one piece is currently at the peak of the Elbaf Arc, with Chapter 1184 officially released on May 31, 2026 and continuing the story of Brook and Shuri from the Kingdom of Esperia 70 years ago. As the series reaches the final stage of the Elbaf arc, writer Eiichiro Oda has introduced quite a few powerful characters to the plot.
The Elbaf Arc alone introduces the likes of Shamrock Figarland, Gunko, Saint Sommers, Killingham, and of course, towering over them all, Saint Nerona Imu displays immense power thanks to the use of Akuma no Mi and Haki. While Nero and Imu and all the other characters introduced by Oda are incredibly powerful, the narrative still depicts the gods of a specific Void Century from 800 years ago as the most powerful. This god is none other than Joy Boy. one piece Episode 1122 was officially released in issues 36-37 of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump on August 5, 2024, two years ago. Despite Imu's tremendous performance in Elbaf, Joyboy is still the strongest throughout the story.
One Piece Episode 1122 Joyboy's strength makes him the strongest despite Immu's elbaf appearance
Joy Boy is a legendary character who was first teased in the Fishman Island arc. one piece This message, sent by Joy Boy through a special poneglyph containing an apology, was discovered by Nico Robin in the Sea Forest. one piece Chapter 616 As soon as I read this message, the legend of Joy Boy was introduced and expanded as the story continued. In the Wano Country arc, especially in episode 1043, when Luffy awakened the power of Hitohitonomi (model: Nika), it was officially confirmed that Joy Boy had the same Devil Fruit as Luffy a long time ago.
“Momonosuke, I can hear you! Drums of Liberation! Joyboy is back!” — Zunesha, One Piece Chapter #1043
In the final story, Joyboy's history with the world government and the long-ago war are covered in considerable detail, thanks to Vegapunk's speech that officially began in One Piece Chapter 1108, released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 13 on February 26, 2024. The specifics of the war are still unknown, but what is currently known, as confirmed by Harley, is that during the Void Century era, officially known as the Second World, Joy Boy wielded the power of Gomu Gomu no Mi, better known as Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. one piece Chapter 1138, February 3, 2025. Joy Boy stood as Nika, the sun god of the world. He possessed tremendous power, and through this power he fought against the influence of an alliance of twenty kings, which included Nero or Immu as one of the most powerful men.
in one piece In episode 1179, which was officially released in the 19th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump on April 6, 2026, Eiichiro Oda announced the advent of Nero and Imu in Elbaf, and through this, he unleashed the power of Demonomi. Since then, he has already bested the likes of Zoro, Sanji, Hazarudin, and even Loki in battle. Imu is completely unstoppable, having the power to easily bring down an entire nation. Despite this, Joy Boy officially remains the strongest team. one pieceAnd this is confirmed in chapter 1122. In this particular chapter, Emeth unleashed the most powerful form of Joy Boy's Haki, which he had sealed away 800 years ago. When this Haki was liberated, Eiichiro Oda officially performed One Piece's greatest feat.
“I created the greatest hockey knot and trapped it inside your body. You will live long after I die. There will come a day when I can no longer help you.” — Joyboy, who stores the strongest hockey in Emes, One Piece Episode 1122
Joy Boy's Haki was so strong that it caused Egghead to split the solo sky. Moreover, in One Piece Film Red, except for Joy Boy, he defeated all of the Navy Vice Admirals, something only Shanks did. Moreover, he canceled all the Covenant powers that the five elders had gained from Imu and sent them back to the Mariejoa Shrine. Most importantly, it made Imu tremble in fear and pain and brought him to his knees, reminding Joy Boy how much of a threat he used to be. To this day, this remains the greatest feat of strength in One Piece, officially making Joy Boy the #1 strongest in the verse.
One Piece, Elbaf introduces the strongest duo of all time
There are many powerful duos in One Piece, but none can stand up to this overwhelming alliance revealed in Elbaf.
Imu's time limit and fear of Joy Boy put him in second place despite winning the Void Century War.
In the current era, Imu is definitely the most powerful, but when it comes to the most powerful character overall, Imu still comes in second place, right behind Joy Boy. This is directly supported in the narrative when looking at chapters 1122 and 1164. In Chapter 1122 of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda clearly showed Imu falling to her knees and screaming in pain after Joy Boy unleashed Haki on Egghead. This Haki is clearly felt by Nerona Imu due to the presence of Egghead's five elders, all of whom contain a portion of his power through the covenant they share with the Akuma no Mi. This confirms that Joy Boy's Haki is powerful enough to inflict massive damage to Nerona Imu despite Nerona Imu not being in close proximity to Egghead.
In chapter 1164, when Imu successfully defeated Rocks D. Xebec in the God Valley incident, the latter officially confirmed that Imu fears both Davy D. Jones and Joy Boy. The fact that Imu was afraid of these two means that they were close to him in terms of power, and in Joy Boy's case, the immense pain that Haki brought him means that he was much stronger.
Rocks: I wonder who scares you the most? Debbie D. Jones? Joy boy?
Imu: Yes stop babbling. As long as you fade into oblivion, they will never resurface.
— An exchange showing that Nero, Imu, and Rox were afraid of Joy Boy, One Piece Chapter 1164
Moreover, Imu is currently being severely nerfed in One Piece. In One Piece Chapter 1182, which was officially released in the 24th issue of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump on May 10, 2026, Saint Somers confirmed that Nero and Imu's body cannot handle the outside world. So he is always in the flower room of Pangea Castle. There is a time limit while Imu is in Elbaf. All things considered, Imu is weak compared to Joy Boy, despite being the most powerful being at the moment.
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Harley in One Piece Episode 1138 sets a strength buff for future Nero or Imu.
Nerona Imu is currently nerfed due to time constraints and is likely to be weaker than Joy Boy, but One Piece's Harley has a great power set up for him in The Harley, which was officially revealed in chapter 1138 and shows Nerona Imu holding the Mother Flame in her hands. This Mother Flame is a powerful source of power that can elevate Imu to a whole new level of power. Harley is not only a story of past battles, but also a prophecy of great battles to come.
“The Earth God covered the world with death and destruction with the serpent of hellfire.” — Harley, One Piece Episode 1138
If accurate, Nero or Imu will gain the greatest power in the One Piece world and rise in terms of overall power. With Mother Flame, Nerona Imu will officially surpass Joy Boy and become the most powerful #1 in the One Piece world. The reason Imu was able to defeat Joyboy a long time ago was probably because of the power of the Mother Flame next to him. Since York is working directly for the World Government, more Mother Flame will soon be possessed, taking Nerona Imu to the skies.
All chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece can be read through Manga Plus and Biz Media.
