The God Valley Incident has become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end. Eiichiro Oda’s exploration of this long-shrouded event has brought together some of the most powerful and legendary figures in the series — Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and the mysterious Imu. This flashback has expanded far beyond what readers initially expected, painting a vivid picture of the chaos, politics, and power struggles that defined the world before the Age of Pirates.
For many, the arc feels like a historical revelation within the story itself — one that ties together centuries of mystery surrounding the Celestial Dragons and the so-called “erased” era of world history. And now, one theory in particular has taken center stage among fans: that Imu may have used an unknown ability to erase the world’s collective memory of the God Valley Incident entirely.
The Memory-Wipe Theory: Too Wild or Too Logical?
The theory first gained traction when fans noticed an eerie inconsistency: how could an event involving so many iconic figures — including the Pirate King and one of the greatest Marines — simply vanish from all historical records? Even Sengoku, a man of immense knowledge, only knew fragments of the tale. Many argue that only someone of godlike influence, like Imu, could orchestrate such widespread historical erasure.
Recent manga chapters have deepened this suspicion. Imu’s portrayal as a near-divine being — one who commands ancient powers, manipulates global events, and rules from the shadows — fits perfectly with the idea that memory manipulation or historical rewriting could be within their abilities. Some fans even point to the eerie calm and obedience of the Celestial Dragons as possible side effects of a world constantly re-shaped by Imu’s control over memory and truth.
Fans Are Torn — But Intrigued
While some readers dismiss the theory as a stretch, others see it as the only explanation that makes sense in-universe. On platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), discussions have exploded around the possibility that Imu’s greatest power isn’t destruction, but censorship — the ability to erase both events and people from existence itself.
One viral post summarized the idea: “Rocks didn’t just disappear — he was erased. And if the world forgot God Valley, that means Imu doesn’t just rule over nations; they rule over memory.” Others have even tied this theory to the mysterious “Void Century,” suggesting Imu’s power may have been responsible for erasing that era from history as well.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
Regardless of whether the theory holds true, the speculation itself speaks volumes about Eiichiro Oda’s storytelling mastery. After more than two decades, he continues to surprise and engage fans with mysteries that blend politics, mythology, and human emotion. The God Valley Arc, with its haunting tone and historical weight, feels like a microcosm of the entire One Piece world — where truth and memory are as dangerous as any Devil Fruit.
Even as fans anticipate the return to Luffy and the Straw Hats, many agree that this flashback has achieved something special: it’s made the past feel alive, urgent, and deeply personal. Whether Imu truly wiped the world’s memory or not, the God Valley saga has already ensured that fans will never forget this moment in One Piece history.
