Over 29 years of publication, One Piece has seen the rise and fall of countless powerful villains. Yet, none have felt as overwhelmingly dominant as Nerona Imu, who made his official debut in chapter 1179. The appearance of the World King in the giant land of Elbaf confirmed him as the ultimate boss Luffy and the Straw Hat crew must face in the battle that will decide the fate of the world.
Throughout the events leading up to chapter 1183, which opens a flashback to the Esperia Kingdom, creator Eiichiro Oda showcased a terrifying power that makes Imu nearly unbeatable in combat.
However, amid this deadlock, the One Piece storyline planted a single counterforce capable of defeating Imu. It’s not a new ability but the most dangerous Logia-type Devil Fruit ever known: the Yami Yami no Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit), wielded by the Yonko Marshall D. Teach.
Imu’s “Akuma no Mi” Power: Supreme Strength Beyond All Rules
To understand why the Yami Yami no Mi is the key, we first need to look at Imu’s “broken” power. In chapter 1179, Oda revealed a shocking detail: Imu’s Devil Fruit is simply called “Akuma no Mi” (Devil Fruit), matching the series’ general concept. While other fruits have unique names reflecting their specific abilities, Imu’s fruit operates on an ultimate scale, turning him into the embodiment of the devil itself.
By chapter 1180, Imu’s combat form was unveiled as a Demon God with tanned skin, two massive horns, black wings, and vastly superior speed and physical strength. Even more terrifying, Imu can force individuals into demonic contracts, turning them into absolute slaves. This dominance was chillingly demonstrated during his conversation with Prince Loki in chapter 1181.
Loki: “So your power is the dominion of God? I thought you meant a pact with the devil!”
Imu: “God? Devil? What’s the difference?”
Additionally, Imu controls a latent power present in all beings called Omen (or Maki). He uses it offensively and defensively, similar to how warriors wield advanced Haki.
With this arsenal, Imu easily crushed Zoro and Sanji in an instant. Even the cursed Prince Loki, who holds the world-destroying power of Nidhoggr, was completely overwhelmed. Clearly, Imu cannot be defeated by ordinary close combat methods.
Yami Yami no Mi: The Ultimate Counter to the “Devil”
First introduced in chapter 441 (2007) during his fateful battle with Ace, the Yami Yami no Mi earned its reputation as the world’s most dangerous ability. Although a Logia fruit, it does not grant Blackbeard immunity to physical attacks or the ability to become intangible. Instead, it offers something far more terrifying: infinite gravity.
Using the pull of black holes, Teach can swallow everything, even light itself. But the key lies in Eiichiro Oda’s original explanation from 19 years ago. The accurate translation of Blackbeard’s words in chapter 441 is: “The other thing my darkness can absorb is the power of the Devil (Akuma).”
When connected to chapter 1179, “Devil” is no longer an abstract concept but specifically refers to Nerona Imu. Thus, the Yami Yami no Mi is the weapon born to absorb and completely nullify the World King’s powers. In close combat, Teach’s darkness forces Imu into a normal human state, unable to maintain his Demon God form or use Omen.
Blackbeard and the Void Century Rivalry: A Devastating Punch from Two Devil Fruits
It’s no coincidence that Blackbeard holds this trump card. If Monkey D. Luffy embodies the Sun God Nika and inherits Joy Boy’s will, then Marshall D. Teach carries the legacy of Davy Jones, a legendary figure from the Void Century.
In chapter 1164, Oda confirmed the only two names that have ever made Nerona Imu tremble are Joy Boy and Davy Jones. Now, both fears have been reborn in this era through Luffy and Blackbeard.
Once the Yami Yami no Mi strips Imu of his supreme power, Blackbeard will unleash his second Devil Fruit, the Paramecia-type Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit), known for its devastating attack power. This ability creates earthquakes from land to sea to sky, allowing Teach to deliver destructive blows comparable to an Ancient Weapon.
The combination of “locking powers with darkness” and “inflicting extreme damage with tremors” makes Blackbeard the most dangerous and unpredictable enemy for the World King in the final saga. A deadly showdown between these two dark forces, Nerona Imu and Marshall D. Teach, is inevitable, promising an explosive storyline beyond fans’ wildest imaginations.