Luffy's Next Power-Up: Why Gear 5 Isn't Enough for the Final Saga!

This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.

Summary

Gear 5 consumes a lot of stamina, making it a dangerous but draining power.
Luffy needs more than Gear 5 to defeat top-tier opponents in the One Piece world.
Luffy must improve his Haki to reach a new power level, potentially with the help of Scopper Gaban in Elbaf.

As One Piece progresses into its final phase, it’s evident that Luffy is steadily approaching his full potential. During the Wano Country Arc, Luffy successfully unlocked his true strength and activated his Devil Fruit, unveiling a remarkable transformation known as Gear 5. This newfound power allowed him to elevate his already impressive skills to an even higher level, making him capable of matching Kaido in a formidable fight.

Indeed, during the fight against Kaido, Luffy managed to momentarily surpass him on several occasions. However, since Gear 5 is relatively new, Luffy hasn’t had the chance to fully unleash its full potential yet. Despite the impressive display of power that Gear 5 offers, there are still more surprises in store for us fans as Luffy is expected to gain additional power-ups that will take him to an entirely new level in the final arc of One Piece.

The Limitations Of Gear 5

Gear 5 Consumes A Lot Of Stamina
Gear 5 Alone Isn’t Good Enough

It’s indisputable that Luffy’s Gear 5 is astonishingly powerful. This transformation is nothing short of amazing, granting him the ability to tap into his inner freedom and execute virtually anything he desires in combat. Remarkably, Luffy can even breathe life into objects using the power of his imagination, a unique skill indeed. Without question, Gear 5 represents an immense power that Luffy has demonstrated in One Piece thus far, a power that will only grow stronger with time. In Wano, Luffy defeated Kaido with Gear 5, and in Egghead, he bested both Lucci and Kizaru, and even matched the Five Elders in battle. However, during the Egghead Arc, some significant vulnerabilities of his Gear 5 were highlighted by fans.

That Warrior of Liberation, also known as the Sun God, Nika. — Five Elders

The initial point is evident to all, and it’s about the stamina drain of Gear 5. This ability, powerful as it is against adversaries, also has a significant downside: it consumes a lot of stamina. Luffy can’t sustain it indefinitely, as was shown on Egghead. In intense battles, he could potentially perish if his energy reserves run dry. However, this disadvantage is something Luffy can address by continually growing stronger. As he becomes more powerful, his endurance will likely increase, and he’ll adapt better to the strain caused by this transformation.

Despite Luffy having endless endurance, it’s evident that he can’t assume Gear 5 alone would be sufficient to conquer the highest echelons of the One Piece world. This was also obvious during the Egghead Arc, where Luffy encountered numerous formidable adversaries, including the Elders.

Even though Luffy never tires, he can’t believe that just using Gear 5 will make him strong enough to defeat the most powerful characters in the One Piece world. This was also obvious when he fought against strong enemies like the Elders during the Egghead Arc.

Why Gear 5 Isn’t Enough For The Final Saga

Luffy Needs A Massive Boost In Terms Of Haki

It’s evident to viewers that Luffy has an extraordinary power with Gear 5, but it’s equally clear that he hasn’t reached a level where he can defeat the Yonko elders or even challenge Imu. He doesn’t have the strength to beat Blackbeard yet, nor does he come close to matching Shanks in power. However, this does not diminish Luffy’s strength; it’s undeniable that he possesses great might. But, his Haki abilities need significant improvement, and there are higher levels he needs to master to truly become the strongest character in One Piece.

I’ll imbue you with my most powerful spiritual ability, known as Haki. Use it only in dire situations or to shield someone close to your heart.

From my perspective as a fervent One Piece fan, let me highlight an intriguing point: Shanks, who serves as a significant goal for Luffy in numerous aspects, has mastered Haki to a degree that leaves me awestruck! His Haki is so potent it can reach opponents from miles away and inflict harm, as evidenced during his clash with Green Bull at the end of the Wano arc. Luffy’s Haki, while impressive in its own right, still seems to trail behind Shanks’ prodigious abilities at this moment.

Shanks can manipulate his own energy field to conceal his presence and disrupt the Observation Haki of his adversaries. This means he can effectively block their ability to foresee the future, adding another layer to his mastery over Advanced Conqueror’s Haki – a skill that Luffy currently lacks.

These two aspects represent two stages of Haki that Luffy has yet to master, serving as a reminder to fans of his current limitations in this skill.

Though Luffy’s current abilities are impressive in a fight against opponents, fans ought to remember that there’s still much more for Luffy to master. To truly incapacitate the Elders, Luffy must enhance his Haki to the level of Joy Boy. This became evident during the Egghead Arc, where Joy Boy’s Haki was strong enough to counteract the demonic powers of the Elders and inflict lethal damage upon them. Not only were their immortality nullified, but even Imu themselves sustained damage from it. It is clear that Luffy is currently a long way from achieving this level, implying his most significant power-up is still far off at present. This also indicates to fans that while Gear 5 is crucial for Luffy, it is not sufficient on its own and that Luffy needs another formidable upgrade – the strongest manifestation of Supreme King Haki.

Luffy’s Ultimate Power-Up Is Yet To Come

Luffy will Gain All These Power Ups In Elbaf

It doesn’t make a difference that Luffy isn’t there yet, because fans understand he’ll eventually attain a higher level of strength. In Elbaf, Luffy is destined to become more powerful, and this growth will come from honing his Haki skills. Possibly, Scopper Gaban, the right-hand man of the Pirate King, can aid Luffy in reaching this new power level by instructing him on specific aspects of Haki.

Eventually, Luffy will encounter Shanks, learning some valuable lessons from him. As a result, Luffy will likely match Shanks’ strength, also known as the Red-Haired Emperor, and draw closer to Joy Boy. This stage marks when Luffy is prepared for battles against the Elders and Imu, since currently his powers are not strong enough to defeat them or even offer significant resistance. Elbaf will be a significant milestone in Luffy’s journey, but there are definitely more challenges ahead in the future.

Readers can enjoy One Piece without hassle through Viz Media. Officially and at no cost, fans can access the series on Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. Mark your calendars for February 23, 2025, as that’s when the next chapter of One Piece, titled One Piece 1140, will be released.

2025-02-21 00:34

Luffy’s Next Power-Up: Why Gear 5 Isn’t Enough for the Final Saga!