Oda Finally Settles the Admiral vs Yonko Debate
Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers from the One Piece manga series.
The power scaling debate between Admirals and Yonko has raged in the One Piece community for years. Now, series creator Eiichiro Oda has officially confirmed which Admirals can actually stand toe-to-toe with the Four Emperors—and the answer might surprise some fans.
According to Oda’s recent revelations, only two Admirals in One Piece history have achieved true Yonko-level strength: Fleet Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu) in the current era, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku in the previous generation.
Fleet Admiral Akainu: The Current Yonko-Level Admiral
Why Akainu Stands Above Other Admirals
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, better known as Akainu, is currently the most powerful Marine in the One Piece world. Here’s what makes him a genuine Yonko-level threat:
Combat Prowess:
- Fought Whitebeard at Marineford and survived
- Wields the devastating Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit)
- Capable of large-scale destruction with magma attacks
- Possesses incredibly strong Haki (likely including Conqueror’s Haki)
Cross Guild Bounty: 5 Crowns (equivalent to 5 Billion Berries)
- Only Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard have higher bounties
- This bounty reflects his true threat level
Leadership Impact: Under Akainu’s command, the Navy has become more aggressive than ever, even pursuing the Four Emperors directly in the New World—something previous Fleet Admirals avoided.
Akainu’s Strength Post-Timeskip
Fans witnessed Akainu’s power at Marineford, but he’s only grown stronger since then. As Nico Robin once explained in Chapter 319:
“Even at the Navy Headquarters, there are only three who hold the rank of Admiral. Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru. The only one above them is the Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Commander of the Navy. The World Government calls these three the ‘Ultimate Military Force.'”
The key detail: Oda has deliberately kept Akainu out of major battles in the current story. When he finally enters the fray during the Final Saga, expect his showing to be absolutely monstrous—potentially matching or exceeding what we’ve seen from established Yonko.
Admiral Sengoku: The Previous Era’s Yonko-Level Marine
Roger’s Worthy Opponent
Before Akainu, Admiral Sengoku (who later became Fleet Admiral) was the Yonko-level Marine of his generation. The proof lies in how the legends of that era viewed him:
Gol D. Roger’s Respect: The Pirate King himself considered Sengoku a worthy opponent. If Roger—who fought equals like Whitebeard and Rocks—believed Sengoku could stand against him, that speaks volumes.
Whitebeard’s Rivalry: Even Edward Newgate, the World’s Strongest Man, had a personal rivalry with Sengoku, further cementing his status among the top tiers.
Sengoku’s Legendary Credentials
- Conqueror’s Haki user: Only the second Marine confirmed to possess this (after Garp)
- Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu (Human-Human Fruit, Buddha Model)
- The Buddha title reflected his overwhelming strength and tactical brilliance
Sengoku wasn’t just administratively powerful—he was an absolute combat monster who earned his place through strength, not politics.
Why Other Admirals Don’t Measure Up
The Power Gap Between Fleet Admirals and Regular Admirals
While current and former Admirals like Kizaru, Aokiji (Kuzan), Fujitora, and Ryokugyu (Green Bull) are undeniably powerful, recent story events have proven they can’t match true Yonko-level threats:
Admiral Kuzan (Aokiji):
- Admitted he couldn’t defeat an old, weakened Garp without help from Blackbeard’s commanders
- Lost his leg in a duel with Akainu for the Fleet Admiral position
Admiral Ryokugyu (Green Bull):
- Completely intimidated and forced to retreat by Shanks’ Conqueror’s Haki alone
- Didn’t even face Shanks directly—just felt his presence
Admiral Kizaru:
- Failed to defeat Luffy during the Egghead Arc
- Was paralyzed by Gear 5 Luffy, who hasn’t even peaked as a Yonko yet
- Required assistance from Saturn and the other Gorosei
Admiral Fujitora:
- Hasn’t shown feats comparable to Sengoku or Akainu
- More focused on reforming the Marines than pure combat dominance
As Akainu himself stated in Chapter 574:
“You’re the only two I’m after. You’re my target, Firefist and Straw Hat. Move, Jinbe. You’re a former warlord. You know exactly how strong I am. It’s futile.”
