Alliances of Convenience in One Piece: Kid, Law, Luffy, and the Others

August 23, 2026

The essentials in 30 seconds: in One Piece, the greatest pirates never hesitate to unite temporarily when the common enemy is too powerful to face alone. Luffy, Law, and Kid against Kaido in Wano, Luffy and Law against Doflamingo in Dressrosa, or even Cross Guild, formed by former rivals: these temporary alliances are fragile, calculated, and often limited in duration, but they have changed the course of history. This article details the most significant ones, their strategic stakes, and why they almost always end up dissolving once the objective is achieved.

In the world of One Piece, loyalty is rarely absolute outside a crew. Among pirates, the rule is simple: a common enemy is enough to turn rivals into partners for the duration of a battle. These temporary alliances are one of Eiichiro Oda's favorite narrative devices, because they make it possible to bring together charismatic characters who oppose each other in every way, without ever betraying the logic of the world he has built: each keeps their own dream, their own bounty, and their own definition of freedom.

From the Marines to the Emperors, including the Worst Generation's Supernovas, no one escapes this dynamic. Some alliances last for the duration of an arc, while others are forged in a matter of minutes before falling apart. They all reveal something about the manga's philosophy: in the New World, strength alone is never enough; you also need to know whom to bring along, even temporarily.

What is a temporary alliance in One Piece?

A temporary alliance differs from a true crew in one essential respect: it involves no oath of lasting loyalty. The pirates involved remain free to resume their journey, reclaim their treasure, or pursue their revenge as soon as the common objective is achieved. This is a fundamental difference from the bonds uniting the Straw Hat crew, where each member has sworn loyalty to Luffy for the entire adventure.

These temporary coalitions generally rest on three elements:

A disproportionately powerful common enemy: an Emperor, a Shichibukai, or an admiral whom no one can defeat alone.
A distinct personal interest for each party, justifying the risk of fighting side by side.
An implicit expiration date: the alliance dissolves on its own once the battle is over, sometimes even before then.

This is exactly the pattern found in the two most iconic alliances involving Luffy: the one against Doflamingo in Dressrosa, and the one against Kaido in Wano.

The Luffy-Law Alliance Against Doflamingo (Dressrosa)

It all began with a deal. Trafalgar Law, still a Shichibukai at the time, needed an ally crazy and strong enough to help the Heart Pirates overthrow Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the few Warlords directly connected to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Law knew about Doflamingo's fruit, the Ito Ito no Mi, and knew he could not face him alone.

He chose Luffy, with whom he had already forged a bond of trust after saving him at Marineford with his surgical power, the Ope Ope no Mi. This alliance, formalized on Punk Hazard, would continue throughout the Dressrosa saga, with a clear objective: destroy Doflamingo's SMILE Factory and free the island from his control. Despite internal betrayals, twists involving Vergo, and the chaotic intervention of Buggy the Clown, the alliance held firm until the fall of the King of Dressrosa, captured by Luffy himself.

One Piece Mug - Luffy & Law Pirate Alliance Duo

The Luffy-Law-Kid Alliance Against Kaido (Wano)

The Wano alliance was the most ambitious in the entire series up to that point. It brought together three captains with diametrically opposed personalities: the impulsive optimist Luffy, the cold strategist Law, and the brutal, proud pirate Eustass Kid, known for his Jiki Jiki no Mi magnetic fruit. What did they have in common? None of them had forgotten the humiliation Kaido and Big Mom inflicted on them during their first encounter at sea, when all three were knocked out without even being able to fight back.

This shared defeat forged an unlikely alliance, formalized in Amigasa Village before the final assault on Onigashima. The goal was simple: overthrow one of the four Emperors (Yonko), something no pirate had accomplished alone in decades. Unexpected reinforcements joined them: Kozuki Momonosuke, Wano's daimyo, Sabo's Revolutionary Army, and even former enemies such as the Kid Pirates, who fought, for once, on the same side as the Mugiwara.

Why This Alliance Was Necessary

Faced with an opponent of Kaido's caliber, considered the most powerful creature in the world, no single captain had enough firepower. The battle on Onigashima's rooftop proves it: even together, Luffy, Law, and Kid struggle to bring down the Yonko. It is only after Luffy's Gear 5 awakens that the tide truly turns.

Once Kaido is defeated, the alliance immediately dissolves. Kid turns away without a word of thanks, Law goes his own way, and each resumes their journey toward the final treasure: the famous One Piece. Further proof that these coalitions were never intended to last.

One Piece Figurine - Supernova Trio (23 cm Battle Diorama)

Other Notable Alliances of Convenience

Wano and Dressrosa are only the best-known examples. The world of One Piece is full of other temporary coalitions, sometimes discreet, sometimes spectacular, that follow the same pattern: an enemy who is too powerful, intersecting interests, and a separation almost always formalized as soon as victory is secured.

