This post contains spoilers for One Piece.
Summary
So far, the Elbaf arc has been full of surprises, and it has subverted any and all kinds of expectations thatOne Piecefans had of it. Most fans believed that it would give Usopp the much-needed opportunity to shine, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, especially after the characters Oda introduced in the arc.
Fans saw Scopper Gaban for thefirst time, a key member of the legendary Roger Pirates. They also witnessed the debut of Figarland Shamrock Gunko and two more members of God’s Knights. While Figarland Shamrock has dominated the headlines, fans should also pay close attention to Shepherd Sommers.
Who Is Saint Shepherd Sommers?
One Of The Strongest Characters In Elbaf
Saint Shepherd Sommers is a member of God’s Knights, meaning he is part of the elite group that handles the safety of Marijoa. Additionally, he is a World Nobel, so he can order the Marines to do his dirty work. Unlike most World Nobles, Shepherd Sommers is not a weakling, and he doesn’t have to rely on others for protection.
After all, he ate one of the most overpowered Devil Fruits in One Piece. Shepherd Sommers possesses the Iba Iba no Mi,a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows himto create thorny vines. Judging from the description, one might think the Devil Fruit is nothing special, and Shepherd Sommers can be easily stopped. However, there is more to it than meets the eye.
There’s more emotion in killing. —Shepherd Sommers
The thorny vines created by the Iba Iba no Mi are invisible and can easily be wrapped around an object or a person.In the Elbaf arc, Shepherd Sommers used it to wrap vines around the kids. Since they were invisible, anyone who touched them was severely damaged.
The thing that makes the Iba Iba no Mi dangerous is its damage output is directly linked to a person’s attachment to a particular object or another individual. A person with deep love for another individual could potentially die from the pain caused after touching the thorns. Fans have yet to see an instance where a person has died instantly and have only heard about it from Shepherd Sommers.
The Potential Of Iba Iba no Mi
While Powerful, It Is Highly Conditional
If one were to believe Shepherd Sommers words, then it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call the Iba Iba no Mi the strongest Devil Fruit in One Piece. For instance, if Sommerstrapped a Straw Hat with his vinesand Luffy were to touch the thorns, the latter would die from pain.
The biggest drawback of the ability is that it’s conditional and requires near-perfect conditions to get the desired result. If the bond between the person and the target is not strong enough, then the Sommers will not achieve the desired effect. The person might walk away with just a few injuries.
There Are Many Powers That Haven’t Been Revealed
The Elbaf arc is just the second arc in the Final Saga, and Oda has already disclosed so many top-tier Devil Fruits. But it is plausible to assume that the author is saving the best ones for the last. There will be at least two more arcs before the final war commences, so Oda can take his time and introduce the powers at his leisure.
At the moment, fans are mostexcited to see the abilities of Imu, Monkey D. Dragon, Rocks D. Xebec, and Figarland Garling. All these characters are crucial to the story, so it’s highly likely that they will have insanely powerful Devil Fruits.
Aside from seeing the new Devil Fruits, it will be interesting to learn the past of the most enigmatic One Piece characters. Despite releasing more than 1100 chapters, fans still don’t know the past of many characters, which include:
Thankfully, readers won’t have to wait for long to learn about these characters as the story is rapidly moving towards its conclusion.
