One of the most unexpected and thrilling developments in recent times for Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga series was the dramatic death of a Gorosei member. In a shocking turn of events, fans witnessed Imu terminate the life of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, paving the way for Saint Garling Figarland, the head of the Holy Knights, to ascend as the new Warrior God of Science and Defense.
This event has led many fans to speculate that Imu perceives the Gorosei as disposable entities—mere instruments that can be replaced once they fulfill their purpose or prove to be ineffectual. The death of Saturn suggests that One Piece‘s mysterious antagonist can seamlessly substitute Gorosei members without significant preparation.
However, a closer examination reveals that this notion may not hold true, considering the unique position of the Gorosei in relation to Imu, particularly the sensitive information and responsibilities they are entrusted with. Taking these elements into account, it becomes clear that the Gorosei in One Piece are not as expendable as some fans might think.
The Gorosei in One Piece: A Complex Network of Knowledge and Trust
One major reason why Imu cannot simply replace the Gorosei at will is the need for trust among its members. The Gorosei, by virtue of knowing about Imu’s existence—and likely their true identity—hold extremely sensitive information. Additionally, Dr. Vegapunk’s broadcast would lend even more credibility to this information in the eyes of the public, reinforcing the necessity of such trust.
Saint Garling Figarland’s appointment further highlights this idea when analyzed in light of his positions and titles. As the leader of the Holy Knights, who serve directly under the World Government as law enforcers of Mariejois, Garling likely had prior knowledge of Imu’s existence and demonstrated his loyalty. His apparent authority as Mariejois’ judge, jury, and executioner, as revealed in chapter 1086, further supports this view.
Thus, Imu’s selection of Garling was not a random act but rather a careful decision based on trust and established loyalty. This also underscores the importance of verifying each member’s true allegiance before integrating them into their ranks. The method Imu employed against Saturn serves as a deterrent but also indicates that thorough loyalty assessments precede any initiation process.
One might argue that if Imu exclusively recruits members from Mariejois’ Celestial Dragons, there would be no need for loyalty tests or fears of betrayal. However, the case of the late Saint Donquixote Mjosgard contradicts this assumption, as it illustrates that even Celestial Dragons can undergo transformation under certain conditions. Furthermore, Oda appears to be setting up Saint Shalria for a potential shift in perspective regarding the Void Century, as indicated during the Egghead arc.
Interestingly, Garling could have been selected to replace Saturn specifically due to his involvement in the sentencing and execution of Mjosgard. This act could have demonstrated the ultimate level of loyalty Imu seeks, showcasing Garling’s willingness to eliminate dissenters without hesitation. Nonetheless, this remains speculative as of the time this article was written, but it logically fits within the context of the events in the Egghead arc.
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