The Marine Admirals are considered the most powerful military forces of the World Government, showcasing their immense strength and authority. However, while the Admirals are quite formidable and among the strongest individuals globally, they certainly are not the only ones who hold that title. In a specific combat scenario, the strength of the Admirals may be challenged, especially in the face of the Yonkou.
The Strength of the Admirals in One Piece
When discussing the strength of the Admirals, there is a notable distinction compared to other characters with similar titles, as they possess a greater reliance on their Devil Fruit powers. Each Admiral holds a significant degree of destructive power through their respective abilities.

For instance, Kuzan, the first Admiral introduced in the series, possesses the powers of the Hie Hie no Mi, a very powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit. Similarly, Borsalino wields the Pika Pika no Mi, another formidable Logia-type. Meanwhile, Sakazuki has access to the Magu Magu no Mi, which grants him the highest level of destructive capabilities.
After the time skip, both Kuzan and Borsalino emerge with astonishing Devil Fruit powers. Additionally, the Admirals possess strong Haki abilities, although it is often noted that Kizaru’s Haki remains the most potent in the series. Kizaru’s observation Haki is notably refined, as demonstrated during Luffy’s encounter with him. Furthermore, Kizaru’s defensive Haki is also significantly high, allowing him to withstand Luffy’s immense Haki-infused attacks. This suggests that the Admirals’ Haki may be superior to those who have mastered advanced Haki techniques.
Some Limitations of the Admirals

Despite the considerable strength of the Admirals, they are not necessarily the strongest individuals in the world by any stretch of the imagination. The Admirals are known to be on par with the Yonkou and can potentially clash with them.
However, when Luffy battles Kizaru, the Admiral ultimately realizes that Luffy is stronger than he initially assessed. Luffy, in fact, is not the strongest character in One Piece, which raises many questions. The Admirals do have several weaknesses, one of the most significant being their lack of advanced Haki.
To date, no Admiral in One Piece has exhibited such power. This is a critical factor when distinguishing the strength of the Yonkou from the Admirals. The Admirals, while formidable, have not demonstrated the advanced Haki capabilities that characters like Sakazuki might possess. However, among the Admirals, none have shown the potential to harness the full extent of their Devil Fruit powers beyond their inherent abilities.
The Yonkou are Stronger than the Admirals in One Piece

When it comes to the Yonkou, Oda has made it clear that the Admirals can be compared to them, but ultimately, they are not as strong. This distinction is particularly evident in the bounties set by the Cross Guild for the Marine Admirals.
The Yonkou, especially, are individuals with the potential to harness advanced Haki and possess significantly higher bounties compared to the Admirals, particularly when it comes to their ability to utilize their Devil Fruit powers. Thus, while the Admirals are potent, they are not on par with the legendary figures of the world.
Moreover, the Admirals are fully aware that Oda has depicted the Yonkou as stronger than them. For example, Aramaki is quite wary of the strength wielded by Shanks in Wano, while Luffy’s impressive strength is still capable of grappling with Kizaru, indicating that he can compete with an Admiral and a Yonkou simultaneously.
Similarly, an aging Red-Haired pirate can challenge Sakazuki, suggesting that many factors come into play. Based on Oda’s previous portrayals, it is clear that the Admirals have limitations regarding their strength.