This confidence—and his ability to back it up—separates Akainu from his fellow Admirals.
The Pattern: Each Era Has One Yonko-Level Admiral
Oda has established an interesting pattern in One Piece:
Previous Era (Pre-Great Pirate Age):
- Admiral/Fleet Admiral Sengoku = Yonko level
- Fought alongside Garp against Roger and the Rocks Pirates
- Commanded respect from the era’s strongest pirates
Current Era (Post-Timeskip):
- Fleet Admiral Akainu = Yonko level
- Leading the Navy’s most aggressive campaign against pirates
- 5 billion berry bounty equivalent
The Common Thread: Both achieved the rank of Fleet Admiral, suggesting that to lead the Marines effectively, you need Yonko-level strength—not just tactical ability.
What This Means for the Final Saga
Akainu’s Inevitable Showdown
Oda has been deliberately saving Akainu for a major confrontation. When it happens, expect:
- A battle showcasing why he deserves the 5 billion bounty
- Confirmation of Conqueror’s Haki usage
- Potential advanced Haki techniques (like Kaido’s Future Sight or Big Mom’s soul manipulation)
- A fight that rivals or exceeds Marineford’s intensity
Potential Opponents
Who could face Akainu in the Final Saga?
Most Likely: Luffy (to avenge Ace) Possible: Sabo (Revolutionary Army vs Navy) Dark Horse: Dragon (the Revolutionary Army leader)
Regardless of opponent, Akainu’s battle will be one of the series’ defining moments.
Why This Revelation Matters
Settling the Power Scaling Debate
For years, fans have argued whether Admirals could match Yonko. Oda’s confirmation provides clarity:
✅ Regular Admirals < Yonko (Kizaru, Fujitora, Green Bull, pre-promotion Aokiji) ✅ Fleet Admirals ≈ Yonko (Sengoku, Akainu) ✅ The gap between Fleet Admiral and Admiral is substantial
This explains why the Marines need multiple Admirals to counter a single Yonko crew—only the Fleet Admiral can truly match an Emperor one-on-one.
The Importance of Leadership Strength
The Fleet Admiral isn’t just an administrative position—it requires the raw power to command respect from the world’s strongest forces. This is why:
- Sengoku could coordinate with Roger and Garp against Rocks
- Akainu can aggressively pursue Yonko without fear
- The position requires both tactical genius AND overwhelming personal strength
One Piece Chapter 1169: What to Expect
Official Release Date: December 21, 2025
Release Times:
- Japan: 12:00 AM JST (Monday)
- USA (East Coast): 11:00 AM EST (Sunday)
- USA (West Coast): 8:00 AM PST (Sunday)
Where to Read:
- Manga Plus (free)
- Shonen Jump app (free)
Reading officially supports Eiichiro Oda and ensures the series continues through its Final Saga.
The Admiral Tier List (Updated)
Based on Oda’s confirmation and recent story events:
Yonko-Level Tier:
- Fleet Admiral Akainu (Sakazuki)
- Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku
Top Admiral Tier (Below Yonko): 3. Former Admiral Aokiji (Kuzan) 4. Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino)
High Admiral Tier: 5. Admiral Fujitora (Issho) 6. Admiral Ryokugyu (Aramaki/Green Bull)
Special Mention: Vice Admiral Garp (Yonko-level in his prime, confirmed Conqueror’s Haki user)
Final Thoughts
Oda’s confirmation that only Sengoku and Akainu have achieved true Yonko-level strength among the Admirals makes perfect sense narratively. It explains why:
- The Marines couldn’t simply eliminate the Yonko system earlier
- Multiple Admirals are needed to counter a single Yonko crew
- The Fleet Admiral position carries such weight and respect
- Akainu has been held back from major battles (he’s being saved for something huge)
As One Piece enters its Final Saga, expect Fleet Admiral Akainu to finally showcase the full extent of his power—and prove once and for all why he stands alongside the world’s strongest pirates.
The stage is set for an epic confrontation between the Navy’s strongest and the Pirate King’s successor.
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