All That Glitters
Now, this is a cool fuckin conversation between Imu & Loki. I know there's a contingent that is chafing a bit at all the talk of gods and great kings but I do think it's worth considering you know, it might just be Elbaph as an arc going for a Norse mythology vibe. This chapter continues focusing on these two though and we're obviously building up for Luffy to re-join the fray. We see Loki's enough to made the fight interesting and I wouldn't be surprised if this is shorter rather than longer with Imu having to retreat due to some limit on his abilities.
Speaking of those...well did we not just get a super interesting speech from him. Corruption. Covenant. Power. There's a mirroring of the old "Wealth. Fame. Power." motif around Roger especially early on. All the world has to offer, but the wicked Great One represents a Faustian Bargain as Loki's laying out here. Complete with a very devilish brushing off of the idea it really matters if he's a god or devil.
Meanwhile! Luffy's chowing down. He's actually showing a bit more concern about this strange aura than he typically does for most villains. Still, for our stretchy boy I think this ethos of Imu's is so cool. Because it runs counter to Luffy's idea of the Pirate King simply being the most free. There's nothing to tempt there. Even more when he's the type of guy that'd get mad about shortcuts.
I do wonder if Loki would be a little more susceptible, but he isn't now. But Luffy? Not a chance. And there's something to be said for how much this explanation really squares the circle on Imu being framed as being up against "The World." Because it really is the root of how these other forms of oppression work. Power in exchange for fealty. Some of the most rigidly controlled people you'll ever see, some of the least free, are a tyrant's inner circle. Sure they get away with any amount of brutalization towards the common folk and all, but when you're that high up every move is so tightly controlled. So all in all, yeah it's just a little fighting and dude explaining his power but the way it fits into this story is definitely cool.
