After a two-week pause, One Piece Chapter 1182 was released on May 10, 2026, and it’s clearly building towards a major power boost for Monkey D. Luffy. The current Elbaph arc is reaching its peak, with Nerona Imu battling Loki. Luffy, meanwhile, is eating constantly to get ready for a fight with the World King. Right now, he wouldn’t stand a chance against Imu. However, recent chapters (1180 and 1182) introduced a new power system involving Awakening Rings through the characters of Nerona Imu and Rain God Zaza, suggesting that Luffy will unlock a new level of Gear 6 during the climax of this arc and in future storylines.
One Piece Officially Introduces God Rings With Nerona Imu and Rain God Zaza In Chapters 1180 And 1182
In chapter 1044 of One Piece, published on March 28, 2022, Monkey D. Luffy unlocked Gear 5 for the first time. This transformation was a pivotal moment in the story, giving Luffy the power to finally defeat Kaido. It also revealed Luffy’s connection to the legendary Sun God Nika, a deity who hadn’t been seen for 800 years since the time of Joy Boy. Four years prior, Luffy declared Gear 5 to be his ultimate form, leading many fans, including myself, to think he wouldn’t get any stronger.
“This is my peak…this is Gear 5!” — Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece Chapter 1044
Although Luffy’s Gear 5 transformation was amazing, knowing it would be his last felt a little sad. However, the way the author, Eiichiro Oda, presented the rules of this new power system in the Elbaph arc suggests Luffy can still get stronger within Gear 5 and potentially even reach Gear 6. This idea was first established in One Piece Chapter 1180, published on April 20, 2026, and further developed in the most recent chapter, 1182, released on May 10, 2026. These chapters revealed the full extent of Nerona Imu’s Devil Fruit power after he transformed into the Devil God Form. This transformation gave Imu horns, black wings, and tanned skin, along with a large naginata weapon. He demonstrated incredible power, effectively controlling everything around him. Most strikingly, he created a massive black ring of flames behind his back – a display of his strength and military might, which he called Omen or Maki.
Nerona Imu declares, ‘My strength comes from a hidden power everyone possesses!’ – from One Piece chapter 1181.
Initially, I believed the black ring of flames was unique to Imu. However, chapter 1182 of One Piece revealed Rain God Zaza, another god-like figure similar to Imu and Luffy, also possessing this ring – but his was made of water. Since Monkey D. Luffy is also considered a god within the One Piece world, this strongly suggests he will receive his own ring, potentially unlocking even greater power through Gear 6.
I watched as he emerged, almost as if summoned by the desperate pleas for rain. They called him Zaza, the Rain God – Saint Killingham, as revealed in One Piece chapter 1182.
Why Luffy’s Sun God Nika Ring Could Potentially Lead To Gear 6
I remember when Luffy first unleashed Gear 5 in Wano, around chapter 1044 – he seemed to think it was the absolute limit of what his Devil Fruit could do. But I don’t think that means he can’t get better at using it. We saw him really struggling with stamina during that fight, and if Gear 5 truly was his peak, he’d still be facing those same problems. It’s clear he needs to work on that weakness, so saying he’s reached the end of his Gear 5 potential just doesn’t seem right to me.
Similar to other powerful characters, Luffy might unlock a ring of energy behind him, even while using his Gear 5 form. This ring would likely be an extension of his Nika transformation, potentially manifesting as flames from the sun. Considering recent developments in chapters 1180 and 1182, this idea seems plausible, and it ties into Luffy’s existing ability to create fire. We’ve already seen him generate flames with moves like Red Hawk in Gear 2 and Red Roc during his fight with Kaido (as shown in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 5-6, released January 4, 2021).
When Luffy creates a fiery ring around himself, it fully activates his Sun God powers, significantly boosting his already impressive Gear 5 abilities. Fans now speculate this could be a new form called Gear 6, and the recent reveal of this flame effect in Elbaph makes Gear 6 a very likely development.
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All Potential Powers And Abilities Of Luffy’s Gear 6
If Luffy’s Gear 6 is a continuation of Gear 5, it’s logical that he’d keep all the abilities from his previous form. This means he should still be able to stretch and shrink drastically, spread joy and laughter, and bring his imagination to life – essentially giving him almost limitless freedom.
With a body made of rubber and a fighting style all his own, he brings joy to everyone—the Warrior of Liberation, also known as the Sun God, Nika! This is how the Gorosei described him in One Piece chapter 1044.
Luffy’s Gear Fifth form could be enhanced with a large ring of fire behind him. This fiery ring might be the key to unlocking Nika’s full power and could even link to the legendary Mother Flame – a massive energy source within the One Piece world. This connection would explain how Luffy managed to activate the ancient weapon, Emeth, in the Egghead Arc, as Vegapunk confirmed that only Mother Flame can power and awaken the Iron Giant.
Vegapunk, referring to Mother Flame, explains that the more she researches energy, the closer she gets to understanding the source of power that drives the giant robot. She believes it’s an ancient and incredibly potent energy source.
This would create a direct clash with Nerona Imu, who also uses a black flame wheel. Imu channels his power, called Omen, through this ring of flames, and Luffy could respond by using his own flames to effectively counter it. Considering all of this, Gear 6 seems very likely in One Piece, and I’m excited to see how Oda develops this storyline.
You can read the newest One Piece manga chapters on Manga Plus and Viz Media.
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2026-05-21 23:35