On September 28, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 44, One Piece marked the release of Chapter 1194, which specifically focused on Zoro's battle against Saint Sommers in Elbaf. However, just prior to that, Eiichiro Oda showed Luffy hitting his limit against Nerona Imu, the King of the World. Luffy took to utilizing Gear 5 immediately in the battle against Imu, but as is quite clear, this power simply isn't enough to drive Imu out of Elbaf.
More than that, to improve his overall Conqueror's Haki strength, Luffy's Hito Hito no Mi transformations need a significant upgrade. To that end, Eiichiro Oda teased at the end of One Piece Chapter 1193 a new Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika gear for Luffy, which we are all incredibly excited to witness.
The Elbaf arc was the first time that Luffy's Gear 5 powers were fully tested to the limit. At the end of One Piece chapter 1186, which was officially released on June 29, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 31, Monkey D. Luffy entered the battlefield and landed a powerful blow on Nerona Imu. In the subsequent chapter, Luffy took to utilizing Gear 5, and one chapter later, he was officially defeated by the King of the World. Had it not been for Scopper Gaban, who interfered in One Piece chapter 1189, Luffy would most certainly have faced death at the hands of Imu on July 27, 2026.
"That bad news guy is Elbaf's enemy, right? Then, that means he's my enemy as well. I'm overflowing with strength. Right now, I cannot see anyone beating me." — Monkey D. Luffy confirms his power before fighting Imu, One Piece Chapter #1186
Even though Luffy entered the battle against Imu once again in One Piece chapter 1193, which was released on September 14, 2026, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue 42-43, it was evident that he was hitting his limit while Imu was hardly damaged. It is evident at this point in the story that Luffy's Gear 5 and the current level of his Haki are not enough to take down Imu. Even with help from the likes of Gaban and Loki, defeating Imu seems practically impossible, and that is precisely why a new Hito Hito no Mi Model: Nika gear is due for Luffy.
Luffy: He's gonna revive himself soon enough. We gotta pile it on before he gets the chance to do that.
Loki: You're right about that! Okay, I'm in!
Luffy: Oh no, my heartbeat is coming back. I can't go back now! If my injuries come back, there's no way I can keep fighting. No! Stop! At least let me beat him first!
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://gamerant.com/one-piece-luffy-new-hito-hito-no-mi-gear/
