In the world of One Piece, the Four Emperors (Yonko) were long considered the most powerful pirates. However, recent events, particularly in chapter 1180 with the introduction of Imu, have changed that. Imu, also known as the King of the World, has demonstrated power far exceeding even the Yonko, making him the strongest character in the series. With Imu now actively involved in the major conflicts, he’s expected to take a more direct role in the battles to come.
How The Emperors Were Outclassed In The Elbaph Arc
Before the events on Elbaph, the Yonko – like Whitebeard, Shanks, and Kaido – were widely believed to be the most powerful individuals in the world of One Piece. They were always known for their incredible strength, but recent events have proven that they aren’t as unbeatable as everyone thought.
In the world of One Piece, Nerona Imu, the founder of the World Government, is currently the most powerful character. He appeared on Elbaph in chapter 1179 and, by chapter 1180, showcased abilities that clearly exceed those of the strongest Emperors (Yonko). Even the incredibly powerful Wings of the Pirate King, capable of challenging a Yonko, were helpless against him. Remarkably, Imu defeated Elbaph’s strongest warriors despite not even using his full power. He knowingly traveled to Elbaph prepared to face both Nika and Nidhoggr simultaneously, and he did so without any allies or support.
Breaking Down Nerona Imu’s Yonko-Eclipsing Power
Okay, so I’m completely fascinated by Imu! It’s amazing to think about how he’s stayed alive for so long – it’s all thanks to this incredible surgery called the Perennial Youth Surgery, which he got from the Ope Ope no Mi. But that’s just the beginning! He also has this unbelievably powerful Devil Fruit ability – it’s actually something that existed before all other Devil Fruits! It lets him transform into a devil himself, or a devil hybrid, and use all sorts of dark magic from this spellbook he has. Seriously, this power could throw the whole world into complete chaos – it’s mind-blowing!
Imu’s Devil Fruit power allows him to create undying soldiers who fight for him, and to transform enemies into mindless, demonic slaves. He’s also incredibly strong physically, and his powerful black flames, known as ‘Omen,’ are capable of instantly defeating even top fighters like Zoro and Sanji. This is just a glimpse of his combat abilities, and it’s important to remember he’s currently weakened, suggesting his full power is even more terrifying.
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Scaling The Power Gap Between Imu and The Yonko
It’s not surprising that Imu is more powerful than the Yonko, as the events on Elbaph suggest. During the God Valley Incident, Imu possessed Saturn’s body, which was a weaker form. Even in this state, Imu withstood attacks from six of the strongest pirates ever – Rocks, Roger, Garp, Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard. These attacks were all infused with advanced Conqueror’s Haki, but they didn’t even harm Imu.
The Holy Land….I leave to thee. — Nerona Imu, One Piece Chapter 1179
To make matters even more challenging, Imu traveled to Elbaph in chapter 1179, anticipating a simultaneous battle against both Nika and Nidhoggr.
Both of these individuals are more powerful than any of the Yonko, but Imu confidently traveled alone and is clearly in control, demonstrating a completely different level of strength. Imu’s Haki is comparable only to Joy Boy’s, and the extent of their Devil Fruit abilities is unknown. Regardless of how strong a Yonko might be, Imu surpasses them all.
How Luffy Must Evolve To Rival The King of the World In The Great War
The climax of One Piece will likely involve Luffy facing Imu, but currently, it’s unclear how he’ll win. While Luffy’s awakened Sun God Nika powers are significant, they aren’t enough to overcome Imu’s influence, meaning he needs to become even stronger. First, he needs to master Gear 5 and eliminate its time limit. Second, he must continue to develop and strengthen his Haki.
I’ve been watching the story unfold, and it seems like Luffy needs to significantly strengthen his Haki – to the point of matching Joy Boy’s level – if he ever hopes to stand against Imu. Right now, Imu possesses a terrifying power, but with that upgraded Haki, Luffy might finally be able to resist it. Until then, it’s clear that Luffy, along with all the other Yonko, are simply outmatched by the true ruler of the world.
One Piece Chapter 1180 will be available to read on Manga Plus on April 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST.
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2026-04-19 03:38