After over two decades of anticipation, JoyBoy has finally made his first official appearance in the One Piece manga — though it’s little more than a vague silhouette.

While his full appearance is a mystery, Vegapunk’s broadcast confirmed that, like Luffy, JoyBoy’s body was made of rubber. He was the first person in history to have taken to the seas, and was central to the war that created the Void Century. He was also so influential that his death marked the end of the war, though the World Government feared him enough to still want to keep tabs on the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. Apart from this, though, there isn’t much information available on him.

However, in the recent chapter of One Piece, Imu’s reaction to JoyBoy’s Haki might be foreshadowing something more.

A Haki Connection: Imu’s Hidden Past with JoyBoy?

When Emeth channeled JoyBoy’s stored Conqueror’s Haki, Imu seemed to recognize it immediately. Oda has established that each person’s Haki has a unique signature — remember how Luffy’s crew instantly identified him in Gear 5 during the Wano arc? The people who weren’t as close to Luffy, however, could not tell where the powerful Haki was from. This personal connection is key to sensing specific Haki.

Imu’s ability to recognize JoyBoy’s Haki suggests a deep, personal connection between these two figures. Could Imu have been more than just a contemporary of JoyBoy? The parallels between Luffy and JoyBoy are undeniable, and if we follow this thread, a compelling theory emerges: What if Imu was to JoyBoy what Zoro is to Luffy – his trusted vice captain?

The Captain’s Shadow: Imu as JoyBoy’s Fallen Right Hand

Throughout One Piece, Oda has consistently portrayed the bond between a captain and their second-in-command as something nearly sacred: Roger and Rayleigh, Kaido and King, Kid and Killer and of course, Luffy and Zoro. These partnerships aren’t just about hierarchy; they’re forged in the fires of shared dreams, battles, and unwavering loyalty.

In One Piece, vice-captains are the bedrock of their crews, standing tall even when the seas get rough. Rayleigh’s undying loyalty to Roger’s memory, King’s fanatical devotion to Kaido — Oda has shown fans time and again that these bonds don’t break easily.

So, what if Imu was once JoyBoy’s vice-captain? It would be a betrayal of epic proportions — an “original sin” that could explain the deep-seated grudge driving Imu’s actions today. Maybe Imu got jealous of JoyBoy’s growing legend. Or perhaps their visions for the future clashed. Whatever it was, that rift grew into a chasm, leading to a betrayal that shaped the world we see in One Piece today.

This theory doesn’t just make Imu a more complex villain — it sets up a mirror for the current Strawhats crew. As Luffy and his nakama face the consequences of this ancient betrayal, they’re not just fighting for the future; they’re grappling with the ghosts of a friendship gone terribly wrong. Now that’s the kind of layered storytelling Oda excels at, and it’s why this theory about Imu and JoyBoy’s past relationship is so compelling.

The World Government’s Obsession with the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika

Imu’s past as JoyBoy’s vice-captain would explain the World Government’s long-standing obsession with the Hito Hito no Mi and their desperation to possess it. Why else would Imu be so threatened by the idea of Nika if not for his personal connection to JoyBoy?

If Imu was indeed JoyBoy’s former vice captain, he would have witnessed first-hand the power and influence of his former captain. He would have understood that as long as JoyBoy’s essence lived on in the Hito Hito no Mi, there was a chance that someone would be born in history to take JoyBoy’s place and potentially unravel Imu’s carefully constructed order.

Choosing Sides: The Ancient World Fractures

Given the immense power and influence of both JoyBoy and Imu, their falling out would have forced people across the globe to choose sides. This split in allegiances could explain some of the mysterious elements we’ve seen in One Piece lore:

Zunesha’s Curse: Zunesha was “cursed” to roam the Grand Line aimlessly, and it might have been due to his loyalty to JoyBoy during the war. This suggests that there were severe consequences for those who didn’t align with the winning side (presumably Imu’s faction).

Emeth’s Loyalty: Emeth’s ability to channel JoyBoy’s Haki indicates a continued allegiance to JoyBoy’s ideals, even centuries later. This could be seen as a form of resistance against the prevailing power structure established by Imu.

The idea of a betrayal at the highest level of the ancient world government adds layers of complexity to the One Piece narrative. It would explain the extreme measures taken to erase history, the fear surrounding JoyBoy’s legacy, and the enduring conflict between those who seek to maintain the current world order and those fighting for freedom and change.