While there’s still no mention of exactly how it’s done, the Immortality Surgery has been a built-up piece of One Piece lore. As something that only the Op-Op Fruit is capable of, as long as the user has medical knowledge. Who could receive the Immortality surgery though, and has someone already gotten it in the past?
This article contains spoilers for One Piece through chapter 1099. Catch up on Viz or MangaPlus before continuing to avoid being spoiled!
What is the Immortality Surgery?
Whoever holds the Op-Op Fruit has access to one of the most storied abilities in all of One Piece. This Immortality Surgery can be done on one person by the user of the Op-Op Fruit, effectively rendering them ageless and immortal. They do not grow old or weak, and will not die from conventional means. It’s not yet known if they’re immune to being killed by weapons or other means, but that will probably end up explained later in the story as more information comes out.
One thing everyone knows is that the Immortality Surgery carries a heavy price for the one who performs it. The surgeon, upon successful completion of the surgery, will themselves die. It’s a life for a life, one eternal and one no more, in some strange law of equivalent exchange.
Trafalgar D Law
The current holder of the Op-Op Fruit, Trafalgar D Water Law is one of the Worst Generation and a former Warlord. His skill and medical knowledge, along with the Op-Op Fruit, have given him the epithet ‘Surgeon of Death’ across the Grand Line. While it’s unlikely that he can perform something like the immortality surgery on himself, Law is going to play a crucial part as the one performing the surgery.
The greatest question is if Law can be forced to do the surgery under duress. This can be the make or break, as if someone holds those close to Law hostage, he’ll do anything to save them. Even if someone takes Bepo as a prisoner, Law would probably do whatever he could to free him, even the Immortality Surgery depending on the severity of the foe.
Marshall D Teach
Emperor of the Sea and the wildcard of the One Piece series. Marshall D Teach, otherwise known as Blackbeard, could be the one. It’s even more likely due to his recent run-in with Law on Winner Island. Blackbeard has the Surgeon of Death in his capture, and it’s unlikely he’s going to just let Law go without some kind of conditions, if Law is even still alive as is.
It doesn’t really seem like Blackbeard would be the type to want immortality, but he’s unpredictable. It’s possible he thinks it would help him achieve the dream of Rocks D Xebec. There’s still a wonder of how it would help him set up a pirate nation though. Seeing as Blackbeard doesn’t really care about becoming King of the Pirates, it’s possible immortality would be beneath him too. That said, he’s currently in possession of Law. That alone can be a major bargaining chip in the scale of the Grand Line.
Monkey D Luffy
There’s no way in hell Luffy would say yes to the Immortality Surgery. He would beat the crap out of anyone that went near him to attempt it, knowing they would die. Luffy doesn’t want to be immortal. He would probably consider it boring of all things, since there was no danger for him anymore. If Luffy has the Immortality Surgery done, it would be against his will as a last resort.
Donquixote Doflamingo
The first that tried to have the Immortality Surgery done in the story, and the one who introduced it. Donquixote Doflamingo originally was after the Op-Op Fruit with the express purpose of having the surgery done on him. Given everything that’s happened in the story, he’s still going to go after the Fruit after he escapes Impel Down. The Joker of Dressrosa has made it his goal to become an eternal being. Bent on retaking his ‘rightful place’ among the Celestial Dragons at Mary Geoise.
Originally Doffy intended to use his brother Donquixote Rochinante to accomplish the surgery. Although, he didn’t know that his brother already held the Calm-Calm Fruit. Corazon was also planning to steal it for Law to cure his White Lead disease. Now, Doffy is imprisoned, but will definitely go for the surgery again the first chance he gets, probably being much more vicious in the process.
Shanks
Leader of the Red Hair Pirates and Emperor of the Sea. Shanks is one of the most powerful characters in One Piece. If he was made immortal, it could effectively put him in a tier on or above Imu. As far as Shanks’ reason for taking on the Immortality Surgery, that’s more unclear. It could be that he wants to take revenge on the Celestial Dragons, who likely had a hand in his being left in a chest at God Valley.
The real question is if Shanks has the resolve or ability to kill Trafalgar Law to make it happen. Of course, Shanks could destroy Law if he really wanted to with just his Haki, but would he want to? Usually, when Shanks comes up, he’s more of a pacifist set on ending conflicts before they get any more bloody. That’s still not to say he doesn’t have some ulterior motive though, especially when it comes to Monkey D Luffy.
Imu
Whereas the other candidates on this list are the ones that could get the surgery now, it’s likely Imu already had it. Sure, the user of the Op-Op Fruit dies once the surgery is performed. When has the World Government been above cracking a few eggs though? Especially when the omelet being made is one that renders the user immortal. Imu has very likely been around since the Void Century. They’ve even made multiple references to that time and Joyboy during their appearances in the series.
When Nefertari Cobra confronts the Gorosei about Nefertari Lili, it’s his death certificate being signed. Imu mentions that they knew Lili, and it’s probably because they were alive at the same time. There’s also a theory that Imu actually is Lili, rendered forever young by the Immortality Surgery. If there’s one thing that’s known for sure, it’s that Imu is one of the oldest beings around in the series.
Gorosei
The Five Elders of the World Government are the other candidates who have likely had the Immortality Surgery already. Just a theory of course, but considering that the Op-Op Fruit will regenerate after the user dies, it’s possible. The World Government would have the resources to chase down the Devil Fruit whenever it reappears. Plus Paramecia Types don’t quite have the wills that Zoans do. Also, it could explain why the Gorosei have such a range of ages. With gaps between, some of them may have gotten the surgery before the others.
It’s no guarantee that this is any kind of fact, but it could definitely make more sense for why they’re so stupidly powerful. Only one has been revealed in their full Devil Fruit power, and a wound Jay Garcia Saturn gets heals immediately. This would also make sure that Imu constantly has their most trusted advisors and enforcers, maintaining their everlasting loyalty.
There’s also every possibility that the Immortality Surgery is just one giant red herring, taking focus away from something else. Maybe it’s just there to keep Trafalgar D Law in a constant state of danger, with no telling if he’ll die at any moment. There isn’t any reason to include it if it won’t be used though, and hopefully, there’s some way that can save everyone’s favorite Heart Pirate.
