Even at present, the Straw Hat Pirate crew continues to recruit members based on Luffy's whims. The most recent One Piece character to join them is the Fish-Man Jimbei. Even though he only joined Luffy and the others during the "Wano Country" Arc, Jimbei has a long-standing history with piracy. He has fought in accordance with his morals and continues to do so.
Luffy first met Jimbei at the lowest level of Impel Down, where the Fish-Man was being detained. Surprised after what Ace told him was realized, Jimbei decided to help the Rubber Man break out of the impenetrable prison. He also fought alongside Luffy during the Marineford War and knocked sense to him during his lowest point. But even before helping Luffy, Jimbei already helped a lot of others.
Member of the Sun Pirates
Jimbei's journey started long before Luffy started his. He was a talented martial artist who earned a black belt in Fish-Man karate during his childhood years. He worked as a soldier serving under King Neptune, but he turned towards piracy when Fisher Tiger attacked Marijoa and freed his fellow slaves. Fisher Tiger then formed the Sun Pirates along with Jimbei and the other Fish-Men who looked up to him.
After learning of humans', especially the Marines, attitude towards slavery, Jimbei brutalized his opponents. However, Fisher Tiger instructed his crew not to kill any human as doing so would be stooping down to their level. Jimbei took his captain's words to heart, but Arlong was against the notion. Fisher Tiger died of blood loss during a Marine ambush, which led to Arlong being captured and Jimbei taking the role of captain.
Seven Warlords of the Sea
After assuming captaincy, Jimbei continued to live according to his former captain's will. He eventually made a name for himself and amassed a huge bounty. His infamy and strength were acknowledged by the World Government, and he was invited to be a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, mighty pirates who work under the government. Jimbei's new connection with the Marines opened the way for Arlong to also be released. However, Arlong was generally displeased with Jimbei and left to form his own pirate crew -- the Arlong Pirates.
When Ace was captured by the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates were about to wage a war against them, Jimbei was the only Warlord who refused to heed the summons to fight against Whitebeard since the Emperor had been protecting Fish-Man Island for a long time. He was then captured and imprisoned in Impel Down, and his title as a Warlord was revoked.
Big Mom Pirates
When Whitebeard died during the battle at Marineford, Fish-Man Island also lost its protection. Jimbei had to form an alliance with the Big Mom Pirates by marrying Aladdin to Praline, one of Big Mom's daughters. Fish-Man Island then used Big Mom's Jolly Roger. However, his allegiance to the Emperor was short-lived. After conferring his decision to his crew, who wholeheartedly supported him, Jimbei confronted Big Mom and barely escaped with his life.
Jimbei helped the Straw Hats rescue Sanji and fight off the Big Mom Pirates. The Fish-Man also saved the Thousand Sunny by utilizing his superior helmsman skills, while his Sun Pirate crew aided the ship to sail out of Whole Cake Island. Even though he already pledged allegiance to Luffy, he could not bear to see the Sun Pirates be eliminated. He stayed behind and promised to meet the Straw Hats at Wano, a promise that he kept.
Even though Jimbei is the last to join the Straw Hat Pirates, he is in no way the least experienced. He has incurred the wrath of the World Government on multiple occasions, yet he also manages to keep his beliefs and morality. Now that he is already an official member of the Straw Hat Pirates, fans of the series will see more of him in future updates of One Piece.
