After 2 years, One Piece's Void Century God is still #1 strongest

One Piece is currently in the climax of the Elbaf arc with chapter 1184 officially released on May 31, 2026, continuing the story of Brook and Shuri from the Esperia Kingdom, 70 years ago. As the series has reached the final stage of the Elbaf arc, quite a few powerful characters have been introduced into the plot by writer 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 displays immense powers thanks to the use of Akuma no Mi and Haki. While Nerona Imu and all the other characters Oda has introduced are incredibly powerful, the story 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 power was revealed to us in One Piece chapter 1122, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 36-37, two years ago on August 5, 2024. Despite Imu's tremendous performance in Elbaf, Joy Boy is still the overall strongest in history.

Joy Boy's strength in one piece chapter 1122 makes him the strongest #1 despite Imus Elbaf appearance

Joy Boy is a legendary character first teased in the Fishman Island arc 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 after reading this message, the legend of Joy Boy was introduced and then expanded 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 officially began 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 followed long ago in the past was covered in quite some detail. Although the details of the war are still lost, what is known for a fact right now is that Joy Boy wielded the power of 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 Other World, which was confirmed by Harley in One Piece Chapter 1138 February 3, 2025 Joy Boy stood as Nika, or the sun god of the world. He had 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 of the author, taken from One Piece Chapter 1122 via Manga Plus

IN One Piece Chapter 1179, officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19 on April 6, 2026, Eiichiro Oda marked the descent of Nerona Imu in Elbaf and 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. Despite that, Joy Boy is still the official strongest within One Pieceand this was confirmed in chapter 1122. In this very chapter, Emeth unleashed the strongest form of Joy Boy's Haki, which he had sealed within him 800 years ago. When this Haki was unleashed, the greatest strength in One Piece was officially displayed by Eiichiro Oda.

“I have sampled a knot of the greatest Haki and locked it into your body. You will live on long after I am dead. There will come a day when I can no longer help you.” — Joy Boy stores the strongest Haki in Emeth, One Piece Chapter #1122

Joy Boy's Haki proved to be so strong that it caused a solo sky to split over Egghead. More than that, it beat out all the vice admirals in the navy – something only Shanks has managed, apart from Joy Boy, in One Piece Film Red. Additionally, it nullified all the covenant powers the five elders receive from Imu and sent them crashing back to the sacred land of Marijoa. Most importantly, the biggest feat it accomplished was causing Imu to shudder in fear and pain, pushing him to his knees, reminding him of what a threat Joy Boy used to be. To date, this remains 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 makes him #2 despite winning The Void Century War

Although in the current era Imu is indeed the strongest, when talking in terms of the strongest characters overall, Imu would still rank right behind Joy Boy at number 2. This is directly supported by the story when looking at chapter 1122 and 1164. In chapter 1122 of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda clearly showed that Joy fell and regretted him when he fell. 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 carry some of his power through the bonds he shares with Akuma no Mi. This confirmed to us that Joy Boy's Haki was strong enough to inflict massive damage on Nerona Imu, despite being nowhere near 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 and Joy Boy. The fact that Imu feared these two individuals suggests that they were close to him in terms of power, and in the case of Joy Boy, the immense pain that Haki caused him then would suggest that he was even stronger.

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

Imu: Stop your babbling. They will never appear again, as long as you disappear into oblivion.

— Exchange between Nerona Imu and Rocks showing the latter dreaded Joy Boy, One Piece Chapter #1164

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

One Piece Chapter 1138's Harley sets up a force for Nerona Imu in the future

While Nerona Imu is nervous right now due to his time limit and is likely weaker than Joy Boy, One Piece's Harley has created a great power for him in The Harley, which was officially revealed in chapter 1138, showing off Nerona Imu with the Mother Flame in her hands. This Mother Flame is a great source of power that would propel Imu to a whole new level of strength. Harley is a prediction of the great battle to come, as well as a story of the battles of the past.

“The earth god, together with the serpent of hell, shrouded the world in death and destruction.” — Harley, One Piece Chapter #1138

If true, Nerona Imu will get her hands on the greatest source of power in the entire One Piece world and rise in terms of total power. With Mother Flame, Nerona Imu will officially become the strongest #1 in the entire One Piece world, leaving even Joy Boy behind. The fact that Imu was able to beat Joy Boy long ago in the past probably happened because of the power of the Mother Flame that he had by his side. With York now working directly for the World Government, more Mother Flame will soon be in their possession, driving Nerona Imu to soaring levels.

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