Imu’s True Identity: Connecting the Void Century with the Ancient Weapons

The Final Saga of One Piece has systematically shattered the status quo of the pirate world. While the battles for the Road Poneglyphs rage on, the narrative weight of the series has heavily shifted toward the ultimate taboo of the World Government: The Void Century. Sitting at the absolute pinnacle of this forbidden history is Imu, the enigmatic sovereign who occupies the Empty Throne.

For centuries, the world was led to believe that the World Government was a democracy ruled by twenty founding families. Imu’s existence turns that history into an absolute lie. But who is this shadow figure, and why has their identity been guarded with such apocalyptic secrecy?

To truly understand Imu’s true identity, we must connect the fragments of the past—specifically, how this immortal ruler’s destiny is intertwined with the Ancient Weapons (Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus) and the downfall of the Great Kingdom.

Saint Imu of the Nerona Family: Immortal Architects of the World

During the Reverie arc, Emporio Ivankov dropped a massive bombshell that provided the first tangible clue regarding Imu’s identity. Ivankov revealed that among the twenty original monarchs who founded the World Government 800 years ago, there was a king named Saint Imu of the Nerona Family.

Given the existence of the Ope Ope no Mi’s Perennial Youth Operation (Immortality Surgery), the implication is terrifyingly clear: Imu is not a descendant of the founding kings; Imu is one of the original twenty monarchs who lived through the Void Century.

The Erasement of Joy Boy and the Great Kingdom

Imu’s survival for eight centuries means they possess firsthand knowledge of the ancient world. The Great Kingdom was a highly advanced civilization whose technology surpassed even the current capabilities of Dr. Vegapunk.

Imu’s entire reign has been dedicated to one goal: suppressing the “Dawn of the World” and erasing any trace of Joy Boy. This immortality turns Imu into more than just a political tyrant—they are the literal embodiment of the status quo, holding the world in a perpetual state of stagnation.

The Missing Link: Imu’s Control Over the Ancient Weapons

The ultimate proof of Imu’s true power lies in their terrifying military capability, which was demonstrated during the absolute annihilation of the Lulusia Kingdom.

1. Uranus: The Sky Weapon in Imu’s Possession?

The catastrophic attack that erased Lulusia from the map in a matter of seconds was carried out by a massive, shadowy flying object that rained down beams of pure destruction. Vegapunk’s final broadcast heavily implied that this weapon was powered by the Mother Flame.

Historically, the World Government did not possess the energy source required to operate it. This strongly suggests that Imu has held the physical shell of the Ancient Weapon Uranus for 800 years, waiting for modern science to finally replicate the ancient energy needed to wake it up.

2. The Hunt for Poseidon and Pluton

Imu’s sudden activation of Uranus changes the global playing field. However, to ensure absolute dominance, they must prevent the other two Ancient Weapons from falling into the hands of the new Joy Boy—Monkey D. Luffy.

• Pluton: Locked deep beneath the walls of Wano Country, a nation that has consistently defied the World Government.

• Poseidon: The Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi, whom Imu was seen targeting with a dagger in the secret room of Pangaea Castle.

Imu’s obsession with these weapons stems from a deep-rooted fear. The Ancient Weapons were not created to destroy the world; they were created by the Great Kingdom to reshape it—potentially by tearing down the Red Line and uniting the seas into “One Piece.” Imu’s survival depends entirely on keeping these weapons fractured and dormant.

The Ultimate Antithesis: Imu vs. The Sun God

The ideological conflict between Imu and Luffy represents the absolute core theme of One Piece: Absolute Control versus Absolute Freedom.

Imu rules from the shadows, cloaked in darkness, manipulating the Gorosei and the Marines like puppets on a string. They represent a cold, calculating system that views human lives as mere statistics to be erased via “Great Cleansings.”

On the flip side, Luffy, as the continuous manifestation of Sun God Nika, brings joy, laughter, and unpredictable chaos wherever he goes. Imu’s hatred for the “D.” clan is a direct reaction to this inherent threat. The “D.” represents the natural enemy of the false gods, a bloodline that carries the unyielding will of the Void Century ready to break Imu’s iron grip on humanity.

Conclusion: The Final Unveiling

As the Straw Hat Pirates navigate Elbaf and edge closer to Laugh Tale, the centuries-old barrier of lies built by the World Government is beginning to crumble. Imu can no longer hide behind the Five Elders while wielding ancient apocalyptic weapons from the skies.

The reveal of Imu’s true identity will not just be a historical footnote; it will be the definitive catalyst that sparks the final, world-spanning war to liberate the seas and fulfill the promise made by Joy Boy 800 years ago.