One Piece: Imu and Lily’s Connection, Explained

One Piece chapter 1116 answered quite a lot of interesting questions that the fans had for many years, and at the same time, it also raised 10 others. This isn’t something that surprises the fans at all. Oda always answers a bunch of questions, but at the same time, the answers to the questions are such that they raise 10 other mysteries.

In One Piece chapter 1116, fans found out quite a bit about the past of the world, specifically related to the Ancient Weapons. Curiously, as this information was being revealed, it was also evident in One Piece 1116 that Imu was silently listening to all this. Fans do not know much about Imu at this point in time, and it is also unknown what they intend to do next. However, right now, whatever plans they have are somewhat linked to Vivi. At the same time, Imu also has interesting links to one of Vivi’s ancestors, Nefertari Lily, who was seen in this chapter once again.

Nefertari Lily And Her Death

Lily Died In An Unclear Accident

Nefertari Lily was first introduced in the Final Saga of One Piece, during the flashback of Sabo which happened in the Egghead Island arc. As Sabo narrated the events of the Reverie to Dragon and Ivankov, fans could see King Cobra take an audience in front of the Five Elders. As Cobra asked his questions, he knew that he would never escape the Throne Room alive. He then saw the face of someone that he wished he never did. This person was none other than Imu. As Imu appeared in front of him, they made a mention of a curious individual from the Nefertari Family. This person was none other than Nefertari D. Lily. According to the ancient texts, Nefertari Lily was one of the Founding 20.

She was part of the group that banded together to fight against Joy Boy and destroyed the Great Kingdom. However, fans also know that Lily was actually somehow allied with Joy Boy as well. In fact, it was clarified by Imu themselves that had it not been for Lily, the world right now would have been in their grasp entirely. Lily caused the Poneglyphs to scatter all over the world and because of that, the texts still exist today. It is also made clear that after this event happened, Nefertari Lily never actually made it back home. Her body never reached Arabasta, and her brother eventually took over from her. Before Lily’s death, Arabasta was a matriarchy. What exactly happened to Lily isn’t known, however, whatever took place on that day was directly linked to Saint Nerona Imu.

Imu’s Obsession With Lily

Imu Seems To Have A Big Obsession With Lily And Vivi

Upon the first mention of Lily, it was made quite clear that she despised Imu and the others. Lily was allied with Joy Boy and wanted to help preserve the history of the Great Kingdom which is engraved on the Poneglyphs. Because of that, she spread the stones all over the world. For this act, Imu has clearly hated Lily. To this day, they hold a massive grudge against her, and it is likely to be an eternal one. However, there seems to be a curious relationship between these two individuals. While Lily might not be particularly fond of Imu, Imu seems to have some sort of affection towards her. This is clear by the fact that Imu is obsessed with Vivi right now, who looks just like Lily.

When the world as we know it was created 800 years ago, one of the first founders was Saint Imu of House Nerona.

At the same time, in One Piece chapter 1116, it was clear that Imu had a giant portrait of Nefertari Lily in the Chamber of Flowers. If Imu actually despised Lily as much as they show they did, there would have been no need to get a giant picture of her framed in the most personal room which they always take residence. This implies that there must have been some sort of connection between them. Imu might have been in love with Lily, or, this could mean something even more sinister.

To clarify, many theories suggest that Imu and Lily were actually siblings. This doesn’t really make sense. The records in Alabasta clearly state the name and the titles of the Ancient King, who ended up being Lily’s brother because of her death. At the same time, there also exists a separate record of Saint Nerona Imu in the histories, as implied by Ivankov himself. As such, these two people cannot be the same since they have different records. The idea that they are siblings is clearly not true.

How Are Imu and Lily Linked

Imu and Lily Could Have An Unbelievable Link Through A Devil Fruit

When looking at the relationship that these two individuals share, fans have to simply look back at the powers that tie them together. When it comes to St Nerona Imu, one ability that has clearly been linked to him is the power of the Ope Ope no Mi. This was clearly implied by Ivankov, who mentioned that Imu could have gained the power of immortality using the Perennial Youth Surgery. At the same time, Doflamingo mentioned that there are two powers of this Devil Fruit that are coveted. One is the Perennial Youth Surgery, however, the other one is the Personality Swap, which Doflamingo likely wanted to use on Imu to gain access to their body.

It is believed there exists an ability to make someone immortal, which means someone exists that has proven it, right? Meaning, somewhere in this world someone who can’t die there!

Even though the second ability is so coveted, there is absolutely a reason for Imu to have utilized it. It is entirely possible that Imu, for some reason, craved Lily’s body and then swapped with her. As such, the person who Imu is currently, despite potentially being a male, could actually be Nefertari Lily herself. The reason why Imu would crave Vivi is possibly because of this connection between them. This would also explain why Imu would have a giant portrait of Lily in the Flower of Chambers. Essentially, it would have been a portrait of his own self, and while he would absolutely despise Lily for what she did, he would still be in control of her body.

Of course, all this is just conjecture at this point, however, Oda has clearly linked the Ope Ope no Mi to Imu and it will be interesting to see what role this Devil Fruit had to play in regards to both Imu and Lily. In the future of One Piece, fans will likely find out more about how Imu and Lily are linked. For now, fans certainly know for a fact that Imu has a love-hate relationship with Lily, and, at the same time, these two are somewhat linked through the Ope Ope no Mi, as implied by Oda himself.

Over the course of the next arcs, it is entirely possible that Oda will reveal the truth about Lily, Vivi, and Imu to the fans, and this is certainly going to make the story even more exciting.