The Yonko, also known as the Four Emperors of the Sea, were first officially introduced in One Piece Chapter 432 by none other than Monkey D. Garp. Since then, the influence of the Yonko has continuously increased in the world of One Piece. Right now, in the Final Saga of One Piece, the Yonko are made up of Luffy, Shanks, Buggy, and Blackbeard. While the order of the Yonko is constantly changing, they are all fighting for one common goal: to reach the final island, Laugh Tale, and claim the One Piece for themselves.
In the most recent release of One Piece’s Elbaf arc on August 9, 2026, with Chapter 1190, Eiichiro Oda has now officially confirmed some elite pirates to be way stronger than the Yonko back in their prime days. These pirates are the first to reach Laugh Tale — the Pirate King and his two Wings, Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban.
One Piece Chapter 1190 Officially Confirms Roger And His Wings To Be Stronger Than The Yonko
One Piece Chapter 1190 was officially released on August 9, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue #37-38. In this Double Issue, we finally got to see Gaban fighting against Nerona Imu, the King of the World. Much to the surprise of all the fans, Scopper Gaban showcased incredible strength in this battle against Imu, despite being incredibly old as well as injured. In One Piece Chapter 1149, Scopper Gaban received a life-threatening blow from Gunko and her Aro Aro no Mi ability as he surrendered to save the life of his son. At the same time, Gaban’s age had already made him significantly weaker than ever before.
“On your feet, Straw Hat Luffy! I’m disappointed in you! Aren’t you ashamed of being saved by an injured old man like me? Your white form? Emperor of the Sea? Don’t get full of yourself!” — Scopper Gaban confirms being nerfed Vs Imu, One Piece Chapter #1190
This weakened version of Gaban went up against Nerona Imu, the King of the World, and, surprisingly, did extremely well. Gaban utilized his Haki immensely well against Imu, and using an ability known as Kamudo or Divine Gate, he was able to unleash powerful bolts of Conqueror’s Haki to make Nerona Imu bleed. He then followed it up with a powerful strike called Yachitakeru, with which he chopped up a significant portion of the Adam Tree, crushing mountain ranges underneath the Sun World.
Scopper Gaban: Wait, you idiot! Sorry about this, Jewel Tree Adam. I didn’t intend to eat you up! Damn these creaky joints! It sucks getting old! Kamudo!!!
Imu: Even though you’re old, still the Pirate King’s Crew!
— Nerona Imu acknowledges Gaban’s strength, One Piece Chapter #1190
Scopper Gaban ended up losing his arm to Honebami Toshiro in the chapter, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that even in his old age and while injured, he was able to push Nerona Imu far more than either Luffy or Loki. Even in his old age, Gaban is comparable to the Yonko of the One Piece world, and Silvers Rayleigh is the same. This goes to show that back in their primes, when they were still active pirates aiding Roger as his Wings, these two monsters were far above Yonko level and would have easily overwhelmed the likes of Big Mom and Kaido.
Why Roger Was The Strongest Pirate Of The Modern Era
By showcasing the strength of Scopper Gaban in his old age in One Piece Chapter 1190 on August 9, 2026, Eiichiro Oda also confirmed to us that Gol D. Roger was the strongest pirate of the modern era above anyone else seen in the story, including the likes of Rocks and Whitebeard. In One Piece Chapter 1152, it was officially confirmed to us that Roger was slightly stronger than Scopper Gaban, despite both of them being on the same level. Gaban proclaimed himself to be the Number 2 of the Roger Pirates, and with Rayleigh, these three formed the top 3 members of the crew, with Roger being even stronger than Scopper Gaban.
“He’s been living here for 20 years now. He’s the man who stood as an equal to Roger and Rayleigh! The left arm of the Pirate King, Scopper Gaban!” — Oimo and Kashi Introduce Gaban, One Piece Chapter #1139
Roger also managed to surpass even the likes of Rocks D. Xebec 10 years after the God Valley Incident, as confirmed in One Piece Chapter 1167. It is no surprise to know that he was the strongest pirate in the entirety of One Piece. Even when the Roger Pirates clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates, it is now clear to see that the former crew went easy on the latter, especially seeing the disparity in strength between the two and their friendly familial bond. All things considered, it is now beyond a shadow of a doubt that Roger and his Wings, coupled with the remaining members of the crew, made them the absolute strongest in the entire world.
One Piece’s Yonko Pale In Comparison To The Crew Of The Pirate King
The Yonko of the One Piece world are quite clearly incredibly powerful, and there is absolutely no denying that. With their powerful crews, the Yonko dominate the current era of the One Piece world, but none of them come even remotely close to the Roger Pirates in terms of strength. Kaido’s Beast Pirates were far too easy for Luffy and his crew to take down in Wano. Against the Roger Pirates, they would be absolutely demolished. The Big Mom Pirates would fall in the same category, and the likes of the Cross Guild and Blackbeard Pirates wouldn’t even remotely threaten Roger’s crew.
The only real competition for the Roger Pirates would come from the Whitebeard Pirates and Red-Hair Pirates, but while their Captains themselves might pose a challenge for Roger, the crews do not hold up to the combined might of Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban. Clearly, the Roger Pirates are the single most powerful pirate crew in One Piece, alongside Joy Boy’s unknown crew. The only crew that is set to surpass the Roger Pirates is Monkey D. Luffy’s Straw Hat Pirates, and we are eager to see their evolution in the final stretch of the story.
For now, Luffy himself ranks among the Yonko, but in order to take the next step and become the Pirate King, he must strengthen himself as well as his pirate crew tremendously. Following his battle with Nerona Imu in Elbaf, Luffy must gain further strength and acquire stronger allies to assert his dominance on the seas and finally head to the Final Island, Laugh Tale, and claim the One Piece.
All the latest manga chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece series are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
