Lineage Factor is the sole power system of One Piece and Imu's real weapon
All races, devil fruits and *all* branches of haki are encompassed under the umbrella of lineage factor. The factor appealing to most would be the implication that conquerors haki is also passed through genetics, like armament and observation. Gaining the ability to manipulate lineage factor is said to be "stepping into the realm of God". God, Imu, may have abilities attributed to the changing of his own/others lineage factors to gain stronger bodies and abilities.
Same mystery59% confidenceImu Is Nerona Imu, the Immortal Survivor of the First Twenty
Same mystery68% confidenceImu's true form is pathetic and resembles Stelly
Same mystery0 evidenceNERONA IMU Has the Mythical HUMAN HUMAN fruit model 20 KINGS
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Also in this lore75% confidenceThe Man Marked by Flames, Vander DeckenIt goes without saying that DNA(Lineage factor) dictates the difference between races and their abilities. It is also the part of a person that is manipulated when a devil fruit is eaten. Devil fruits are quite literally just devices that alter DNA. A devil fruit users lineage factor can also be extracted and used to duplicate a devil fruit.
All living beings pass on the capacity for haki, which is why all beings continue to have the ability to awaken it. Remember that specific phrasing. Having the capacity to unlock something doesn't mean that you will. Rayleigh explains this. Supreme kings haki is included in this trend, but I'm inclined believe there was patient zero(s) whose lineage factors were affected with something that birthed conquerors haki after the other two had already existed. If conquerors haki is what will defeat the final enemy , i think it adds another layer to inherited will. A "weapon" passed down through the ages , only those on a dangerous path in life are able to grasp it.
There are several panels during marineford about how Luffy showing supreme haki is linked to his dad and is HEAVILY implied that Dragon also wields supreme haki.
I know I'm focusing a lot on conquerors haki but it's only to drive home how important lineage factor is, for my endgame theory that Imu has an ability that can manipulate lineage factors . The body we see may just be an amalgamation of different race traits and abilities. This is why I included this theory under the "Who is Imu" mystery. It may even be this ability that initially created the different races, as Arlong says Fishmen are "evolved" humans. This may have happened as a way to separate people and incite prejudice against each other.
When Yonji said that the science delving into the research of DNA, it was stepping into the realm of God. I try not to throw around the word "foreshadowing" but I think it was a sign that the endgame would be littered with enemies with modified lineage factors to become stronger. Probably directly,so no weakness to water by having to eat a fruit. Even the Seraphim seem like they may be able to use haki. If conquerors haki is included in that, I believe that proves all haki is genetic. . It's kind of a mix of divinity and science, which i do find interesting.
Discussion
5 argumentsA devil fruit changes your DNA/lineage factor/Bloodline Elements and even without the original fruit, you can use the fruit eaters DNA to replicate another one . Fruits, from a scientific standpoint, are "devices" to alter DNA.
The discovery and manipulation of lineage factor is "stepping into the realm of God". I don't think this was a random statement. One of God's abilities will be to change his allies lineage factors to become stronger and maybe even possibly change his enemies to be weaker/subservient. Though I made this theory a long time ago , with the reveal of Domi reversi, this may even be what that is.
Arlong stating that Fishmen were originally humans that evolved to gain something akin to the "power of nature"
At marineford, several people remark to Luffy's showing conquerors haki as reminiscent of Dragon and how "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". Garp is speaking as if it was a foregone conclusion that Luffy would get it, since Garp himself has it as well.
Rayleigh explaining that all living things have the capacity for haki. It's not purely anime magic, they pass it on. But having the ability to do something doesn't mean that you will do it. The biggest pushback I've had to this idea is usually "Big mom had conquerors haki, and the parents we see weren't combatants, so that can't be true" And I still fail to understand that logic, because if Luffy lived a peaceful life, he never would've unlocked it. It's a weapon grasped through desperation and danger , but not all strong-willed people who live through dangerous and dire circumstances unlock it, like Kyros or Wyper.