So, we’ve all got the top four nailed down: Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Jinbei. The power scaling gets pretty intense at the upper echelons of the Straw Hat crew, but what about the elusive 5th spot? Is it Robin or Franky, or does it go to someone unexpected, like Brook or Nami?
Oda, the mastermind behind One Piece, seems to have dropped some not-so-subtle hints, and the candidate for the 5th strongest spot appears to be none other than the cola-fueled cyborg, Franky.
Let’s break it down.
Remember when Robin faced off against one Tobi Roppo and ended up totally exhausted?
Meanwhile, Franky not only defeated Sasaki with relative ease but also volunteered to take on King until Zoro intervened.
That’s not your average cola enthusiast; that’s a metallic powerhouse.
Franky’s introduction in Enies Lobby already labeled him as the 4th strongest, and he went toe-to-toe with Luffy back then.
His only dip in the rankings came with Jinbei’s inclusion.
Notably, Franky took on three Donquixote officers and a Marine squadron simultaneously, emerged victorious, and even stood up against Big Mom until he was prevented from unleashing his radical beam.
Now, about Brook, he’s undoubtedly a valuable member, but when it comes to raw strength, he tends to fall short in his battles.
His even match against Sheepshead, a random gifter, doesn’t quite put him in the powerhouse category.
The Wano arc brought significant power-ups for the “lower half” of the crew, with Nami officially gaining control of Zeus, Robin unveiling her Demon Form, and Franky showcasing his prowess against Sasaki, placing him firmly at Tobi Roppo level without any post-timeskip upgrades.
Before Wano concluded, Franky was a clear contender for the 5th spot, given his consistent track record of dominating high-caliber opponents without the need for haki.
Now, with Nami and Robin’s new abilities yet to be fully explored, the debate is open.
Nami’s strength seems to be at the mercy of Oda’s comedic whims, making it hard to place her in the top 5 seriously.
On the other hand, Robin’s Devil Fruit has evolved significantly, adding clones, wings, and a giant demon form to her arsenal.
Yet, as of now, in my opinion, Franky still holds the edge.