have decisively shifted the narrative. Oda has not just hinted but essentially confirmed that Haki reigns supreme.

Devil Fruits were introduced from the start of the series, with Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Mi setting the tone for a world where eating a strange fruit could give someone rubbery powers, make them a flame-wielding warrior, or even allow them to quake the earth. But he had to pay the cost of acquiring this power. He became vulnerable to the sea and seastone, which rendered his powers useless.

Haki, on the other hand, is a spiritual force that lies dormant in all living beings. It didn’t gain major importance until the end of the Summit War Saga and was thoroughly explored post-timeskip.

Unlike Devil Fruits, Haki does not have any side effects. Although it requires one to go through intense training and apply the skills in a battle to grow, it cannot be nullified by sea stone or seawater.

Even Kaido, the former Yonko, admitted during his battle with Luffy in the Wano arc that. In Episode 1074 of One Piece, Kaido directly stated:

"Devil fruit's power itself can never conquer the world…. Only Haki can trump all else."

This moment was no throwaway line. Kaido’s life experience includes battles with the strongest Devil Fruit users in history: Whitebeard, Big Mom, and now Luffy. Despite their overwhelming abilities, Kaido respected Haki the most. He invoked legends like Gol D. Roger and Kozuki Oden, who reached the apex of the world without any Devil Fruit powers.

Finally, to name some other legends of this universe who rule the seas with no Devil Fruit power is Gol D. Roger. The man who is responsible for starting the era of pirates also relied only on his Haki powers and became a legend.

Although the great debate that has divided One Piece fans for years now has an answer, straight from the narrative and the mouths of the series' strongest characters, as Haki has emerged to be the stronger of the two powers.

Devil Fruits are a double-edged sword in One Piece

While Devil Fruits can turn a normal person into someone with legendary power, even the strongest fruits are meaningless without Haki. For instance, during Trafalgar Law’s battle with Big Mom, he was unable to bypass her defenses until he mastered his Haki.

Another instance is during the Whole Cake arc; Katakuri’s dominance in battle came from his future-sight Observation Haki, not just his mochi abilities. And no amount of Devil Fruit power can defend against an advanced Conqueror’s Haki-infused attack.

Furthermore, not everyone who has the power of a Devil Fruit is strong. Characters like Buggy, Alvida, and even Foxy are great examples of how bizarre powers don’t guarantee combat effectiveness. In contrast, a strong Haki user in One Piece with no Devil Fruit can still rise to the top, as seen with Shanks, Garp, and Mihawk.

Trending

In conclusion, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, has time and again emphasized that Haki is stronger than Devil Fruits. Because it is a universal technique, anyone can activate it with dedicated training and willpower.

On the other hand, while Devil Fruit does give superhuman-type power to its user, they lose the ability to swim, which means limited mobility, therefore making them a riskier proposition in the long run. As the Final Saga progresses, Haki will likely continue to be the key that unlocks victory against the gods, monsters, and emperors that remain.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback