One Piece has continued to expand the history and power of the World Government, with Chapters 1189 and 1190 revealing more about Imu and the weapons associated with the Empty Throne.
Among the latest discoveries is Honebami Toshiro, a legendary blade that gives Imu another dangerous weapon to use in battle. The sword also carries a connection to Japanese sword history, while its supernatural abilities add another mystery to Imu’s growing arsenal.
What Is Honebami Toshiro And How Does Imu Use It?
Honebami Toshiro is introduced as one of the 20 ancient weapons associated with the founding members of the World Government.
According to the revealed history, the founders placed these weapons around the Empty Throne 800 years ago as symbols of their agreement that no single ruler would sit above the others. Imu’s possession of the weapons now gives that scene a very different meaning.
The name Honebami refers to “Bone-Eater” or “Bone-Gnawing,” which fits the sword’s reputation for extraordinary sharpness. The weapon is based on a real Japanese blade attributed to Toshiro Yoshimitsu of the Awataguchi School, a famous swordsmith of the Kamakura period. The original weapon was reportedly forged as a naginata before being shortened into a wakizashi.
Within One Piece, however, Honebami Toshiro is far more than an old sword. The blade normally remains rusted and covered in moss inside Pangaea Castle, but Imu can summon it through a mysterious power. Once activated, the sword becomes surrounded by a dark energy known as “Omen,” which wraps around the blade in the shape of a serpentine tail.
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The Omen attached to Honebami Toshiro also appears to act independently. It can form a fanged mouth and attack enemies alongside Imu’s sword strikes, turning the weapon into something closer to a living creature than an ordinary blade. This gives Imu another way to attack opponents while also making the sword’s connection to the supernatural side of the World Government’s power more apparent.
The weapon’s history may be even more important than its combat abilities. Recent chapters revealed that Imu possesses 19 of these legendary weapons, with the collection including mythological weapons such as Xingtian’s Axe, Fragarach, Longinus, and the cursed blade Muramasa. Honebami Toshiro, therefore, appears to be part of a much larger collection rather than an isolated discovery.
That has already led to theories about where the weapons came from. One possibility is that Imu and the founders of the World Government collected them from the civilizations they destroyed during the Void Century.
If that interpretation proves correct, the weapons could represent more than symbols of power. They could be relics taken from the kingdoms that once stood against the World Government, giving Imu’s enormous arsenal an even darker history.