Okay, now Im convinced the Gorosei are part of Imu. Why would Imu writhe in pain from a Haki attack they experienced?
Plus, this also massively simplifies and justifies the faction count theory:
- Luffy has 9 members currently.
- Shanks has 9 commanders
- Blackbeard has 10 Titanic Captains (if you count Kuzan)
- Akainu has 9 Zodiacs or 10 if Kizaru lives and continues to fight.
- Imu has 9 or 10 God Knights presumably, especially if the Gorosei are an extension of him
Which just leaves CG to get more members I suppose lol