Trafalgar D. Water Law is more than just the Surgeon of Death—he’s one of the most intelligent, powerful, and strategically brilliant pirates in One Piece. With his Ope Ope no Mi Devil Fruit and keen tactical mind, Law has pulled off some of the most daring plays in the New World, carving his own path among the Worst Generation. Whether it’s slicing enemies (and mountains) into pieces, outwitting warlords, or teaming up with Luffy in chaotic alliances, Law consistently proves he’s not just a doctor—he’s a force to be reckoned with. These ten battles showcase why Trafalgar Law isn’t just surviving in the pirate world—he’s dominating it.
#10: Law vs. Smoker at Punk Hazard
One of the first major showcases of Law’s post-time skip power comes during his fight with Vice Admiral Smoker on Punk Hazard. This battle is important not only because it pits Law against a high-ranking Marine, but also because it reestablishes his dominance after the time skip. Smoker, a Logia user and seasoned fighter, had given Luffy and others plenty of trouble in the past. Yet Law makes relatively quick work of him, using his ROOM ability to disassemble the battlefield, flip terrain, and even remove Smoker’s heart with surgical precision. What makes this battle stand out is how effortlessly Law uses his Devil Fruit—not just for offense, but for strategy. He rearranges Smoker’s body, completely upending the traditional rules of combat. It’s a clear demonstration that Law doesn’t just brawl—he operates. Every move is calculated, every cut exact. His calm demeanor during the fight also reinforces his confidence and power. This moment helped solidify his reputation as a dangerous, top-tier pirate who could go toe-to-toe with the World Government.
#9: Law vs. Vergo
The fight against Vergo, one of Doflamingo’s most trusted enforcers and a master of Armament Haki, is a turning point in Law’s personal journey. For years, Vergo had been a shadowy threat in Law’s life, a reminder of the twisted family he escaped. When they finally clash at Punk Hazard, it’s more than just a physical confrontation—it’s deeply personal. Vergo, fully coated in Haki and confident in his power, taunts Law, saying he’ll never be strong enough to defeat Doflamingo’s inner circle. But Law, with the perfect combination of timing and fury, proves otherwise. He activates a massive ROOM, lifts his cursed blade Kikoku, and slices Vergo—and the entire lab facility—clean in half in one of the most cinematic moments in One Piece. That single strike, paired with the iconic line “Because you laid a hand on one of my friends,” solidifies Law’s code of loyalty and retribution. It’s a reminder that Law isn’t just surgical—he’s ruthless. This battle proved he wasn’t a side player. He had entered the main stage with vengeance and vision.
#8: Law vs. Tashigi and the Marines
While this skirmish isn’t a full-scale battle, Law’s clash with Tashigi and the G-5 Marines at Punk Hazard still deserves recognition for its brilliant use of tactics and misdirection. Surrounded and facing capture, Law turns the battlefield into a chaotic circus of rearranged bodies and weapon placements. In one of the funniest yet most unsettling sequences, he swaps the personalities of various Marines—turning men into women and vice versa—completely throwing the Marine ranks into disarray. This bizarre yet effective use of his power highlights the versatility of the Ope Ope no Mi. Law doesn’t need brute strength to win—he dismantles order and control. The scene has comedic beats but also shows how terrifyingly efficient Law is when he’s thinking a few steps ahead. While Tashigi tries to land a serious blow, Law’s relaxed demeanor and unorthodox tactics overwhelm her and her squad. It’s a brief but illuminating glimpse into how dangerous Law can be in any situation—battlefield or not.
#7: Law and Luffy vs. Doflamingo and Fujitora
The chaotic showdown in Dressrosa between Law, Luffy, Fujitora, and Doflamingo is one of the best examples of Law’s durability and grit. At this point, Law has already suffered grievous injuries at the hands of Doflamingo, including being shot multiple times and impaled. Yet, he refuses to back down. Teaming up with Luffy, Law faces not just one enemy, but two powerhouses—an Admiral with gravity powers and a Warlord who’s been manipulating him since childhood. Though weakened, Law uses every ounce of strength, strategy, and willpower to support Luffy and continue fighting. Even when Fujitora turns the battlefield into a rainstorm of debris, Law doesn’t falter. The tension is high, the stakes are brutal, and the teamwork—though not perfectly in sync—is thrilling to watch. Law’s resilience and ability to stay sharp in the middle of this storm proves his mettle. It’s not always about winning clean—it’s about staying standing when everything is falling apart. Law does just that.
#6: Law vs. Basil Hawkins
Law’s battle with Basil Hawkins in Wano is a cold, calculated affair. Hawkins, having aligned with Kaido, becomes one of the many obstacles standing between Law and his goals. What makes this fight stand out isn’t just the combat—it’s the psychological game. Hawkins, with his voodoo-like Wara Wara no Mi powers, has tied Law’s crew members to his own life. If Law attacks him, his friends take the damage. Law’s response? Find the loophole. He deduces that only Hawkins’ own body is connected to his hostages, not his detached straw constructs. Using this knowledge, Law bypasses the connection and slices Hawkins down with brutal efficiency. He doesn’t grandstand. He doesn’t waste words. He eliminates the threat like a true surgeon—clean, clever, and without hesitation. This battle isn’t just a win in combat—it’s a win in intellect. It shows why Law is one of the most dangerous pirates on the seas: he can outthink you while out-slicing you.
