Luffy is the protagonist of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece and in an age of piracy, he aims to become the King of the Pirates. Over the years, Luffy has acquired a very dependable crew and has become an infamous pirate, recognized as the Fifth Emperor of the Sea. Being the protagonist, Luffy is special in more ways than one.

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He isn't just strong with his Devil Fruit powers and his Haki. In fact, his greatest ability is how he turns makes both his friends and foes help him and bet on him. According to Dracule Mihawk, this is the greatest ability across the oceans, and fans have already seen it in play countless times in the story.

10 Gin Gave Him His Gas Mask To Save His Life

Gin the demon One Piece

Gin was a member of the Krieg Pirates and appeared as a secondary antagonist during One Piece's Baratie arc. Responsible for leading the Krieg Pirates to Baratie, Gin fought Sanji and on Don Krieg's command, planned to take over the ship.

However, since Sanji saved his life, he refused Krieg's order. When Krieg fired the MH5, Gin gave his mask to Luffy and used the other one to save Sanji's life at the cost of his own.

9 Nico Robin Saved His Life In The Alabasta Arc

Robin as Miss All Sunday in One Piece.

Nico Robin was a member of the Baroque Works upon her introduction and the partner of their leader, Sir Crocodile. Although she was an enemy to the Straw Hat Pirates, she helped them on more than one occasion. Not only did she give them an Eternal Pose to Alabasta, but she also withheld information from Crocodile which could've killed all the Straw Hats.

Most importantly, when Luffy was sinking in the quicksand after losing to Crocodile, Robin saved his life and ensured he fought Crocodile again.

8 Bon Clay Saved Luffy And His Crew From The Marines

Bon Clay One Piece

Just like Nico Robin, Bon Clay was a member of the Baroque Works when he was introduced to the fans and an enemy to the Straw Hat Pirates. After his fight with Sanji, however, he changed quite a bit.

When the arc ended, Bon Clay used the power of his Devil Fruit to save the Straw Hat Pirates from Hina and her fleet of Marines. In Luffy's stead, Bon Clay went to Impel Down and he had no regrets at all.

7 The Galley-La Joined The Straw Hats On The Way To Enies Lobby

Paulie pulling his rope in One Piece.

The Galley-La were an incredible group of shipwrights who made enemies out of the Straw Hat Pirates in the Water Seven arc. The group fought Luffy and his crew when the news of Iceberg's assassination attempt broke out.

When all confusion was cleared, later on, the Galley-La traveled with the crew to Enies Lobby to help them save Robin, even though Robin had shot Iceberg.

6 Franky And His Family Helped Luffy During The Enies Lobby Arc

Straw Hats walking to Franky House

The Franky Family appeared to be a secondary antagonist group during the Water Seven arc of One Piece. They were responsible for stealing 200 million berries from Usopp and even beating him up, which eventually led to him leaving the crew.

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Despite that, they joined Luffy on the way to Enies Lobby to save Franky. On the judicial island, the group fought together with the Straw Hat Pirates and even put their life on the line just so Franky and Robin were rescued.

5 Bartholomew Kuma Saved The Straw Hat Pirates On Sabaody Archipelago

Bartholomew Kuma showing his paw to Zoro in One Piece.

Kuma was a member of the Shichibukai who gave the fans a proper display of his abilities during the Thriller Bark arc. After inflicting great pain on Zoro, Kuma spared the crew but showed up again on Sabaody Archipelago.

Although he split the crew in an act that was perceived to be antagonistic at first, it was later revealed that Kuma actually saved their lives by sending them away from the island. What's more, Kuma also sent the crew to places where he knew they would grow stronger.

4 Hachi Helped The Straw Hat Pirates On Sabaody Archipelago

Hachi one Piece

Hachi was a villain during the Arlong Park arc where he worked under Arlong as one of his strongest officers. Later, he appeared in the Sabaody Archipelago arc, where he helped the crew find their way to the island and took them to Shakky's bar to see Rayleigh.

Without Hachi, it is possible that Luffy would've never met Rayleigh and thus, would never have gotten as strong as he did. On Fishman Island, Hachi appeared once again, although his role was not nearly as big.

3 Buggy Helped Luffy Break Out Of Impel Down

Buggy the Clown getting scared at Marineford in the One Piece anime

Buggy the Clown was once a member of the Roger Pirates. After the crew split apart, Buggy went to the East Blue and years later, fought Luffy in Orange Town. Losing to him, Buggy swore vengeance on him but found his way to Impel Down. When Luffy broke into the prison, Buggy ended up helping him.

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Even when Buggy tried to trick him, he unintentionally aided Luffy by freeing countless strong pirates and rallying them behind him. Without him, Luffy would certainly have died in Impel Down.

2 Crocodile Saved Him During The War Of Marineford

Sir Crocodile with a scar on his face and smoking a cigar in One Piece.

Crocodile was one of the biggest antagonists who stood in Luffy's way during the Alabasta arc and after his defeat, he was captured by the Navy and imprisoned in Impel Down. When Luffy broke into the prison, he freed Crocodile and the two broke out of the prison together. Understandably, their alliance ended with the prison break but surprisingly, Crocodile continued to aid Luffy during the Marineford arc.

Not only did he save Ace from inevitable death once but after Luffy passed out, Crocodile put his life on the line by stalling Akainu and saving both Luffy and Jinbe.

1 Katakuri 'Helped' Luffy Get Stronger And Improve His Haki

Katakuri vs Luffy in One Piece

Katakuri was a secondary antagonist during the Whole Cake Island arc of One Piece and he stood in Luffy's way when the two clashed inside the Mirro World. Although Katakuri didn't acknowledge Luffy at first, as the fight continued, he took great interest in him. Katakuri's fight with Luffy became very personal and one where he forced him to rise to his expectations, helping him grow stronger in the process.

Although Katakuri wanted him dead initially, his mind changed as the two fought. By the end of the arc, he was glad Luffy made his way out of their territory safely.

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