The Strongest Duo in One Piece's Elbaph Arc

The Elbaph Arc Reaches Its Climax

Eiichiro Oda's One Piece has entered the climax of the Elbaph Arc, with the latest chapter, 1182, released on May 10, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #24. This chapter marks the official start of the fight to save Elbaph and brings a wealth of new information about the overarching lore of the series. The Elbaph arc has been particularly rich in revealing details about characters from the Void Century, especially those tied to the era of Nerona Imu. One of the most significant revelations in this arc is the confirmation that Joy Boy and Nerona Imu were not enemies but actually friends during the Void Century.

This revelation comes as a surprise to many fans who previously assumed that Joy Boy and Imu were on opposite sides. However, the climax of the arc confirms that the two were once allies, and their combined strength was unparalleled. This discovery has reshaped the understanding of both characters and their roles in the history of the world.

Chapter 1181: A New Revelation

Chapter 1181, released on April 27, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #22-23, focused on the battle between Nerona Imu and Loki. In this chapter, Eiichiro Oda gave fans a second glimpse of Joy Boy from the Void Century, officially confirming his friendly bond with Imu. This revelation was shocking because it contradicted previous assumptions that the two were always enemies.

The depth of their relationship is still unclear, but the panel illustrated by Oda in Chapter 1181 suggests that they were indeed friends. This revelation changed the perception of Imu, adding a new layer of complexity to his character. Fans were taken aback by the idea that Imu and Joy Boy were once allies, and this new information has opened up exciting possibilities for future storylines.

Most importantly, this reveal confirmed that Joy Boy and Nerona Imu would have made the strongest duo in the entire history of One Piece. Their combined power was so overwhelming that no one could come close to matching them.

Why Joy Boy and Imu Were the Strongest Duo

The reason why Joy Boy and Nerona Imu are considered the strongest duo in One Piece is clear when looking at their individual powers. Joy Boy possesses the strongest Haki ever seen in the series, as revealed in Chapter 1122 of the Egghead arc. His Haki surpassed even that of Shanks, one of the Yonko. Joy Boy also had access to Gear 5 and the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, which allowed him to bend reality and possess a rubbery body like Luffy.

Nerona Imu, on the other hand, has immense power through his manipulation of Maki, which allows him to defeat powerful fighters like Zoro and Sanji in a single hit. He also has strong Conqueror's Haki and the abilities of the Akuma no Mi, which grants him dominion over others. Given that Imu was an equal match for Joy Boy around 900 years ago and won the War of the Void Century, it’s safe to say that together, they were the most powerful duo in the series.

The Split Between Joy Boy and Imu

While it has now been confirmed that Joy Boy and Imu were once friends, the exact reason for their split remains a mystery. In Chapter 1181, Imu stated that domination is the only true bliss in the world, reflecting his belief that humanity can only achieve its purpose under the rule of a select few. This ideology directly opposes Joy Boy’s belief in freedom and liberation, leading to their inevitable conflict.

Joy Boy, as the Sun God Nika, believed in a world where all races could come together freely, while Imu envisioned a world ruled by a chosen class of individuals in the Holy Land of Marijoa. This ideological clash likely led to their split and the subsequent War of the Void Century, which ended with Joy Boy’s death and Imu becoming the King of the World.

What Lies Ahead?

As One Piece approaches the beginning of the Great War, the relationship between Joy Boy and Imu will be explored further. Eiichiro Oda has hinted that more secrets about their bond and the strength of their duo will be revealed. These mysteries will likely be uncovered when Luffy finds the One Piece and the true history of the world is revealed.

For now, fans will have to wait patiently for more revelations. All the new One Piece manga chapters can be found in English via Manga Plus and Viz Media.