One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda finally levels Sanji Yonko

Shueisha's Weekly Shounen Jump Issue #24 was released One Piece Chapter 1182 May 10, 2026 This new chapter was absolutely significant in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the Elbaph arc of the story, as Eiichiro Oda finally started major battles for Luffy's Wings, Zoro and Sanji.

With Zoro set to take on Super Sommers, Sanji's fight in Elbaph will be against one of the deadliest villains, Super Killinghamwhich has the power of Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Kirin. This battle will excite all of us readers, but more than that, it's set to push the beloved Chef Sanji to the level of the Four Emperors by giving him the special tool required to take down the Holy Knights, namely the awakening of the Supreme King's Color – a power surge we've been waiting for for about 10 years now.

Eiichiro Oda Finally Puts Up Sanji's Yonko Level Power Up Vs Rimoshifu Killingham In One Piece Chapter 1182

One Piece Chapter 1182 was significant to Sanji's character for a variety of reasons. Previously, in One Piece Chapter 1180, which was officially published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #21 on April 20, 2026, Sanji came face to face with the King of the World, Nerona Imu. He launched a powerful Ifrit Jambe attack at him but was easily blocked. Imu retaliated with her own black fire kick, completely beating him in the process. While most fans assumed that Sanji was completely knocked out, Chapter 1182 proved otherwise. It was clear for us to see that Sanji had not passed out but was still conscious, which was confirmed by Saint Killingham. Sanji was low on energy, but he found it in himself to get up and pursue Killingham once more, knowing he would be targeting the children of Elbaph again.

With Zoro going after Super Sommers, Sanji is now set to face Super Killingham in chapter 1183 and beyond, and that makes for an exciting battle as well as a major power-up that we've been waiting patiently for nearly 10 years to see. This power-up is the highest king suit. Sanji having the Color of the Supreme King was officially teased by the creator of the series, Eiichiro Oda, almost a year ago in chapter 1152 of the series.

In this chapter, Sanji officially declared that he felt he had the Supreme King's Color, or Conqueror's Haki, within him. But Scopper Gaban ignored him, stating that Zoro seemed more accustomed to the use of the Supreme King's color. While this was treated as a gag on the surface by most fans, we could see Eiichiro Oda using special dust markers in the third panel on page 5 of the chapter. This showcases some dialogue between Gaban and Sanji being interrupted, creating a big reveal for the latter when it comes to his latent power Supreme King Haki.

Why Sanji unlocks the Conqueror's Haki is crucial in the Elbaph Arc

Many fans wonder why Sanji needs the power of Conqueror's Haki to begin with. The answer has been officially presented by Oda in the Elbaph arc, during various chapters. IN One Piece chapter 1149, which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26, on May 26, 2025, we could see Scopper Gaban fighting Saint Sommers. He was seen using the power of Supreme King Haki to chop him up. Gaban was Roger's left arm and one of the Pirate King's wings, and he was a wielder of the Supreme King's power – a role similar to Sanji in the Straw Hats.

“He is a man who stood shoulder to shoulder with Gol D. Roger and Silver's Rayleigh, Scopper Gaban!” — Oimo and Kashi, One Piece Chapter 1139

This very standard is also expected of Sanji, and we know that he is more than capable of fulfilling this role and even going beyond Gaban's level. As such, Sanji unlocking the Supreme King's power is a must. Even more than that, Scopper Gaban clearly stated in One Piece chapter 1152 and later in One Piece chapter 1170 that the use of the supreme king's color is the only weakness of the immortals of the holy knights.

“Give him enough hits, and we may manage to put him out of commission. If these guys have any weakness, it's against those of us who can infuse our attacks with the Color of the Supreme King!” — Scopper Gaban in a piece chapter 1070

Sanji not having Conqueror's Haki means that he will not be able to win against any Holy Knight or Five Elders in the future of the series. Oda has officially set up a fight for him against Saint Killingham. The only way for him to win this fight, and all future fights against Yonko-level enemies, is to awaken the Conqueror's Haki, which is why this battle in One Piece Chapter 1183 and beyond will mark the beginning of a brilliant run for his character and give him access to one of the most sought-after abilities in the entire series.

How Sanji's new Supreme King Haki Power Up will take him to Yonko level

Sanji unlocking the power of Conqueror's Haki is something we've been waiting for since Chapter 832 of the Whole Cake Island Arc was officially released on July 16, 2016. It was officially confirmed that Sanji was of royal lineage from the North Blue and that his father, Vinsmoke Judge, was of royal blood. Sanji carries the blood of a king and, more than that, the conqueror of the North Blue who once destroyed four kings in a massive battle in the North Blue. The conquerors of wine smoke go beyond Judge, as the history of the Germa Kingdom from over 300 years ago confirms that they ruled the North Blue for 66 days.

“It's the conquest of 4 nations, the event where we defeated four Kings of the North Blue at once!” — Reiju, One Piece Chapter 832

For all rulers, the color of the highest king is given, especially when they are combatants. This had already set up Sanji's Conqueror's Haki ability for us over 10 years ago. Since then, we have been patiently waiting for him to awaken this power, and now, after all this waiting, the moment has come in Elbaph's climax. Sanji is expected to fully utilize this new ability for the very first time and then coat his body in it, allowing him to develop the power of his flames and his 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 become strong enough to defeat Holy Knight Killingham, but also gain enough strength to compete against the likes of Yonko and the Admirals of the One Piece world. The Straw Hat Pirates need more than just Luffy on par with Yonko if they are to conquer the Grand Line. Luffy's Wings, Zoro and Sanji must both be Yonko level, just like Rayleigh and Gaban were, and Elbaph will make sure they both acquire this level of power officially.

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