One Piece: Instances of Pre-Time-Skip Conqueror's Haki in Action

In the post-time-skip world of Eiichiro Oda's popular One Piece manga series, Conqueror's Haki has become a crucial ability. This has been emphasized by the antagonist Kaido, who suggests that Gol D. Roger achieved greatness without a Devil Fruit, relying solely on his Haki.

Although fans have long been aware of this development, there is also interest in pinpointing when Conqueror's Haki first appeared in the pre-time-skip series. While the ability is used several times before the time-skip, its increased occurrence towards the end of this part of the story marks the beginning of its significance.

One Piece’s pre-time-skip Conqueror’s Haki uses are largely condensed in final arcs of this story section

1) Shanks uses it to save Luffy’s life

Shanks as depicted in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Surprisingly, the initial demonstration of Conqueror’s Haki in pre-time-skip One Piece occurred in the very first chapter of the manga series. When Luffy was a child, he was abducted by the mountain bandit Higuma, which ultimately resulted in him falling into the sea because of his Devil Fruit abilities, with a Sea King approaching him.

Shanks ventures out to rescue Luffy, exhibiting his ability to swim as he does not possess Devil Fruit powers at this stage in the series (as far as fans are aware). Upon retrieving Luffy, he employs his Conqueror's Haki to frighten the Sea King into retreating, ultimately saving the life of the future Pirate King.

2) Shanks vs. Whitebeard

In Chapter 434 of One Piece, there are two instances of Conqueror’s Haki being used, both of which occur in the same chapter. These displays of power are a result of Shanks boarding Whitebeard’s ship to have a conversation with him.

The chapter features the initial use of Conqueror's Haki as Shanks boards the Moby Dick, causing the rookies of Whitebeard's crew to faint as he passes by. The second use occurs during a fight between Shanks and Whitebeard, where their Conqueror's Haki is so powerful that it tears the clouds above them, marking the first mention of the term "Haki" in the series.

3) Luffy vs. Motobaro

Luffy using his Conqueror's Haki on Motobaro as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Leading up to the Sabaody Archipelago arc in One Piece, Luffy and his crew come under attack by a vengeful individual who mistakenly blames them for ruining his life due to their resemblance to Sanji’s wanted poster. Among their attackers is Motobaro, a pet bison who attempts to charge at Luffy in chapter 495. However, Luffy effortlessly stops the bison, explaining that fighting is pointless.

This causes something to stir within Motobaro, filling him with fear, much like the way Shanks once used the power to intimidate the Lord of the Coast Sea King. After using his Conqueror’s Haki, Motobaro collapses and foams at the mouth, marking the first time Luffy utilizes this powerful ability in the series.

4) Rayleigh knocks out he auction house

Silvers Rayleigh as seen in the One Piece anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

In One Piece chapter 504, Silvers Rayleigh, a former member of Gol D. Roger’s crew, is introduced. Also known as the “Dark King,” Rayleigh was the former vice-captain of Roger’s crew and his direct second-in-command. During his debut in the series, fans witness him using Conqueror’s Haki to knock out the entire audience at the human auction house in one powerful move.

Although the individuals in the crowd may not have possessed great strength, it remains an impressive feat that highlights the potential power of Conqueror’s Haki. This moment foreshadows Luffy’s later demonstration of this power, when he uses his own Conqueror’s Haki to knock out 50 thousand men at Fishman Island.

5) Luffy defends Marguerite

Marguerite as seen in the One Piece anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

After the tragic separation of One Piece's main crew on Sabaody Archipelago, the focus of the series shifts to Luffy until the time-skip. He ends up on the island of Amazon Lily, where he meets members of the Kuja tribe, including Marguerite and her friends who save and nurse him back to health.

But Marguerite is punished by Kuja Empress Boa Hancock for helping a man, and turned to stone. In chapter 519, Luffy uses his Conqueror's Haki to fight for their revival as Hancock's sisters attempt to destroy their statues, causing chaos among the onlookers.

He also distracts Hancock and her sisters for long enough to rescue Marguerite’s statue and give himself further opportunity to revive them.

6) Luffy defends Bon Clay

Bon Clay, as depicted in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Following the events of the Amazon Lily arc, the Impel Down arc in One Piece showcases Luffy's daring infiltration of the underwater penitentiary in a daring attempt to free his brother, Portgas D. Ace, from imminent execution. Throughout his journey, he is unexpectedly assisted by Bon Clay, who selflessly commits himself to aiding Luffy in his mission. Eventually, the duo finds themselves in the treacherous fifth level of the prison, known as the Frozen Hell, as depicted in chapter 536.

7) Luffy stops Ace’s execution

Here, Bon Clay attempts to shield the unconscious Luffy from a pack of attacking wolves, but unfortunately, he is unable to succeed. Luffy then awakens and bites one of the wolves before commanding them to retreat, unintentionally unleashing his Conqueror’s Haki in the process. This results in their rescue and the eventual encounter with Emporio Ivankov, ultimately leading to Luffy's successful escape from the prison.

Portgas D. Ace as depicted in the One Piece anime series (Image courtesy of Toei Animation)

Luffy's escape from Impel Down is directly tied to Ace's transfer from the prison before Luffy can stage a rescue, leading to the iconic Marineford arc in One Piece. This arc is a sprawling war storyline that showcases Luffy, the Whitebeard Pirates, and their allies as they clash with Marine and World Government forces in a desperate bid to save Ace from execution.

In chapter 569, it appears that all hope is lost as swords are poised to strike Ace’s head, with no one nearby to intervene. Yet, Luffy’s desperate cry inadvertently unleashes his Conqueror’s Haki, astounding those remaining on the battlefield and giving him another chance to rescue Ace.

8) Ace saves Luffy as a child

After Ace's tragic death in the Marineford arc, One Piece briefly looks back at Luffy and Ace's origins as adoptive brothers in the Goa Kingdom. This retrospective spans several chapters, with chapter 587 being particularly relevant. In this chapter, Luffy and Ace are nearly killed by the Bluiejam Pirates as a result of a deal made with their friend Sabo's father.

As Luffy is on the brink of death, Ace defiantly commands the pirates not to lay a hand on him, seemingly in a state of desperation. However, moments later, several of Bluejam’s crew members, including the one who was about to kill Luffy, collapse and begin foaming at the mouth.

Even at such a tender age, Ace instinctively tapped into his Conqueror’s Haki to rescue Luffy, showcasing his remarkable abilities. Make sure to stay updated on all the latest One Piece anime, manga, movie, and live-action updates as we move through 2023.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I grew up watching and reading One Piece, and the instances of pre-time-skip Conqueror's Haki in action have always fascinated me. The ability to exert one's willpower over others and dominate them is a thrilling concept, and seeing it manifest in the series adds a layer of excitement to the battles and interactions between characters.

The use of Conqueror's Haki in the pre-time-skip era is particularly intriguing because it showcases the potential and significance of this ability early on in the story. The instances where Shanks saves Luffy from the Sea King and intimidates Whitebeard's crew, as well as Luffy's own awakening of Conqueror's Haki against Motobaro, hint at the immense power that lies within certain individuals and foreshadow the critical role that Haki will play in the future of the series.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.