User blog comment:Yami6302/Shichibukai is 7 "strongest" pirates? shouldn't it be "strong"?/@comment-53539-20100405114901

They are "some of the worlds strongest" though initally greeted as the strongest in the storyline. The strongest however are the Yonkou, but one should consider the difference is that the Shichibukai work for the World Government. It would not be a surprise for the World Governmet to claim they are the strongest, because it means it looks good for them.

Plus, though Yonkou are the strongest, you can be left with the idea their power is kept quiet by the World Government and Marine, with the exception of Whitebeard in general as everyone knew him before they existed as "Yonkou". The little anyone knows about them the bette for the World Governement.