Guys. The 1031 cover killed every headcanon.
Whoever denies that Rayleigh, Ben, Zoro, King, Katakuri, Marco, Killer, Bepo, Sabo and Shiryu are the strongest right after their captains/bosses is denying blatant canon evidence, at this point.
What else do you want?
Official account of the One Piece staff textually talks about 2nd Strongest Members which means First Mates/2nds in Command.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV-BEmphcdY/?utm_medium=copy_link
Raw text and literal translation:
明日11/8(月)発売の「#週刊少年ジャンプ」49号は『ONE PIECE』が巻頭カラー!✨
今回も制作過程動画が、尾田っちから届いたぞ!
今回は海賊団や革命軍の〝No.2〟が勢ぞろい!? ラフの変化にもご注目!
完成イラストは明日発売の「週刊少年ジャンプ」をチェックしてね!
"ONE PIECE" is the first color of "#Weekly Shonen Jump" No. 49, which will be released tomorrow on November 8th (Monday)! ✨
This time too, the production process video has arrived from Oda!
This time, the "No. 2" of the Pirates and the Revolutionary Army are lined up !? Also pay attention to the changes in the rough!
Check out "Weekly Shonen Jump" to be released tomorrow for the completed illustrations!
@Light D Lamperouge