In Chapter 1122 we see the Iron Giant releases a massive Haki attack which sends the Elders (minus Saturn) back to Mary Geoise, allowing the Thousand Sunny to land safely on the sea. A flashback occurs to when Joy Boy tells Emet to use that Haki he implanted him with when the time is right.
![](https://www.opfanpage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ddsw-1024x989.png)
It does seem like Conqueror’s Haki is the key to defeating the Elders in their monster forms. Which makes sense honestly. I think the Five Elders were given their powers by Imu, whatever that power is, and is probably a big reason why they appear to be immune to any permanent damage. Though they can still feel the pain. I think it’s fair to say that there is a chance that the Haki that the Elders possess are possibly borrowed from Imu. And I still think the Elders are Devil fruit users, since that Haki burst canceled their transformations.
From Imu’s reaction there, it definitely feels like there is a direct connection between Imu and the Elders, almost as if it was Imu projecting his power through them via the summoning/teleportation ritual thing. Imu felt Joy Boy’s Haki as much as everyone else at Egghead did. Imu is definitely physically/emotionally connected with the Elders. That’s the main reason he felt it. The Haki did not reach Mary Geoise by itself, it stayed around the island.