One Piece Vol. 115 Introduces a New Member of the Nerona Imu Clan - Inside the Record-Breaking Release

Note: This article analyzes leaked content and fan theories ahead of Volume 115's official release. Details are subject to change.

July 3, 2026 will go down in One Piece history as the day Eiichiro Oda broke tradition, his own record, and decades of lore all at once. Volume 115, titled "せかいで1ばんつよいもの" ("The Strongest Thing in the World"), arrived as the longest volume in the series' 28-year run, a whopping 13 chapters packed into a single book. Oda himself issued a handwritten apology for the price increase of 20 yen (to 594 yen), a rare gesture that immediately signaled this wasn't just another collection. But the real bombshell came hidden in the volume's SBS section (the fan Q&A corner where Oda answers reader questions and occasionally drops major lore hints): the apparent introduction of a previously unknown member of the Nerona Imu clan, the secret ruling family behind the World Government.

For fans tracking the Final Saga's endgame, Volume 115 is a masterclass in brass-tacks storytelling. It doesn't just expand the shadowy clan behind the Empty Throne; it settles long-running debates about Imu's official colors, reveals the true nature of the Elbaf Arc's climax, and directly sets up Saint Nerona Imu vs. Monkey D. Luffy as the series' ultimate showdown. Let's break down why this volume is essential reading for anyone trying to understand where the story is heading.

The Longest Volume Ever, Why Oda Apologized for 20 Yen

At 13 chapters (1167, 1179), Volume 115 surpasses every previous One Piece volume in chapter count. Oda's apology, published on the official One Piece website and shared widely on social media, read like a sheepish confession: he simply had too much story to tell to stop at the usual 10 or 11 chapters. The price bump to 594 yen (roughly $3.90 USD) was a necessary evil, and Oda asked fans to understand.

The volume covers the explosive climax of the Elbaf Arc. King Harald's past, Loki's true backstory, the Holy Knights' invasion, and the long-awaited reunion of Dorry, Broggy, and Silvers Rayleigh's old crewmate Scopper Gaban all unfold across these pages. The extra chapters allowed Oda to cram in more lore than any single volume before, making this a pivotal lore-dump entry for the Final Saga.

But even with all that action, the most talked-about revelation isn't on the battlefields of Elbaf. It's in the back pages.

A New Official Member of the Nerona Imu Clan

According to multiple fan accounts and social media discussions, Volume 115's SBS section introduces a new official member of the Nerona family, the secret ruling clan that has kept its existence hidden for over 800 years. The identity of this character remains a hot topic among theorists, but the strongest evidence points toward either Gunko (whose Imu-possession on the cover suggests direct blood ties) or a wholly new figure revealed through Oda's question-and-answer corner.

If Gunko is indeed a Nerona clan member, it would dramatically expand our understanding of Imu's power structure. Gunko has been seen acting as Imu's vessel or agent, but being an actual blood relative would place her in a unique position, close enough to the Empty Throne to wield authority, yet subordinate to Imu's absolute will. Alternatively, if Oda introduces a sibling or ancestor of Imu in the SBS, it opens the door to a larger family network that could include future antagonists tied to the Void Century.

This expansion is critical for the Final Saga. Until now, Imu has been portrayed as a solitary, godlike figure. The revelation of a clan suggests a power structure that extends far beyond one person. In Chapter 907, when Imu first appeared, the Gorosei knelt and addressed "Imu-sama." But the 20 founding families of the World Government included only one from the Nerona line, the family that stayed in Mary Geoise. A clan implies generations of secret rulers, possibly including schemers who have manipulated world events for centuries.

Settling Imu's Official Design, Cover Art and Promotional PV

For years, fans debated Imu's color scheme. The character's silhouette in the manga left room for interpretation, but Volume 115's cover art ended those arguments decisively. The cover features Gunko as possessed by Imu, with distinct reddish skin, a hue that matches the character's debut in Chapter 907 (where Imu appeared with a dark, shadowy outline that many assumed was black). The cover also includes Loki, Ragnir, and Luffy in Gear Five gripping a lightning bolt, visually linking Imu to the Elbaf Arc's climax.

The promotional PV for Volume 115, released in late June 2026, confirmed a second key detail: Imu has yellow eyes. This short animated clip provides the first official glimpse of the character's design in motion, giving fans a preview of what to expect when Imu finally debuts in the anime, likely around 2028, given the current pacing of roughly 26 episodes per year adapting about one chapter per episode.

These official confirmations are more than just cosmetic. For merchandise, fan art, and future anime production, having definitive colors matters. It also builds anticipation for Imu's anime appearance, which will be one of the most anticipated moments in One Piece history.

Setting Up the Final Showdown, Imu vs. Luffy

Volume 115 doesn't just look backward at clan lore; it sets the stage for what's coming. Chapter 1187, titled "Ringleader," which released shortly after the volume, explicitly teases Saint Nerona Imu vs. Monkey D. Luffy as the ultimate confrontation of the Final Saga. The chapter frames the conflict as a clash between the world's hidden ruler and the man who would be Pirate King.

But the groundwork was laid in this volume itself. Chapter 1179, included in Volume 115, revealed Imu's "Devil God" form, a terrifying transformation that establishes the character's true power. This form, combined with the knowledge that Imu has a clan behind them, raises the stakes immensely. Luffy isn't just fighting a single enemy; he's challenging an entire bloodline that has controlled the world for centuries.

Volume 115 thus serves as a narrative bridge. It introduces new clan lore while simultaneously accelerating the plot toward the final battle. For fans tracking the endgame, this volume is a must-read.

A Landmark Release That Changes Everything

One Piece Volume 115 is more than a record-breaking collectible. It's a lore-defining entry that expands the Nerona Imu clan, solidifies Imu's official appearance, and directly points the series toward its climactic conflict with Luffy. Whether you're catching up on the Elbaf Arc or analyzing every SBS detail for hints about the Void Century, this volume is essential reading.

The Final Saga is accelerating, and Volume 115 proves that Oda is leaving no stone unturned. Grab your copy, check the SBS, and prepare for the showdown that will define the end of One Piece.

Tags: One Piece, Volume 115, Nerona Imu, Elbaf Arc, Final Saga