After the flashback about Loki concluded, One Piece has ramped up the pace at Elbaf like never before. Oda brings fans back to the present. In the intense battle against Imu and the Holy Knights, King Harald’s death accidentally revealed a shocking truth by indirectly exposing Imu’s “fatal weakness.”
The moment the pact was severed, the world’s most powerful entity suddenly collapsed, gasping in extreme pain. It turns out these dark contracts are not only the source of his power but also a lifeline that slowly eats away at Imu’s own existence.
Shocking theory: Imu’s 13 “Horcruxes”?
Imu’s reluctance to send more Holy Knights to their deaths suggests that each broken pact severely weakens him. This sparked a fan theory: could the Gorosei and Holy Knights be Imu’s “Horcruxes,” similar to those in the Harry Potter series?
Just as Lord Voldemort split his soul into seven parts to achieve immortality, Imu appears to have done something similar through Abyssal contracts (for the Gorosei) and Depths contracts (for the Holy Knights). There are 13 individuals holding these pacts at any given time, implying Imu can only divide his soul or power into that many fragments.
Setting the stage for the final battle
If this theory holds true, the Straw Hats’ path to victory is clear. They must destroy all the Holy Knights and Gorosei before confronting Imu himself. This will be an impossible task without help from the Revolutionary Army and allies at Elbaf.
Currently, the key to defeating the powerful Holy Knights lies with Loki, Gaban, and the Straw Hats. Conqueror’s Haki is the ultimate weapon, the only power capable of shattering their immortality and suppressing their incredible regeneration.
Another troubling detail involves Gunko, who seems strangely connected to Brook. Although she is on a path of redemption, breaking her pact without dying appears impossible. Look at Saint Saturn on Egghead. The moment Imu withdrew his contract, Saturn instantly disintegrated into dust and white bones. This foreshadows a tragic fate awaiting Gunko, no matter which side she chooses.
Oda drawing inspiration from pop culture is nothing new, but applying a Horcrux-like mechanism is a bold move. If successful, it will create one of the longest and most dramatic battles in manga history, where each defeated enemy brings the heroes one step closer to toppling the “World King.”