One Piece’s Covenants, Explained

One Piece's Elbaph Arc has been full of twists and surprises, many of which relate to the mysterious leader of the World Government, Imu. The powerful figure has stepped into the limelight several times in the Elbaph Arc, and in recent chapters, he's showcased one of his most powerful abilities: Covenants.

One Piece's Covenants are a bond bestowed upon Imu's most ardent followers, and they take the form of a symbol that is branded upon their wearer's left arm. As of the One Piece's most recent installment, there are three different levels to this bond, with increasingly sinister side effects as the bearer grows closer to Imu.

The Shallows Covenant Connects a Devoted Blade of God to Imu

The first level of One Piece's Covenants is referred to as a Shallows Covenant, and it marks the lowest tier of direct connection to Imu. First introduced in One Piece Chapter 1152, both Shanks and Harald accepted the Shallows during their time as affiliates of the World Government, wearing it as part of their commitment to be a Devoted Blade of God.

Little is known about what benefits are provided by the Shallows Covenant; however, the drawbacks of the mark are quite clear. Per Shanks' own comments, the Shallows Covenant prevents him from disobeying Imu's orders whenever the two are within a certain range, making it the perfect tool for Imu to evaluate prospective Knights of God. It's unknown how many of these Covenants Imu can give at any given time, so they could play a surprisingly important role in One Piece's final saga.

The Depths Covenant Is Reserved for the Knights of God and the Holy Knights

The Depths Covenant marks a significant deepening between its recipient and Imu, and it is specifically reserved for the Knights of God and the Five Elders. This mark, which is given after the Shallows Covenant, grants its wearer the invulnerability seen by the Five Elders, effectively making them immortal.

Like the Shallows Covenant, the primary issue with the Depths Covenant is that it can override the will of its recipient, making them a puppet for Imu to control. However, unlike the Shallows Covenant, there seems to be no limit to the range of this ability, allowing Imu to control figures like King Harald and the Knights of God from across the Grand Line. This is likely the reason Shanks abandoned his post as a Celestial Dragon, as he would have been forced to assume the Depths Covenant before becoming a Knight of God.

The Abyssal Covenant Denotes Absolute Devotion to Imu

Of Imu's three Covenants, none forces a closer connection with Imu than the Abyssal Covenant. Like the Depths Covenant, the Abyssal Covenant is reserved for the Knights of God and the Five Elders, signifying their unyielding commitment to the shadowy leader of the World Government.

For now, the Abyssal Covenant is still shrouded in mystery, and even its visual appearance remains unknown. Assuming it is reserved for the Five Elders or the Commanders of the Knights of God, the Abyssal Covenant may grant its user the Devil Fruit-like powers wielded by the Five Elders. Alternatively, the Abyssal Covenant may allow Imu to possess the Covenant's bearer as he did with Gunko earlier in the Elbaph Arc.