Idk

At that time uhhhh

Maybe shiki? Mihawk?

Possibly Loki, mainly because all the old emperors are gigantic and have a very high bounty, but shiki could also been bc all of them are from rock pirates or event rocks

Shanks became an Emperor six years ago, likely after defeating Loki. However, it's unknown if Loki was a pirate. Over a decade ago, his bounty was 1.040.000.000, too low for someone at Emperor level and it was likely raised multiple times as he continued to duel Mihawk again and again, though never winning.

• Shiki: Surely not. He was 'disappeared', working on his plan to gather mutant animals and destroy the world into 20 years.

• Mihawk: Likely not as well. One must have territories and subordinates to be regarded as an Emperor. Mihawk is simply strong (also, I doubt the World Government would recruit a former Emperor to the Warlords System).

Loki is my guess.

I’ve not seen evidence that there were always four emperors, that’s just what the title has been called in the recent timeline. Same kinda thing with the Seven Warlords, though we do know about one that was defeated by Ace before Luffy became a pirate.

@JustSomeDude... I think so cause the World Government looks hurried to replace the Emperors every time one is taken down.

Also, they never considered the option of having only 3 Emperors, discussing about the “race to replace WB” during timeskip and even regarding a just founded crew (Cross Guild) the title.

Was there even a four emperor system before Shanks became one? There might've not been an emperor system for some time and was created after when Shanks defeated Loki similar to how the World Government wasn't even a thing until after Joyboy's defeat.

@Charys Da 2nd Creating a system (3 Great Powers) is the kind of event that would mark the end of an era and the start of another. If the 3GP system was formed during the That's pure theory of mine though. It's said that all the 3 Great Powers are essential to keep the world's balance, as even the Five Elders were anxious to know who'd take over as the Fourth Emperor after WB's death.

I think it was loki. it was literally stated that loki fought shanks 6 years ago. and shanks was an emperor for like 6 years. it would make sense for loki to be the previous emperor aka the old gen emperor. not to mention his huge body and bounty. for shiki, it is almost impossible for that to happen. mihawk is the furthest thing from an emperor. he is strong but he claims barely any territories and he doesnt have a crew he is a single pirate and doesnt atleast own a fleet. but he does have a high bounty he was literally a warlord too, not an emperor