Each member of the Straw Hats has faced a heartbreaking tragedy that devastated fans.
The Straw Hat Pirates’ adventures on the high seas have been the highlight of One Piece, especially given how optimistic they are even in the most dire circumstances. However, their quest to find Laugh Tale hasn’t been without tragedy; many of them have either suffered before signing on with the crew or during their time aboard.
Such losses took an insurmountable toll on their wellbeing, sometimes even making them question their place among the Straw Hats. Although the heroes eventually recover from hardship, what they’ve been forced to endure will make finding their dream more realistic and immensely satisfying.
10. Nami Watched Her Mother Die
When Arlong’s crew first arrived at the East Blue, they quickly went to work oppressing the local human population. Although few in Nami’s village were bold enough to stand up for themselves, Bell-mere refused to do as the villains instructed.
For Bell-mere’s defiance, she was promptly executed with a bullet to the head. This understandably traumatized Nami, making her deeply fearful of Arlong to the extent that she served him until Luffy’s crew arrived to save her. Arlong’s influence remains the darkest chapter in her life.
9. Zoro’s Friend Died From An Accident
Kuina was Zoro’s training partner in childhood. More importantly, she served as his only form of meaningful companionship, and the two often trained well into the night. However, Kuina was often looked down upon by their master since he discriminated based on gender.
Zoro wanted to prove Kuina’s worth and hoped that both of them would grow up to become fantastic sword users. Unfortunately, Kuina died from a tragic accident before such dreams could be realized. To this day, Zoro still cannot stand Tashigi’s presence since she bears a striking resemblance to Kuina.
8. Jimbei Was Responsible For Freeing Arlong
As a new Warlord of the Sea, Jimbei had the political influence he needed to free Arlong. Viewing him as a peer rather than as a rival, he personally watched as the villain made his way from Impel Down and onto a departing vessel.
Jimbei would later come to regret his mistake, as it cost the life of Nami’s mother and an entire childhood of oppression. With tears in his eyes, he begged for the navigator’s forgiveness and lamented the consequences of his mistake even though it was too late to amend it.
7. Robin Watched Her Homeland Burn
As a child, Nico Robin studied alongside the scholars of Ohara. Their investigation of poneglyphs was deemed a threat to the World Government, who sent marines to the island in order to obliterate it.
Robin narrowly escaped the attack, but it cost the lives of her mentors, community, and even mother. Worse yet, she was denigrated as a demon and struggled to merely survive in many of the years to come. She only rediscovered her humanity after meeting Luffy’s crew, which prompted her to sacrifice anything necessary on their behalf.
6. Brook Spent Decades In Isolation
Brook started out as a member of the hearty Rumbar Pirates. However, they suffered a rare but pervasive illness while passing through the Florian Triangle that left all of them dead.
Brook’s spirit found its way back to his body through the power of the Revive-Revive Fruit. However, it had already rotted into a skeleton, and he did not know how to get home. Therefore, Brook was forced to spend the next few decades in complete isolation, surrounded by the corpses of his former colleagues.
5. Franky Tried To Save Tom From The Sea Train
When Franky was framed for attacking Water Seven, Tom quickly took the blame. This gave Spandam the excuse he needed to arrest him, much to everyone else’s horror. Franky was so determined to save Tom that he stood in the sea train’s path in hopes of stopping it.
Predictably, Spandam took great joy in running Franky over, which would have killed him if not for last-minute surgery he performed on his own body. This operation officially transformed him into a cyborg for the rest of his life.
4. Usopp Felt Closely Connected To The Going Merry
The Going Merry was a token of thanks Kaya’s estate gave to the Straw Hats for saving them from Captain Kuro. This gave it a strong connection with Usopp, who perceived it to be just as much a member of the crew as he was.
Therefore, when Luffy discussed plans to replace the Going Merry, Usopp challenged him to a fight. Considering that he was already battered from previous encounters with the Franky Family and never stood much of a chance to begin with, Usopp’s actions were a visceral show of pride rather than a legitimate threat to the Straw Hats’ leadership.
3. Chopper Nearly Hurt Nami At Enies Lobby
Chopper first debuted “Monster Point” during the battle for Enies Lobby. While giving him more than enough strength to defeat Kumadori, it jeopardized his humanity to the extent that it put Nami in danger. He’d used so many rumble balls that he couldn’t control his own actions and behaved much like a feral beast.
Considering that Chopper’s exclusive role on the ship is to heal others, he felt guilt for what nearly transpired. Luckily, Chopper was pacified before he had the opportunity to do something he would have regretted even more.
2. Sanji Was Forced To Betray The Crew
Cornered by “Big Gang” Bege, Sanji was confronted with a difficult decision. He would either abandon the Straw Hats for the Vinsmoke Family or risk putting the Baratie in mortal peril. Honor bound to his roots, Sanji ultimately decided upon his departure.
Luffy pursued him into Whole Cake Island, but he was difficult to convince. Despite the captain’s attempts to appeal to his humanity, he bludgeoned him near the brink of unconsciousness. It left him weakened enough for Big Mom’s minions to capture and imprison him. Were it not for Jimbei’s sudden appearance, Sanji could have cost Luffy his dreams.
1. Ace Died In Luffy’s Arms
Just when it seemed as if the heroes would escape Marineford, Akainu insulted Whitebeard’s honor. This compelled Ace to fight him in an already lopsided battle. Surprisingly, the two struggled to a standstill until Akainu realized Luffy nearby.
Through attacking the defenseless hero, he forced Ace to sacrifice himself in order to save his life. Ace died in Luffy’s arms, which was the single most devastating thing that ever happened to him. To this day, Luffy bears the physical and emotional scars from the harrowing incident and has even named a special technique after Ace.
Src: cbr.com
