One Piece is currently in the Elbaf arc, where creator Oda focuses on a series of intense battles and prepares for the grand conclusion of the storyline. This segment has the potential to culminate in a major conflict. To achieve this goal, Oda is ensuring that Luffy’s crew—the Straw Hat Pirates—are fully prepared for the upcoming showdown. At this moment, some of the most powerful members of the Holy Knights are directly engaged in battle with the Pirate Warriors in Elbaf. Notably, the Holy Knights have recently drawn considerable attention, particularly Gunko.
Who is Gunko?
The first appearance of the character Gunko is in the Elbaf arc, right when the Pirate Warriors begin their festivities with the giants. In the grand hall of Aurust, shadows of two figures emerge. Later, we learn that they are Shamrock Figarland, Shanks’ twin brother, and Gunko, a mysterious female member of the Holy Knights.
Oda continues to emphasize Gunko’s formidable strength, illustrating that she is exceptionally powerful, to the point where Shamrock believes she will defeat Loki even when he is not hindered.
Recently, in Chapter 1146 of the One Piece manga, the protagonist has witnessed Gunko attacking the Pirate Warriors and successfully capturing Collun. More than that, the protagonist has glimpsed Gunko’s overwhelming strength, with the most shocking aspect being her apparent regenerative abilities.
In One Piece, the Holy Knights hold a higher rank than the Celestial Dragons, both in terms of strength and authority. The strange situation is that an ordinary person can become a Celestial Dragon, such as in the case of York, while at the same time, those of high status can become members of the Holy Knights, like Loki, a fact he clearly refuses.
All these factors suggest that Gunko may not necessarily be a born Celestial Dragon, a point made evident by the fact that she has no close ties to them. Many details suggest that Gunko stands out in various ways, even more so than any other member of the Holy Knights that the protagonist has encountered in Elbaf.
Gunko’s Connection to Imu
There are many intriguing details about Gunko’s character, with the most noticeable being her unique design. Gunko has quite a distinct appearance, almost as if she possesses two different faces.
Secondly, the protagonist must consider Gunko’s powers. She wields the formidable abilities of the Aro Aro no Mi, which is precisely the power that Imu used to kill Cobra and injure Sabo. It is clear that Gunko is a user of this dangerous fruit, although it raises questions about the extent of Imu’s potential to utilize her powers.
Gunko is the only character seen so far exhibiting Abyss traits, a power previously only demonstrated by the Cosmic Dragon. This not only highlights her unique connection to the highest levels of the World Government but also hints at her powerful abilities.
Finally, the mysteries surrounding Gunko have been partially unraveled in Chapter 1149. When Gunko first encounters Brook and prepares to escape him, a shocking event occurs: Imu-sama directly manipulates Gunko’s body.
This revelation not only confirms the deep connection between Gunko and Imu but also opens up interpretations regarding the nature of Gunko’s powers. When under Imu’s control, Gunko’s visage appears within mysterious orbs, suggesting ties to other characters related to Imu or significant powers.
It is also possible that Gunko’s regenerative abilities are similar to those of the Cosmic Dragon, but she is believed to possess this strength granted by Imu. This indicates that Imu may be able to grant or control such abilities through her subjects.
The fact that Imu directly controls Gunko is not only a clear indication of her capacity to manipulate the abilities of those with specific bloodlines or connections through Abyss but also highlights Imu’s current manifestation in Elbaf. Although Imu may not openly display her full strength, she is clearly a formidable presence that the Pirate Warriors must contend with.
According to Gamerant
