Why Luffy Won’t Fight Imu Before the End of One Piece, Explained

The beginning of the final arc in One Piece may be approaching in the coming chapters, as the Straw Hat crew has successfully escaped Egghead Island. The highly anticipated next destination for the crew is Elbaf Island, causing a great deal of excitement among fans. The main topic of discussion now is whether Imu will join Luffy and his crew in their journey towards finding the One Piece.

It may come as a surprise to certain fans, but the outcome of events could potentially deviate from their expectations. Imu is heavily involved in political matters, particularly in regards to how Luffy’s actions may impact the world. For the Straw Hat, it would not make sense to involve himself in such affairs as his sole goal is to become the Pirate King. This could ultimately result in Luffy reaching the Grand Treasure without ever crossing paths with Imu.

Disclaimer: The following article includes the author’s opinion and may reveal potential spoilers for the One Piece manga series.

One Piece: Why the Encounter Between Imu and Luffy May Never Happen Until the End

Imu as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Imu is both the leader of the World Government and the ruler of the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders. There is speculation that Imu will ultimately be one of the main adversaries the Straw Hat Pirates will confront during the series.

As the events of One Piece chapter 1124 unfold, the Straw Hat Pirates are currently en route to Elbaf Island with the Giants by their side. It is widely believed that this arc marks the final chapter of the series, setting the stage for the ultimate conclusion in the upcoming arcs. However, it would be illogical for Imu and Luffy to come face-to-face, given their vastly different backgrounds.

As the leader of the World Government, Imu is responsible for overseeing global affairs and monitoring the impact of pirate activities on the world. They hold authority over all political matters, solidifying their reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and strategic leaders of the Grand Line.

Monkey D Luffy as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite his grand aspirations of becoming the Pirate King, Luffy has no interest in politics and remains completely ignorant of Imu’s existence. He is a simple-minded individual who is solely focused on achieving his dream. While some may view his motivation as shallow, it is understandable given Luffy’s lack of knowledge about Imu.

After the Impel Down arc, Luffy became aware of Blackbeard’s existence, and following the Marineford arc, Akainu revealed himself as a potential threat to Luffy. This could suggest that Imu may simply remain a distant figure, causing obstacles for the Straw Hat Pirates but never directly confronting them in their journey towards the Grand Treasure.

Who will be Imu’s last challenger?

Monkey D Dragon as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

If Imu is not the ultimate adversary of the Straw Hat Pirates, there is bound to be another individual who will bring an end to Imu’s tyranny. This is most likely to be Luffy’s father, Monkey D Dragon, the commander of the Revolutionary Army.

Dragon, a former Marine, personally experienced the corruption within the Marine Corps. In response, he formed a group of rebels determined to overthrow the leader of the World Government. As the story progresses, Dragon’s plot to overthrow Imu and dismantle the Marine Corps is steadily advancing, with many of the necessary steps towards the downfall of the World Government already accomplished.

While Luffy’s pursuit of the One Piece would remain unchanged, Dragon could support him from afar by diverting Imu’s and the Marine Corps’ attention. As a result, it is possible that Luffy will not encounter his father during the decisive showdown on Elbaf Island.