One Piece’s legendary Monster Trio consists of Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Vinsmoke Sanji, who are regarded as the three most formidable members of the Straw Hat Pirates. As the strongest fighters in the crew, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji confront the most hazardous adversaries to safeguard their more vulnerable mates. Within the Straw Hat crew, it seems that no one, not even Jinbe, can rival the strength of these three.
When Jinbe became a member of the Straw Hats, many fans speculated that he would replace Sanji in the Monster Trio, particularly since he boasted a higher bounty. However, it is evident that Sanji maintains his rightful place alongside Luffy and Zoro. Throughout One Piece, the dynamics of the Monster Trio often shift, with story arcs focusing on pairs such as Luffy and Zoro or Zoro and Sanji. Each of these relationships is unique in its context.
Both Luffy and Zoro, who are members of the Worst Generation and adept users of Conqueror’s Haki, share a connection reminiscent of Roger and Rayleigh’s bond from the past. Although Zoro and Sanji have their differences, they support Luffy as his “Wings,” being the two crewmates who aid him more than anyone else. The best moments occur when Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji work in concert, such as in One Piece chapter 1127.
Disclaimer: This article contains significant spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1127.
Chronological Overview of Every Monster Trio Moment as the Elbaf Arc Commences in One Piece Chapter 1127
1) The Showcase Against the Monster Lizard in Arabasta
During their travels in the Arabasta Kingdom, the Straw Hat Pirates confronted numerous challenges amidst the desert landscape. Compounding their struggles, a group of bizarre crane-like birds pilfered their supplies. In pursuit of the birds, Luffy encountered a gigantic lizard.
Frustrated by their arduous journey, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji decided to redirect their stress onto the beast, unleashing their attacks—Gum-Gum Whip, Dragon Twister, and Epaule Sprawl—simultaneously. Unsurprisingly, the colossal lizard was left utterly defeated.
In a humorous twist, Nami expressed sympathy for the vanquished lizard, acknowledging it never stood a chance against the combined strength of the Monster Trio. Nevertheless, Luffy suggested that Sanji prepare the lizard as a meal, proposing it be grilled into skewers.
2) Meat, Swords, and Women
Upon the Straw Hat Pirates’ arrival at Thriller Bark, Gecko Moria dispatched his zombies to capture Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji in an attempt to steal their shadows. Confused by the eerie ambiance of Thriller Bark, the remaining Straw Hats sought refuge on the Thousand Sunny, only to discover their comrades in deep slumber.
This scenario left no time for the crew’s strongest fighters to be idle. However, those whose shadows were taken would remain unconscious for at least a day. After numerous attempts to awaken them proved futile, Usopp exclaimed:
“Look, there’s a beautiful female swordmaster carrying lots of meat!!”
Usopp cleverly manipulated the situation, which prompted Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji to spring awake in perfect sync. This illustrated a comical display of the trio’s obsessions with their favorite pastimes.
3) Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji Leading the Charge Against the Fake Kuma
After departing from Shakky’s Bar in Sabaody, Bartholomew Kuma confronted the Straw Hat Pirates. It was soon revealed that this “Kuma” was merely a Pacifista—a remarkably powerful cyborg resembling the original Warlord.
This encounter compelled the Monster Trio to unite in battle. As they evaded the cyborg’s laser attacks, Zoro remarked on the variations in Kuma’s Paw-Paw Fruit techniques. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji then launched a formidable collective assault on the Pacifista.
Dubbed ‘Three-Sword Style Gum-Gum Diable Mouton Jet 600 Pound Phoenix Cannon,’ this strategic move harmoniously combined Luffy’s Jet Cannon, Zoro’s 108 Pound Phoenix, and Sanji’s Diable Jambe: Mouton Shoot, sending the Pacifista crashing into a nearby structure. However, their onslaught fell short of defeating the resilient cyborg due to its remarkable durability.
4) The Formidable Team-Up to Overcome a Pacifista
Although the Pacifista withstood numerous assaults from the Straw Hats, an accumulation of damage eventually rendered it incapacitated. Consequently, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji decided on another synchronized attack. First, Sanji struck with Diable Jambe: Flambage Shoot, propelling the Pacifista towards Zoro.
