Ever since Nerona Imu was introduced in the ‘One Piece’ manga, multiple theories have flooded the internet. As if fans weren’t curious enough about his real identity and past, now his connection to Lily and his fixation on the Straw Hats have also got everyone thinking. Amid all the enigmas, there is a major reveal that tops the chart.
Imu’s power and his Devil Fruit abilities have changed how we perceive the story as a whole. It has positioned him as an unparalleled ruler with an upgraded power structure and dynamics. But the scenario also proves one thing for sure. While he has a diabolical power, it comes with a debilitating weakness. So, how did this reveal destroy 25 years of fan theories? Let’s find out.
Nerona Imu’s Sole Dominion in ‘One Piece’
Nerona Imu was thought to be a reincarnation of the Umi Bozu. The legendary Japanese folktale describes the sea monster as a malevolent spirit that preys on ships. In the manga, it’s just a twist on the name itself, though Imu does live up to it. He isn’t connected to the monster per se, but harbors those qualities. The character has immense, unparalleled power, even surpassing Blackbeard and the Gorosei.
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For the longest time, fans thought Blackbeard would be the ultimate villain. After all, he has two devil fruits and has also defeated Whitebeard. But here’s where things get tricky. Fans also thought the Gorosei were the real bosses. However, both Teach and the Five Elders are nothing but pawns on a chessboard. It was Imu who granted immortality to the elders, but there’s more. He can also possess them using his Covenant ability, all thanks to his Devil Fruit. It is formidable and menacing, but isn’t devoid of weakness.
Diabolical Power, But With A Debilitating Weakness
Although diabolical, Imu’s Devil Fruit ability has a debilitating weakness. He can use it outside Mary Geoise, but it severely weakens his body. Manga readers realized that in the latest chapters, when he came into contact with the land of Elbaph. It leads him to cough up blood, an instance that reveals his weakness. In a nutshell, his abilities and the core of his demonic strength are centered on Mary Geoise. It weakens him the moment he is away from that space.
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Aside from that, his immortality is attributed to the Ope-Ope fruit in many fan theories. The fact that Law can perform perpetual youth surgery is one speculation. However, Imu’s immortality, along with his physical appearance, is all tied to the Akuma fruit. He creates an abyss for teleportation, marks people as covenants, and even possesses them. It all boils down to this character being a potential threat to the Straw Hats.
In conclusion, we all thought that the Straw Hats would fight a final boss. The end villain is a formidable pirate or even one of the five bosses of the World Government. However, the reveal has shaken things up. It placed the onus on something far more hellish and anomalous. The final saga of ‘One Piece’ will thus unlock potential transformations and power-ups. It could build to an interesting confrontation by the end of it all.
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