#5: Law and Kid vs. Big Mom
In one of the most explosive and climactic battles of the Wano arc, Law teams up with fellow Worst Generation captain Eustass Kid to take down one of the most formidable pirates alive—Big Mom. This fight isn’t just about flashy powers; it’s about proving that the new generation can challenge the old titans of the sea. At first, Law and Kid are overwhelmed by Big Mom’s raw power, Homies, and terrifying resilience. But as the fight progresses, Law shows exactly why he’s not to be underestimated. He unleashes Kroom, a new technique that lets him manipulate internal damage with terrifying results. Using Anesthesia, he stabs through Big Mom and shatters her insides with Shock Wille, an attack that bypasses even her monstrous defenses. The imagery is stunning—Big Mom, normally untouchable, gasps in pain as her body is jolted from within. Law’s composure during the battle, even as he takes hit after hit, is a testament to his battle-hardening and deep resolve. He doesn’t need to be the loudest or most aggressive. Instead, he lets his precision, timing, and devastating techniques do the talking. In the end, it’s Law and Kid’s combined assault that brings Big Mom down—a feat few thought possible.
#4: Law vs. Trebol
While often overshadowed by his clash with Doflamingo, Law’s fight against Trebol in Dressrosa deserves credit as a brutal and emotionally charged moment. Trebol, one of the top officers of the Donquixote Family, is a slime-coated sadist who mocks Law’s entire existence. After enduring torture and witnessing Corazon’s death at the hands of Doflamingo, Law channels his pain and fury into a counterattack that obliterates Trebol’s smugness. Though badly wounded, Law uses his abilities with ruthless precision, slicing Trebol apart and finishing him off with an enormous explosion from a hidden attack. It’s not just about vengeance—it’s about catharsis. This fight carries the emotional weight of years of suffering, betrayal, and loss, and Law delivers justice not just for himself, but for Corazon. The fact that he emerges victorious, even while bleeding and broken, adds to the gravitas of the moment. Trebol underestimated him—as so many enemies do—and paid the ultimate price.
#3: Law vs. Doflamingo
The battle between Law and Doflamingo is one of the most personal and significant fights in the series. This isn’t just a matter of defeating a Warlord—it’s about avenging a man who gave Law a reason to live: Donquixote Rosinante, aka Corazon. Doflamingo’s betrayal of his own brother, and the trauma it inflicted on Law, makes this fight burn with emotional intensity. Despite being outmatched in strength and nearly killed multiple times, Law holds his ground, constantly looking for openings and using his Ope Ope no Mi abilities with masterful finesse. He swaps places, manipulates objects, and even uses Gamma Knife to attack Doflamingo’s organs. The desperation in this fight is palpable. Law’s body is wrecked, but he continues on sheer willpower and hatred. Though it ultimately takes Luffy to finish Doflamingo off, Law’s efforts wear him down and expose his vulnerabilities. This battle isn’t just about power—it’s about Law confronting the embodiment of his pain, refusing to back down even when it nearly kills him. In doing so, he proves that strength also lies in standing tall against your demons.
#2: Law vs. Blackbeard
In one of the most shocking post-Wano developments, Law ends up in a direct confrontation with Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard himself. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Blackbeard, known for his ruthless nature and dual Devil Fruit powers, is hunting the Road Poneglyph rubbings, and Law stands in his way. Their clash becomes a violent, high-level fight filled with chaotic energy, devastating abilities, and sheer unpredictability. Law uses Kroom again, but this time with even more advanced applications, attempting to damage Blackbeard’s internal organs and disrupt his body using spatial manipulation. Despite being on the defensive for much of the fight, Law’s ingenuity shines as he counters Blackbeard’s powers and pushes him harder than most opponents ever have. While the outcome is left uncertain for a time, the battle demonstrates that Law is willing to challenge even the most feared pirates in the world, alone if he has to. It’s a bold, high-risk move that shows Law’s evolution from a calculating tactician to a full-blown contender for the Pirate King era.
#1: Law’s attack on Marineford and alliance with Luffy
Though not a traditional “battle,” Law’s arrival at Marineford during the climax of the Paramount War is one of the most defining moments of his entire character arc. Amid the chaos of the war, with Whitebeard slain and Luffy severely injured after Ace’s death, Law sails in aboard his submarine and rescues Luffy and Jinbe from certain death. He defies the Marines and risks his own life to save a rival pirate. This isn’t just a strategic move—it’s a defining act of compassion and foresight. It marks the beginning of his bond with Luffy, one that would later evolve into the formidable Pirate Alliance that shook Dressrosa and Wano to their core. Saving Luffy when everyone else was too afraid or too late set Law apart—not just as a fighter, but as a leader with a sense of justice and personal code. It also cements his position as one of the central figures in the post-Marineford world. In many ways, it was Law’s actions here that shaped the next era of pirate history.
Trafalgar D. Water Law isn’t just one of the most dangerous pirates in the Worst Generation—he’s a brilliant tactician, a master of the Ope Ope no Mi, and a man with a deep sense of loyalty and pain. Every battle he fights is layered with strategy, emotion, and purpose. He doesn’t seek glory, but his actions earn it. These moments are more than highlights—they’re evidence that Law is carving his legacy into the New World with surgical precision and unshakable resolve.