Alliance	Context	Common Enemy	Outcome
Luffy & Law	Dressrosa	Doflamingo	Victory, Alliance Dissolved After Capture
Luffy, Law & Kid	Wano / Onigashima	Kaido & Big Mom	Kaido Defeated, Coalition Immediately Broken Up
Buggy, Mihawk & Crocodile	Post-Marineford War	Marines & World Government	Cross Guild Still Active, Alliance Based on Financial Interests
Luffy & the Revolutionary Army	Wano (Sabo's Reinforcements)	Kaido's Forces	Brief Support, Each Goes Their Separate Way
Nico Robin & Baroque Works	Alabasta Arc (Before Joining Forces)	Crocodile's Personal Interests	Betrayal, Final Reversal

The Special Case of Cross Guild

Formed after the Marineford War, Cross Guild brings together three former sworn enemies: Buggy the Clown, Dracule Mihawk, and Crocodile. Unlike Luffy's alliances, this one is not motivated by an immediate common enemy but by a purely strategic and financial interest: placing bounties on the Marines themselves in response to the abolition of the Warlord of the Sea system. It is a more durable alliance than the others precisely because it is based on a shared business model rather than a one-off battle.

One Piece TCG Card - Eustass Captain Kid (Alternative Art)

Why these alliances always end up breaking apart

No temporary alliance in One Piece survives long after its initial mission, and this is no coincidence in the storyline: it is a direct consequence of the characters' philosophy. Each pirate pursues their own dream, their own definition of freedom, and fundamentally refuses to subordinate this goal to that of another captain, even one they temporarily admire.

Three main reasons explain this structural fragility:

The rivalry over bounties: Luffy, Law, and Kid remain in direct competition to become the Pirate King. A lasting alliance would go against this ambition.
The absence of an accepted hierarchy: unlike a traditional crew where the captain's authority is unquestioned, none of the parties accepts submitting to the other beyond what is strictly necessary.
The pirates' cultural mistrust: in the world of One Piece, betrayal is commonplace (see Blackbeard), which leads each captain to limit how long they expose their own weaknesses to a temporary ally.

This is precisely what distinguishes these coalitions from the true spirit of camaraderie demonstrated by the Straw Hats, where trust is absolute and has no expiration date.

The alliances' equipment: swords, katanas, and symbols

These legendary alliances have also left their mark on the popular culture surrounding the manga, particularly through the iconic equipment of the characters involved. Kikoku, Trafalgar Law's black katana, has become a symbol as recognizable as Zoro's sword, just like the ring engraved with "Death" belonging to the Surgeon of Death. On Luffy's side, the Gear 5 Nika Holo Rare trading card immortalizes the form that turned the battle against Kaido in the alliance's favor.

For collectors who wish to deepen their passion for the legendary swords of the universe, the shop offers a complete selection of replicas and accessories related to these iconic characters.

Fans looking for a more intimate item will also appreciate the Trafalgar Law chibi plush, a soft little nod to one of the architects of two major alliances in the series.

What these alliances reveal about Oda's philosophy

Beyond the spectacle, these temporary coalitions serve a deeper purpose. They remind us that individual power, however impressive, is never enough against the most destructive forces in the New World. Even the most iconic members of the Worst Generation sometimes have to swallow their pride to survive. It is also Oda's way of testing Luffy's deep loyalty: unlike Kid or Law, he continues to help his allies even when he gains nothing from it, a trait that foreshadows his destiny as the future Pirate King.

This dynamic echoes the Marineford War, the first major moment when several rival factions (Whitebeard, his allies, and even the Marines' sworn enemies) briefly found themselves on the same side against a common danger, already foreshadowing the pattern that would be repeated in Dressrosa and then Wano.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Luffy ally so easily with former rivals?

Because Luffy judges people by their actions and determination, never by their past. He has no problem fighting alongside Law or Kid as long as their shared goal serves the freedom of his friends or crew.

Did the alliance between Luffy, Law, and Kid survive after Kaido's downfall?

No. Once victory is secured, everyone goes their separate ways. Kid even leaves without a word, perfectly illustrating the strictly functional nature of this union.

Is Cross Guild just another alliance of convenience?

It differs slightly from it: rather than responding to a one-off enemy, Buggy, Mihawk, and Crocodile have built a shared economic model against the Marines, making their coalition more sustainable over time.

Are there other alliances to come in the manga?

The world of One Piece continues to evolve, particularly around Elbaf and the growing tensions with the World Government. New temporary coalitions between pirates, revolutionaries, and local rebels are highly likely as the story progresses toward its conclusion.

What is the difference between a temporary alliance and a true crew?

A crew is built on a lasting vow of loyalty to a single captain. A temporary alliance, on the other hand, lasts only as long as necessary to defeat a common enemy, with each party retaining complete independence.

To delve deeper into the One Piece universe

Key takeaways

Temporary alliances are one of One Piece's most fascinating trademarks: they prove that even the most individualistic pirates know how to set their egos aside for the duration of a battle to face a danger that exceeds them all. From Dressrosa to Wano, not to mention the surprising formation of Cross Guild, these temporary unions have reshaped the balance of power in the New World without ever betraying the true nature of their members. To keep this passion alive every day, discover our selection of One Piece figures featuring these legendary captains, our range of official trading card game cards, or our store dedicated to Trafalgar Law, the architect of the saga's two most remarkable alliances. You can also find our Wanted posters, our sword and katana replicas, and all our One Piece gift ideas to share the passion for legendary alliances with every fan.

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