Despite the lingering pain from his injuries sustained while protecting Luffy during the Thriller Bark Arc, Zoro mustered his strength to enact his Nine-Sword Style. He then executed Asura: Demon Nine Flashes, slashing the Pacifista before it could retaliate.
Zoro’s strike pierced through the Pacifista’s armor, causing significant injury. Finally, Luffy culminated their attack with Gear 3, utilizing the Gigant Rifle to decisively crush the cyborg into the ground, effectively shutting it down. This showcased the undeniable teamwork and combat capabilities of the Monster Trio.
Unfortunately for the Straw Hat Pirates, they soon faced an even greater threat from Sentomaru, Admiral Kizaru, and another Pacifista. Silvers Rayleigh intervened, halting Kizaru and sparing the Straw Hats from his wrath, but this confrontation ultimately led to the crew’s separation.
5) The Enhanced Monster Trio Two Years Later
During the two-year time skip in One Piece, all Straw Hat Pirates rigorously trained to hone their combat skills for their future adventures in the New World. For the Monster Trio, Luffy trained under Silvers Rayleigh, Zoro honed his skills with Dracule Mihawk, and Sanji trained with Emporio Ivankov.
Their upgraded abilities were showcased during their submarine journey to Fish-Man Island when a colossal Kraken, an octopus-like beast greatly exceeding the size of their ship, attacked the Thousand Sunny. Just before, this formidable creature had entirely destroyed the vessel of the Caribou Pirates with a mere swipe of its tentacles.
To defend the Thousand Sunny, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji confronted the Kraken. Sanji utilized a technique called Blue Walk to move at incredible speeds underwater, deftly matching a Fish-Man’s pace. He executed Diable Jambe: Bien Cuit Grill Shot, scorching one of the Kraken’s tentacles.
Following this, Zoro unleashed his new attack, the Three Sword Style: Crossing the Six Paths, cleanly severing another tentacle into six pieces. Finally, Luffy activated Gear 3 to enlarge his fist, which he enhanced with Armament Haki Hardening, delivering a blow to the Kraken with his Gum-Gum Elephant Gun that sent the monster flying away.
Caribou, who had attempted to hide on the Thousand Sunny to spy on the Straw Hats but was apprehended by Franky, observed Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji’s skirmish with the Kraken. Overwhelmed by their strength, he described them as “a trio of monsters.”
6) The Return of the Monster Trio in One Piece Chapter 1127 Spoilers
According to initial spoilers for One Piece chapter 1127, the Straw Hat Pirates embark on their eagerly awaited adventure in Elbaf. Trapped inside a massive castle constructed of LEGO-like blocks, Nami and Usopp find themselves cornered by a giant cat that unexpectedly morphs into an even larger lion.
Thankfully, the Monster Trio springs into action. Donned in Viking attire, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji arrive dramatically and execute a combo attack on the lion, swiftly conquering the beast. Luffy employs Gear 4 for a Gum-Gum Elephant Whip, while Zoro delivers a Three-Sword Style Black Rope Dragon Twister, and Sanji counters with his Ifrit Jambe for an Epaule Strike.
Overwhelmed by the raw might of the Monster Trio, the lion collapses. Interestingly, it reverts to its original form as a cat. As the Straw Hats reconvene in the castle’s backyard, it’s revealed that Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji had previously defeated and consumed a giant rabbit known as the “Ear God.”
Luffy expressed excitement at the prospect of cooking such delectable creatures, while Zoro remained unfazed, and Sanji showed curiosity about the nutritional value of their prey. Nami could only voice her astonishment at their nonchalant demeanor.
It was a nostalgic moment witnessing Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji collaborate once more, reminiscent of their earlier adventures. For years, One Piece has primarily highlighted the dynamics between pairs such as Luffy and Zoro, or Zoro and Sanji—acknowledging them as the captain and first mate duo or the two Wings—without showcasing the trio together. This marked the first Monster Trio moment in quite a while, possibly foretelling a shift in narrative focus.
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