One Piece Reveals Conqueror’s Haki Origins and the Dark King’s Role

The “Color of the Supreme King,” often referred to as Conqueror’s Haki, debuted in One Piece and finally received a clear explanation in One Piece Chapter 597 on August 30, 2009. The one who laid it out was Silvers Rayleigh—known as the Dark King. This kind of Haki is said to exist in just one out of a million people, and it’s reserved for those who carry the traits of a “King.” Because Conqueror’s Haki is framed as a force that can overpower others and as something tied to reaching the top of the world, it’s become one of the most sought-after abilities in the One Piece universe.

Key takeaways

• The Color of the Supreme King (Conqueror’s Haki) was explained in One Piece Chapter 597 by Silvers Rayleigh on August 30, 2009.
• In the Elbaf arc, One Piece adds a total of 6 official Conqueror’s Haki users, with Sanji confirmed in Chapter 1187.
• Don Chinjao says the seas are full of potential Kings, but only the one above all Kings can be called the Pirate King (Chapter 717).
• Kaido clarifies that Conqueror’s Haki infusion into attacks is rare and limited to only the strongest (Chapter 1010).
• Eiichiro Oda’s Elbaf flashbacks expand the roster with deceased users Rocks and Harald.
• The series is set to pause on July 12, with a new return date announced by Eiichiro Oda.

Elbaf keeps raising the Conqueror’s Haki bar—Loki, Imu, and Sanji join the roster

Since One Piece has entered its final saga, the story has leaned even harder into revealing Conqueror’s Haki users. In One Piece Chapter 717, published on August 12, 2013, Don Chinjao stated that the New World is packed with people who have the qualities needed for Conqueror’s Haki. However, he also emphasized that only the “King” positioned above all Kings earns the title of Pirate King.

“There are countless people on these seas who could become a King. Only the one who stands above every King can call himself the Pirate King!” — Don Chinjao, One Piece Chapter #717

So, while the New World can be seen as a large pool of potential Conqueror’s Haki users, only a smaller number can push beyond the baseline and actually infuse the power into their fighting style. Kaido confirms this idea in One Piece Chapter 1010.

Luffy: You can infuse your attacks with the Color of the Supreme King, right?

Kaido: Only a select few of the strongest can. Not exactly the sort of thing you can just rely on!

— Kaido explains the rarity of Conqueror’s Haki infusion, One Piece Chapter #1010

Even with that narrow pool, Elbaf introduces four living characters who wield Conqueror’s Haki. The first is Scopper Gaban. Gaban is officially introduced in One Piece Chapter 1139 on February 10, 2025, and he then appears fighting Luffy and Zoro in Chapter 1140. In Chapter 1140’s aftermath, Gaban demonstrates Conqueror’s Haki directly. Later, in One Piece Chapter 1149, released on May 26, 2025 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26, Gaban is the one who knocks down the first Holy Knight in the entire series. Finally, in Chapter 1170, he shows off his mastery of Supreme King Haki by teaching Shanks how to use it against Harald as a counter to immortality.

“Land enough hits, and we can put him out of commission. If these immortals have a weakness, it’s against those of us who can infuse our attacks with the Color of the Supreme King!” — Scopper Gaban, One Piece Chapter #1170

After Gaban, One Piece brings in Loki as another Supreme King user. Loki is portrayed as an extremely dangerous individual—someone associated with the kind of strength that could destroy the world—so the expectation that he’d wield the Color of the Supreme King is treated as inevitable, with the confirmation arriving in One Piece Chapter 1152 on June 23, 2025. Alongside Loki, Nerona Imu also unleashes Supreme King power during Elbaf’s events.

Imu officially arrives in Elbaf in One Piece Chapter 1179 on April 5, 2026, with the release tied to Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19. Loki reacts to Imu’s presence by questioning where this overwhelming Haki is coming from.

“I can’t help but wonder—who’s the source of this ridiculous Haki?” — Loki, One Piece Chapter #1179

Right after descending on Elbaf, Imu uses a burst of Conqueror’s Haki and knocks out most of the country’s weaker citizens. The impact is so severe that it’s felt down to the underworld, with characters such as Loki, Luffy, and Gaban experiencing the shock. From there, Nerona Imu moves into a direct confrontation with Monkey D. Luffy, shown in One Piece Chapter 1187. The fourth living addition is Sanji, who is confirmed to possess King-like qualities in One Piece Chapter 1187 on July 5, 2026. With those four new living Conqueror’s Haki users in place, Elbaf stands out as an arc that puts special focus on the Color of the Supreme King more than any other stretch of the story.

Sanji: Hey, Gramps! Can I use the Supreme King too?

Gaban: You likely have the potential. But in your case, for some reason, I can feel a very strong habit of self-doubt. If you truly want Luffy to become the Pirate King, then you’ll have to be a King as well.

— Scopper Gaban confirms Sanji’s Conqueror’s Haki, One Piece Chapter #1187

One Piece is also set to go on break starting July 12, with a new return date officially announced by Eiichiro Oda.

Eiichiro Oda also confirms Harald and Rocks as deceased Supreme King Haki users in Elbaf

While Elbaf’s main timeline confirms four fresh living characters who wield the Color of the Supreme King, the arc also expands the roster through flashbacks with two additional users. Those two are Rocks and Harald. Rocks D. Xebec is introduced in One Piece Chapter 1154, and soon after, he’s shown using Conqueror’s Haki during his clash against King Harald in Chapter 1155 on July 21, 2025. That fight confirms that Harald also possesses Conqueror’s Haki. The story frames their power as evenly matched, and the first clash is described as strong enough to erase any sign of life within a 5 km radius.

As Elbaf continues, Oda repeatedly highlights what both men can do. Eventually, Rocks is killed in One Piece Chapter 1165, when Garling Figarland ends the fight after Rocks battles Roger and Garp. Harald’s end comes in Chapter 1170, where Loki lands the killing blow after Harald eats the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr.

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Why post-Elbaf One Piece could reveal even more Haki users

With Elbaf formally adding 6 new Conqueror’s Haki users, there’s a lot of room left for additional revelations in the story. Eiichiro Oda is expected to introduce more users of this ability, including high-level figures such as Monkey D. Dragon and Dracule Mihawk. Other names mentioned as possibilities include Shamrock Figarland, and potentially even Garling Figarland. Beyond the biggest names, there are also characters who could awaken the Color of the Supreme King, with Usopp being raised as another candidate from within the Straw Hat Pirates.

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Either way you look at it, the Color of the Supreme King is an ability Eiichiro Oda is clearly planning to spotlight heavily during the Final Saga. Fans will be watching closely to see how it evolves and what it enables later in the narrative.

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