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One Piece entered its Final Saga earlier this year, and fans have watched the greatest mysteries of the world unfold before them. After more than twenty years of hijinks galore, the narrative has moved on to the enigmatic leader of the World Government, Imu , and the long-concealed history of the Void Century. One question that’s been gnawing at fans for ages is the reason Gol D. Roger , the Pirate King himself, didn’t take a stand against Imu once he found out the truth.

According to creator Eiichiro Oda , there’s more than just an arbitrary need to have a classic final boss — and this is why Roger never fought Imu. In short, it’s all about timing, prophecy and destiny.

Spoilers ahead for recent chapters of the One Piece manga.
Roger found the truth about the world 25 years agoGol D. Roger and his fabled crew of the Roger Pirates made it to the last and final island, Laugh Tale, more than 25 years ago in story time. It’s similar, in fact, to the journey of Gol D. Roger and his crew who sailed in search of and found the One Piece treasure. More interestingly, they learned the true history of the world. This included everything from the nature of the Void Century, the enigmatic nature of the “D” clan, and the truth behind the Ancient Weapons .

Roger dissolved his crew and surrendered himself to the World Government. One year later, he was executed, marking the beginning of the Great Pirate Era .

So why did Roger not take all of this knowledge and apply it to the world?

Oda confirms: Roger was too early to fight ImuAs poorly retconned by Oda, the reason Roger didn’t engage Imu was because the world was not prepared. When Roger got to Laugh Tale, one of the two “sovereigns” required to bring down the Celestial Dragons hadn’t even been born — Princess Shirahoshi, the Ancient Weapon Poseidon.

“We were too early! Someone will come and surpass us. I’m sure of it.” – Gol D. Roger

Roger was the first to understand that he wasn’t the chosen one to lead the final fight. That role was destined for another — for a person who could ascend when the moment called for it.

Roger couldn’t become Joy Boy or NikaRoger respected Joy Boy, this enigmatic figure from the past, and in fact laughed upon discovery of the prophecy. Roger understood that he himself couldn’t have become Joy Boy. Not only was he too early, the legendary Devil Fruit connected to Joy Boy — the Gomu Gomu no Mi — hadn’t chosen him.

Instead, that fruit waited long centuries for someone like Monkey D. Luffy to inherit its power and awaken as Nika, the Warrior of Liberation.

Roger was also dying from a diseaseYet another even bigger reason Roger didn’t go to war against Imu was his terminal illness. By the time he discovered the One Piece, Roger possessed just a few years to live. Even had he fought with all his might, he wouldn’t have lived long enough to win the war.

Instead of letting fate pass him by, Roger decided to inspire the next generation of pirates — trusting that one day someone would be strong enough to defeat Imu and free the world from tyranny.

A new era has begun — And Imu's time is running outNow, 25 years later, Luffy is indeed doing just that, treading the same path created by Roger himself. Unlike Roger, Luffy is indeed not too early — he is the one of the prophecy. Shirahoshi is very much alive, the Ancient Weapons are beginning to make their presence felt and the Great War has just begun.

Now that the Final Saga is well underway and secrets surrounding Imu are finally beginning to come to light, fans are more anxious than ever to see this epic confrontation.

One Piece chapter 1151 release date and timeOne Piece Chapter 1151 will be officially available on June 8, 2025, but fans can read it for free on Manga Plus. In Japan, the new chapter is released at 12 AM JST on Monday, but most international readers (US and UK included) will be able to read it on the evening of Sunday, June 8.

Roger’s legacy lives onRoger probably didn’t have to battle Imu, but his choice to wait for the right one revolutionized the world forever. Now, it’s Luffy’s turn to take on the World Government, learn the truth of the world, and maybe even become the next Joy Boy.

The Final War is coming — and this time, Imu won’t escape the storm.