With 1000+ characters in the pirate world of One Piece, you will be lost for choices on the best fighters in Oda’s legendary Japanese Manga. Let’s take a look at the most elite of them all!
Pirate King – Gol D.Roger (Bounty: 5,564,800,000 Berries)
The one and only Pirate King (for now!). Imbuing his 12 Supreme Grade sword, Ace, with his monstrous Busoshoku Haki, he was able to send Kozuki Oden, another conqueror Haki user, flying. His clash with Whitebeard is able to create a shockwave so violent that it blows everything back. Obvious strength aside, his ability to “hear the voice of all things” path his way to become The Pirate King!
Monkey D. Garp (Cross Guild Bounty: 3,000,000,000 Berries)
“Hero of the Marines” Monkey D. Garp is one of the only few that is able to fight toe-to-toe with the Pirate King Gol D.Roger. The bounty set on him by the Cross Guild is 3,000,000,000 berries, the same as an Admiral, one of the highest ranks in the Marines which he has continuously rejected countless times. Even at his current age, “Garp the Fist” was almost taking on half of Black Beard’s crew on his own, with Ex-Admiral turned pirate captain Kuzan amongst the group.
Monkey D. Dragon (Bounty: ?? Berries)
Founding member and Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D.Dragon’s Marines past and connection being the son of the infamous Garp is just unbelievable. His leadership and strength to inspire countless top fighters such as Kuma, Sabo and Emporio Ivankov to fight alongside him and toppling countries made him the number one target on the World Government’s hitlist.
Straw Hat – Monkey D. Luffy (Bounty: 3,000,000,000 Berries)
It can safely be deduced that some things do run in a person’s blood! Luffy is the grandson of the great Marine Hero Garp and the son of the infamous leader of the Revolutionary Army Dragon. Don’t be mistaken, Luffy has gone through his own insane number of trials and hardship to gain his current “Yonko Emperor” status. In the midst of these, the story’s protagonist had taken on and overcame Warlords and Emperors, there is just no stopping him!
Sengoku
Sengoku the Buddha is the owner of the extremely rare mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Human-Human Fruit, Model: Buddha. He is also a character of THAT pirate king era where he fought alongside Garp against Rogers. Being a former Fleet Admiral (highest Marine rank) and with the ability to send shockwaves to injure and press down the Blackbeard Pirates, Sengoku just has to be in this list. Oh, did I also mention that he could hold an ultra enraged Garp down?
Rocks D. Xebec (Bounty: ?? Berries)
THE pirate before Roger, Rocks’ crew took the combined might of Marines, Pirates and the World Government (God’s Knights) to be taken down. He led over further Emperors such as White Beard, Big Mom, Kaido as well as to-be-legendary pirates such as Shiki.
Whitebeard – Edward Newgate (Bounty: 5,046,000,000 Berries)
Being known as the “Strongest Man in the World” puts Ex-Emperor Whitebeard into the stratosphere of the elite amongst the elite. Even during his days with the legendary Rocks Pirate, his display of intelligence might even be above his infamous captain, Rocks D. Xebec. Not to mention that his Tremor-Tremor Devil Fruit is considered the strongest of the Paramecia class with the Devil Fruits, and with the ability to cause tsunamis as well as beating the hell out of Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.
Kaido (Bounty: 4,611,100,000 Berries)
Another Ex-Emperor with the bounty closest to Gol D.Roger and Whitebeard, Kaido is as fearsome and awesome as it gets. Does not seem to understand this word “tired”, as he continuously took on the Worst Generation pirates plus his own child Yamato (she has Conqueror’s Haki by the way) before eventually being taken down by Luffy’s mythical Nika Gear 5. As part of the Rock’s Pirate crew, Kaido has seen almost all there is before he became an Emperor Yonko himself. His Fish-Fish Devil Fruit, Azure Dragon, allows him to be a dragon and a dragon-man, coupling with his massive Haki, gave him the nickname of “The Strongest Creature”.
