One Piece: Oda Hints a Stronger Weapon Than Mihawk’s Sword in the Final Saga

The Final Saga keeps getting bigger with every new chapter. After finally bringing Luffy and Imu face-to-face in One Piece Chapter 1187, Eiichiro Oda now seems ready to reveal another major surprise. This time, it isn’t just about a new Gear 5 form or another powerful attack. It may also introduce a weapon unlike anything fans have seen before.

The early preview spoilers for One Piece Chapter 1188 mention a mysterious sword called Void, a weapon Imu reportedly uses during the battle against Luffy. For years, Mihawk’s Yoru has been treated as the greatest sword in One Piece. But if these early spoilers are accurate, Oda could be teasing a weapon that is even more dangerous, making it one of the biggest reveals of the Final Saga.

Imu’s “Void” Could Be Stronger Than Mihawk’s Yoru

For a long time, Mihawk has been the standard for swordsmanship in One Piece. As the World’s Strongest Swordsman, he wields Yoru, one of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades and one of the few known black blades in the series. Fans have seen him slice giant icebergs with ease and overwhelm powerful opponents without even trying.

That is why the early spoilers for Chapter 1188 have caught so much attention. According to the brief leaks shared by @pewpiece, Imu reportedly turns their spear into a sword called Void before stabbing Luffy. The scene is said to mirror the famous moment when Crocodile defeated Luffy during the Alabasta Saga, showing just how dangerous Imu truly is.

What makes Void especially interesting is that it doesn’t seem like an ordinary sword. Unlike Yoru, which became legendary through Mihawk’s incredible skill, Void appears to be connected directly to Imu’s mysterious powers.

Chapter 1187 of One Piece already showed Imu using terrifying abilities like Blade of Hatred Stigma along with strange black flames. Now, the introduction of Void suggests that Imu’s powers go far beyond normal swordsmanship.

Its name also raises plenty of questions. Calling the weapon “Void” feels like a clear reference to the Void Century, one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece. Oda rarely gives important names without a reason, so there is a good chance this weapon is connected to the hidden history of the world.

This doesn’t automatically mean Void is stronger than Mihawk’s Yoru. Yoru is still one of the greatest blades ever introduced. However, Void could have abilities that no normal sword possesses, making it one of the most dangerous weapons fans have ever seen.

What to Expect from One Piece Chapter 1188

Imu vs Luffy in One Piece Chapter 1187. | Credit: Shueisha

Chapter 1187 already made it clear that Imu is on a completely different level. Even though Loki fought with everything he had, he couldn’t stop Imu’s overwhelming power. Just when things looked hopeless, Luffy stepped in and finally came face-to-face with the mysterious ruler of the world.

One of the chapter’s biggest moments came when Imu called Luffy “Joy Boy.” Instead of accepting the name, Luffy proudly replied that he is Monkey D. Luffy and the man who will become the King of the Pirates. That moment perfectly showed who Luffy is. He doesn’t want to live in the shadow of a legendary figure. He wants to achieve his dream as himself.

The early preview spoilers for One Piece Chapter 1188 suggest that Oda continues this idea. Luffy reportedly uses another creative Gear 5 transformation by turning himself into a giant genie, once again showing how limitless his awakened Nika powers can be. At the same time, the chapter reportedly shows one of Imu’s memories, where Joy Boy appears with a smile that looks very similar to Luffy’s. It hints that while Luffy isn’t literally Joy Boy, the two share the same spirit.

The chapter’s ending may be the biggest moment of all. According to the spoilers, Imu stabs Luffy with the sword Void before saying that they know he is not Joy Boy because “Joy Boy would never be this weak.” If that line is accurate, it suggests that Imu personally knew Joy Boy during the Void Century and still remembers how powerful he was. It also shows that, in Imu’s eyes, Luffy hasn’t reached that level yet.

That creates an interesting challenge for the rest of the Final Saga. Luffy has already become one of the strongest pirates in history, but Oda may be showing that his greatest test is still ahead of him. To defeat Imu, he may first have to surpass the legendary warrior who came before him.

Now the big question: What do you think about Imu’s mysterious sword, Void? Could it be an even greater weapon than Mihawk’s legendary Yoru, or will the World’s Strongest Swordsman’s blade remain the greatest sword in One Piece? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

One Piece manga is currently available to read on Manga Plus by Shueisha.