@[URL=http://apforums.net/member.php?u=1632:
Phenomenol]The Shichibukai are GREAT pirates, they are great enough to be on EQUAL footing with your oh so precious "four Emperors." For the last time the Shichibukai do NOT work for the Government they are "allies of the Marines and the government."
I never have, and never will, say that no SB can match a Yonkou in a one-on-one fight. Power can mean a variety of things. For example, I might be able to beat George W. Bush in a one-on-one, but does that mean that if I try and start a fight with him, I'll win? No! I'll definately loose, because he has so much more to work with.
I request you re-read the rest of my post. For your conveinience:
IMO, it really boils down to the Shichibukai. They were created because the WG felt these pirates were major threats. They were recruited to bring about this balance which we love so much. By having the Shichibukai on their payroll and giving them their perks, this prevents these powerful pirates from siding against the WG. At the same time, this also almost removes any need for the Shichibukai to join up with the Yonkou. So really, it doesn't matter how strong either side is, what matters is that the Shichibukai are needed to maintain this balance. And it's a member down. Scary.
But to stay on topic, Marine=SB=Yonkou, IMO.
The way I was seeing 'power' was not in terms of 'Mihawk is teh storonjer tehen Shanks', rather as who can affect the balance the most. The answer? The Shichibukai. Imagine if the Shichibukai didn't exist, and Mihawk suddenly gets a whim, goes to WB and says, "I'll be a part of your crew, except that I want a x% cut of treasure" or something like that. Heck, WB isn't going to say no. Mihawk wouldn't even need to ask WB for permission, he could just say I'm joining, and that's that. Think how that would frigthen the WG. So they pulled out the most powerful pirates willing to work along with the WG. Plus, it's sounds kinda like the WG doesn't have much of a presence in the New World if 4 pirates are like emperors there. So now they can have the Shichibukai travel that area. It's like a see-saw. It doesn't matter how heavy the two weights on the see-saw are, because if there is no fulcrum, the whole will collapse anyways. See what I'm saying? Read the post completely before glorifing yourself.