One Piece’s Elbaf arc is at present in its climax, following the arrival of Nerona Imu within the Warland on April 5, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Bounce Situation #19. Luffy, the protagonist of the sequence, is at present up in opposition to the best energy on this planet of One Piece as he and his crew try and defend the nation of the Giants from falling prey to the World Authorities.
Over time, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, has proven the Straw Hat Pirates go face to face in opposition to a few of the largest threats. These embody the likes of Navy Admirals, the likes of Cipher Pol, and, above all, the Yonko of the New World. Nonetheless, no drive comes even remotely near what they’re confronted with in the mean time, particularly provided that Monkey D. Luffy is dealing with his best problem in Imu. The Straw Hats are present process a metamorphosis proper in entrance of our eyes, and the crew is sure to develop considerably when it comes to power in addition to infamy following the occasions of Elbaf, which can skyrocket their bounties to a totally new degree.
One Piece’s Elbaf Arc Climax Units Up New Straw Hat Pirates Bounties Following Holy Knights And Imu Battle
As issues stand, Elbaf is confronted with three main threats, and they’re Nerona Imu, the King of the World, in addition to his two overpowered henchmen who belong to the ranks of the Holy Knights — Saint Rimoshifu Killingham and Saint Shepherd Sommers. All three of those monsters are robust in their very own method, with Imu being on a totally completely different scale relating to power, however Sommers and Killingham are to not be underestimated both. In One Piece Chapter 1180, launched formally on April 20, 2026, Sommers and Killingham each acquired an Omen power-up from Imu, which took them to an entire new degree.
Chopper: What are these black flames?
Sommers: That is it! An Omen!
Imu: Shortly, Sommers. There is no time to waste.
— Nerona Imu grants Omen to Sommers and Killingham, One Piece Chapter #1180
Within the newest launch of One Piece Chapter 1189 on July 26, 2026, by Eiichiro Oda in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Bounce Situation #35, the writer showcased the unimaginable power of Imu’s henchmen, each of whom are corresponding to the Admirals when it comes to total energy degree proper now. As such, Sommers and Kiringham are the best threats confronted by each Zoro and Sanji, respectively, making them important challenges for the crew. In the meantime, Luffy is up in opposition to Nerona Imu. On the finish of One Piece Chapter 1189, which was launched on July 26, 2026, he needed to be rescued by Scopper Gaban. In a technique or one other, Elbaf will have to be saved, and it will require the complete effort of Luffy and all the opposite members of the Straw Hats. As soon as the protection of Elbaf is profitable, Nerona Imu is most actually going to take the specter of the Straw Hats extra severely, which implies that a excessive worth can be placed on the heads of the Straw Hats and their bounty can be elevated.
“The scale of a bounty does not simply replicate the fight talents one possesses. It additionally reveals how harmful they’re to the World Authorities.” — Kuzan explains bounties in One Piece Chapter #320
It have to be famous that Imu can’t fall right here, given that he’s the ultimate villain and a Nice Struggle is on the best way already. In different phrases, this battle will solely function a prelude for one thing even larger to return. To that finish, the World Authorities is probably going going to make issues tougher for Luffy and the crew by elevating their bounty even additional and precisely reflecting the extent of power they possess, particularly in the event that they overcome the problem posed by Imu and the Holy Knights in Elbaf.
Why Luffy And His Wings Have Earned Larger Ultimate Bounties
Inside the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy and his two Wings, who’re collectively often known as the Monster Trio, have earned the largest bounties in Elbaf. That is due to the risk they pose on to the elites of the World Authorities, particularly the 13 who wield a Covenant provided instantly by Nerona Imu, in addition to King himself.
In the case of Zoro and Sanji, we acquired official affirmation in One Piece Chapter 1152 on June 23, 2025, that they are going to each grasp Supreme King Haki. In One Piece Chapter 1187, launched formally on July 6, 2026, Scopper Gaban’s flashback additionally confirmed Sanji to be a wielder of Supreme King Haki. On the identical time, it confirmed to us that each Zoro and Sanji will obtain a major improve on this sphere, provided that that is the one energy robust sufficient to take down the Holy Knights and the opposite immortals of the One Piece world, as confirmed by Scopper Gaban within the launch of One Piece Chapter 1170.
Zoro: You are one of many Three Demons. You are those who ruined a feast between good previous buddies. My companion is on the best way to the village, so I do not assume yours can be coming again as a result of he’ll be lifeless.
Sommers: You severely do not know about how robust and superior we’re in the mean time!
— One Piece Chapter #1187 marks the start of Zoro and Sanji’s battles in Elbaf
We now know for a proven fact that Zoro and Sanji are two of the largest risks that the World Authorities faces. As such, they’re sure to obtain new bounties, particularly in the event that they handle to kill each Sommers and Killingham in battle, regardless of them wielding an Omen from Nerona Imu’s Akuma no Mi powers.
The identical will be stated for the Captain Monkey D. Luffy as nicely. Luffy is a Yonko with a bounty of three billion berries, however this determine doesn’t precisely characterize his degree of power. Luffy defeated Kaido in battle, a monster price 4.61 billion berries. The general risk he poses to the World Authorities as Solar God Nika is way larger than something Kaido might ever pose, and his degree of power can be considerably larger than Kaido’s by this level in Elbaf. All issues thought of, Luffy’s bounty must be rivaling that of Kaido at this level within the story. If he manages to carry off in opposition to Nerona Imu within the climax of Elbaf, then because the successor to Pleasure Boy, he undoubtedly deserves a considerably greater bounty, particularly within the final stretch of the sequence. Similar to the Wings, Luffy is sure to obtain a major improve to his bounty on the finish of the Elbaf arc.
“In fact I do know that thou artwork not Pleasure Boy! Pleasure Boy was not this weak!!” — Imu defeats Luffy’s Gear 5, One Piece Chapter #1188
The The rest Of The Straw Hats Will Mechanically Obtain Excessive Bounties
So far as figures go, Zoro and Sanji ought to obtain bounties near 2 billion berries every, whereas Luffy himself ought to obtain a major improve, which must be pushed to 4 billion+ total. On condition that the likes of Kaido and Huge Mother have held bounties of 4.61 and 4.388 billion berries, respectively, and that Luffy has surpassed them each in addition to poses a larger risk to the World Authorities, it goes with out saying that his bounty must be greater than each of them. In all equity, Luffy’s bounty hitting 5 billion berries mustn’t come as a shock to any fan.
Q: All of the characters of “Yonko Officer” class have very excessive bounties. Do their bounties ever go up merely given that they’re the Officer of XX? P.N. Rice LOVE
Oda: Sure sure, that absolutely occurs. After the Dressrosa incident, all of the folks concerned with the Straw Hat Crew acquired a flat 50 million enhance. The crew members’ bounties usually enhance with their captain. It is because it’s truly pretty troublesome to appraise the power of every particular person particular person and assign a cash worth to them.
— Oda explains bounty progress for Yonko crews
However, provided that the World Authorities would nonetheless need to cover his id as Solar God Nika, he might obtain a bounty within the area of 4 billion berries. In both case, a brand new bounty for Monkey D. Luffy can’t be disregarded at any price. As confirmed by Oda himself in One Piece SBS, with an Emperor, all of the remaining underlings get a bounty enhance as nicely. In different phrases, the remaining members of the Straw Hat Pirates, which embody the likes of Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Franky, Robin, Brook, and Jinbe, will all acquire important will increase to their bounties as nicely, and that’s one thing that we’re eagerly ready to see.
All the brand new One Piece manga chapters by Eiichiro Oda can be found to learn by way of Manga Plus and Viz Media.
