One Piece’s Creator Eiichiro Oda Is Finally Making Sanji Yonko Level

by

Chapter 1182 of One Piece was released in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24 on May 10, 2026. This chapter was a major turning point for the Elbaph arc, as Eiichiro Oda began setting the stage for significant battles involving Luffy’s allies, Zoro and Sanji.

Zoro will be facing Super Sommers, while Sanji’s opponent in Elbaph is the incredibly dangerous Super Killingham, who possesses the power of the Kirin mythical zoan fruit. This fight promises to be thrilling for fans, and it’s expected to be the catalyst for Sanji’s growth to the level of the Four Emperors. Specifically, he’ll gain the ability needed to defeat the Holy Knights – the awakening of Conqueror’s Haki, a power-up fans have anticipated for a decade.

Eiichiro Oda Finally Sets Up Sanji’s Yonko Level Power Up Vs Rimoshifu Killingham In One Piece Chapter 1182

Chapter 1182 of One Piece was an important moment for Sanji’s character. After facing Nerona Imu, the King of the World, in Chapter 1180, Sanji launched a strong attack, but Imu easily blocked it and countered with a powerful kick. Although fans thought Sanji was knocked unconscious, Chapter 1182 revealed he was still conscious, as confirmed by Saint Killingham. Despite being exhausted, Sanji managed to get up and continue pursuing Killingham, determined to protect the children of Elbaph from another attack.

Now that Zoro is pursuing Super Sommers, Sanji will battle Super Killingham starting in chapter 1183, promising a thrilling fight and a long-awaited power increase. This power-up, known as the Color of the Supreme King, was hinted at by series creator Eiichiro Oda nearly a year ago in chapter 1152.

Sanji revealed he believes he possesses Conqueror’s Haki. However, Scopper Gaban dismissed his claim, suggesting Zoro is more naturally gifted with it. Although many fans saw this as a joke, a closer look at page 5, panel 3, reveals Eiichiro Oda used special markings to indicate dialogue was cut off. This suggests a significant reveal is coming regarding Sanji’s hidden potential with Conqueror’s Haki.

Why Sanji Unlocking Conqueror’s Haki Is Crucial In The Elbaph Arc

Fans have long questioned why Sanji possesses Conqueror’s Haki. Eiichiro Oda recently revealed the answer in the Elbaph arc, spread across several chapters of One Piece. Specifically, in chapter 1149 (released May 26, 2025, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26), we saw Scopper Gaban, Roger’s first mate and one of his top commanders, use Conqueror’s Haki to defeat Saint Sommers. This establishes a parallel between Gaban and Sanji, as both held this powerful ability within their respective crews.

Oimo and Kashi exclaimed in One Piece chapter 1139, identifying Scopper Gaban as a close comrade of Gol D. Roger and Silvers Rayleigh – a man who fought alongside them.

Sanji is expected to reach a similar level of strength as Gaban, and likely even surpass him. Therefore, it’s crucial that he awakens the power of the Supreme King. Furthermore, as revealed in chapters 1152 and 1170 of One Piece, Scopper Gaban explicitly stated that the only vulnerability of the immortal Holy Knights lies in their use of the Supreme King’s Haki.

If we can land enough blows, we can take him down. These guys are especially vulnerable to anyone who can imbue their attacks with the power of the Supreme King!” – Scopper Gaban, One Piece Chapter 1070

If Sanji doesn’t develop Conqueror’s Haki, he likely won’t be able to defeat powerful opponents like the Holy Knights or the Five Elders later in the story. The author has already established a fight between Sanji and Saint Killingham, and the only way for him to win this – and future battles against extremely strong enemies – is to unlock Conqueror’s Haki. This upcoming fight, starting in chapter 1183, is likely the beginning of a major power-up arc for Sanji, giving him access to one of the most sought-after abilities in the entire series.

New Questions Added!

TopMob Quiz

Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)Permadeath (5s)

—

QUESTION 1/1

Results

0

—

More Games

How Sanji’s New Supreme King Haki Power Up Will Take Him To Yonko Level

Fans have anticipated Sanji demonstrating Conqueror’s Haki ever since Chapter 832 of the Whole Cake Island arc, which came out in July 2016. It was then revealed that Sanji is from a royal family in the North Blue, and his father, Vinsmoke Judge, has royal blood. Sanji isn’t just descended from a king; he’s related to a powerful Conqueror who once defeated four other kings in a huge battle. The Vinsmoke family’s history as conquerors goes back over 300 years, with records showing they ruled the North Blue for 66 days.

“We defeated four kings from the North Blue all at the same time – it was an incredible victory!” — Reiju, One Piece Chapter 832

It’s common for powerful fighters in this world to possess a special type of willpower known as Conqueror’s Haki. Fans have long predicted Sanji would develop this ability, and after over a decade of anticipation, it’s finally happening during the peak of the Elbaph arc. He’s poised to unlock this power for the first time, enhancing his fiery attacks and kicks, and crucially, hindering the healing abilities of the Holy Knights and the Five Elders.

Sanji’s emerging abilities will make him powerful enough to overcome challenges like Holy Knight Killingham, and eventually rival the strongest characters in the One Piece world, such as the Yonko and the Admirals. For the Straw Hat Pirates to successfully navigate and conquer the Grand Line, they need multiple fighters on par with the Yonko, not just Luffy. Just like Rayleigh and Gaban supported Roger, Zoro and Sanji need to reach Yonko-level strength, and the events at Elbaph will be key to them achieving that power.

You can read the newest One Piece manga chapters, created by Eiichiro Oda, on Viz Media and Manga Plus.

Read More

2026-05-19 04:35