Imu Will DIE at the End of Elbaph Arc! One Piece Chapter 1171 Added Spoilers!

The early One Piece chapter spoilers explored how Loki has unique powers: flight and ice manipulation, all tied to the underworld Niflheim and seemingly confirms that he has eaten the Nidhogg Devil Fruit.

We now have additional information that can provide us a roadmap on how to finally beat Imu.

Imu’s WEAKNESS

It turns out that Harald, a Holy Knight, being killed, sent a painful shockwave to Imu, almost like they had lost part of their soul, like how Voldemort splits himself into multiple Horcruxes to live long.

We cover the Covenants here but they do pose a direct risk to Imu’s body and soul.

It seems that the key to Imu’s complete destruction is the death of all Thirteen Chosen Ones, namely the Five Elders and the Eight Holy Knights of God.

Three of them are on Elbaph, with Imu possessing Gunko while their main body is still on Mary Geoise.

Saints Shepherd Sommers and Rimushifu Killingham will be the main opponents to beat as Killingham especially holds the MMAs that are rampaging across the land.

Removing Killingham means ending the literal nightmare.

Right now, Imu is at his weakest since the Void Century because he has lost a Covenant member (Harald).

Maybe the part of Imu he gave Harald was damaged and may not be passed on, so it stays on Imu like a lingering wound.

And even if that fragment of Imu is passed on to another Holy Knight, Imu had lost the Harald piece.

This could also mean that the number of Chosen Ones has been reduced to Twelve, with Five Elders and Seven Holy Knights of God.

So far, we have seen Garling, Rimoshifu, Gunko, Sommers and Shamrock, with two other Holy Knights not accounted for.

This also explains why Joy Boy’s Haki Knot did a number on Imu as the fragments were being harmed by that Haki and of course Imu knew who that Haki belonged to, his most hated Joy Boy.

Furthermore, killing Saturn did not do any damage to Imu, only transferring back that split power or essence while Imu had already imbued Garling with a fragment of Imu once he assumed Saturn’s position.

Now why would Imu choose now to decide not one but three Holy Knights to Elbaph?

Is it not suicidal at this rate?

It looks like Imu was barely given a choice as in Chapter 1149: “One Second”, we learn that Mary Geoise is burning and Imu needs Demon Giants to stop this threat.

However, it feels like Imu might be wasting time here as while he is making sure to take over ALL of Elbaph, Mary Geoise is still in a state of disorder.

Gaban is very surprised that someone could kill a Holy Knight, given that in the past when they were there to abduct Shanks, they could only incapacitate them.

In the aftermath of the battle, Gaban and Jarul praised Loki for his impressive powers.

It is heavily hinted that Loki was only able to kill Holy Knight Harald because of his Legendary Devil Fruit and Conqueror’s Coated Attack.

Sanji WILL Awaken Conqueror’s Haki

Gaban is worried about his son Colon.

We see Sanji carry Gaban behind his back as Gaban is still wounded and they both head up with the others to the Sun Realm.

Gaban is Sanji’s counterpart in the Roger Pirates due to their love philosophies and this could be further setup for Sanji facing off against the cruel, sexist Shepherd Sommers.

Remember that the only way to defeat a Holy Knight of God once and for all is Conqueror’s Haki.

The Straw Hats do not need to all have it but they must have someone next to them to deliver the final blow.

Luffy and Loki, possessors of God Fruits and God Haki, are much needed against Imu

Gaban is wounded, so the fight will be left to Sanji, unless Sanji will act as the distraction while Gaban recovers so he will finish the job.

However, considering that Sanji is one of the Monster Trio and the Roger Monster Trio all use advanced Conqueror’s Haki and all three types of Haki, a conclusion can be drawn that Sanji, Mr. Prince, the son of a King, Judge, should be able to awaken Conqueror’s Haki the same way Zoro did on Onigashima.

Other candidates could include Brook, who might join the fight against Imu to save Gunko, Jinbei and possibly even Nico Robin.

Usopp could also be a strong contender because for him to wield Ragnir, if that does come about, he needs to prove his worth as a conqueror as Harald’s last words to Loki show.

The End is Near

What a fitting first chapter of One Piece leaks in 2026.

Once Elbaph is over and four of Imu’s Thirteen Chosen Ones have been defeated, Imu will lose 1/4th of their massive, centuries-long power and will be vulnerable to one final attack.

If Imu does survive Elbaph, by the final war, it will be a more fair clash between the current Joy Boy, the current Davy D, Jones and the eternal world of Imu that is growing weaker and weaker by the day.

There will be a BREAK NEXT WEEK.

One Piece Chapter 1172 will be released on February 2, 2026.

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