One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda introduces the biggest new power up since Gear 5 to Elbaf

of Elbaph arc a piece Introduced fans to several new characters, as well as elaborated on some very powerful pre-existing ones. With the introduction of Loki in Chapter 1130, the reveal of Scapar Gaban in Chapter 1139, the arrival of figures such as Shamrock, Gunko and other holy knights, Elbaf is revealed with exciting characters and unique new powers.

Nothing comes close to what Eiichiro Oda did with Nerona Emu's official introduction in chapter 1179 of the manga. Imu's abilities are further explored in Chapter 1181, and using the Akuma no Mi, also known as the Devil's Fruit, the One Piece creator officially introduces what is the biggest power-up in the story since Gear 5 in the Wano Country Arc.

Why Nerona Emu's Omen is the greatest power since Luffy's Nika transformation

As officially confirmed by Eiichiro Oda in chapter 1179 of the manga, Nerona Emu possesses the power of Akuma no Mi, the original Devil Fruit, also known as the Devil's Fruit. This fruit allows the emu to turn into a devil at will. As a devil, the emu can wield various demonic powers, topped by omen or maki. In chapter 1181 of the manga, which dropped on Manga Plus on April 26, 2026, Ichiro Oda elaborates on Omen's power and describes it as Monkey D. from Wano Arci. Set up as one of the greatest power-ups ever, second only to Luffy's Gear 5.

At its core, Nerona Emu's Omen is a form of energy within everyone, and it serves as his primary military power. Shagun is born out of jealousy which leads one to achieve his goals. According to the series creator, Omen is incredibly powerful and gives Emu the ability to produce black flames. Using these black flames, Emu can empower himself in many ways, such as increasing his size to that of a giant, creating powerful weapons such as Ballad of Judgment: Nemesis, or Morningstar, or something similar to a gun.

As seen in chapter 1180 of the manga, Emu can block incoming attacks as well as launch them to deal devastating damage, being strong enough to one-shot Zoro and Sanji. This power is quite immeasurable, and what makes it a true power-up is the fact that Nerona Emu can bestow omens on any of his underlings. In chapter 1180, Emu gives an omen to St. Somers and St. Killingham, both of whom receive halos of black fire above their heads. This omen greatly strengthened them, restoring them to full strength and also giving Saint Somers the ability to fly. Apparently, Omen serves as the most convenient, as well as dangerous, power-up in the world of One Piece, and unlike Gear 5, it doesn't seem to come at any cost to the Holy Knights.

Gear 5 scaling Omen's power

Basically, Omen of Nerona Emu is one of the most versatile and incredible powers that exist in the world of One Piece. The Omen is incredibly powerful, as it not only empowers Emu himself and allows him to do the likes of Loki, as shown in the release of the last chapter, but it also allows him to greatly increase the strength of his underlings.

Omen's power also exerts influence through promises and corruption, as confirmed by Eiichiro Oda in the latest chapter release of One Piece. In that context, it is through the omen that Nerona Emu has created the entire structure of the world covenant and established powerful figures like the pact with Satan. This makes Omen the most versatile power in One Piece and the exact opposite of Luffy's Nika power.

While Luffy may turn into a warrior of salvation, his influence on other people is limited so far. Luffy cannot significantly increase the strength of others around him with Gear 5, and as such, this makes it much less convenient than Nerona Emu's Akuma no Mi.

All abilities of Nerona Emu's Omen

Image by Toei Animation

As one of the most versatile forces in the world a pieceThe omen has many applications, with more to be revealed by the author as the wars in Elbaf continue in chapter 1182 and beyond. So far, Omen of Nerona Emu has shown the ability to shoot projectiles capable of knocking out someone as strong as Zoro. He has also shown the ability to coat his body in the Black Flames of Omen and knock out people as strong as Sanji. He can fire an omen-like bullet, as seen when he took out Hazruddin in chapter 1180, and he can shape it into any type of weapon he desires. In Chapter 1181, Emu gave Omen the shape of a morningstarWhich he then attacks Loki, and later down the line, turns it into the Sword of Justice: Nemesis, who stabs him.

Emu also used Omen's Black Flames Stop Loki's RagnazuchiA very powerful lightning-enhanced attack, effortlessly. He strengthened his body with the Omen which grew in size to match Loki's, and most importantly, he used these black flames to make himself even stronger. The fact that Omen can also amplify the power of the Five Elders and Holy Knights makes it a dangerous ability that Emu rightly labels as his military power. It is a power that no one else in the world of One Piece can match, and which currently has no peers.

Although the Sun God Nick is able to match Nerona Emu with his unique powers based on individual strength, Nerona Emu's Omen has far-reaching effects that Nechi cannot duplicate. While Emu stands as the ultimate villain in One Piece, Eiichiro Oda has created the perfect power-up for him and his underlings through Omen and Akuma no Me, and that's what makes him such an incredibly compelling character.

The latest chapters of One Piece manga are available to read on Manga Plus.