Publisher's Synopsis
The Four Emperors are the four most notorious and powerful pirate captains in the world. They are not typically allies, nor are they strictly enemies of one another. Rather, the four prefer to remain autonomous under most circumstances.
These four individually reside within the second half of the Grand Line (known as the "New World"), exerting impressive influence and control over dozens of other pirate crews and self-governing islands. They make up one of The Three Great Powers.
In the decisive Battle of Marineford, Whitebeard of the Four Emperors, met his end towards the climax of the Summit War. Blackbeard, his killer, subsequently usurped his position within the following year. Shanks, another member of the Four Emperors, arbitrated a ceasefire to end the aforementioned war.
Following the events of the Whole Cake Island Arc, the World Economy News Paper has referred to Monkey D. Luffy as standing adjacent to the Four Emperors as the "Fifth Emperor" of the sea. This was both due to the events of the arc and interviews performed with Cavendish and Bartolomeo, who informed the journalists of the 5640-member Straw Hat Grand Fleet.
