One Piece: 9 Characters Who Could Singlehandedly Beat a Yonko

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This article contains spoilers for One Piece.

The Yonko are the four most powerful pirate captains in the world of One Piece. They rule over the New World and command incredibly strong crews.

These characters are incredibly powerful, and most people would avoid a fight with them. However, a select few are strong enough to defeat them, even in a one-on-one battle.

Boa Hancock

  • Devil Fruit: Mero Mero no Mi
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Boa Hancock, also known as the Pirate Empress, commands the Kuja Pirates. While she hasn’t been prominently featured since the Summit War, the author, Oda, has repeatedly shown that she’s powerful enough to challenge even the strongest pirates in the world – the Yonko.

During the raid on Amazon Lily, Blackbeard and two of his top pirates managed to sneak in amidst the confusion. However, Blackbeard wisely avoided a direct confrontation with Hancock. He knew she could instantly turn him to stone and defeat him if he wasn’t cautious, forcing him to rely on underhanded tactics to achieve his goals.

Scopper Gaban

Image by Viz Media
  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Scopper Gaban, a key ally of Roger, isn’t at his best right now. But in his prime, he was a truly formidable opponent.

We haven’t seen Scopper Gaban truly unleash his power yet, but the story suggests he’s incredibly strong – strong enough to defeat one of the most powerful pirates, a Yonko. The author has indicated Gaban is comparable to Roger, meaning he’s potentially even more powerful than a Yonko, closer in strength to the Pirate King himself.

Silvers Rayleigh

  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Silvers Rayleigh, nicknamed the Dark King, was a notoriously powerful pirate during his time. Serving as the first mate to the Pirate King, he was considered one of the strongest pirates ever to navigate the Grand Line. Like Gaban, fans haven’t seen Rayleigh truly unleash his full power in his youth. However, it’s been confirmed that he was comparable in strength to Roger himself.

Regardless of the situation, Rayleigh has demonstrated that he remains a powerful force, capable of challenging even the strongest leaders like a Yonko or an Admiral, even in his old age.

Kozuki Oden

  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Kozuki Oden was a famous pirate who famously crewed with both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates. He was an incredibly skilled swordsman, demonstrated by his near-defeat of Yonko Kaido almost on his own.

Oden was the first to ever wound Kaido, leaving a lasting scar that Kaido still remembers. Kaido considers Oden one of the most powerful fighters he’s ever faced. It’s likely Oden would have defeated Kaido completely if Kaido hadn’t threatened his family.

Monkey D. Garp

  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Monkey D. Garp is arguably the most powerful Marine of all time. He’s famously known as the Hero of the Marines, and even though he officially holds the rank of Vice Admiral, his strength far surpasses anyone at that level.

Garp was a major opponent of the Pirate King. He demonstrated incredible power at God Valley, teaming up with Roger to defeat Rocks D. Xebec. Even when he was older, Garp nearly wiped out the Blackbeard Pirates all by himself.

King Harald

Image by Viz Media
  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Harald was the former King of Elbaf and is considered the greatest ruler in the country’s history. He was renowned for his incredible strength, earning him the title of the most powerful king the Giants had ever known, and it’s easy to understand why fans hold him in such high regard.

Harald was as powerful as Rocks D. Xebec, a pirate who may have even surpassed the strength of the Yonko. Harald is clearly stronger than most Yonko in the world of One Piece, and at his peak—after receiving immortality and a power boost from Imu—he’s even more formidable.

Rocks D. Xebec

  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

As a huge One Piece fan, I was absolutely blown away learning more about Rocks D. Xebec during the Elbaf arc! It turns out Oda has confirmed he wasn’t just powerful, but on a completely different level than anyone we’d seen before. What’s even more incredible is that his crew wasn’t just any group – it was made up of people who would become future Emperors of the Sea! It really puts everything into perspective.

Rocks D. Xebec was incredibly powerful, considered one of the strongest by Kaido. The flashback showed his strength clearly – he effortlessly defeated an Admiral and even overcame Garling Figarland. He had the potential to become even more formidable, but his life was cut short when he confronted Imu before he was ready.

Gol D. Roger

Image by Viz Media
  • Devil Fruit: None
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

The legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, has proven to be even more powerful than many realized. Fans often debated whether he was as strong as one of the Yonko, or if he surpassed them entirely. Now it’s clear: Roger would easily defeat an average Yonko.

Even before reaching his full potential, Roger managed to defeat a powerful opponent like Domi Reversed Rocks D. Xebec, with Garp assisting him in the battle.

Imu

  • Devil Fruit: Unnamed Fruit
  • Haki: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

When it comes to the strongest character in One Piece, it’s almost certainly Saint Imu, the hidden ruler of the world.

Imu is far stronger than anyone else in the world of One Piece. During the God Valley incident, Imu fought and defeated six of the most powerful pirates ever: Rocks D. Xebec, Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Roger, and Garp. These characters are all at the level of, or capable of becoming, the Yonko (the four strongest pirates). Imu even defeated Rocks D. Xebec with a single blow and then enslaved him, a feat no one else has demonstrated. Imu could easily defeat any of the Yonko, and likely even those stronger than them.

Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga, One Piece, follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the legendary treasure, the One Piece. The story is currently in its final arc. The newest chapter, 1170, will be available in this week’s issue of Weekly Shonen Jump on January 4, 2026. In Japan, it will be released at midnight on Monday, which translates to 11:00 AM Eastern Time and 8:00 AM Pacific Time. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump app, and by doing so, they directly support the creator.

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2025-12-23 15:36