On July 12, 2026, in Shuisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump issue #33, a piece Creator Ichiro Oda published the 1188th chapter of the series titled “Zero”. In this chapter, the emperor of the sea, the monkey d. Much attention was focused on the battle between Luffy and the King of the Worlds, Nerona Emu. In between, Ichiro Oda also made sure to find many lore related to the world. a piece.
One of the most exciting things the series creator elaborated on was the Harley lessons that were first revealed in One Piece Chapter 1138 on February 3, 2025. The latest One Piece release has now officially teased the identity of the Forest God, who was first mentioned in Harley's Second World and is a powerful deity we've all been waiting to see. This deity's true identity may be none other than Narona Emu, based on his ability to wither forests, first seen in One Piece Chapter 1188.
One Piece Chapter 1188 teases Nerona Emu as the world's Forest God
One Piece Chapter 1188 was officially released on July 12, 2026, and it focused heavily on Nerona Emu's various abilities. Previously, Emu demonstrated Sword of Justice: Taint Us, and this ability was also used extensively in Chapter 1188. Thanks to Monkey D. Luffy's latest Devil Fruit transformation called Gomu Gomu no Majin, which allowed him to transform into a genie, he was able to successfully survive a powerful hit from this stigma. However, the ability that Imu uses shortly after, namely Blade of Nothingness: Wohu, proves to be too strong for Luffy. Utilizing this new ability, Nerona Emu Gear 5 managed to leap into the air without Luffy seeing him coming. Immediately after, Luffy was pierced through his torso and completely defeated.
“Of course I know you're not Joy Boy! Joy Boy wasn't that weak!!” – Nerona Emu declares Luffy weak, One Piece Chapter #1188
What made it even more shocking was that Nerona Emu, despite being the Sun God Nick, awakened his Devil Fruit and mastered all three forms of Haki, declaring Luffy to be very weak. At this point, it's clear that Luffy is too weak to fight Nerona Emu. It was quite a shocking sight for all of us fans to absorb, but what made it even more special was the ability that Emu used to defeat Luffy. When he tapped into the Omen's power that arose from his Akuma no Mi, to create the Sword of Swords: Wohu, the vegetation growing out of the Adam Tree immediately withered and, at one point, was completely destroyed. With this ability, Emu was able to clear an entire forest in the blink of an eye, as Luffy himself stated.
Emu: Blade of Nothingness: Wohoo!
Luffy: What? The forest is dry!
Emu: Now the scene is very clear.
Luffy: Same from here!
— Exchange showing Emu's Blade of Nothingness: Wohu, One Piece chapter #1188
When Emu used Wohu, his surroundings were immediately affected, and it was as if he had some level of control over the forest. Similarly, when Nero arrived at Imu Elbaf a piece Chapter 1179, which was officially released on April 5, 2026, in Shuisha's Weekly Shonen Jump issue #19, the surrounding forest immediately took on a demonic life of its own and evolved devil faces. When Emu left the area, these faces disappeared with him, which again suggests that he may have some level of demonic manipulation that specifically affects the forest. tying together with the new release of a piece Chapter 1188, where Nerona Emu was able to draw life from the forest itself, makes sense to see him as the forest god of this world.
Why Nerona Emu Forest God is linked to Harley Lore
Nerona is the emu forest god a piece The world is also completely in line with the lore mentioned in Harley, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump issue #10 on February 3, 2025 in One Piece Chapter 1138. In this statement, Harley officially stated that the Forest God appeared in the second world and was sent for God, after the establishment of the Breath Forest. This piece of lore fits perfectly with Nerona Emu.
“Within the void, there was breath. The forest god tamed the demons, and the sun spread the fires of war. The half moon dreamed. The moon dreamed. Man killed the sun and became god, and the sea god stormed. And never shall they meet again.” – The Harley Forest God, One Piece introduces chapter #1138
For one, Nerona Emu's Sword of Nothingness directly relates to Harley's first opening line, which states that in nothingness, there was breath. The same terminology is used for the Sword of Nerona Emu, which shows that from the Sword of Nerona Emu came this void and from this void life was born again. As it happened, the Lord of the Forest once again sent the demons. Emu's ability to manipulate the forest, which was shown again in One Piece Chapter 1188 on July 12, 2026, comes into play here.
What makes it even more accurate is the fact that the Demon Forest sent by God is like the Five Elders, who are Domi Reversed, as well as the Holy Knights. All of these possess monstrous powers, stemming directly from Emu's Akuma no Mi. In other words, Emu has the Forest God Devil Fruit, which allows him to send demons, as stated in Harley, making it a parallel between the two.
How the Emu's Forest God Powers Established a World Government
If the story related to Harley is to be believed, it makes sense how the forest god created the world government. For one, the Van Ishvara's main role is to dispatch demons and dispel the forces in the second world of One Piece. This makes sense considering all of Nerona Emu's powerful allies. Emu's allies are currently in Marizoa, and they were once 20 kingdoms united to fight the threat of the Ancient Kingdom. All of these families currently reside in the Holy Land, except for the Nefertari family, and they all have uniquely powerful demons within the ranks of the Holy Knights who guard the Holy Land.
Similarly, the five elders also originate from these 20 kings and possess demonic abilities. Thus, they are all sent by the Forest God in one way or another, and in that case it makes sense for the Forest God to be none other than Nerona Emu. Simply put, Nerona Emu used the power of Akuma no Mi, the most powerful Devil Fruit that existed in the One Piece world, and then assumed the role of a Forest God.
After assuming the role of the Forest God, Nerona Emu unleashed the demons of the Holy Knights, Five Elders, and Domi Reversed Slaves, using which he proceeded to crush the Ancient Kingdom and eventually kill Joy Boy. After this battle, Nerona Emu was crowned as the King of the World, which was officially confirmed to us in One Piece Chapter 906 on June 4, 2018. Now, Nerona Imu is once again trying to use the power of the Forest God Fruit on Elbaf, and it will be interesting to see how this battle unfolds over the months.
All chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece are available to read through Manga Plus and Viz Media.
