- Oda’s storytelling often features betrayal within groups of five, hinting that a similar twist could unfold among the Five Elders.
- Saint Marcus Mars or Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, may harbor doubts about Imu’s rule and could be plotting in secret.
- The Five Elders’ mysterious connection to Imu and the Void Century raises the possibility
The World Government’s highest echelons have always been shrouded in mystery, but recent developments in the One Piece manga have revealed disturbing truths about the relationship between Imu and the Five Elders.
While many fans focus on external threats to the shadowy ruler of the world, a far more sinister possibility lurks within the very heart of the World Government itself. What if one of Imu’s most trusted lieutenants is secretly orchestrating their downfall?
The Pattern of Betrayal in One Piece
Eiichiro Oda has consistently used betrayal as a narrative device throughout One Piece, particularly when it involves groups of five members. The pattern is unmistakable: Corazon betrayed the Donquixote Pirates despite being one of Doflamingo’s top officers, Sanji was branded a traitor by Germa 66, and even Robin betrayed Baroque Works. This recurring theme isn’t coincidental—it’s Oda setting up the greatest betrayal yet to come.
The Egghead Arc has already been defined by betrayal, with Stussy revealing her true allegiance to Vegapunk and York’s shocking betrayal from within. The arc’s thematic focus on treachery strongly suggests that the Five Elders, as another group of five, will follow this established pattern.
The Suspicious Behavior of Saint Marcus Mars
Among the Five Elders, Saint Marcus Mars stands out as the most likely candidate for betrayal. Unlike his colleagues, Mars has consistently displayed traits that set him apart from the typical World Government ruthlessness.
During the Ohara incident, he was the only Elder who showed visible remorse when Professor Clover was executed and the island was destroyed. This moment of humanity is particularly significant because destroying Ohara served the World Government’s interests perfectly—yet Mars felt conflicted about it.
Mars’s behavior mirrors that of Gan Fall from the Skypiea arc, who similarly questioned his own actions. Oda deliberately drew visual parallels between these two characters, suggesting that Mars harbors similar doubts about the World Government’s brutal methods.
His inspiration may come from Itagaki Taisuke, a Japanese politician who founded the first political party in Japan and introduced democratic ideals—a stark contrast to the authoritarian World Government.
The Vegapunk Connection: A Blueprint for Rebellion
The relationship between Vegapunk and his satellites provides a chilling parallel to Imu and the Five Elders. Just as Vegapunk created six aspects of himself that shared his consciousness, the Five Elders appear to be connected to Imu on a fundamental level. They can communicate telepathically across vast distances and share similar regenerative abilities.
However, York’s betrayal of Vegapunk demonstrates that even creations bound by their maker’s will can turn against them. York actively worked against Vegapunk despite being part of his consciousness network, proving that rebellion is possible even in the most controlled circumstances.
If the Five Elders are indeed Imu’s “satellites,” then one of them could similarly break free from this control.
The Dark Truth Behind Imu’s Power
Recent revelations suggest that Imu’s control over the Five Elders isn’t voluntary—it’s the result of demonic contracts that bind them to servitude.
According to emerging theories, Imu uses dark magic through a mystical grimoire to force individuals into these contracts, granting them immortality and yokai powers in exchange for absolute loyalty. This means the Five Elders might not be willing servants but enslaved beings forced into submission.
Saturn’s death at Imu’s hands proves that these contracts can be revoked at will. Imu killed Saturn not through combat but through their mysterious powers, demonstrating the level of control they maintain over their “servants”.
This raises a terrifying question: if the Five Elders are bound against their will, wouldn’t one of them eventually seek revenge?
The Ancient Connection: A 800-Year Grudge
The Five Elders’ connection to the Void Century adds another layer to this theory. If they are indeed immortals from that era, they may have witnessed Imu’s rise to power firsthand. Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro’s possible connection to Wano suggests that at least one Elder may have betrayed their original allegiance to join the founding families. But what if this betrayal was forced rather than chosen?
The theory becomes even more compelling when considering Imu’s apparent fear of Joyboy’s Conqueror’s Haki. When Emet unleashed this power on Egghead, Imu was seen trembling and screaming in terror.
This reaction suggests that Joyboy’s power may be the key to breaking Imu’s control over the Five Elders. If one of them retained memories of their original allegiance, they might be working to recreate this liberation.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter: The Most Likely Traitor
While Mars shows emotional conflict, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter emerges as the most strategically positioned traitor. Unlike the other Elders who possess clear yokai powers, Ju Peter’s abilities seem different, and he lacks the distinctive “X” mark that appears on the other Elders’ heads. His behavior during the Egghead incident was notably passive compared to his colleagues.
Most tellingly, Ju Peter went out of his way to save Cipher Pol agents using his suction powers—an act of mercy that seems out of character for the typically ruthless Elders.
This behavior suggests he may be working to minimize casualties while maintaining his cover. If he’s been planning rebellion for centuries, such subtle acts of defiance would be necessary to avoid detection.
The Horcrux Theory: Imu’s Weakness Revealed
A fascinating theory suggests that the Five Elders function as Horcruxes for Imu, containing pieces of their soul or power. This would explain their shared abilities and telepathic connection. However, just as Horcruxes can be destroyed to weaken their creator, the Five Elders might represent Imu’s greatest vulnerability.
If one Elder breaks free from Imu’s control, they could potentially destroy the others from within, severely weakening or even killing Imu in the process. This would explain why Imu maintains such tight control over them and why Saturn’s failure resulted in immediate execution. The risk of internal rebellion is too great to ignore.
The Revolutionary Connection
The Revolutionary Army’s knowledge of Imu suggests they may have an inside source within the World Government.
Dragon’s organization has consistently stayed one step ahead of the World Government’s moves, implying access to high-level intelligence. A secret alliance between a rebelling Elder and the Revolutionary Army would explain this information advantage.
Emporio Ivankov’s specific knowledge about Imu’s immortality and the Nerona family suggests the Revolutionaries have detailed intelligence about the World Government’s inner workings. This information could only come from someone with direct access to the highest levels of power.
The Endgame: A Palace Coup
The stage is set for the ultimate betrayal in One Piece. With Luffy’s crew growing stronger and the Revolutionary Army mobilizing, external pressure on the World Government is mounting. But the real death blow may come from within, as one of Imu’s most trusted servants turns against their master.
This internal rebellion would serve multiple narrative purposes: it would provide a satisfying conclusion to Oda’s pattern of betrayals, create a weakness that Luffy can exploit, and demonstrate that even the most absolute power cannot completely control the human spirit.
The betrayer wouldn’t necessarily become an ally to the Straw Hats—they might simply seek to claim Imu’s power for themselves, creating a new threat for the final arc.
The question isn’t whether one of the Five Elders will betray Imu—it’s which one will strike first, and whether they’ll succeed in toppling the most powerful being in the One Piece world. Given Oda’s masterful storytelling and his love for shocking twists, this betrayal might be closer than anyone realizes.
