One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda is finally making a Sanji Yonko level

Shueisha's Weekly Shounen Jump saw the release of issue #24 a piece Chapter 1182 on May 10, 2026. This new chapter was pretty important in the grand scheme of things when it came to the Elbaph arc of the story as Eiichiro Oda finally set up big battles for Luffy's Wings, Zoro and Sanji.

Zoro prepares to play Super Somers, Sanji's battle in Elbaf will be against one of the deadliest villains, Super Killingham.Who holds the power of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Kirin. This fight is going to excite all of us readers, but more than that, it's set to push the lovely cook Sanji to the level of the Four Emperors by giving him the special equipment needed to defeat the Holy Knights, namely the Supreme King's Color Awakening – a power-up that we've been waiting almost 10 years for now.

Eiichiro Oda finally sets up Sanji's Yonko level power up vs. Rimoshifu Killingham in One Piece Chapter 1182

a piece Chapter 1182 was important to Sanji's character for several reasons. Previously, in One Piece Chapter 1180, officially published in Weekly Shonen Jump issue #21 on April 20, 2026, Sanji faced off against the King of the World, Nerona Emu. He attacked the powerful Ifrit Jambe but was easily stopped. Emu retaliated with a Black Flame Kick of his own, completely beating him in the process. While most fans thought Sanji was completely knocked out, Chapter 1182 proved otherwise. It was clear to us that Sanji had not passed out, as St. Killingham had confirmed, but was still conscious. Sanji's energy was low, yet he found it in himself to once again get up and follow Killingham, knowing that he was going to target the children in Elbaf again.

With Zoro chasing Super Sommers, Sanji is now set to face off against Super Killingham in chapter 1183 and beyond, and it sets up an exciting battle as well as a major power-up that we've been patiently waiting for for almost 10 years. This power-up is the color of the Supreme King. Series creator Ichiro Oda officially teased Sanji's Color of the Supreme King in chapter 1152 of the series about a year ago.

In this chapter, Sanji officially states that he feels that he has the Haki color of the Supreme King, or Conqueror, within him. Even though Scoper Gaban ignored him, Zoro seemed to be more accustomed to the use of the Supreme King's colors. While most fans treat it as a gag on the surface level, we can see Eiichiro Oda using special dust markers in the third panel of page 5 of the chapter. It shows a cut of a dialogue between Gaban and Sanji, setting up a big reveal for the latter when it comes to Supreme King Haki's latent power.

Why unlocking Sanji is important in the Conqueror's Haki Elbaf arc

Many fans wonder why Sanji needs the power of Conqueror's Haki. The answer is officially laid out by Oda in the Elbaf Arc, in various chapters. in a piece Chapter 1149, which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump issue #26, on May 26, 2025, we can see Skoper Gaban fighting against Saint Somers. He is seen using Supreme King Haki's power to cut him down. Gaban was Roger's left-hand man and one of the Pirate King's wings, and he was the bearer of the Supreme King's power – a role similar to Sanji's in the Straw Hats.

“He's a man standing shoulder to shoulder with Goal D. Roger and Silvers Rayle, the skipper Gabon!” – Oimo and Kashi, One Piece Chapter 1139

The same standard is expected of Sanji, and we know he is capable of fulfilling this role and surpassing Gabon's level. Thus, Sanji is needed to unlock the power of the Supreme King. More than that, Scapar Gaban clearly states in one piece chapter 1152 and later one piece in chapter 1170 that using the colors of the Supreme King is the only weakness of the Holy Knights Immortals.

“Give him enough hits, and we might manage to put him out of commission. If these guys have a weakness, it's against those of us who can fill our attacks with the colors of the Supreme King!” – Scopper Gaban in One Piece Chapter 1070

Sanji not having Conqueror's Haki means that he will not be able to win against any Holy Knights or Five Elders in the future of the series. Oda has officially scheduled a fight for him against St. Killingham. The only way to win all upcoming battles against Yonko-level enemies is to awaken Haki, who wins battles against Yonko-level enemies, so this battle in Yonko chapter 1183 and beyond is going to start a great run for his character and give him access to one of the most iconic abilities in the entire series.

How Sanji's new Supreme King Haki power up takes him to Yonko level

Sanji unlocking the power of Conqueror's Haki is what we've been waiting for since Chapter 832 of the Whole Cake Island arc, which was officially released on July 16, 2016. It was officially confirmed that Sanji was of royal descent from the Northern Blue and that his father, Judge Vinsmoke, was of royal bloodline. Sanji carries the blood of a king and more than that, the conqueror of North Blue who once destroyed four kings in a great battle in North Blue. Winsmoke's conquerors go beyond the judge, as the history of the Germa kingdom of more than 300 years ago confirms that they ruled the Northern Blue for 66 days.

“This is the victory of the 4 nations, the event in which we defeated the four kings of the Northern Blue at once!” – Reju, One Piece Chapter 832

For any ruler, the color of the supreme king is given, especially when they are warriors. It already set up Sanji's Conqueror's Haki ability for us 10 years ago. Since then, we've been patiently waiting for him to awaken this power, and now, after all this waiting, the moment has arrived in Elbaf's climax. Sanji is expected to first tap into this new ability and then coat his body, allowing him to develop the power of his fire and kicks and more than that, slow down the regeneration abilities of the Holy Knights and the Five Elders.

With his newly awakened powers, Sanji will not only be strong enough to defeat the Holy Knight Killingham but will gain enough power to compete against Yonko and the admirals of a fragmented world. The Straw Hat Pirates need more than Luffy at Yonko's level if they want to conquer the Grand Line. With Luffy's Wings, Zoro and Sanji both need to be of Yonko level, as were Rayleigh and Gaban, and Elbaph will see to it that they officially attain this power level.

All latest chapters of One Piece manga by Eiichiro Oda can be read through Viz Media and Manga Plus.