Monkey D. Luffy is the main protagonist of One Piece and has bonds between him and various other characters throughout this series. Though Luffy's love is more reflected through what he does rather than his words, fans and analysts are still arguing about who is the one he has feelings for the most.
Luffy's Crew: The Straw Hat Pirates
The deepest love was often attributed to his crew members. But among them, some relationships stand out:
Many fans believe that the strongest bonds are those of Luffy and Zoro, then with Usopp. These relationships have been built on trust and brotherhood developed over many adventures and challenges.
Some say that Nami is special to Luffy. Being the "main girl" of the series, Luffy protects and comforts Nami in many emotional scenes. Although tagged as not being a romantic relationship, this relationship has shared a strong bond of mutual trust and respect.
Inspirational Figures
More than to his crew, Luffy has strong affection toward those who have inspired him:
Shanks Red-Haired Shanks is, to many, the most important person to Luffy. Being the inspiration for Luffy's dream of becoming a pirate, Shanks represents that special something of a mentor and an objective to transcend for Luffy.
Romantic Interests?
While Luffy himself doesn't follow the traditional concept of romantic love, there are some who have shown romantic interest in him:
Boa Hancock: What's astonishing about the relationship that Luffy shares with Boa Hancock is that Hancock herself professes her love for Luffy. However, on Luffy's side, the feelings for her remain only platonic, characterized more by friendship and gratitude than romantic love.
Other Possible Love Interests Rebecca, Shirahoshi, and Vivi are some other characters who are said to have possibilities of becoming Luffy's love interest. However, all these relationships are still in the realm of fan speculation as the storyline isn't supported by the canon.
Luffy's Love for Adventure
It is debatable whether a person at all is the greatest love of Luffy's life; rather, it is the adventure itself. His passion to go out and explore, to experience new things, often places him above romantic relationships, or even deep personal relationships.
Brotherly Bonds
Luffy's connection with his adoptive brothers, Ace and Sabo, shows some of the deepest emotional ties he has. These bonds of brotherhood have been one of the leading reasons for Luffy's character development and motivations throughout the series.
Ultimately, it is left a bit convoluted and subjective to decide who it is that Luffy loves the most. His love is usually appreciated as genuineness, protection, and adventures—very rarely articulated. If his crew, mainly people like Zoro, Usopp, and Nami, hold special places in his heart, figures such as Shanks represent a deep source of inspiration and respect. Finally, it seems that the greatest love of Luffy would combine his nakama, those inspirational people, and the never-ending passion for adventure and freedom.