While the translation is up in the air, Apoo's words seem to heavily hint that Luffy, Kid, and Law are now emperors, meaning the previous yonko system has been replaced with a Goko system.
While we still don't have confirmation and Oda could throw us a curveball, I feel like the Goko makes sense for one big reason. I think it underscores the growing tensions between factions, tensions that will ultimately erupt in the final war.
Very early in the wano arc, it was revealed that the marines have abolished the shichibukai and that the SSG have replaced them. While we don't know much about the SSG, the fact that fujitora seems to put his faith in it and the fact that kaido commented that the marines weren't stupid in abolishing the shichibukai, leads me to believe that the SSG can at the very least rival the shichibukai.
Regardless, it has been heavily implied that the marines are now much stronger than they used to be. Similarly, the Goko demonstrates an escalation in strength for the pirates.
Whereas balance was a key feature of the yonko system, with all crews being roughly equal bar the WBP, who didn't want One Piece, the Goko is much different. You have the SHs and the BBP who are significantly stronger than every other Goko crew, with either crew likely being able to obtain One piece.
I think the ultimate conclusion of the goko system is for the BBP to be defeated and for Buggy to ultimately replace blackbeard as an emperor. Under this scenario, all of the other goko: Shanks, Law, Kid, and Buggy; will be allies of Luffy's. Luffy would therefore not simply be pirate king in name alone, but in actuality. With all emperors of the sea in his allegiance, Luffy will be able to challenge the WG with the full weight of the pirate world.
Whereas the yonko were 4 warring empires, the goko will ultimately be a united force, making Luffy the greatest threat the WG has ever seen since the first Joyboy.
While we still don't have confirmation and Oda could throw us a curveball, I feel like the Goko makes sense for one big reason. I think it underscores the growing tensions between factions, tensions that will ultimately erupt in the final war.
Very early in the wano arc, it was revealed that the marines have abolished the shichibukai and that the SSG have replaced them. While we don't know much about the SSG, the fact that fujitora seems to put his faith in it and the fact that kaido commented that the marines weren't stupid in abolishing the shichibukai, leads me to believe that the SSG can at the very least rival the shichibukai.
Regardless, it has been heavily implied that the marines are now much stronger than they used to be. Similarly, the Goko demonstrates an escalation in strength for the pirates.
Whereas balance was a key feature of the yonko system, with all crews being roughly equal bar the WBP, who didn't want One Piece, the Goko is much different. You have the SHs and the BBP who are significantly stronger than every other Goko crew, with either crew likely being able to obtain One piece.
I think the ultimate conclusion of the goko system is for the BBP to be defeated and for Buggy to ultimately replace blackbeard as an emperor. Under this scenario, all of the other goko: Shanks, Law, Kid, and Buggy; will be allies of Luffy's. Luffy would therefore not simply be pirate king in name alone, but in actuality. With all emperors of the sea in his allegiance, Luffy will be able to challenge the WG with the full weight of the pirate world.
Whereas the yonko were 4 warring empires, the goko will ultimately be a united force, making Luffy the greatest threat the WG has ever seen since the first Joyboy.