The Elbaf arc has been a masterclass in world-building, but beneath its mythic Viking aesthetics and ancient lore, Eiichiro Oda has been quietly assembling the most dangerous power shift in One Piece history. Two new Yonko-level characters have officially entered the story — and their arrival doesn’t just raise the stakes. It shatters them.
If you thought the Elbaf arc was about Luffy flexing on giants and uncovering ancient history, think again. Oda has been planting seeds for a power restructuring that will redefine what it means to be the strongest in the New World. Here’s everything we know about the two Yonko-level threats born from Elbaf — and why fans should be absolutely terrified for what comes next.
The Elbaf Arc Changed Everything About One Piece Power Scaling
Before we dive into the two characters themselves, it’s worth understanding why Elbaf matters so much for power dynamics. The arc didn’t just introduce us to King Harald and the ancient kingdom of giants — it reached back 109 years to reveal the true origin of what makes someone Yonko-level in the first place.
The flashback showed us Rocks D. Xebec, the man who operated on a tier above everything else. Fifty-six years ago, he single-handedly attacked a Reverie and killed a Navy Admiral with terrifying ease. He then clashed with King Harald himself and walked away untouched. This wasn’t a close fight — it was a demonstration that the gap between Yonko-level threats and everyone else is wider than fans ever imagined.
And now, Oda is introducing two new figures who sit in that same rarefied tier.
Character One: The Elbaf Sovereign Who Makes Giants Bow
The first Yonko-level threat introduced in Elbaf is rooted in the island’s own hierarchy. Elbaf isn’t just a land of strong warriors — it has a sovereign power structure that operates entirely outside the World Government’s reach. The current leadership of Elbaf possesses a level of strength that has kept the Marines and the World Government at bay for centuries.
What makes this character truly terrifying isn’t just raw physical power — it’s the combination of ancient Elbaf combat techniques, masterful Haki, and the loyalty of an entire warrior nation. In a world where the Yonko’s strength is measured partly by their ability to command territory and crews, the sovereign of Elbaf controls something even more powerful: an army of giants who would die without hesitation for their homeland.
Think about this: Kaido couldn’t conquer Wano alone. Big Mom’s alliance was always fragile. But Elbaf’s power isn’t borrowed or negotiated — it’s inherited, earned, and absolute. When Oda introduces a character wielding that kind of authority, you’re not looking at a pirate. You’re looking at a sovereign power that makes the title of “Yonko” almost feel insufficient.
Character Two: The Hidden Force That Recontextualizes the Final War
The second Yonko-level threat is where things get really interesting — and where Oda’s genius truly shows. Throughout the Elbaf arc, subtle hints have been dropped about a figure operating from the shadows, someone whose influence has shaped events far beyond what readers realized.
This character’s connection to the Void Century and the ancient history of Elbaf suggests they hold knowledge that could reshape the entire narrative. In One Piece, knowledge is power — perhaps the greatest power of all. Robin knows this. The World Government knows this. And now, this new figure is entering the board with both the knowledge AND the strength to back it up.
Consider what we know about the coming war: Imu and the Gorosei are preparing for something massive. The Holy Knights are mobilizing. The Admirals are being positioned. And now two Yonko-level characters have appeared in Elbaf of all places — the island of giants, warriors, and ancient secrets. This isn’t a coincidence. This is Oda telling us that Elbaf will be ground zero.
Why Admirals Will Never Match Yonko-Level Power — And These Two Prove It
The Elbaf arc also settled a long-standing debate: Admirals cannot defeat Yonko. Here’s why the evidence is now overwhelming:
- Rocks killed an Admiral at a Reverie — and walked away fine. This established that true Yonko-level figures operate on a different plane entirely.
- Shanks made Admiral Aramaki retreat — without even being in the same room. The mere threat was enough.
- Admirals lack Conqueror’s Haki — with rare exceptions like Akainu. Without this critical power, they will never reach the true elite tier.
- Admirals serve the Celestial Dragons — they’re not free. And in One Piece, freedom is the source of real strength. This is a thematic truth Oda has been hammering home since chapter one.
The two new Yonko-level characters in Elbaf embody everything Admirals can never be: free, sovereign, and operating on their own terms. That’s why the power balance is shifting. The Marines’ strongest will find themselves facing opponents who are fundamentally different from anything they’ve fought before.
What This Means For Luffy And The Straw Hat Crew
Here’s where it gets personal. Oda has been building toward a future where the Straw Hat Pirates will need to match or exceed Yonko-level threats. After Elbaf, the crew is officially growing strong enough to rival traditional Yonko crews — but these two new threats change the equation entirely.
Luffy’s Yonko fleet is expanding. New allies are being added. And the crew’s individual growth — particularly in the Elbaf arc — suggests that Zoro, Sanji, and the others are approaching a power tier they’ve never touched before. But even with all this growth, facing two fresh Yonko-level characters means the crew can’t just brute-force their way through what’s coming.
They’ll need something more: alliances, ancient knowledge, and possibly the truth about the Void Century itself. The Straw Hats’ path to the One Piece is no longer just about getting stronger — it’s about outsmarting powers that have been planning for centuries.
The Two Arcs After Elbaf Are Already Planned
Perhaps the most exciting revelation from the Elbaf arc is that Oda has officially lined up two major arcs to follow. Elbaf is reaching its climax, and what comes next has already been mapped out. This means the introduction of these two Yonko-level characters isn’t a side story — it’s the foundation for everything that follows.
If you’re keeping score:
- Elbaf Arc: Introduces ancient history, two Yonko-level threats, and sets up the final conflict.
- Arc After Elbaf #1: Likely deals with the immediate consequences of Elbaf’s revelations and the mobilization of these new powers.
- Arc After Elbaf #2: The true final war begins — Imu, the Gorosei, the Revolutionary Army, and the Straw Hat Grand Fleet all converging.
Two arcs. Two Yonko-level characters. One final war. Oda is building toward something unprecedented, and Elbaf is the ignition point.
The Bottom Line: One Piece Has Never Been This Dangerous
For years, the Yonko were the ceiling of power in One Piece. Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, Whitebeard — these were untouchable forces. The Elbaf arc didn’t just introduce two new characters at that level. It proved that the Yonko tier was never the ceiling at all — it was just the beginning.
With ancient powers awakening, sovereign nations mobilizing, and two fresh Yonko-level figures entering the story, the final saga of One Piece is shaping up to be the most explosive arc in shonen history. And we’re just getting started.
What do you think these two Yonko-level characters will mean for Luffy’s journey? Are the Straw Hats ready for what’s coming after Elbaf? Drop your theories in the comments — we want to hear your wildest predictions.
Looking for more One Piece theories and analysis? Check out our deep dive into how the Esperia Kingdom holds the key to the Void Century, our breakdown of Shanks’ secret alliance and the final war against Imu, and our coverage of why One Piece continues to dominate manga sales in 2025.
