The Ultimate Confrontation: Luffy's Unprecedented Battle against Imu - The Epic Conclusion to One Piece

Renowned mangaka Eiichiro Oda has gained widespread praise for his remarkable storytelling in the One Piece manga. With over a thousand chapters and a devoted following spanning 25 years, this series continues to captivate readers. Its intricate and diverse world-building sets it apart from other manga. The narrative revolves around Straw Hat Luffy and his crew, who embark on a quest to uncover the highly sought-after treasure, known as One Piece, located on a mysterious island called Laugh Tale.

One recurring theme in the series is the ongoing conflict between pirates and the marines, who operate under the World Government's jurisdiction. In chapter 1094 of One Piece, readers were introduced to a formidable adversary that poses a significant challenge to the Straw Hat crew: Saint Jaygarcia Saturn. As one of the Five Elders of the World Government, his authority rivals that of Imu, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Imu's true identity remains unknown in the manga, but the introduction of Saturn's Awakened Devil Fruit form, resembling a yokai, has led to speculation about Eiichiro Oda's inspiration for Imu. Interestingly, Oda has been subtly hinting at a future clash between Luffy and Imu. Warning: This article contains spoilers.

One Piece fans predict Imu's yokai form and consider Oda a genius for hinting at it from the beginning

Imu on the Empty Throne (Image via Toei)

The debut of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's Awakened Devil Fruit form was vividly depicted in One Piece chapter 1094. It bore a striking resemblance to the yokai Ushi-oni, an ox demon with a spider's body from Japanese mythology.

Initially, his Devil Fruit made its presence known during the Reverie, albeit in an enigmatic silhouette, in the company of the other Elders and Imu, all wielding their Awakened Devil Fruits.

Fans are speculating whether Imu, like Saturn, possesses an Awakened Devil Fruit with a yokai theme. One theory suggests that Imu's Awakened form could be that of the yokai Umibozu. Known for appearing on tranquil nights, Umibozu has the ability to turn peaceful waters into tumultuous waves, causing havoc to ships and claiming the lives of sailors.

A devoted fan of One Piece recently revealed their fascinating theory about Oda's initial contemplation of Imu's yokai form (Image via X/@StrawhatOverall).

Among the various speculations surrounding the mysterious Umibozu, one prevailing notion suggests that the sole method to outsmart this formidable creature is to present it with an endless vessel, perplexing it while simultaneously ensuring a safe passage. This conjecture has been circulating for quite some time, gaining significant traction due to the explicit connection between "Imu" and "Umi" when reversed. Notably, with the recent publication of the latest One Piece chapter, this theory has been revitalized and has captivated the attention of countless enthusiasts.

One Piece enthusiasts, represented by X/@333vil and @JDBum, are actively expressing their opinions on the yokai theory.

Nonetheless, this theory is not without its flaws, specifically the assertion that Luffy's initial emergence was from a barrel, which supposedly foreshadowed his ultimate confrontation with Imu. However, this claim has been readily refuted by manga readers, as the barrel appearance was exclusively depicted in the anime adaptation.

The manga initially portrayed Luffy as a young boy spending time with the Red-Haired pirates. Some individuals struggle to accept this fan theory as it disregards the anime's canonical significance, which goes against the common understanding. Despite this, these speculations and discussions offer significant benefits to the One Piece fan community and should not be scorned. They encourage fans to delve into different interpretations of Imu's identity, enhancing the storytelling and maintaining a sense of anticipation for future developments.

Imu (Image via Toei)

Yet, it would be unrealistic to demand that an author meticulously plans out every detail of a story spanning over a thousand chapters from the very beginning. Instead, what truly happens is that the mangaka carefully revisits their work, skillfully crafting a compelling storyline filled with surprising turns and unveilings that seamlessly tie into the narrative from the start.

The true brilliance lies not in Oda's initial knowledge and foresight, but rather in his ability to craft an illusion of a vast and intricate universe, allowing for the discovery of hidden layers even after the fact. It is important to acknowledge the mangaka's talent and dedication, as there may be numerous instances of foreshadowing within the work.

Oda has revealed that he has already devised a conclusive plan for the manga. As readers dive into the story, they will eventually discover if there were additional subtle hints carefully woven by the mangaka throughout.