Big Mom – Charlotte Linlin (Bounty: 4,388,000,000 Berries)
The only lady Yonko (now ex-emperor) in the list says columns about the ferocious eater Big Mom. Her Soul-Soul Fruit ability allows her to steal souls and utilize them for various purposes. Her Homies, created from stolen souls, bolster her power significantly. Her monstrous strength allowed her to easily overpower Queen, Kaido’s 1,320,000,000 Berries Commander, and with her Devil Fruit, she created special homies such as Zeus, Prometheus and Napoleon, to give her the power of lightning, sun and sword. It took 2x 3,000,000,000 Berries pirates in Trafalgar D.Law and Eustass “Captain” Kid to take her down.
Blackbeard – Marshall D. Teach (Bounty: 3,996,000,000 Berries)
Anyone who can hurt Emperor Shanks should be pretty skillful, either skills or scheme wise. Blackbeard Teach should have possessed both. His Dark-Dark Fruit has already equipped Blackbeard with one of the most precious powers, the ability to nullify Devil Fruit ability. Not only that, he is able to “steal” it. After absorbing Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Devil Fruit ability, Yonko Emperor Blackbeard is thus far the only known person with 2 fruit powers, with these 2 considering the tier 1s of Devil Fruits some more. Can he absorb even more? Don’t bet against it.
Shanks (Bounty: 4,048,900,000 Berries)
Likely the prodigy during his era, Emperor Shanks is crazily good with Haki. His “Wifi” Haoshoku Haki can easily put an Admiral dead in his tracks while a single attack of infused Haki within his fame sword Gryphon is able to take down 3,000,000,000 Berries bounty Eustass Kid and his vice-captain Killer. He is not known to have any Devil Fruit ability but like what Kaido has pointed out, Haki reigns supreme in this world of One Piece, as demonstrated by Gol D.Roger, who only deployed Haki to become the Pirate King. Even White Beard is not able to overpower Shanks despite only having 1 arm.
Dracule Mihawk (Bounty: 3,590,000,000 Berries)
With sword skills as good or potentially even better than an emperor, you are already more than half qualified to be in this list. Zoro’s teacher and ex-warlord Mihawk is now the executive of the Cross Guild, led by the Yonko Emperor Buggy. Wielder of one of the 12 Supreme Grade Baldes, the “Black Blade” Yoru, Mihawk slices mountains and battleships for fun. Of course, his extremely high bounty only further cements his position as the “Strongest Swordsman in the World”.
Saint Figarland Garling
A world Noble as well as the Supreme Commander of the God’s Knight, Saint Figarland Garling was also greatly involved in THAT God Valley incident. Rumors are that he is the one who wounded the legendary White Beard during that event. Skilled in the art of swordsmanship, I cannot wait to see him battle the best swordsmen around. Wonder how he is linked to Red-Hair Emperor Shanks though.
Five Elders
The Five highest-ranking Celestial Dragons and the Highest Authorities of the World Government. They hold absolute control over the previous Warlords of the Sea, Marines, as well as the Cipher Pol. They took a blow from the Revolutionary Army’s chief of staff, Sabo, Flame-Flame Fruit’s attack with a breeze. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, with the title of Warrior God of Science and Defense, was easily able to press down a 1,032,000,000 berries bounty Black Leg Sanji effortlessly. Heck, even lower ranking Marines are not allowed to look at them directly.
Imu
What is more frightening than a group of “elderly” holding power and control over everything in the world? Well, that has got to be Imu, to whom the Five Elders bow and serve. So far I have not seen a leader that is incapable in the world of creator Oda’s One Piece (baring Emperor Buggy, who surprisingly has his own talent of inspiring his people). Imu has transformed into a beast-like shadowy creature, and has also managed to easily deflect Sabo’s flame attack. Imu’s order of using the mysterious weapon “Mother Flame” thoroughly exhibits intelligence and extreme cruelty at the same time.