One Piece: Why Imu Is Weakened On Elbaph, Explained

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The following article contains spoilers for One Piece.

Last week’s chapter of One Piece was incredible, and the story has taken an unexpected turn. It’s moved in a completely different direction than fans anticipated when the Elbaph Arc started a few years ago. While many people think the series might finish before 2030, the exciting path it’s now on feels more important than ever.

Imu, the story’s main antagonist, has dramatically escalated the conflict by partially transforming into a devil, signaling a huge battle is coming. Despite being incredibly powerful, he’s surprisingly weakened by leaving the Holy Land.

When Was Imu Introduced in One Piece?

Saint Nerona Imu was first shown in One Piece during the Levely Arc (chapters 903-908), before the story moved to Wano Country. We discovered that the Five Elders actually report to a hidden ruler sitting on the Empty Throne, and that ruler is Imu. The Egghead and Elbaph arcs have since revealed more about him. Imu has been in charge of the World Government for a long time – he was already in power during the God Valley Incident, which happened years before the current story began.

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He’s actually one of the original twenty rulers who created the World Government eight hundred years ago, and he’s the only one of them still alive today. While he’s been incredibly powerful for centuries, the story doesn’t say exactly when he became king, though many fans think it’s been around 800 years. Despite his long life and power, Imu remains a mysterious figure. It’s clear he’s extremely self-absorbed and only cares about himself, not the people he rules. He intentionally created a government system that allows him to stay hidden, presenting a public face of decentralization while keeping his true identity a closely guarded secret.

Is Imu a Devil-Fruit User?

Throughout the story, details about Imu have been revealed slowly and indirectly, but with his arrival on Elbaph, we can expect to learn much more. There’s been a lot of speculation about whether Imu possesses Devil Fruit powers, and even if he’s the original creator of them. The most recent chapter confirmed that Imu does have a Devil Fruit ability, and surprisingly, it seems the fruit’s name is simply ‘Devil Fruit’ – or, in its original form, Akuma no Mi.

Although many mysteries remain, it appears this character’s abilities are magical, allowing him to make deals with supporters and control enemies like puppets. Considering his long life – spanning centuries – this power source might also grant him immortality or a greatly extended lifespan. Future chapters will likely reveal more about his origins, but his complete history will probably be saved for the manga’s climactic battle. For now, it seems he won’t be defeated, as he’s been hinted at being the ultimate antagonist of the story.

Is Imu Weakened on Elbaph?

After departing from Mary Geoise, Imu appeared weakened on Elbaph, even coughing up blood. Although there’s no official reason given yet, many fans believe his power source is connected to the Empty Throne. This could be because of a curse or similar issue, which would make him vulnerable. This also hints that if war breaks out on Mary Geoise, Imu will unleash his full power, though he might still have some limitations, particularly if a curse is involved.

I will be leaving… the Holy Land for a time.

— Saint Imu Nerona in Chapter 1178

The story has hinted at Luffy’s weaknesses, and the final arc could be even more exciting if Imu has limitations or a curse of some kind. Exploring such a vulnerability in a powerful character would be really compelling.

What Will Happen Now in One Piece?

Now that Imu has arrived on Elbaph in One Piece, the situation is incredibly tense. Some fans believe Imu will be defeated and forced to withdraw, particularly if being away from Mary Geoise weakens him. Others are predicting a devastating attack by Imu that could leave the Straw Hats on the brink of defeat, or even force them to retreat.

Fans will still have to wait and see how the Final War plays out. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that One Piece is building towards an incredibly epic battle.

One Piece Chapter 1180 will be available to read on MANGA Plus on April 19, 2026.

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2026-04-08 14:34