The One Piece world is renowned for its captivating and distinctive feature of maintaining a delicate and precarious balance of power between the World Government and pirates. Although one may assume that the World Government would eradicate all pirates, they have demonstrated their willingness to cooperate with select individuals in this group.
As a result, the Shichibukai, also known as the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the Yonko, or the Four Emperors of the Sea, were formed as the most powerful and influential pirates in the series. However, recent changes in the Yonko’s hierarchy have sparked curiosity about the identities of the Four Emperors in One Piece. While the explanation is lengthy, it is ultimately straightforward.
The current Four Emperors of the Sea in One Piece, explained
Currently, in the world of One Piece, the four most powerful pirates known as the “Emperors of the Sea”are Monkey D. Luffy, Shanks, Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teech), and Buggy the Clown. Shanks has held the title of Yonko the longest out of the four, having been one since the beginning of the series. The exact time of his rise to Yonko status is unknown, but it is assumed that he held the title when he first met Luffy. His past as a member of the Roger Pirates may have greatly influenced his position as a Yonko.
After the Marineford arc, during the 2 year time-skip, Blackbeard became the second longest-tenured member among their ranks. This was due to Blackbeard taking Whitebeard’s position, although the exact time and circumstances of this takeover are unknown. Blackbeard achieved this by defeating and succeeding Whitebeard, thus reaching a level of piracy that qualified him to claim the empty Yonko spot.
After the events of the Wano arc in One Piece, Luffy and Buggy the clown emerged as the two newest Yonko. Luffy successfully took down Kaido, while Trafalgar D. Water Law and Eustass Kid defeated Big Mom. Buggy’s Cross Guild organization had gained significant power and influence in the outside world during this time, leading to him taking over Big Mom’s spot as a Yonko.
Previous 4 Emperors of the Sea
As previously stated, the three former Yonko who have been overthrown are Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom. Whitebeard was the first to lose his title after his death in the Marineford War, for which Blackbeard and his crew were ultimately responsible. Despite having sustained significant injuries prior to Blackbeard’s arrival, Whitebeard’s former subordinate ultimately dealt the final blows.
Despite their defeats at the hands of Luffy, Law, and Kid during the Wano arc, Kaido and Big Mom were removed from their positions as Yonko. It is important to note that this removal was a result of their defeats and not their deaths, as the status of their survival remains unconfirmed in the One Piece manga. This highlights the fact that one can lose their title as Yonko by being defeated, rather than through death.
Explaining the Role of the 4 Emperors of the Sea in the Series
Although the paragraph above identifies the 4 Emperors of the Sea in the series, it fails to elaborate on their role. As previously mentioned, they play a vital part in maintaining a balance of power with the World Government, a role that was also once fulfilled by the Shichibukai. Essentially, the Yonko are a group of highly influential and formidable pirates who hold control over the New World and its many islands. They are considered the most powerful and closely allied pirates among all the others in the sea.
The World Government is also wary of the Yonko and established the Shichibukai system as a way to counter them if necessary. This fear is evident in their worry about the Yonko potentially forming alliances or engaging in conflicts with each other. This also showcases the immense power of a Yonko’s crew and allies. In essence, the Yonko serve as the ultimate adversaries to the World Government, standing on equal footing with their forces and challenging their beliefs.
In summation
The 4 Emperors in One Piece are composed of Shanks, Luffy, Blackbeard, and Buggy, all of whom possess immense strength and hold great influence. Their purpose is to serve as a counterweight to the World Government’s dominance, providing a necessary balance in the world of piracy.
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