One Piece chapter 1122: Joy Boy's relationship with Imu teased as he appears for first time, Egghead arc all but ends

One Piece chapter 1122 was expected to finally bring a formal end to the Egghead arc, especially with the stage all but set for the Straw Hats’ escape to begin. Released earlier this weekend, the issue did excitingly deliver in this regard, seeing the Thousand Sunny and Giant Warrior Pirates’ ship begin leaving Egghead’s waters.

However, this escape did not come without sacrifice, as One Piece chapter 1122 saw Emeth unleash a massive blast of Joy Boy’s Conqueror’s Haki which was stored within him. This also led to a shift in focus to Imu, who seemingly was not only damaged by the legendary figure’s attack, but even recognized it as belonging to Joy Boy himself.

One Piece chapter 1122 sees Imu hurt for the first time in the series

One Piece chapter 1122: Dr. Vegapunk’s broadcast officially ends

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One Piece chapter 1122 begins with a cover page which was Oda redrawing some Smoker fanart which was submitted to him by a 15 year old Kohei Horikoshi. The redraw is done in celebration of Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia manga series ending in this week's issue of Weekly Shonen Jump. The manga will end with 430 chapters serialized across 10 years of publication.

Beginning its story content, the reactions of both citizens and pirates from around the world to Dr. Vegapunk’s words at 1121’s end are seen. Citizens are worried, while the pirates are inspired to find the titular treasure. Focus then shifts to a Marine hospital, where Koby is thinking of Luffy and his dream. He says he must stop Luffy from achieving his dream as focus shifts to the Cross Guild, where Buggy is hyping up his subordinates about chasing the titular treasure.

One Piece chapter 1122 sees Crocodile, clearly upset by this, tell Buggy to come and sit down. Focus then shifts to Catarina Devon and Van Augur, where the former is speaking to Blackbeard while the latter watches Caribou.

She offers to execute him immediately, but Blackbeard says to bring him and that he’ll kill Caribou himself if his info is worthless. Focus then shifts to Egghead Island, where Dr. Vegapunk begins to say something about Joy Boy in his broadcast.

Dr. Vegapunk's broadcast finally ends in One Piece chapter 1123 (Image via Toei Animation)

However, Gorosei member Saint Topman Warcury then lands a massive attack on Emeth, sending him flying into the sky and crashing back down to Earth. This damages the Transmission Transponder Snail within to the point that it explodes, permanently ending Dr. Vegapunk’s broadcast. Focus then shifts to the Thousand Sunny, where it’s revealed Gorosei member Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro is still chasing after Zoro and co despite Atlas’ attack.

One Piece chapter 1122 then returns focus to Emeth, who begins apologizing to Joy Boy in his mind. He then begins speaking to Luffy, apologizing to him and saying that he knew there was no chance Joy Boy would be alive.

Luffy is clueless as always, but listens as Emeth muses on how Luffy looks just like him and how nostalgic it made him. Emeth says he hopes Joy Boy will forgive him as Gorosei member Saint Jaygarcia Saturn is shown to be regenerating.

Warcury, Nusjuro, and fellow Gorosei member Saint Shepherd Ju Peter are seen leaping at the Thousand Sunny and Giant Warrior Pirates’ ship in an attempt to destroy both. As this happens, Emeth says he failed to make Joy Boy king before asking Luffy for his name. After saying his infamous quote, Emeth muses on Luffy having the D. initial before undoing a rope within him, unleashing a massive blast of Conqueror’s Haki as a result.

One Piece chapter 1122: Joy Boy “arrives”

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One Piece chapter 1122 sees Emeth thank Joy Boy for letting him hear the nostalgic rhythm that is the Drums of Liberation one last time, before saying he won’t let him die here. The Haki grows stronger as he says this, with low level Marines passing out and Vice Admirals barely able to resist. The blast is even so strong it sends Ju Peter, Warcury, and Nusjuro back to Mariejois, where final Gorosei member Saint Marcus Mars is suspiciously waiting for them.

Focus then shifts to the Flower Room in Mariejois, where Imu has been brought to his knees and is screaming out in pain. Shockingly, Imu seemingly recognizes this Haki as Joy Boy’s, teasing that the two personally knew each other during the Void Century. Returning to Egghead Island, the Thousand Sunny lands in the sea and immediately begins sailing away with the Giant Warrior Pirates’ ship.

One Piece chapter 1122 sees both crews question what happened and celebrate their safety while also recapping their losses. Focus then returns to Egghead Island’s shores, where Saturn is silently standing before what’s left of Emeth while panting.

A flashback then begins seeing Emeth speaking with Joy Boy, who tells him that the time is at hand to gather his most powerful Haki and seal it inside of Emeth. Joy Boy’s silhouetted appearance is also seen here, seemingly showing him donning a straw hat and captain’s coat as Luffy did in Wano.

Through Emeth's flashback, fans see Joy Boy for the first time in the series in One Piece chapter 1123 (Image via Toei Animation)

He does this since Emeth will outlive him, meaning he won’t always be there to help his friend. Likewise, he’ll be in mortal danger at some point, or at least someone he wants to save will be. Joy Boy instructs Emeth to “untie the knot” at that time, with Emeth childishly recognizing this as Joy Boy coming to help him one more time.

One Piece chapter 1122 sees Joy Boy say he’ll be saving him from the past just like always no matter when it happens. Emeth says this makes him happy, as even if Joy Boy dies, it’ll still be like he’s with him. Joy Boy says it won’t happen for ages and ages, as a clearly happy Emeth laughs and muses on if he’ll get lonely. The flashback and issue ends with a panel of Emeth in the present, the light in his eyes gone and his death seemingly confirmed likewise.

One Piece chapter 1122: In summation

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Overall, One Piece chapter 1122 is an extremely momentous chapter, both for its wrapup of the Egghead arc and Emeth’s story as well as its introduction of Joy Boy. Likewise, fans can also now confirm that Joy Boy was one of the strongest Conqueror’s Haki users in the series, with the sheer range and power of his blast suggesting as much.

Speaking of the range and power of his Haki, it’s effect on Imu also heavily implies that the two personally knew each other during the Void Century. With the series having characterized Conqueror’s Haki as having a unique feel from person to person, this is seemingly all but confirmed via chapter 1122’s events.