MYSTERY BEHIND THE FIVE ELDERS IMMORTALITY!

Oda has revealed the mystery behind the immortality of the Elders and the Holy Knights, along with a new power that has captured the imagination of One Piece fans. In the Final Saga of One Piece, Oda has introduced new abilities that have left fans both excited and curious. The Egghead arc was just the beginning, as Oda finally allowed the Five Elders to take action. Now, during the Elbaf arc, the Holy Knights have made a bold move with their ambition to conquer the Warland. This development has left fans thrilled, especially as they ponder the immortality of the Holy Knights.

Previously in the Egghead arc, Oda gave fans a glimpse of this immortality ability, hinting that it would play a significant role in the storyline as it progresses. It's clear that this power is linked to Imu, and through various subtle hints sprinkled throughout the story, we can begin to understand how the Holy Knights and the Five Elders acquired their immortality.

Throughout the narrative, it becomes apparent that Imu, the Five Elders, and the Holy Knights are all immortal, but in different ways. Many fans might think that Imu extended their immortality to the Elders and the Holy Knights, but that's not entirely true. Imu's immortality stems from the Perennial Youth Surgery of the Ope Ope no Mi, a possibility hinted at by Ivankov. This surgery granted Imu immortality long ago, likely during the mysterious Void Century, allowing them to maintain power for centuries while skillfully manipulating events from the shadows.

In contrast, the immortality of the Holy Knights and the Five Elders is distinct. Their immortality is directly connected to Imu, but it differs from Imu's own power. A fundamental difference is that Imu can grant and revoke the immortality of the Elders and the Holy Knights, whereas no one can do the same to Imu.

Naturally, fans are curious about how Imu can manipulate life so effortlessly. Imu has the ability to bestow eternal life upon someone, but they can also take it away in an instant, as demonstrated at the end of the Egghead arc. This dynamic adds an intriguing layer to the story, leaving fans eager to uncover more about Imu's powers.

The answer to the immortality of the Holy Knights and the Five Elders lies in Imu’s abilities. Although fans don't yet know the full extent of Imu's powers, Oda has dropped numerous hints along the way. Imu's powers were briefly showcased during the Reverie flashback, where two significant things were highlighted. First, Sabo compared Imu's location to Hell, and second, Imu was able to consume the fire that Sabo threw.

On their own, these clues might not seem substantial, but when combined with the idea that Imu can give or take souls and possesses a Zoan-type ability, the answer becomes clearer. Imu is thought to have the power of the Leviathan. This Devil Fruit power, known as the Leviathan Devil Fruit, is key to understanding Imu's abilities.

Imu's Leviathan Devil Fruit likely grants them the power to consume all, even fire, through its enormous mouth, which is referred to as the Gateway to Hell by Sabo and others. Moreover, the Abyss is a significant concept tied to this power. In religious texts, the Abyss is where the souls of sinners are sent, and this is where Imu's death pact comes into play. By sacrificing their souls to Imu, the Leviathan, the Five Elders and the Holy Knights achieve immortality and receive a special mark that allows them to pass through the Abyss.

These revelations have left fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming chapters. One Piece chapter 1148 is set to be released in just two weeks, on May 11, 2025. As usual, the new chapter will drop on Sunday in Japan, specifically at 12 AM JST on Monday. International fans can look forward to reading it on May 11th, when it becomes available on Manga Plus. This chapter promises to offer more insights into Imu's powers and the mysteries that lie ahead in the One Piece universe. Fans everywhere are excited to see how the story unfolds and what other surprises Oda has in store.