Saturn could be One Piece’s first Gorosei casualty at Imu’s hands, and it’s because of his failure at Egghead

In One Piece Chapter 1122, the Gorosei are at a breaking point as their failure on Egghead Island ends with their shocking defeat as they flee from Emet's attack towards the end of the chapter. The chapter has the Straw Hats had Emet’s Haki attack's help to escape from the Gorosei.

Saturn who had previously made a huge mistake by underestimating the Straw Hats and Vegapunk now is in big trouble. Emet’s attack forced all Gorosei members except Saturn to retreat to Mary Geoise with the bonus of Imu’s anger. This is the moment that Saturn could be the first Gorosei to fall to Imu’s hands and it’s a big blow to him and the World Government’s plans.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers and the writer's opinion.

One Piece: The Straw Hats pirates' great escape from Egghead Island

Straw Hat pirates escaped from Egghead Island in chapter 1122 of the manga series (Image via Toei Animation)

In chapter 1122 of One Piece, the Egghead Island arc reaches its dramatic conclusion as the Straw Hat Pirates, along with the Giants, manage to escape from the clutches of the Gorosei, who had descended upon the island. The turning point of this confrontation comes when Emeth, in a desperate bid to protect Luffy and the others, unleashes a cataclysmic Conqueror's Haki attack.

This attack is so potent that the majority of the Gorosei are forced to retreat, hastily returning to Mariejois, with the sole exception of Saint Saturn. The final manga panel captures Saint Saturn in his human form, staring somberly at Emeth’s lifeless body. His defeated expression foreshadows his inevitable repercussions upon returning to Imu.

One Piece: Imu's wrath upon sensing Joy Boy's Haki

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As the chapter draws to a close, Imu is depicted in the Room of Flowers, screaming in rage after sensing the unmistakable Haki of Joy Boy. The revelation of this Haki’s origin strikes fear into Imu, who immediately recognizes its significance. Saturn's failure at Egghead Island signals that he will likely become the first Gorosei casualty at Imu’s hands, a consequence underscored by Saturn’s own despondent demeanor.

Imu's eyes as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The catastrophic failure of the Gorosei on Egghead Island is undeniable. Despite their formidable strength, they falter in their mission against the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies.

Their inability to prevent Vegapunk's final message from being broadcast marks a critical failure that casts doubt on their effectiveness and competence. The Five Elders had four primary objectives on Egghead Island, and their mixed success paints a grim picture of their overall mission.

One Piece: The Gorosei's failures on the Egghead Island

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The first objective was to eliminate Vegapunk, a task that they technically accomplished. Saint Saturn delivered the initial blow, with Kizaru finishing the job. However, this success is tempered by the fact that the other satellites of Vegapunk remain alive. Should any of them, particularly Lilith, survive, the legacy and knowledge of Vegapunk would persist, rendering the Elders' victory hollow and incomplete.

Dr. Vegapunk as shown in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Their second objective, to prevent the broadcast of Vegapunk’s final message, ended in abject failure. Mars, despite his efforts, could not locate the transponder snail responsible for the signal. Vegapunk’s cunning outmaneuvered the Gorosei, and the broadcast went out, likely revealing critical information to the world.

This failure is perhaps the most significant blow to the Gorosei’s mission, as they were powerless to stop the flow of information that could destabilize their grip on power.

Luffy in his Gear 5 form (Image via Toei Animation)

The third goal was the elimination of key threats: Luffy, who wields the power of the Sun God Nika, and Kuma, a member of the Buccaneer bloodline. Both figures represent existential threats to the World Government’s dominance. Nico Robin, whose knowledge of the Poneglyphs threatens to unravel the secrets of the Void Century, is another target they seek to eliminate.

However, Gorosei’s failure to neutralize these figures only exacerbates their predicament. Though they still have opportunities to strike, their repeated failures cast doubt on their ability to succeed.

The Mother Flame on the Egghead Island (Image via Shueisha)

Lastly, the Gorosei aimed to secure the Mother Flame, a powerful weapon of immense destructive potential. This objective remains uncertain, as the weapon's creation is tied to Egghead’s laboratory, and York, the key to its production, could either refuse to cooperate or be thwarted if the laboratory is destroyed. This uncertainty looms large, with the potential for yet another failure hanging over the Gorosei's heads.

Final thoughts

The Gorosei as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The Gorosei and the World Government achieved only partial success on Egghead Island, managing to kill Vegapunk but failing to achieve their broader objectives. Their inability to silence Vegapunk’s message, eliminate key threats, or secure the Mother Flame underscores the magnitude of their failure.

Even in death, Vegapunk's influence endures, leaving the Five Elders to grapple with the consequences of their defeat and the looming wrath of Imu.