One Piece: Oda Unveils a Monster Trio That Outclasses Luffy, Zoro and Sanji
A seismic alliance rocks One Piece: Rocks D. Xebec joins forces with Kaido and Whitebeard to challenge Imu and the World Government, forging a new monster trio that could eclipse Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji—though even these legends may have finally met their match.
One Piece just tossed a wild team-up into the mix: Rocks D. Xebec standing alongside Kaido and Whitebeard, squaring up against Imu and the World Government. On paper, that is a monster trio that could outgun Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. In practice? It looks like a power alliance with an expiration date stamped on it.
How we got here (Chapter 1162)
Chapter 1162 kicks off with a nasty surge of power ripping across the island. The cause is Imu taking control of Saturn's body — yes, Saturn as in the Elder. It is a possession-level upgrade that everyone feels.
Whitebeard makes the first move, showing up to back Rocks in the middle of the chaos. Rocks tries to wave him off, but Whitebeard basically shrugs and sticks around anyway.
"Don't sweat it."
Then Kaido drops in — literally — fully shifted into his new Seiryu form. He lands between the two like he is making an entrance (because he is), and Rocks actually praises him. From Rocks. Warmth. In public. That alone is noteworthy.
All three clock the same mystery: that sudden power spike. The answer is Imu piggybacking on Saturn's body, and now the trio is effectively aligned against Imu and the Government agents on the island.
The 'new' trio, by the numbers
If you just want raw power, this lineup is obscene. Here is the quick breakdown:
- Whitebeard: Gura Gura no Mi — planet-breaking quakes and shockwaves.
- Kaido: Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu — giant dragon form, weather shenanigans, fire for days.
- Rocks D. Xebec: No Devil Fruit shown — elite swordsmanship and terrifying Haki.
Why it rules — and why it is doomed
Even if this trio can hang with (or outmuscle) Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, the ceiling and the floor are miles apart. The chemistry is not Straw Hat chemistry; it is more 'we need each other for this one thing' than 'we live and die on the same dream.' Think temporary alignment, not true crewmates.
And there is a bigger problem: the calendar. Rocks is destined to die to Garp and Roger. That fate means the mission ultimately fails somewhere down the line, no matter how dominant they look today. The ending is baked in.
Different philosophies, different outcomes
On top of that, these three want different things and follow different rules:
Rocks operates on fear and overwhelming strength. Kaido is obsessed with his own power and the idea of ruling the future — not taking orders. Whitebeard, as we know, eventually finds his own path. Long term, they do not mesh, and Rocks' leadership style is the opposite of how Luffy keeps people together.
So yeah, as a mirror to Luffy-Zoro-Sanji, this trio is fascinating: near-limitless firepower, almost no shared trust. The Straw Hats are built on blind faith and the same dream; Rocks, Whitebeard, and Kaido are apex predators orbiting themselves.
Where this leaves us
As a moment, it is fantastic — Whitebeard casually having Rocks' back, Kaido flexing the Seiryu form, and Imu revealing a terrifying new trick by riding Saturn's body. As a long-term alliance? Fun to watch, destined to crack.
Do you buy this trio as a real rival to Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, or is it just the strongest short-term handshake in the series?
One Piece anime is streaming on Crunchyroll if you want to catch up or revisit the key beats.