Will Monkey D. Luffy Lose Another Brother Like Zoro or Sanji, Just Like He Lost Ace?

Hey, all you One Piece fans! Let's now talk about one thing that really hunts us from the Marineford Arc: the pitiable loss of Portgas D. Ace. If you are anything like me, that really hit home. Ace was more than Luffy's older brother; he was his protector, family, and inspiration. One of the most emotional moments in the entire series saw Luffy break down after Ace's death.

But the scariest of thoughts is, could Luffy lose another brother figure in his life like that of Zoro or Sanji? These two are not just his crewmates but his family on the Thousand Sunny. Let's jump into this very aspect and see how that could possibly happen, no matter how heartbreaking it would be.

Luffy's Bond with Zoro and Sanji

First, let's talk about what Zoro and Sanji mean to Luffy. Zoro was the first crewmate to join him, and their bond is rooted in mutual respect and trust. Zoro's loyalty to Luffy is absolute-who can forget that iconic scene where he sacrificed himself to take all of Luffy's pain from Kuma at Thriller Bark? That moment cemented Zoro as someone who'd die for his captain without hesitation.

Sanji, by contrast, brings his own brand of brotherly love to the crew. A caretaker who sees to the crew's health and well-being, getting them fed; with that said, he's also seriously protective of Luffy. During the Whole Cake Island arc, we saw just how far Sanji was willing to go to protect Luffy, even if it meant breaking his own heart. With that arc, Luffy refused to let Sanji go; this showed how much his "brother" means to him.

With that said, losing either Zoro or Sanji would hurt Luffy far worse than the loss of Ace.

Could It Happen?

Creator Eiichiro Oda of One Piece is not above delivering emotional gut punches. Ace's death was the one that brought a turning point in Luffy's life, as he needed to experience his weakness to grow even stronger. Would Oda really put Luffy through that kind of pain again?

It's a possibility. One Piece is based on following one's dreams, but also on the sacrifices that come with it. Luffy already lost Ace and his mentor, Whitebeard. Thematically, losing another "brother" could serve as a way to push Luffy closer to the brink and test his resolve.

Due to their role in the crew, Zoro and Sanji are commonly put into dangerous situations. Many of Zoro's battles tend to be very brutal, and Sanji often puts himself in life-threatening positions with his will to self-sacrifice for others. It's not hard to imagine there being a scenario where one of them faces a situation they can't escape.

How Would Luffy React?

If Luffy ever lost Zoro or Sanji, he would indeed be broken, without a doubt in the world. He is an emotional man who expresses all that he feels, as evident by the way he took on each of his losses to heart. When Ace died, Luffy just shut down and needed Jinbe and the others to remind him of what he still had left to fight for.

And if history were to happen all over again, Luffy may spiral back into despair. But he is stronger now, physically and mentally. He has learned that he cannot protect everyone but can honor their sacrifices by continuing to chase his dream of becoming the Pirate King.

The Impact on the Crew

The Straw Hat crew isn't just a group of pirates; they are a family. Having either Zoro or Sanji be taken away would shake the whole crew to its core. Nami would grieve openly, Usopp might doubt their journey, and Chopper would not take it well since he couldn't save them. The Thousand Sunny would feel emptier without their presence.

Zoro’s absence would leave a void in the crew’s strength and leadership, while Sanji’s loss would mean losing their caretaker and one of the crew’s moral anchors. Either way, the Straw Hats would have to come together to heal, just as they did after losing Ace.

A Lesson in Sacrifice

Were Oda to go this route, it would not be simply for shock value. One Piece has always been a series about the cost of dream chasing. Losing Zoro or Sanji could serve to remind that even the strongest bonds in their world are not safe from the dangers within it.

This would also put into light the strong character of Luffy: He is one such character who never gave up, no matter how much he lost. If at all, this loss would make him all the more determined to reach Laugh Tale, so that he would keep alive the memory of all those who helped him reach there.

Final Thoughts

While the idea of Luffy losing Zoro or Sanji is heartbreaking, it’s also a testament to how much these characters mean to us. They’re not just part of the crew—they’re family. And just like in real life, the thought of losing family is unbearable.

But One Piece, ultimately, is a tale about hope. Against some of the most unbearable losses, Luffy has always found a way to carry on, and even though we wish that nothing would happen to Zoro and Sanji, we know for sure that if the worst did come to pass, Luffy would keep their memory with him all the way to the end of the Grand Line.

What do you think? Can Luffy afford to lose another brother-like figure, or has the crew gotten far too strong for that to happen? Let's discuss it in the comments!