Is Luffy Stronger Than Ace in One Piece?: A Comprehensive Analysis

In the vast world of One Piece, two of the most formidable characters are Luffy and Ace. Devil Fruits, Haki, and overall growth have played crucial roles in shaping their respective strengths. This article delves into the question of whether Luffy is stronger than Ace, examining their abilities and recent developments.

Devil Fruits: The Starting Point

Both Luffy and Ace started their journey with unique Devil Fruits that set them apart from other One Piece characters. Luffy has the Gomu Gomu no Mi, also known as the Gum-Gum Fruit, which grants him incredible elasticity. Conversely, Ace possesses the Mera Mera no Mi, also known as the Flame-Flame Fruit, which allows him to manipulate fire and make him a Logia-type user, enabling him to become intangible at will.

Haki: The Evolution of Combat Skill

Subsequently, Luffy's growth in Haki (Willed Power) has further enhanced his combat abilities. Post-time skip, Luffy's acquisition of Observation Haki and Armament Haki have significantly bolstered his fighting prowess. On the other hand, while Ace had limited exposure to Haki, he was not depicted as extensively utilizing it in the series, which suggests a potential gap in their combat capabilities.

Overall Growth: A Quantifiable Milestone

By the conclusion of the Dressrosa arc and the ongoing Wano arc, Luffy has demonstrated considerable growth in strength, combat tactics, and experience. His ability to defeat powerful opponents, such as Kaido and even an awakened Lucci without taking any damage, highlights his enhanced capabilities. Moreover, Luffy has even displayed the strength to engage in a one-on-one battle with an Admiral, inflicting significant damage, as evident in his clash with Skypike.

Some argue that the current state of Luffy, who is currently on par or even stronger than some Admirals, renders the comparison with his past and others in his present state somewhat unfair. Given that many characters have greatly improved over time, Luffy's current strength is indeed formidable. Several recent feats, such as his stand against Kaido, his unyielding battle with Lucci, and his combat with Admirals, strongly suggest that Luffy is, in fact, more powerful.

Fans' Perspective: Luffy's Future Potential

Many fans believe that Luffy's advancements in Haki and combat techniques have positioned him to surpass Ace. Before the time skip, even Ace acknowledged Luffy's strength, mentioning that he will become even stronger than him in the future. Post-time skip, Luffy's growth has indeed eclipsed that of Ace, making it a near certainty that Luffy is stronger.

It is also worth considering the hypothetical scenario where Ace continued his training. Even with the potential limitations of his current limitations, it is reasonable to conclude that Ace would have likely achieved Yonko-level status. However, Luffy's current trajectory and the recent advancements in his skills render him the current, undeniably stronger character.