In the vast and intricate world of One Piece, the political and power dynamics are upheld by a system referred to as the ‘Three Great Powers’.

This system consists of three formidable factions that wield significant influence over the world, with each group keeping the others in check to maintain a balance of power. The disbandment of any one of these powers would inevitably create a vacuum that could be filled by the remaining entities, altering the landscape of power profoundly.

The Three Great Powers are the World Government, the Seven Warlords, and the Four Emperors of the Sea (Yonko). The Four Emperors are recognized as the most dominant pirate forces, marked by their immense strength and control. While the Warlords operate under a tenuous alliance with the World Government, the latter primarily relies on its most potent military assets: the Admirals, to confront its most formidable foes. In this discussion, we will explore whether the Admirals can stand toe-to-toe with the mightiest pirates in One Piece.

Who Are The Admirals?

The World Government’s formidable force

Known Admirals:

• Sengoku
• Aokiji
• Akainu
• Kizaru
• Fujitora
• Ryokugyu

First Appearance:

One Piece, Episode 225, “The Man of Pride! Foxy the Silver Fox”

Story Arc:

Long Ring Long Land

Within the Marines, the rank of Admiral stands as one of the highest positions, only surpassed by the Fleet Admiral. Those who attain this title are not only among the strongest members of the Navy but also possess significant authority, enabling them to direct and command all subordinate ranks. Each Admiral exemplifies extraordinary mastery over their respective Devil Fruits, often Logia types, alongside their adeptness in various forms of Haki.

Initially, the Admirals were depicted as virtually invincible, bolstered by their overwhelming Logia powers. Following the time skip in the series, the vacancies left by Akainu’s ascendance to Fleet Admiral and Aokiji’s departure were filled by Fujitora and Ryokugyu, further solidifying the Admirals’ reputation as “the ultimate military force” of the World Government.

The strength of the Admirals:

As previously mentioned, the Admirals are the elite force of the Marines, equipped with formidable Devil Fruit abilities and Haki prowess. Akainu wields the most offensively potent Logia fruit, allowing him to inflict critical damage on titans like Whitebeard and Ace. Kizaru’s Light-Light fruit grants him unmatched speed, making him a formidable adversary as showcased during the confrontation with the Worst Generation on Sabaody.

Fujitora, notable for being the only Admiral without a Logia fruit, commands gravity through his Paramecia powers, establishing himself as one of the series’ strongest characters. Ryokugyu, although not as prominent as his peers, demonstrated formidable strength by taking down numerous Yonko Commanders simultaneously. Aokiji, while no longer a Marine, remains exceptionally powerful, having proven himself in various encounters throughout the series.

Admirals vs. Emperors Of The Sea

Where do they stand against the Yonko?

Theoretically, the Admirals have always been constructed as the World Government’s counterbalance to the Yonko. This is evidenced not only by their extraordinary capabilities but also by the legions of Marines they command, drawing an interesting parallel with the fleets that the Emperors control.

However, the dynamics of this encounter are complex. Given the varying strengths among the Yonko, some present a far lighter challenge for the Admirals compared to others. Take Buggy, for instance; although he is one of the current Emperors, he would hardly pose a threat even to the most novice Admiral. Conversely, Luffy has demonstrated a different caliber during the Egghead arc, exhibiting the sheer power of Gear 5 by easily overwhelming Kizaru, an Admiral revered by many pirates.

The Marineford War illustrated the Admirals’ prowess vividly, presenting them as a formidable counterpart to the Emperors. Whitebeard, often hailed as the strongest man in history, faced Akainu and Aokiji head-on. Despite sustaining heavy damage, Akainu’s fearlessness in confronting Whitebeard without backup underscored the Admirals’ immense strength. Instances throughout the series often depict the Admirals operating at partial capacity, revealing the depth of their innate power.

This variation in strength is mutual. At the close of the Wano arc, Shanks displayed one of the most extraordinary uses of Conqueror’s Haki, immobilizing Ryokugyu from a distance, despite Ryokugyu’s ease in dispatching Wano’s strongest fighters. This event highlighted Shanks’ overwhelming strength relative to Ryokugyu.

Ultimately, the Admirals are consistently portrayed as some of the most formidable adversaries to the Yonko. While Shanks’ Conqueror’s Haki can momentarily subdue Ryokugyu, Kizaru demonstrated resilience against Luffy’s unparalleled Haki, indicating the existence of varying power levels even within the ranks of the Admirals themselves.