One Piece: The Strongest Right-Hand Men of Every Yonko Crew, Ranked

In the One Piece world, becoming a Yonko is not just about being strong. Every great pirate needs powerful people around them who can fight by their side, protect the crew, and carry out their captain’s wishes.

These right-hand men are often the backbone of their crews. This ranking looks at their current portrayal, canon feats, importance to their crews, and future potential. With that said, here’s our list.

9 Katakuri Was Big Mom’s Most Dependable Commander

Charlotte Katakuri was one of the most reliable people in Big Mom’s crew. As one of her Three Sweet Commanders and her strongest son, he was trusted to protect Totto Land and deal with serious threats. His calm nature also made him very different from many other members of the Big Mom Pirates.

Katakuri’s fight with Luffy during the Whole Cake Island Arc remains one of his biggest achievements. His Future Sight, Mochi-Mochi Fruit, and physical strength pushed Luffy harder than almost anyone before him. However, Katakuri ranks ninth because the fighters above him have either stronger feats or more important roles in the current story.

8 King Was The Perfect Right-Hand Man For Kaido

King was not just Kaido’s strongest All-Star. He was also one of the few people who completely believed in Kaido’s dream. His loyalty made him the perfect partner for an emperor who wanted to change the world through sheer force.

His fight with Zoro during the Wano Arc showed just how tough he was. King’s Lunarian powers allowed him to take huge amounts of damage, while his Ancient Zoan gave him even more strength and speed. Zoro had to use his Advanced Conqueror’s Haki and understand King’s abilities to beat him. King is ranked higher than Katakuri because of his physical abilities and feats in Wano.

7 Marco Carried Whitebeard’s Legacy After His Death

Marco was one of the people Whitebeard trusted most, and after his captain’s death, Marco tried to protect what remained of the crew’s legacy. His performance at Marineford showed how strong he was. Marco fought against Admirals and continued battling even while Whitebeard’s crew was falling apart.

Later, he was just as useful in Wano, where his Phoenix powers helped him hold off King and Queen while also protecting the other fighters. Marco ranks above King because his experience and ability to support an entire battlefield make him more useful in a long fight.

6 Shiryu Became Blackbeard’s Functional Right-Hand Man

Shiryu’s case is a bit complicated. Officially, Jesus Burgess holds the title of Captain of the First Ship, whereas Shiryu holds the title of Captain of the Second Ship. However, Shiryu has received a stronger No. 2-style portrayal. Also, Oda’s One Piece Chapter 1031 color spread placed him alongside famous right-hand men such as Zoro, King, Marco, and Beckman.

This is why Shiryu fits better on this list. Being already a dangerous swordsman even before joining Blackbeard’s crew, the Clear-Clear Fruit has made Shiryu even more dangerous than ever. At Hachinosu, he managed to seriously injure Garp, proving that he can be a real threat even against a legendary Marine. He ranks above Marco because Shiryu still has fewer major feats, but his final saga potential is much higher.

5 Zoro Has Grown Into Luffy’s Strongest Ally

Zoro has come a long way since joining Luffy in the East Blue Saga. He has always been the Straw Hats’ main fighter after Luffy, but the Wano Arc showed just how far he had grown. During the fight on the rooftop, Zoro even helped block the combined attack from Kaido and Big Mom.

His biggest breakthrough came during his fight with King. Zoro unlocked Advanced Conqueror’s Haki and used it to defeat Kaido’s strongest subordinate. He is also still chasing the goal of becoming the World’s Strongest Swordsman, so his growth is far from over. Zoro ranks above Shiryu because his current feats are clearer, while his future potential is also enormous.

4 Beckman Remains Shanks’ Most Trusted Pirate

Benn Beckman does not have as many major fights as some other characters on this list. Yet his reputation has always been incredibly high. As Shanks‘ first mate, he is the pirate closest to the Yonko and one of the most trusted members of the Red-Haired Pirates.

Marineford gave fans a small idea of his reputation when Beckman confronted Kizaru. Even with very little screen time, he was treated as someone the Admiral could not simply ignore. The Red-Haired Pirates are also known for having a balanced crew where every important member is powerful. Beckman ranks above Zoro because the story has already placed him at the top level, while Zoro is still growing toward that level.

3 Oden Was One of Whitebeard’s Greatest Crewmates

Oden may not technically be Whitebeard’s right-hand man in the official sense. He was the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Still, he was one of Whitebeard’s closest and strongest crewmates, which makes him an important addition to this ranking.

Oden’s strength is what makes his ranking so high. He was strong enough to clash with Whitebeard and later fight Kaido. During the Wano flashback, Oden gave Kaido one of the toughest battles of his life and left the famous scar across his body. Oden ranks above Beckman because his story gives a much clearer look at his incredible strength, while Beckman’s true limits remain unknown.

2 Mihawk Is Cross Guild’s True Combat Powerhouse

Mihawk is another unusual case on this list. Cross Guild is officially connected to the current Yonko system because Buggy is one of the Four Emperors. However, Mihawk is clearly the organization’s biggest combat threat. Buggy may have the title, but Mihawk and Crocodile are the ones who provide much of Cross Guild’s actual strength.

Mihawk’s title as the World’s Strongest Swordsman already puts him in a special class. His old rivalry with Shanks and his connection to Zoro’s ultimate goal make him even more important. He ranks second because his current portrayal is almost impossible to ignore, but Rayleigh has a more complete record as a legendary right-hand man.

1 Rayleigh Was The Pirate King’s Ultimate Right Hand

Silvers Rayleigh is the clearest example of a legendary right-hand man in One Piece. Even after Roger’s death, Rayleigh‘s name remained powerful enough to make the Marines think twice before fighting him.

Technically, there were no Yonko during Roger’s era in the formal sense used by the modern story. The Four Emperors system came later. Still, Roger was the Pirate King, the highest title a pirate could achieve, and Rayleigh was his right-hand man. His ability to fight Kizaru at Sabaody, his mastery of Haki, and his role in training Luffy make him the best overall choice for number one.

Now the big question: Do you agree with our ranking for the strongest right-hand man in One Piece? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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