Are we overestimating the Holy Knights' importance in God Valley? One Piece chapter 1161 may have the answer

The God Knights as seen in One Piece
The God Knights as seen in One Piece (Image Source: VIZ)

One Piece chapter 1161 shatters the myth surrounding the World Government's most secretive force. Saint Imu's immortal knights were painted as unstoppable juggernauts capable of reshaping entire conflicts. Dragon himself warned of their terrifying potential, while their God Valley participation suggested legendary status among the series's most dangerous organizations.

The truth emerging from Eiichiro Oda's latest revelations tells a different story entirely. One Piece chapter 1161 positions these warriors as skilled enforcers rather than world-ending threats, with only Saint Garling and Saint Shamrock reaching the true elite tier. The God Valley flashback demonstrates their limitations against legendary pirates, revealing that immortality doesn't guarantee invincibility when facing opponents with advanced Conqueror's Haki.

Garling and Saturn as seen during the God Valley Incident (Image Source: VIZ)
Garling and Saturn as seen during the God Valley Incident (Image Source: VIZ)

One Piece chapter 1161 showcased the events at God Valley, where Dragon is injured in a duel with a Holy Knight woman but is saved by Whitebeard. This flashback sequence demonstrates that even decades ago, these warriors weren't invincible forces. The chapter shows them engaging in combat but struggling against legendary pirates rather than dominating the battlefield as some fans anticipated.

The God Valley incident in One Piece chapter 1161 serves as a measuring stick for evaluating their capabilities. While they participated in this historic battle, they weren't the decisive factor that many expected from such an elite organization. Instead, figures like Garp, Roger, and Whitebeard shaped the conflict's outcome.


Dragon's Assessment Creates Unrealistic Expectation

Revolutionary Army leader Dragon previously described the Holy Knights as a significant threat to his operations. However, this warning may have inflated fan expectations beyond reasonable levels. At the very least, fans have confirmation that they are far stronger than Navy Vice Admirals, but this doesn't necessarily place them in the same tier as Yonko or Admirals.

Dragon's concern likely stems from their immortality and regenerative abilities rather than pure combat prowess. These supernatural advantages make them persistent threats that require advanced Conqueror's Haki to defeat permanently.


The Garling and Shamrock Exception

St. Figarland Garling is now the Supreme Commander of Holy Knights (Image Source: Toei Animation)
St. Figarland Garling is now the Supreme Commander of Holy Knights (Image Source: Toei Animation)

Not all Holy Knights deserve dismissal as overhyped antagonists. Important figures such as Garling and Shamrock are regarded as being on par with Yonko-level strength. Saint Garling Figarland, now promoted to the Five Elders, demonstrated exceptional abilities even without confirmed immortality. His strength earned recognition from both allies and enemies during the God Valley conflict.

Shamrock Figarland's command position over potential recruits like Loki implies that Shamrock is stronger than Loki and around the same tier as the Yonko. As Shanks' twin brother, he possesses comparable genetic potential and decades of elite training within the World Government's most exclusive organization.

Apart from these two, Saint Gunko represents a special case within the Holy Knights hierarchy. Unlike other members who joined the organization through traditional means, she maintains a direct connection to Saint Imu as their chosen vessel. This relationship grants her power levels that exceed typical Holy Knight capabilities.

Her designation as "God's Blade" and her ability to channel Imu's strength place her in a category separate from regular members. Gunko's presence doesn't elevate the entire organization but rather highlights the gap between exceptional individuals and the rank-and-file knights.


One Piece Chapter 1161 Reveals Strategic Roles

St. Gunko from the Manmayer Family (Image Source: VIZ)
St. Gunko from the Manmayer Family (Image Source: VIZ)

The latest chapter positions the Holy Knights as elite enforcers rather than ultimate powerhouses. One Piece chapter 1161 shows them engaging in coordinated attacks during the God Valley chaos, but their performance suggests tactical importance over raw dominance.

Their immortality makes them valuable for prolonged conflicts where attrition becomes a factor. However, this advantage doesn't translate to overwhelming individual strength against top-tier opponents. Instead, they function as persistent obstacles that require specific strategies to overcome in One Piece chapter 1161.

The upcoming final war will likely reveal the Holy Knights' true purpose within the World Government's structure. Rather than serving as primary antagonists for Luffy and his strongest allies, they may face off against Revolutionary Army commanders and other mid-tier powerhouses.

This distribution allows for more balanced storytelling where multiple conflicts occur simultaneously. While Luffy battles Imu and the Five Elders, his crew and allies can engage the Holy Knights in equally compelling but appropriately scaled confrontations.

Edited by Akihito Chakma