Imu Just Entered the Elbaph Arc — But Luffy Isn’t Who They’re Coming For
When Nerona Imu descended upon Elbaph in the latest chapters of One Piece, the entire fandom collectively held its breath. After more than two decades of anticipation, the mysterious ruler of the World Government finally stepped onto the battlefield — and absolutely nobody predicted who their real target would be.
If you assumed Imu’s arrival meant a climactic showdown with Luffy, you’re not alone. But Eiichiro Oda is rarely that straightforward. The latest chapters suggest something far more twisted: Imu has come to Elbaph for someone else entirely, and the implications are going to rewrite everything we thought we knew about the Final Saga.
The Imu Reveal Nobody Saw Coming
For years, fans built elaborate theories around the inevitable Imu vs. Luffy confrontation — the final battle between the world’s oppressor and the embodiment of freedom. It was the most logical endpoint. And Oda just threw it out the window.
Instead of facing Luffy head-on, Imu has taken possession of Gunko’s body and set their sights on bringing Elbaph itself to ruin. This isn’t a personal duel — it’s a calculated strike at the heart of the ancient giant kingdom, one of the oldest civilizations in the One Piece world. The question is: why Elbaph, and why now?
The answer might be hiding in plain sight. Oda has been setting up a massive May 24 reveal that could explain everything about Imu’s true motivations and the ancient history connecting Elbaph to the Void Century.
Three Reasons Imu’s Real Target Isn’t Luffy
1. Elbaph Holds the Ancient Weapons’ Secret
The giants of Elbaph have been protectors of ancient knowledge since the dawn of recorded history. According to established lore, the three Ancient Weapons — Poseidon, Pluton, and Uranus — were created to counter a catastrophic threat during the Void Century. Elbaph’s connection to these weapons has been hinted at repeatedly, but never confirmed.
Imu’s arrival suggests the World Government has discovered that Elbaph holds the key to controlling or destroying the Ancient Weapons. If Luffy awakens that power first, the World Government’s 800-year reign of control ends overnight. Imu isn’t here to fight Luffy — they’re here to eliminate the board before Luffy can make a move.
2. The Rain God Revelation Changes Everything
Chapter 1182 introduced an incredibly powerful rain god entity that sent shockwaves through the fandom. Combined with the return of characters like Sommers and Kilingham, who are plotting to kidnap the children of Elbaph, we’re looking at a multi-layered conspiracy that goes far deeper than a simple hero vs. villain clash.
Imu’s weakened state on Elbaph — yes, weakened — is one of the most intriguing developments in the series. If the ruler of the world is vulnerable on this island, it means Elbaph possesses something that even Imu fears. That “something” is almost certainly tied to the island’s ancient giant heritage and its connection to Joy Boy.
This connects directly to the three god Devil Fruits that could decide the fate of the Great War. The overlap between those Fruits and Elbaph’s ancient history is no coincidence.
3. Oda Is Setting Up the Real Final War
Here’s the theory that keeps me up at night: Imu vs. Luffy won’t be the final battle of One Piece. It never was.
Instead, Imu’s attack on Elbaph is the opening move in a war that involves the entire world. The giants, the Ancient Weapons, the inherited will of Joy Boy, and the suppressed history of the Void Century are all converging on this single island. Luffy’s role isn’t to defeat Imu in a one-on-one fight — it’s to unite the scattered forces that can challenge the World Government on a global scale.
Think about it. Luffy has spent the entire series making allies, not conquering enemies. Elbaph is the culmination of that philosophy — the place where every faction, every ancient power, and every unresolved thread in the story will collide.
The Gunko Possession: A Masterstroke by Oda
Imu taking over Gunko’s body is one of the most unsettling moments in One Piece history. It demonstrates that Imu doesn’t need a physical form to wield devastating power — they can inhabit anyone, anywhere. This ability alone makes Imu a threat far beyond any villain Luffy has faced.
But there’s a deeper implication: if Imu can possess Gunko, they may have been manipulating events in Elbaph for far longer than we realized. The current conflict might not be a recent development at all. It could be a decades-long scheme finally coming to fruition.
And here’s where it gets wild. The Joy Boy and Imu betrayal theory from Chapter 1183 suggests that the relationship between Joy Boy and Imu was far more personal than we imagined. If that’s true, then Imu’s attack on Elbaph isn’t just strategic — it’s deeply personal.
Chapter 1183 Delay: What It Means for the Theory
The confirmed delay of Chapter 1183 has fans worried, but it might actually support this theory. Oda is known to take breaks when he’s approaching a major narrative turning point. The delay could mean he’s crafting something monumental — the chapter that reveals Imu’s true target and reshapes our understanding of the entire Elbaph arc.
When Chapter 1183 finally drops (expected May 24, 2026), it could confirm that Imu’s arrival in Elbaph is the first domino in a chain reaction that will bring down the World Government from within.
What This Means for Luffy’s Journey
If Imu isn’t coming for Luffy, what does that mean for our rubber captain? Simple: it means Luffy’s role is bigger than anyone predicted. He’s not just the guy who punches the final boss. He’s the catalyst that brings the entire world together against a threat that has been hidden for 800 years.
The Elbaph arc is shaping up to be the linchpin of One Piece’s endgame. Every revelation — the rain god, the three god Devil Fruits, Imu’s possession, and the ancient giant kingdom — is a thread pulling toward a single, explosive conclusion.
Final Thoughts: The Endgame Is Here
Oda has spent nearly 30 years building to this moment. Imu’s arrival in Elbaph isn’t just a new arc development — it’s the moment the entire One Piece story pivots from adventure to war. The giants, the Ancient Weapons, Joy Boy’s legacy, and Luffy’s inherited will are all converging on one island, and when the dust settles, the world will never be the same.
Chapter 1183 might be delayed, but the anticipation has never been higher. Whatever Oda reveals next, one thing is certain: Imu’s true target in Elbaph will change how we understand every single chapter that came before it.
What do you think? Is Imu really after something other than Luffy in Elbaph, or is this all an elaborate misdirection by Oda? Drop your theories in the comments — the wildest one might just be right.
