The long wait for One Piece fans is finally over. One Piece Chapter 1187 has officially started the fight between Monkey D. Luffy and Saint Nerona Imu, the mysterious ruler of the World Government. This chapter marks a turning point in the series as the Final Saga moves into its biggest conflict yet.
After years of speculation and fan theories, author Eiichiro Oda has brought the series’ main hero and its ultimate villain together on the battlefield of Elbaf. The chapter picks up right after the dramatic ending of Chapter 1186, where Luffy landed his first punch on Imu. That moment shocked everyone because Imu had seemed untouchable for so long.
Now, Chapter 1187 pushes the story forward at full speed. The chapter is titled “The Root of the Problem,” and it delivers exactly what fans have been waiting for.
Luffy Rejects the Joy Boy Name and Stands Tall Against Imu
The chapter starts with Loki continuing his fight against Imu. The Prince of Elbaf puts up a strong fight, but Imu’s power is just too much. Imu shows off a terrifying ability called “Blade of Hatred Stigma” and uses black flames that seem unstoppable. Even though Loki gets badly hurt, he refuses to give up. He keeps fighting to protect his homeland.
Then Luffy arrives on the scene. He steps in to save Loki just as Imu is about to finish him off. The atmosphere changes completely when Luffy appears.
Imu looks at Luffy and calls him Joy Boy. But Luffy does not accept that name. Instead, he makes a bold statement. He declares that he is Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the King of the Pirates.
This is a huge moment for the character. Oda reminds readers that while others may see Luffy as Joy Boy’s successor, Luffy refuses to live under someone else’s identity. He wants to achieve his dream as himself, not as a replacement for a legendary figure from the past.
The chapter ends with Luffy standing directly in front of Imu. The final panel shows a bold graphic that reads: “ST. NERONA IMU VS MONKEY D. LUFFY”. This kind of detailed matchup introduction is rare in the series, which shows how important this fight really is.
Imu Shows New Powers That Change the Battle
Imu does not back down after getting hit. Instead, he fights back with full force. He releases a massive amount of demonic energy from both hands toward Luffy and Loki. This is a new attack that has never been seen before in the series.
There is a chilling moment where a strange talking flame appears on Loki’s chest. Imu then follows up with a massive demonic sword technique called Stigma (Demonic Sword). The attack hits the exact spot marked by the flame.
Imu’s powers go beyond normal Devil Fruit abilities. The series has already hinted that Imu might be immortal and has connections to the Void Century. These new attacks only add to the mystery of who Imu really is and what he can do.
Luffy dodges Imu’s shadowy blasts and gets ready for the coming battle. He throws off his coat and prepares to go all out. The fight between these two characters is no longer just a theory. It has finally begun.
Sanji Gets a Major Hint About Conqueror’s Haki
While Luffy faces Imu, other battles are happening across Elbaf. Zoro takes on Shepherd Sommers, and Sanji starts his fight against Killingham.
Sanji has a flashback where Scopper Gaban tells him something important. Gaban says that if Sanji truly wants to help Luffy become the Pirate King, he must first become a king himself.
This line caught fans’ attention right away. In One Piece, the idea of becoming a “king” has often been linked to those who have Conqueror’s Haki. Oda never directly says Sanji has this ability in Chapter 1187. But the timing of the flashback strongly suggests that Sanji might get this power-up soon.
Sanji has always struggled with his past. He rejected being the prince of the Germa Kingdom because of the cruel things his family did. His trauma has held him back from accepting his full potential. Now, Gaban’s words might push Sanji to finally overcome these feelings.
The chapter does not confirm that Sanji has awakened Conqueror’s Haki yet. But the dialogue strongly suggests that the possibility is being set up for the future. Fans will have to wait for Chapter 1188 to see if Sanji unlocks this rare ability.
Brook Gets a Chance to Save Shuri
While the main fight gets all the attention, other members of the Straw Hat crew are dealing with their own problems. Brook is still trying to save Shuri from Imu’s control.
Brook has known Shuri since she was a little girl. Her sudden turn against him never felt right to him. Then came the biggest sign that his faith was not misplaced. Even under Imu’s control, Shuri still subconsciously tried to protect him.
Now Brook may finally have a real chance to get her back. Nami, Usopp, Jinbe, and Franky are on his side. They are trying to find a way to get Shuri out of the ice and break Imu’s hold over her.
The fight against Imu caused Ragnir (Loki’s hammer) to lose focus on the ice block it created. This gave Brook the opening he needed. With Luffy and Loki fighting Imu on one side and half the Straw Hats trying to save Shuri on the other, One Piece has given readers plenty to worry about at once.
Zoro and Sanji Prepare to Finish Their Fights
The battles across Elbaf are setting up for major conclusions. Zoro is ready to take down Shepherd Sommers. Sanji is facing Killingham.
Zoro shows his confidence in Sanji during his fight. He mostly talks about how much he trusts his crewmate. This shows the deep respect between the two fighters, even though they argue and fight with each other all the time.
Sanji has more to deal with than just his opponent. Civilians are caught in flooding caused by the fighting. His code does not allow him to attack the summoned Rain God. But Sanji stays focused on what only he can do. He lets the parents save their children and deals with the flooding in his own way.
Sanji remembers what he told Usopp during the assault on Enies Lobby. He should focus on what only he can do. Right now, that means taking down Killingham.
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One Piece Chapter 1187 Release Information
One Piece Chapter 1187 was released on July 5, 2026, for most international readers. In Japan, the chapter arrived at 12 AM JST on July 6.
Fans can read the latest chapter for free through official platforms. These include Manga Plus by Shueisha and Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app. These are the best ways to read the series legally and support the creators.
The next chapter, One Piece Chapter 1188, is scheduled for release on July 12, 2026. Fans are already filling social media with theories about what will happen next.
The final battle between Luffy and Imu has officially started. The road to becoming the King of the Pirates is getting closer as one of the greatest battles in the series is now underway.
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