After four years, One Piece officially sets up Luffy's biggest power-up since Gear 5

With One Piece returns from hiatus with Chapter 1183 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #26 on May 24, 2026all eyes are currently on the series' protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, as he prepares to enter the final battle against Imu in the climax of the Elbaph Arc. This incredibly exciting battle that fans have been waiting for ages sees the sun god Nika go up against the devil god One Piece world and resume a battle that ended 800 years ago, at the end of the Void Century.

While Luffy vs. Imu is sure to be an exciting clash that will serve to heighten the climax of the Elbaph Arc, it must be noted that the strength of the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates is nowhere near that of Nerona Imu at the moment. Despite having the power of Gear 5, Luffy pales in comparison when it comes to overall strength. Eiichiro Oda, the writer of the series, has already set up a major Haki upgrade for him in the upcoming battle, and even more than that, a potential Gear 5 development that will see him more than make up for the strength he lacks in defeating the World Sovereign.

One Piece's Elbaph Arc Climax sets up Luffy's next Haki Power Up to fight Imu

One Piece's Elbaph Arc climax shocked all fans when Chapter 1179, which was officially released in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #19 on April 6, 2026, officially, Nerona overthrew Imu, king of the whole world, over the land of war. Nerona Imu's appearance in Elbaph was not at all expected, but against all odds, he shocked fans by showing up to fight both Nika and Nidhoggr all by himself. Chapter 1180 of the manga, which was released the following week, followed Imu taking out Zoro, Sanji, and Hajrudin and starting her battle with the warrior god of Elbaph, Loki. This struggle has since continued.

In the meantime, One Piece Chapter 1181 gave us our last glimpse of Monkey D. Luffy as he continued to consume an inordinate amount of food to prepare for the battle against Nerona Imu. Apparently, Eiichiro Oda has already set up Luffy vs. Imu based on recent developments in the story. One Piece Chapter 1183, which will be released on May 24, 2026, and the subsequent chapters will likely move the story further in this direction, setting up the final clash between the Sun God Nika and the Demon God Devil God Imu.

“Gotta eat more! I've never felt anything like this before! It's so heavy and hard! What's with this guy's Haki?” — Monkey D. Luffy after sensing Imu's Haki in One Piece chapter #1181

When we compare the strength of Luffy and Imu, it is a given that the former is no match at this point. In fact, in the Wano Country Arc he struggled to defeat the likes of Kaido and in Egghead he couldn't quite beat Kizaru. That he should be able to fight on equal terms against Nerona Imu, who is significantly stronger than both of them, is absurd. Thank God, in One Piece Chapter 1152, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #30 on June 23, 2025, Eiichiro Oda officially set up a Haki upgrade for Monkey D. Luffy.

IN One Piece Chapter 1152, Scopper Gaban specifically gave Luffy a lot of advice before he set out to fight the Holy Knights. Gaban told him to think about how to properly use his Conqueror's Haki, because only then will he realize that the Holy Knights are not immortal. This means Gaban's message came after he saw Luffy's fight against him in chapter 1140 of the story. Gaban judged Luffy's Conqueror's Haki usage to be weak and sentient. Luffy must know how to properly use his Conqueror's Haki if he is to fight and defeat the likes of Nerona Imu. As such, a major Haki upgrade has been set up for Luffy by Eiichiro Oda.

“You, Straw Hat! Make a mental note of how to use your Color on the Supreme King. They are not immortal!” — Scopper Gaban tells Luffy to use Haki properly, One Piece Chapter #1152

It's no surprise to know that the Conqueror's Haki levels vary depending on the user. In One Piece Chapter 1122, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 36-37 on August 5, 2024, Joy Boy's Haki was shown for the very first time. It was clear to see that it was significantly stronger than Luffy or any other character found in the world of One Piece, as it caused even Nerona Imu immense pain.

“Was that Haki even stronger than Red Hair's? There was no hostility towards it!” — Dorry and Brogy, One Piece Chapter 1123

Shanks has also demonstrated his Haki on several occasions in the series, such as Chapter 1056 and then again in Chapter 1079. With the feats he has accomplished, such as paralyzing an admiral and defeating Eustass Kid and Killer in a single swing of the blade, Shanks has demonstrated superior D. Haki to Monkey. In order for Luffy to stand up to the likes of Nerona Imu, he must be on a similar level when it comes to Haki manipulation, and the climax of the Elbaph Arc sets this ascension to the next level.

Why Luffy could also get an awakening ring in Elbaph Climax

While a Conqueror's Haki upgrade by itself is huge enough to see Luffy compete with Imu at the very highest level, there is yet another power-up that Eiichiro Oda quietly sets in motion for him. In the climax of the Elbaph arc, specifically chapter 1179 onwards, Nerona Imu, the Devil God of the One Piece world, manifested a black ring of flames behind her. Similarly, in One Piece chapter 1182, which was officially released on May 10, 2024, in issue 24 of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, Rain God Zaza, another God, was shown with a ring of water behind his back.

Luffy is the Sun God, but he has no ring at the moment, which may indicate that this power has not fully awakened within him yet. In the fight against Nerona Imu, Luffy can evolve if he truly manages to awaken to the power of the Sun God Nika by manifesting a ring of flames behind his back. This can bring out his true Gear 5 abilities and upgrade his overall strength significantly by giving him massive strength. It would also strengthen his Conqueror's Haki, since, as confirmed by Rayleigh in Chapter 597 of the story, Conqueror's Haki cannot be trained directly and instead grows in power as the user becomes stronger as well.

Although you can control the Color of the Supreme King, you cannot train it to become stronger directly. It is the embodiment of the user's spirit. The only way to make it stronger is for the user to become stronger. — Silver's Rayleigh to Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece Chapter 597

In any case, Luffy vs Imu will be very significant for the overall character development of the series' protagonist, both in terms of his role as Sun God Nika and overall character strength. We absolutely cannot wait to see how this fight unfolds and how Luffy's new Haki power-up shapes his journey from here on out. One Piece rushing towards the Great War and, with it, its final end.

The latest chapters of the One Piece manga can be read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.