One Piece's new official power reveal in Elbaph sets up Zoro's next upgrade

In chapter 1180 of One Piece's Elbaph Arc, which was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 21 on April 20, 2026, Eiichiro Oda expanded the many powers that exist in the world of One Piece very. This chapter marked the descent of the king of the world, Nerona Imu, who is also the ultimate villain of the story, into Elbaph. Aiming to eliminate the threat of Nika and Nidhoggr once and for all, Imu set foot on the world below for the first time in hundreds of years. Of course, when he did, Nerona Imu also showed off quite a few of her abilities.

Nerona Imu has the power of Akuma no Mi, or The Devil's Fruit, which is one of the most exciting abilities found in the world of One Piece. Using this power gives him access to a plethora of abilities, but the one that stands out the most is Omen, also known as Maki. This Omen is a very special power that could hold the key to Roronoa Zoro getting his next upgrade in the story, that is a Black Blade or a Kokuto.

Nerona Imu's Omen Power could hold the key to the blackening of swords in one piece

Black Blades are known to be very special in the world of One Piece. So far, only two black blades have appeared in the story, and both are incredibly special. The first black blade that Eiichiro Oda showed off in the story was the Yoru, which is one of the 12 supreme swords wielded by none other than Dracule Mihawk, the world's strongest swordsman. This sword officially debuted in Chapter 49 of One Piece and has since been an integral part of sword lore in the world.

Omen is my military might! — Nerona Imu, One Piece Chapter 1181

Then, in One Piece Chapter 448, Eiichiro Oda revealed yet another sword, a black blade named Shusui, which was the lost treasure of Wano Country. This sword was used by the corpse of the zombie Ryuma and was eventually given to Roronoa Zoro. Zoro took this sword back to Wano Country and received Enma as a true replacement for this blade. Apart from these two swords, there have been no other black blades in the world of One Piece. Now, years later, in the Elbaph arc, Eiichiro Oda has revealed a special power that may very well be the key to Zoro blackening his swords in the Final Saga, and that is Nerona Imus' Omen.

Why Omen is required to form a Kokuto

Imu used the power of the Omen in battle against Zoro, Sanji, Hajarudin, and Loki over One Piece chapters 1180 and 1181. According to the King of the World, the Omen is his military power, and this is a power that resides in all living beings. Yet not everyone can bring forth this power. For some reason, by harnessing the power of the Akuma no Mi, it becomes possible to manipulate the Omen. Given that it is Imu's military power, the Omen can also be bestowed upon others. For example, when an individual like Rocks was Domi Reversed, it is highly likely that he was greatly enhanced in terms of power, with the same omen. Likewise, when Harald was granted the power of the Deep Sea League, he also received the power of the Omen in a different shape and form. Imu can also directly manifest an omen and give it to someone, as seen in chapter 1180 where he gave an omen to both Sommers and Killingham.

Those powered with the Omen gain a unique dark energy. To understand the power that the Omen brings, one must look at the etymology of the word. Omen is known as Maki in Japanese, and it is very similar to Haki, both in the way it is pronounced and the concept behind the energy. Haki simply refers to spiritual energy in One Piece. Meanwhile, Maki refers to demonic energy. Both these forces reside in all living beings. The only difference is that demonic energy can only be brought out when yielding to the devil or making a deal with the devil, and spiritual energy is awakened through a different training method.

Image created by author Rei Penber using official One Piece assets from Manga Plus and Toei Animation.

Curiously, every weapon that Nerona Imu has produced using the power of the Omen is colored completely black. Even Dorry and Brogy, when Domi Reversed, had black blades at their disposal, showcasing the demonic power of Maki infused into the blade. It is this very demonic energy that may well be the key to receiving a black blade in One Piece. By killing someone bathed in demonic energy, or by learning to infuse demonic energy themselves, one can potentially gain access to a permanent black blade. That's why Zoro's upcoming fight against St. Sommers in Elbaph and, later in the line, the five elders or other allies of Imu are crucial.

How Mihawk and Ryuma took on Black Blade Yoru and Shusui respectively

Image by Toei Animation

If Omen or Maki are required to forge a black blade, it raises the question of how Ryuma and Mihawk got their black blades. There are many powerful swordsmen in the world One Piecelike Rocks, Roger and even Shanks, but none of them had a black blade. Yet, somehow, individuals like Mihawk, who could probably be even weaker, have this sword.

The key lies in how the blade was forged. In Chapter 937 of One Pieceit was officially stated by Onimaru that Ryuma forged his black blade through the countless battles he participated in. On the other hand, there is no indication of how Mihawk got his black blade, but One Piece chapter 1181 strongly indicates a connection between Nerona Imu and Dracule Mihawk. It is very likely that before going his own way and breaking Nerona's bond with Imu, Mihawk killed someone bathed in the same power of Omen, which permanently forged his black blade.

The story of the dragon that Ryuma slayed over the Flower Capital is just one of Ryuma's many legends as a swordsman. Since his death, Shusui has been a national treasure! —Gyukimaru, One Piece Chapter 937

Similarly, centuries ago Ryuma is said to have slain a giant dragon across the land of Wano. If this dragon was somehow bathed in the power of the Omen, then that would explain how Ryuma's Shusui became a black blade and gained immense durability. Following the same train of logic, Roronoa Zoro would have to kill someone bathed in the Omen's power or learn to control the Omen himself through abilities like Kiki Kyutoryu: Asura to turn his swords black. Sooner or later, Zoro will upgrade his blades, and when he does, he will be one step closer to dethroning Dracule Mihawk as the strongest swordsman in the entire world.

The latest One Piece chapters are all available to read on Manga Plus.