One Piece Chapter 1189: KING OF THE WORLD

Luffy keeps taking a beating from Imu’s blades… And Usopp’s Observation Haki kicks in! He can sense Luffy is in great danger. I know a lot of people have been waiting for a moment like this so I’m really glad it’s here! After all, it’s been around 10 years real-time since Usopp’s Haki awakened for the first time. While it is really exciting to see, this is happening because Luffy is totally outmatched. Jinbe notes that Luffy’s haki feels weak right now. Hajrudin and his crew arrive on the scene, as he lands, he thinks of a conversation he had with Jarul, wherein the elder convinces him to fight alongside Loki.

Luffy is stabbed repeatedly, and sapped of his energy by Imu’s sword. Imu has an intimate knowledge of Luffy and his brothers, the impression has been given that Imu observed the Paramount War, and having met Sabo it makes sense for him to connect the dots there too. Imu has been keeping tabs on Luffy, alongside a few others. Imu clearly hates that Luffy carries the “D.” In his name.

We flash back to the aftermath of Loki possessing the power of Ragnir. Shanks attempts to elucidate the truth of the world’s hierarchy. Shanks makes it clear that a war against the World Government would be required to dethrone Imu, the one responsible for all the suffering. The only person to get close before was Rocks. Hajrudin and Loki decide together that their target is the King of the World.

Brook bargains with Ragnir to keep Shuri unfrozen, saying she’s like a daughter to him. It’s really sweet to see him say this in plain language, although it was clear in his actions in the past and present. Shuri really is family to him. Robin appears on the scene to request Chopper’s presence in the library… unclear what this means at the present time. Imu draws another blade, an axe which he apologises for, as it won’t be pleasant for Luffy to deal with.

Finally we cut back to Zoro as he fights Sommers, who in turn explains the situation with these mystical blades. The 19 swords placed around the Empty Throne by the families who founded the World Government, are actually powerful named blades. These blades are accessible by Imu as part of his power set, and through the use of Omen, Sommers and Killingham can access them too. On the final page, as Imu swings his axe toward Luffy’s already-impaled body, a figure blocks the attack with axes of his own. The left hand of the Pirate King himself, Scopper Gaban.

Those who have studied the Hero’s Journey will probably wince when a mentor character puts themselves in harm’s way, as it’s almost always the case that they will sacrifice themselves to progress the story. Now about those blades. A decent amount are named this chapter, and seem to be references to various mythological weapons and weaponsmiths. It must be noted that the Nefertari Family refused to join the World Government in those days, and thus 19 Weapons and 20 Families. However it does make me wonder if there is a legendary blade belonging to the Nefertari Family, and if so would it have powers? Or are those only granted by Imu?