Written by In the One Piece world, Luffy did not become one of the strongest pirates by fighting alone. Along the way, several powerful and experienced people helped him become stronger and understand what it really means to be a pirate.
Each teacher gave Luffy something different. Some pushed his body to its limits, some taught him Haki, and others gave him lessons that stayed with him for years. With that said, here are the five best One Piece teachers Luffy had so far.
5. Hyogoro Taught Luffy the Secret to Defeat Kaido
Hyogoro from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Hyogoro might not have spent years training Luffy, but his short lesson in Wano made a big difference. While they were prisoners in Udon, Hyogoro helped Luffy understand how to use a stronger form of Armament Haki. Instead of only covering his fists with Haki, Luffy learned how to send it into his enemy’s body.
This became a very important stepping stone when Luffy faced Kaido. Hyogoro ranks fifth because his training focused on one key skill, while the teachers above him shaped Luffy in much bigger ways.
4. Monkey D. Garp Turned Luffy Into a Battle-Hardened Beast
Monkey D. Garp from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Garp was never the soft and caring type when it came to training Luffy. When Luffy was a child, the Marine hero put him through dangerous situations to make him stronger. The flashbacks involving Luffy, Ace, and Dadan show how extreme Garp’s methods were.
Still, those harsh lessons helped make Luffy incredibly tough. He learned how to take pain, survive dangerous situations, and keep fighting when things looked hopeless. Garp ranks above Hyogoro because he helped build Luffy’s strength and fighting spirit from childhood.
3. Shanks Taught Luffy His Greatest Lesson
Shanks placing his straw hat on a young Luffy in One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Shanks did not train Luffy in the usual sense, but his influence on the young pirate is impossible to ignore. When Luffy was growing up in Foosha Village, he watched Shanks and his crew and became fascinated by their way of life.
The biggest lesson came when Shanks saved Luffy from a Sea King and lost his left arm in the process. He then gave Luffy his straw hat and told him to return it after becoming a great pirate. That moment gave Luffy a dream to chase and a promise to keep. Shanks ranks above Garp because he shaped Luffy’s idea of what a pirate should be, not just his strength.
2. Silvers Rayleigh Unlocked Luffy’s Haki from Trauma
Rayleigh from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Rayleigh gave Luffy the most complete fighting training of his life. After Marineford, he took Luffy to Rusukaina and trained him for two years. During this time, Luffy learned how to properly use all three types of Haki.
The training came at an important time. Luffy had just lost Ace and realized how badly he needed to grow stronger. Rayleigh helped him turn that painful experience into motivation and gave him the tools he needed for the New World, which is why he ranks higher than Shanks.
Spoiler Alert !!!Scopper Gaban section contains spoilers from One Piece manga.
1. Scopper Gaban Taught Luffy the True Potential of Haki
Credit: Shueisha
Credit: Shueisha
Credit: Shueisha
Gaban claims the top spot, especially after the ending of One Piece Chapter 1190. His recent encounters with Imu also showed that the former Roger Pirate is still an extremely dangerous fighter. When Imu was about to kill Luffy at the end of Chapter 1189, Gaban stepped in and blocked the attack. But he did not stop there. In Chapter 1190, he warned Luffy what it means to become the Pirate King and that there is no safe path to the top.
Gaban then turned around and fought Imu, eventually losing his left arm while protecting Luffy. This also connects Gaban directly to Roger, who also had no Devil Fruit but reached the top of the pirate world through his overwhelming Haki alone. By protecting Luffy and fighting Imu, Gaban shows the future Pirate King that a powerful Devil Fruit is not everything when true Haki is strong enough. That makes Gaban’s lesson especially important for Luffy and easily puts him at the top.
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