After 2 Years, One Piece's Void Century God Is Still The #1 Strongest

One Piece is currently in the climax of the Elbaf Arc with chapter 1184 officially dropping on May 31, 2026, and continuing the story of Brook and Shuri from the Esperia Kingdom, 70 years ago. With the series having reached the final stages of the Elbaf Arc, quite a lot of powerful characters have been introduced in the plot by the author Eiichiro Oda.

The Elbaf Arc alone has introduced us to the likes of Shamrock Figarland, Gunko, Saint Sommers, Killingham, and of course, the one who stands above them all, Saint Nerona Imu, who showcases immense powers thanks to the usage of Akuma no Mi and Haki. While Nerona Imu and all the other characters that Oda has introduced are tremendously powerful, the narrative still paints a certain Void Century God from 800 years ago as the strongest. This God is none other than Joy Boy, a glimpse of whose strength was revealed to us One Piece chapter 1122, which was released officially in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 36-37, two years ago on August 5, 2024. Despite Imu's immense performance in Elbaf, Joy Boy is still the overall strongest in the story.

Joy Boy's Strength In One Piece Chapter 1122 Makes Him The #1 Strongest Despite Imu's Elbaf Appearance

Joy Boy is a legendary character who was first teased in the Fishman Island arc of One Piece through a special Poneglyph that contained his apology. This message from Joy Boy was found by Nico Robin in the Sea Forest One Piece chapter 616. Immediately upon reading this message, the legend of Joy Boy was introduced and then expanded upon as the story continued. In the Wano Country arc, specifically chapter 1043, when Luffy awakened the power of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, it was officially confirmed that Joy Boy held the same Devil Fruit as Luffy long ago in the past.

“Momonosuke, I can hear it! The Drums of Liberation! Joy Boy has returned!” — Zunesha, One Piece Chapter #1043

In the final saga, thanks to Vegapunk's speech, which began officially in One Piece chapter 1108, released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #13 on February 26, 2024. Joy Boy's history with the World Government and the war that ensued long ago in the past was covered in quite some detail. While the specifics of the war are still lost, what is known for a fact right now is that Joy Boy wielded the power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, better known as Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, in the era of the Void Century, which is officially known as the Second World, as confirmed by the Harley in One Piece Chapter 1138 on February 3, 2025. Joy Boy stood as the Nika, or the Sun God of the World. He possessed immense power, and through this power, he fought the influence of an alliance of 20 Kings, which also included Nerona Imu as one of the strongest figures.

Image by the author, sourced from One Piece Chapter 1122 via Manga Plus

In One Piece Chapter 1179, which was released officially in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19 on April 6th, 2026, Eiichiro Oda marked the descent of Nerona Imu in Elbaf and, with it, unleashed the power of his Akuma no Mi. Since then, he has already overwhelmed the likes of Zoro, Sanji, Hajarudin, and even Loki in battle. Imu is completely unstoppable, with powers that can easily crush entire countries with ease. Despite that, Joy Boy remains the official strongest in One Pieceand this was confirmed in Chapter 1122. In this particular chapter, Emeth unleashed the strongest form of Joy Boy's Haki, which he had sealed in him 800 years ago. When this Haki was unleashed, the greatest strength feat in One Piece was officially displayed by Eiichiro Oda.

“I've tried a knot of the greatest Haki and locked it inside your body. You're going to keep on living long after I'm dead. There will come a day when I can't help you anymore.” — Joy Boy storing the strongest Haki in Emeth, One Piece Chapter #1122

Joy Boy's Haki proved to be so strong that it caused a solo sky split over Egghead. More than that, it knocked out all the Vice Admirals of the Navy — something that only Shanks has managed, other than Joy Boy, in One Piece Film Red. Furthermore, it canceled all the Covenant powers that the Five Elders got from Imu and sent them crashing back to the Holy Land of Marijoa. Most importantly, the greatest feat that it pulled off was that it made Imu shiver in fear and pain and pushed him to his very knees, reminding him of what a threat Joy Boy used to be. To this date, this remains to be the greatest feat of power in One Piece, and it officially makes Joy Boy the #1 strongest in the verse.

Imu's Time Limit And Fear Of Joy Boy Make Him The #2 Despite Winning The Void Century War

While in the current era, Imu is certainly the strongest, when speaking in terms of overall strongest characters, Imu would still rank right behind Joy Boy at Number 2. This is directly supported by the narrative when looking at chapters 1122 and 1164. In chapter 1122 of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda clearly showed Imu falling to his knees and screaming in agony after Joy Boy unleashed his Haki on Egghead. This Haki was clearly felt by Nerona Imu due to the presence of the Five Elders on Egghead, all of whom bear a piece of his power through the Covenants that he shares with the Akuma no Mi. This confirmed to us that Joy Boy's Haki was strong enough to inflict tremendous damage on Nerona Imu, despite him not being anywhere close to Egghead.

In Chapter 1164, when Imu successfully defeated Rocks D. Xebec in the God Valley Incident, the latter officially confirmed that Imu feared both Davy D. Jones as well as Joy Boy. The fact that Imu feared these two individuals implies that they were close to him in terms of power, and in the case of Joy Boy, the immense pain the Haki caused him then would imply that he was even stronger.

Rocks: I wonder who scares you the most? Davy D. Jones? Joy Boy?

Imu: Cease your babble. They shall never resurface, as long as you fade into oblivion.

— Exchange between Nerona Imu and Rocks that shows the latter feared Joy Boy, One Piece Chapter #1164

Furthermore, right now Imu is severely nerfed in One Piece. Saint Sommers confirmed in One Piece Chapter 1182, which was released officially in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24 on May 10, 2026, that Nerona Imu's body cannot handle the outside world. That is why he is always inside the Room of Flowers in Pangea Castle. While Imu is out in Elbaf right now, there is a time limit. All things considered, despite him being the current strongest right now, Imu pales in comparison to Joy Boy.

One Piece Chapter 1138's Harley Sets Up A Strength Buff For Nerona Imu In The Future

While Nerona Imu is nerfed right now due to his time limit and is likely weaker than Joy Boy, One Piece's Harley has set up a great power for him in The Harley, which was officially revealed in Chapter 1138, showcasing Nerona Imu with the Mother Flame in his hands. This Mother Flame is a great source of power that would push Imu to a whole new level of strength. The Harley is a foretelling of the great battle to come, as well as a telling of the battles of the past.

“The Earth God, along with the Serpent of Hellfire, shrouded the world in death and destruction.” — Harley, One Piece Chapter #1138

If accurate, then Nerona Imu will get his hands on the greatest power source in the entire world of One Piece and ascend in terms of overall power. With the Mother Flame, Nerona Imu will officially become the #1 strongest in the entire world of One Piece, leaving even Joy Boy behind. The fact that Imu was able to beat Joy Boy long ago in the past likely happened due to the power of the Mother Flame that he had at his side. With York now working directly for the World Government, more Mother Flame will soon be in their possession, pushing Nerona Imu to sky-high levels.

All the chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.