7 One Piece Battles Without the Straw Hat Pirates

Discover 7 One Piece battles without the Straw Hat Pirates. Explore the significance behind each of these fights.

7 One Piece Battles Without the Straw Hat Pirates
Sabo facing the Marines as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The world of One Piece features a plethora of exciting, high-stakes battles. While a majority of them involve the Straw Hat Pirates, there is a good amount that doesn’t feature their involvement. Despite this, the battles between side characters remain memorable, highlighting rivalries, ideologies, and intricate dynamics.

Here are 7 One Piece battles without the Straw Hat Pirates. 

7) Smoker and Law vs Vergo 

7 One Piece Battles Without the Straw Hat Pirates
Smoker facing Vergo as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Smoker and Law’s battle against the corrupt Marine Vergo was a highlight of the Punk Hazard Arc. To face off against Doflamingo’s officer, Smoker, and Law temporarily allied, having personal vendettas against the enemy.

Unfortunately, Law was taken out of the battle early, having had his heart stolen by Vergo. Smoker also struggled in overcoming his opponent’s Armament Haki, suffering a brutal beatdown. However, he ensured he distracted Vergo and helped reclaim Law’s heart. This allowed the pirate to comfortably use his ROOM abilities and slash through Vergo.

It marked one of the most visually striking moments of the arc, as well as Law’s first steps toward dismantling Doflamingo’s empire.

6) Sabo vs Fujitora 

Sabo facing Fujitora as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Sabo facing Fujitora as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

During the Marines’ interference in the Dressrosa Arc, Sabo, with his new Mera Mera no Mi, faced off against them. He ignored his duties as a Revolutionary to stand up for Luffy, bravely fighting the Admiral’s Press-Press Fruit.

The clash between fire and gravity was greatly enhanced by Sabo and Fujitora’s conversations, where Fujitora expressed his true thoughts regarding the “heroism” of the Marines. Despite being willing to lay his life down in the battle and cause great destruction, the Admiral allowed the fight to end in a stalemate and parted ways with his opponent. This was because he realized the Marine presence in Dressrosa was unwarranted.

This battle cemented Sabo’s place as a major player in world events. In the face of a superior figure in the government, he refused to lose another brother and bravely stood up against the Marines.

5) Kaido vs Oden 

Oden facing Kaido as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Oden facing Kaido as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Oden’s fight with Kaido was a short battle but extremely influential in the events of the Wano Arc. For the sake of freeing his country from Kaido’s tyrannical presence, Oden bravely faced off against the Yonko.

Wielding Enma and Ame no Habakiri, along with his Armament Haki, he was able to leave injuries even on Kaido’s dragon form. Unfortunately, due to Higurashi’s trick of disguising herself as Momonosuke, Kaido took advantage and critically wounded the samurai. This was a great mark of shame for the pirate too, who killed Higurashi for intervening in their battle.

This fight not only highlighted Oden’s legendary status but also set the stage for the eventual rise of the Kozuki family’s avengers.

4) Garp vs Blackbeard Pirates 

Garp as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Garp as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

When Hachinosu Island was taken over by the Blackbeard Pirates, they kidnapped a great number of Marines and Koby. Wishing to save his protégé, Garp launched a powerful attack on the island, nearly destroying it with his Supreme King Haki.

Facing off against the likes of Aokiji, Garp’s abilities made fans realize why he was revered by the Marines. Unfortunately, Shiryu caught him by surprise and stabbed him before Aokiji took advantage using his ice powers. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, Garp prioritized his disciples, allowing them to escape from the evil pirates.

While fans feared his death towards the end, it was soon revealed that he was alive and captured by Blackbeard’s crew. Hence, when he is freed, they will be looking forward to a fairer rematch. 

3) Whitebeard vs Akainu 

Akainu and Whitebeard as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Akainu and Whitebeard as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Watching Akainu’s merciless attack on Ace, Whitebeard stood up for his beloved subordinate and began fighting the Marine. His Tremor-Tremor Fruit and raw strength were overpowering, making Akainu feel true fear for the first time.

Unfortunately, Whitebeard’s injuries eventually caught up to him, letting Akainu take advantage and burn him with his magma. The Blackbeard Pirates soon intruded on their battle, where their captain stole Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit. Soon after, the strongest pirate in the world finally fell.

Whitebeard’s battle with Akainu was a bittersweet moment, where the father fought to deliver retribution against his son’s murderer. He also came frighteningly close, but his will couldn’t stand up to his wounds.

2) Ace vs Blackbeard 

Impact of Ace and Blackbeard's battle as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Impact of Ace and Blackbeard’s battle as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Ace’s confrontation with Blackbeard was a highly awaited moment since the former had been searching for the villain for a long time. Hoping to repay him for betraying the Whitebeard Pirates and killing Thatch, Ace finally catches up to Blackbeard on Banaro Island.

While fans were expecting a triumphant victory for Luffy’s brother, the reality was quite different. Blackbeard’s power over darkness was able to neutralize Ace’s destructive fire abilities. In a final clash between their energies, which nearly destroyed the island, Blackbeard won and handed Ace over to the World Government.

This served as the prelude to the Marineford War, filled with exciting battles as well as tragedy.

1) Law and Kid vs Big Mom

Law and Kid facing Big Mom as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Law and Kid facing Big Mom as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

During the Onigashima Raid, when the Straw Hats were busy fighting Kaido and his followers, Law and Kid had the important task of fighting Big Mom. Initially, the Supernovas were overwhelmed by Big Mom’s powers, as she empowered herself by sacrificing her lifespan and using potent lightning abilities.

However, Law and Kid persisted, pushing their will to its limits. Finally, they got their opportunity through Law’s ingenious use of ROOM. He enlarged his blade and stabbed her while creating a massive hole with his Puncture Wille. Kid took advantage of this, firing a devastating Damned Punk and pushing her deep into this hole. Through their repetitive attacks, they drove Big Mom through Onigashima’s core.

This was an unparalleled achievement, where two young pirates defeated one of the most feared Yonko. It also prevented Big Mom from rejoining Kaido, letting Luffy defeat him in turn.

Conclusion

These seven battles demonstrate the vast and intricate world of One Piece, where the Straw Hat Pirates are just one part of a larger, interconnected narrative. Each fight highlights the unique ambitions and motivations of the characters, which are as layered and engaging as those of the main cast.


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