For decades, One Piece fans have speculated about the enigmatic ruler who sits silently atop the world, Imu. With their cryptic presence, chilling aura, and command over the most powerful entities in the series, Imu has remained one of the greatest mysteries Oda has ever crafted. But what if that mystery is starting to unravel?
Recent chapters have dropped subtle but powerful clues that suggest Imu’s Devil Fruit may have finally been revealed, one that could rival, or even surpass, the terrifying Soru Soru no Mi wielded by Big Mom. From consuming flames to possibly granting immortality, Imu’s powers might reshape everything we thought we knew about One Piece’s balance of power.
Imu and Big Mom’s Shared Legacy of Power
(Imu’s Ability Parallels Big Mom)
At first, it might sound unlikely, but Imu and Big Mom actually have a lot in common. These similarities could give us clues about Imu’s Devil Fruit and what kind of powers it possess. Both are linked to the idea of a “Mother”, Big Mom uses something called “Mother’s Flame” and dreams of a land called Totland where everyone is equal. Imu, on the other hand, controls a powerful weapon also called Mother Flame, but instead of equality, they seem to rule with fear and control.
Both characters also keep important photos with them. Big Mom has a picture of Mother Carmel, and Imu is shown with a photo of Queen Lily. There’s even a creepy connection, Big Mom accidentally ate Carmel, and Imu appears to eat fire and maybe even people’s souls. These signs suggest that Imu’s power might be the opposite of Big Mom’s Soru Soru no Mi.
Big Mom gives life and souls to objects and living things. But Imu might take the opposite path, giving people power by taking something in return: their death. This could explain why the Five Elders and maybe even the Holy Knights have monster-like powers and seem to live forever. They may have made a deal with Imu, gaining dark powers but becoming tied to Imu forever.
The True Nature of Imu’s Power: Leviathan Theory
Because Imu is so different from Big Mom, many fans believe that Imu’s Devil Fruit power might come from the mythical creature called the Leviathan. In some religious stories, the Leviathan is a giant sea monster that never stops eating and destroys everything in its way. This fits well with Imu, who seems to “eat” fire and maybe even souls. It also matches the dark idea that people must give up their lives to gain power.
In the latest chapters, Sabo attacked Imu with fire, but something shocking happened, Imu was able to absorb or eat the flames. This kind of power is rare, even for Devil Fruit users. If Imu has eaten the Leviathan fruit (Ou Ou no Mi), which could be a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, it would explain a lot. This power might let Imu absorb energy, stay alive forever, or even give power to others.
The Leviathan is also linked to the “Abyss” in religious stories, a dark place where the souls of the dead go. This “Abyss” theme shows up often in Imu’s scenes, especially with the strange dark symbol (like a pentagram) used by Imu, the Five Elders, and the Holy Knights. This could mean that the Abyss is part of Imu’s Devil Fruit ability, turning death and souls into real power.
The Death Contract: Mark of the Abyss
A scary discovery in the Elbaf arc supports this theory even more. People who follow Imu have a special mark that lets them use the power of the Abyss. This mark looks like the “hoof” symbol that the Celestial Dragons use to show ownership of their slaves. But while the Celestial Dragons control others, Imu seems to control even the Celestial Dragons, by making deadly deals.
This might be why the Five Elders can turn into powerful beasts. They may have given up their normal lives and become monsters in return for incredible power. Just like Big Mom trades souls in her kingdom to keep control and live longer, Imu might trade death to gain loyal followers who serve with dark powers.
One Piece Chapter 1148 is scheduled for official release on May 11, 2025, and fans are eager to see if Oda reveals more about Imu’s Devil Fruit Powers and its terrifying abilities. The chapter will be available on Manga Plus and other official platforms, and it may provide even more fuel to this burning theory.