Imu sits at the very top of the World Government. No one outranks them. They belong to the Nerona family, one of the original twenty kingdoms that erased the Ancient Kingdom from history. That lost kingdom was far ahead of its time. Its technology scared the rulers of the world. Imu led the effort to destroy it and then created the World Government as we know it today.
But ruling the world alone was never possible. Imu needed powerful followers. Loyal servants who would never betray them. That is where Covenants come in.
What are Covenants in One Piece
Covenants are special contracts made directly with Imu. Only people who show absolute loyalty are chosen. Once marked, they are bound to Imu forever. These contracts grant terrifying power. But they also demand a heavy price.
There are four types of Covenants. Shallows. Depths. Abyssal. Demon.
The Demon Covenant is the most disturbing. It is forced using a technique called Domi Reversi. The victim has no choice. They are turned into a demon on the spot. Their mind is erased. Their loyalty is absolute. In return, they gain immense strength and immortality. Imu used this on Dorry and Brogy in Elbaf. It was also used on Rocks D. Xebec during the God Valley incident.
The other three Covenants are more controlled. The Shallows Covenant is given to devoted fighters of the World Government. It prevents disobedience when close to Imu. The Depths Covenant is given to Holy Knights. It grants new powers and removes free will completely, no matter the distance. The Abyssal Covenant is the highest form. It grants monstrous strength, regeneration, immortality, and stops aging altogether. Only a few are chosen for it. The Five Elders are believed to possess this level.
Why Covenants make characters insanely strong
Covenants are shortcuts to power. They push people far beyond normal limits. Rocks D. Xebec is the best example. After becoming a demon, his strength exploded. Even Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp together could not break his defense. His Conqueror’s Haki became overwhelming. They were forced to combine all their Haki into one desperate attack just to stop him.
That attack worked. Xebec reverted back to human form. This proved something important. Demon Covenants can be broken. But the effort required is massive.
Depths and Abyssal Covenants are even more dangerous. The user keeps their mind. They can think. Plan. Adapt. Fans saw this during the Egghead arc. The Five Elders nearly wiped out the island. Only Joyboy’s Haki stopped them.
More Covenant users appeared in Elbaf. Characters like Shepherd Sommers and Gunko showed absurd power. This explains why they feel untouchable.
Why Covenants are Imu’s hidden weakness
Covenants do not come for free. Imu revealed something critical after Harald’s death. Every time a Covenant is created, Imu pays a price. Their own power weakens. They cannot fight at full strength afterward.
This changes everything. If Demon Covenants also drain Imu, then defeating demonized warriors like Dorry and Brogy could leave Imu vulnerable.
Scopper Gaban confirmed another key detail. Conqueror’s Haki can shut down regeneration. It can end immortality. In Elbaf, the Giants have four Conqueror’s Haki users fighting for them. Luffy. Gaban. Zoro. Loki.
Zoro still struggles with control. But growth is coming. Oda will not let the Straw Hats retreat again. With enough Conqueror’s Haki on the battlefield, even Imu’s greatest weapons may fail.
Covenants gave Imu control of the world. But they may also be the very thing that leads to their downfall.