December 6, 2021 one piece In 1034, Sanji, a chef for the Straw Hat Pirates and one of the Pirate King's wings, officially obtained his greatest power, Ifrit Jambe. This power was awakened after Sanji harnessed the power of the Germa exoskeleton and combined its immense regeneration, durability, and strength enhancements with the exquisitely refined Armament Haki. The combination of these two powers increased his overall fire resistance to sky-high levels, allowing him to generate the power of Ifrit Zambe, which allowed him to defeat the Queen of the Beast Pirates.
Now, five years later, creator Eiichiro Oda one pieceIt's official, we're getting Sanji's new flame upgrade after Ifrit Jambe. Ifrit Jambe is powerful, but not powerful enough for Sanji to fight the enemies the Straw Hat Pirates are currently facing. As such, new upgrades for Ifrit Jambe are coming, the foundation of which has already been established in the Elbaf arc. By awakening the color of the Great King, Sanji's overall firepower will be further strengthened, and he will likely awaken new flame-based kicking techniques.
One Piece's Elbaf Arc Officially Sets Up Sanji's Haki Upgrade to Ifrit Jambe
After the start of the Elbaf Arc, Sanji began using Ifrit Jambe more often than before, even against minor enemies. Early on in Elbaf, Sanji officially unleashed Ifrit Jambe on the fodder for the first time when he fought Iskat within a diorama created by the Road in Chapter 1127 on September 23, 2024. Soon after, he used this technique again in Chapter 1129 to break through Lord's steel mesh, and he also used it against St. Killingham in Chapter 1129. one piece Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump No. 15 March 9, 2026 Episode 1176.
“That elitist attitude and vulgar ideology. That's typical of the Celestial Dragon. If you don't even recognize a former warlord like Jinbe, you must be truly out of touch. Now, how will you make me pay for treating our crew so rudely? Shall I burst that bubble mask of yours? Ifrit Jambe: Concasser!!!” — Sanji attacks Killingham with Ifrit Jambe. One Piece Episode 1176
With Sanji using Ifrit Jambe far too often, series creator Eiichiro Oda has set a precedent for new, more powerful powers to be unleashed. This makes perfect sense when it coincides with the big reveal from Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump's 30th issue of One Piece Chapter 1152, released on June 23, 2025. Here, Scopper Gaban officially states that the only way to defeat the Paladin is to utilize the colors of the High King. This was repeated by Gavan in One Piece Chapter 1170, released in Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 2 #6-7, released on January 5, 2026. There, Scoffer Gavan fought King Harald and explained to Shanks that the greatest weakness of those with immortality and rebirth were those who could infuse their attacks with the colors of the High King.
“Give him enough blows and we can put him out of commission. If these guys have a weakness, it's against us, who can inject the colors of the Supreme King into our attacks!” — Scopper Gaban explains the Immortals' only weakness. One Piece Episode 1170
Now, One Piece has officially pitted Sanji against one of the Paladins powered through Nerona Imu's Omen, and it turns out to be none other than Saint Killingham. This official match is set in One Piece Episode 1182 on May 10, 2026 in Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 24. As things stand, there's nothing in Sanji's arsenal that can take down Killingham. Killingham can damage him, but he can simply regenerate and eventually take Sanji down. The only way for the Straw Hat Chef to defeat Saint Killingham is to awaken the colors of the Great King, which lays the foundation for Sanji to gain a stronger flame.
Paired with the fact that Sanji is assumed to be similar to Scoper Gaban, who uses all three types of Haki, it's almost certain that he will awaken this power in Elbaf. Sanji can then infuse his newly awakened Haki throughout his body, emitting even hotter flames and taking Ifrit Jambe to the next level.
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Why a stronger Conqueror's Haki infusion will open a new flame for Sanji
To understand how the colors of the High King will affect Sanji's Ifrit Jambe, we first need to look at how Sanji's fire-based fighting style works. When Sanji uses Diable Jambe, this technique works due to his unique fire resistance, covered by Eiichiro Oda in SBS One Piece Volume 105 SBS, March 3, 2023. In this volume release, Oda officially states that Sanji's fire resistance allows him to develop Diable Jambe. Resistance to fire has been further strengthened since the Germa exoskeleton was awakened.
“Sanji is the complete opposite of his brothers. The raid suit unleashed the power of science in him. Sanji already had an abnormal resistance to flame. That was a strange little incident, wasn't it? We'll see what happens to him in the future.” — Eiichiro Oda, SBS One Piece Volume 105
The exoskeleton grants Sanji a certain level of durability, and when combined with the high recovery rate provided through genetic modification, along with another buff to his overall defensive abilities using the color of his armament, Sanji can withstand extremely hot fire. As Sanji's durability and defense increase, the flames that can attach to his legs become hotter. The Great King's color is perfect in this regard, as it improves both defensive and offensive abilities. Not only will Sanji's flame become hotter, but his own body will also become stronger by infusing it with the color of the Great King. His higher defense will allow him to withstand even hotter fire in his battle with Paladin Killingham. With this, Sanji's Ifrit Jambe is ready to evolve further and take the Straw Hat Chef to new levels of power. With his newfound abilities, Sanji can officially put an end to one of the most powerful paladins already being strengthened by the Omen of Nerona Imu.
Sanji's demonic connection could be connected to the signs of Nero or Imu
When Sanji's new flame finally appears at the climax of the Elbaf Arc, this flame will likely turn black, as it ties directly into Nerona Imu's Omen. In One Piece Chapter 1181, which was officially released in Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump Volume 2 Issues 22-23 on April 27, 2026, Nerona Imu revealed that Omen is her military power and the power that resides in everyone's hearts. Interestingly, Imu's Omen appears as a black flame. Sanji's flame usually changes color when upgraded, but is currently a blue-white flame.
“The omen is my military power. It is the power that resides within all living things.” — Nerona Imu explains her Black Flames. One Piece Episode 1181
When infused with the Conqueror's Haki, these flames can turn black, which ties in perfectly with Nerona Imu's Omen, allowing Sanji to manipulate similar powers. It will be interesting to see what color fireworks Sanji will create. Considering his theme and nickname as Black-Leg, it would make perfect sense for him to awaken the Black Flame at the end of the Elbaf Arc. Attention is being paid to how his evolution will unfold.
All the latest chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga can be read through Manga Plus and Biz Media.
