In the world of One Piece, while loyalty is a core theme among the Straw Hat Pirates, there have been instances where certain members appeared to betray or temporarily leave Monkey D. Luffy and the crew, often for complex reasons.
Who All Betrays Luffy?
The main instances where a Straw Hat Pirate member seemingly betrayed Luffy or caused him to feel betrayed include Nami, Nico Robin, and Sanji. Additionally, Usopp's departure, though not a betrayal, still deeply affected Luffy.
Here's a breakdown of these significant moments:
| Character | Context of "Betrayal" / Departure | Luffy's Perception |
|---|---|---|
| Nami | Initially stole the Going Merry and treasure; later revealed to be saving her village. | Felt betrayed but quickly understood her true motives. |
| Nico Robin | Left the crew to protect them from the World Government during Enies Lobby. | Deeply hurt and determined to get her back. |
| Usopp | Challenged Luffy to a duel and temporarily left the crew over the Going Merry. | Felt betrayed, despite it being a disagreement, not an act against him. |
| Sanji | Abandoned the crew to enter an arranged marriage to protect Zeff and his friends. | Devastated and refused to accept his departure. |
Instances of Apparent Betrayal or Significant Departures
The circumstances surrounding these events are crucial to understanding why these actions occurred and how Luffy perceived them.
Nami's Initial Deception
Early in the Straw Hat Pirates' journey, Nami appeared to betray Luffy by stealing the crew's ship, the Going Merry, and all their treasure. This was part of her long-standing personal mission to buy back her village from the tyrannical fish-man, Arlong. Her actions were driven by a desperate desire to save her loved ones, not malice towards Luffy. Despite the initial shock and feeling of betrayal, Luffy quickly realized Nami's plight and offered her his unwavering support, leading to one of the most iconic moments in One Piece when she finally asked him for help.
Nico Robin's Self-Sacrifice
During the Enies Lobby arc, Nico Robin seemingly betrayed the Straw Hat Pirates by aligning herself with CP9, an intelligence agency of the World Government. Her true intention, however, was to protect her friends. The World Government threatened to unleash a Buster Call on the Straw Hats if she didn't surrender herself. Believing her presence endangered them, Robin chose to sacrifice her freedom for their safety. Luffy and the crew, feeling deeply hurt by her apparent abandonment, launched an all-out assault on Enies Lobby to rescue her, demonstrating their profound commitment to their nakama (comrades).
Usopp's Emotional Departure
While not a betrayal in the traditional sense, Usopp's departure from the crew caused Luffy to feel profoundly betrayed. The conflict arose over the Going Merry, their beloved ship, which was deemed irreparable. Usopp, emotionally attached to the ship, challenged Luffy to a duel when Luffy decided to replace it. After losing the duel, Usopp officially left the crew. Although his actions stemmed from grief and stubbornness rather than disloyalty, Luffy felt the weight of his friend's choice deeply. Usopp later rejoined the crew, demonstrating his underlying loyalty.
Sanji's Forced Farewell
In the Whole Cake Island Arc, Sanji briefly "betrayed" the crew by leaving them to enter an arranged marriage with Pudding, a daughter of the Emperor Big Mom. This decision was not made out of disloyalty but to protect his former mentor, Zeff, and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates from Big Mom's wrath. He even went as far as to brutally beat Luffy, trying to force him to leave and save himself. Despite Sanji's attempts to push them away, Luffy adamantly refused to accept his departure, proclaiming that he could not become the Pirate King without Sanji and firmly believing in his friend's true loyalty.
These events highlight the strong bonds within the Straw Hat Pirates and how perceived betrayals often turn out to be acts of self-sacrifice or misunderstandings driven by complex circumstances, ultimately strengthening their resolve and trust in each other.
