This spiritual hijacking doesn't feel like a new power mechanic, more like a window into a deeper, darker truth about the world. Something behind Imu could have the ability to invade consciousness to use living beings as vessels too. If something or someone survived from the Harley First World, it’s possible they developed the forbidden ability to evade death not by immortality, but through incarnation. Through possession. Now apply that to Teach. He always was anomaly within the world’s logic:
- His body is “not normal,” per Marco
- He holds multiple Devil Fruits
- He never sleeps, not because he chooses not to, but because he can’t.
It’s long been theorized that Teach might have more than one soul. But what if it’s not three souls, or split personalities? What if it’s a god that can only be fully awakened when Teach gathers certain three devil fruits/dreams?
What of the "they will surely meet again" line in Harley meant Imu and the primordial being sleeping within Teach? Teach’s powers revolve heavily around darkness and voids which are concepts associated with ancient and cosmic forces or gods in mythologies. Maybe a subtle hint something is sealed within him.
A primordial entity from the first world, possibly the originator of the very ability Imu now uses on Gunko, could have embedded itself in Teach long ago. Maybe during his youth, maybe even before his birth. Somehing unspeakably ancient. Imu vs that thing. Two ancient forces seeking dominance.