Shanks’ display of Haki at Wano is definitely one of the most impressive moments in the series. His overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki forced Greenbull, a Navy Admiral introduced as a major threat, to immediately abandon his plans.
This encounter was almost one-sided. Shanks’ fierce Haki caused intense pain and fear in Greenbull, making him flee Wano instantly. This moment confirmed Shanks’ status as one of the Four Emperors and the superior power of his Haki. However, it was still primarily a display of physical dominance.
At least two other characters have surpassed Shanks, creating moments of absolute dominance that left their opponents not only terrified but stripped of their fighting ability and authority.
Luffy Humiliates Katakuri’s Observation Haki (Chapter 884)
The battle on Whole Cake Island, spanning chapters 878 to 896, became one of One Piece’s most iconic fights. It wasn’t an evenly matched duel but a testament to the Straw Hat captain’s absolute dominance over his greatest challenge.
This was the first time readers saw the full power of Luffy’s Gear 4. Even though Katakuri pushed his Observation Haki to the limit and mastered future sight, he couldn’t withstand Luffy’s raw power.
The true humiliation happened in chapter 884, when Katakuri’s strength relied on perfect focus to maintain his future sight. But Luffy kept attacking relentlessly and wildly, breaking Katakuri’s concentration.
Luffy didn’t just defeat Katakuri physically, he shattered his confidence, stripped away his future sight, and broke his spirit. This was a tactical and psychological humiliation far deeper than simply intimidating with Haki.
Joy Boy Strips the Five Elders of Their Authority (Chapter 1122)
If Shanks’ moment was terrifying and Luffy’s was profound, then what Joy Boy did to the Five Elders in chapter 1122 was a humiliation on the level of power and history.
The massive Haki Joy Boy unleashed was a pure stroke of genius. It was released from inside the ancient robot Emet, where it had been stored. The way Joy Boy unleashed this power completely turned the tables on Imu and the World Government. Even these supreme rulers couldn’t foresee being so thoroughly humiliated.
The Haki Joy Boy stored in objects from the Void Century forced the Five Elders back into their human forms, creating a massive shockwave in the process. Imagine the shame they endured, being confronted by a mere mortal (as they saw Joy Boy) and stripped of their ultimate abilities.
Even Imu was affected, overwhelmed by the intensity of this Haki. This power didn’t just harm the Five Elders, it took away their Devil Fruit transformation abilities and forced them back to Mary Geoise against their will. No other force, not even Shanks or Luffy, could dream of pulling off such an act. This is Haki humiliation at the highest level, stripping enemies of their authority, power, and control.
Conclusion
While Shanks showed physical dominance over an Admiral, and Luffy demonstrated psychological dominance over an opponent with future sight, Joy Boy displayed political and historical dominance over the world’s rulers.
Clearly, Joy Boy’s iconic feat, stripping the Five Elders of their power and humiliating them, is far more contemptible and disrespectful than what Shanks achieved. It stands as the strongest declaration ever seen in One Piece.