This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.
Overview
- Imu possesses the formidable powers of immortality and a mysterious Devil Fruit ability.
- Imu’s vulnerability lies in the new Haki technique introduced by Scopper Gaban, which counters immortality.
- This Haki can target the soul, inhibiting regeneration and creating a potential opportunity to defeat Imu in combat.
Table of Contents
- Confirmed Powers of Imu
- Weakness of Imu Revealed by Scopper Gaban’s Haki
- Countering Immortality with Haki
One Piece is currently in its Final Saga, where Eiichiro Oda is set to unveil monumental secrets about the world of One Piece and stage thrilling climactic battles. As fans anticipate these developments, they eagerly await scenes depicting Luffy’s ambition to become the Pirate King.
Central to this saga is the enigmatic character Imu, introduced during the Reverie arc. It’s clear that Imu will play a pivotal role as Luffy’s greatest adversary, ultimately leading to an epic confrontation. Recent revelations have shed light on Imu’s most significant vulnerability.
Imu’s Confirmed Powers
- Imu embodies immortality.
- Imu is believed to wield a mysterious Zoan Devil Fruit ability.
Despite limited insights into Imu’s backstory, Oda has gradually unveiled crucial details. For instance, we learn that Imu has origins tracing back to the Void Century, showing a peculiar obsession with the character Lily, as well as a current interest in Vivi. These hints are significant for understanding Imu’s motivations and potential future actions.
Imu’s link to the Void Century suggests they are virtually immortal. This revelation aligns with the existing lore about the Celestial Dragons, known for their longevity. Therefore, Imu’s immortality should come as no surprise, especially considering their connections to historical figures like Queen Lily.
Additionally, Oda hints at the possibility that Imu possesses a Zoan type Devil Fruit—pointing towards their divine status, especially as Luffy is equated with Nika, another godlike figure within the narrative.
Imu’s Vulnerability: New Haki from Scopper Gaban
The Counter to Immortality: Haki
Chapter 1148 of One Piece brings a pivotal moment as Scopper Gaban engages with the Holy Knights, subsequently revealing Imu’s key vulnerability. The notion of immortality among both the Holy Knights and the Five Elders is well established. However, Gaban’s recent actions seem to indicate that there is a way to counter this invulnerability. Not only did Gaban demonstrate prowess against the immortal foes, but Joy Boy also caused distress to Imu, showcasing that their immortality can indeed be challenged.
As observed in Gaban’s confrontation, the critical revelation is that Haki can negate immortality. This finding was confirmed through two notable instances in the current story arc. Initially, Joy Boy’s Haki from 800 years ago was potent enough to impact Emeth, and subsequently, Gaban’s application of Haki allowed him to severely injure Sommers.
The specific type of Haki that achieves this remarkable effect may involve a form of soul-targeting Haki, which transcends mere physical damage. Such abilities could inhibit regeneration, allowing allies a critical moment to strike. As we await Oda’s exposition regarding the mechanics behind Imu’s vulnerability to Haki, fans remain eagerly engaged.
Looking ahead, One Piece Chapter 1149 is set for release in a week, with new content available on Sundays. Fans can anticipate the chapter at 12 AM JST on Monday in Japan, but it will likely be accessible internationally on May 11. The official release for Chapter 1149 is scheduled for May 25, 2025. Readers can access it for free on Manga Plus.