One Piece's new power system makes Luffy's Gear 6 possible on Elbaph

with the return of a piece 1182 After a two-week hiatus in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump issue #24 on May 10, 2026, the series has officially set up a big power-up for Monkey D. Luffy. At this time, the Elbaf arc is at its climax, with Nerona going up against the emu Loki. Meanwhile, the protagonist of the series, Luffy, is eating as much food as possible to prepare for the impending battle with the King of the Worlds. As of now, Luffy can't beat Imu, and it's obvious by looking at his overall power level. However, by introducing the new power system Awakening Rings in Chapter 1182 with Nerona Emu in Chapter 1180 and Rain God Zaja in Chapter 1182, Eiichiro Oda has officially opened the door for Gear 6 to awaken at the climax of Luffy's Elbaph arc, and arcs to come.

One Piece officially introduces the God Rings in Chapters 1180 and 1182 with Nerona Emu and Rain God Zaza.

Monkey D. Luffy first tapped into the power of Gear 5 in Chapter 1044 of the story, which officially came out in Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump issue #17 on March 28, 2022. This power-up in One Piece was absolutely iconic for more reasons than one. More than that, it turned him into the sun god Nick and saw the return of this god after 800 long years after Joy Boy's death. Four years ago, Monkey D. Luffy officially called Gear 5 his peak, leading me and many others to believe that he would no longer evolve.

“This is my peak… this is Gear 5!” — Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece Chapter 1044

While the power-up was exciting, the realization that Gear 5 Luffy would be the ultimate transformation soured the power-up for me. However, the way Eiichiro Oda manipulates his newly revealed power system in Elbaph's climax ensures that Luffy can strengthen within the limits of Gear 5 and still develop Gear 6. The groundwork for this was officially set. a piece Chapter 1180, which was released in Shuisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump issue #21 on April 20, 2026, was expanded into Chapter 1182, the most recent one-piece chapter that officially dropped on May 10, 2026. In these chapters, Mikuna displays his full power after Enor takes the form of the Devil God. With this unique transformation of his, Emu gained two horns, black wings, a tanned body, a giant naginata for a weapon, and completely displayed the power of a god. The strangest thing about him was that he was able to form a giant black ring of flame behind him, which he called Omen, his military power, or Maki.

“The omen is my military power! The power that resides within everyone!” – Nerona Emu, One Piece Chapter #1181

At first glance, I thought this black ring of fire was only for emu. but, a piece Chapter 1182 showed Rain God Zaza, another divine god like Imu and Luffy with the exact same ring. In Zaza's case, this ring was made of water. Given that Monkey D is also a god of Luffy a piece World, it officially sets up the idea of ​​getting its own ring. With this comes the potential for him to tap into the power of Gear 6.

Appearing to the rhythm of a prayer for rain… the rain god Jaja! – St. Killingham, A Fragment Chapter 1182

Why Luffy's Sun God Nika Ring could potentially lead to Gear 6

When Luffy awakened the power of Gear 5 for the first time in Wano in chapter 1044, he clearly stated that his awakening was the peak of his Devil Fruit powers. However, this does not mean that Luffy's control cannot increase significantly upon his Devil Fruit Awakening. As is clearly evident in the story, Luffy suffers from stamina-related issues when it comes to Gear 5. If Wano had been at his peak, he would have been stuck in these problems forever. However, he can and should correct this weakness. It's not true that Luffy can't improve Gear 5 anymore.

Similarly, Luffy can go on to awaken the same ring behind his back as Nerona Emu and Zaza, despite already being Gear 5. This ring will be a part of his Nika transformation. This ring may have been formed from the flares of the sun. Looking at this through an analytical lens, especially given the major revelations Oda made in chapters 1180 and 1182, it makes a lot of sense. This connects directly to Luffy's ability to produce flames. When Luffy uses Red Hawk in Gear 2, he is able to produce powerful flames, and he was able to do the same with Red Roc in his battle against Kaido in Chapter 1000, which was officially released on January 4, 2021 in Weekly Shōnen Jump issues 5-6.

By revealing the ring of flames behind him, Luffy's Sun God powers will be brought into full effect and take his overall Gear 5 abilities to the next level. This new form of Gear 5 Luffy could potentially call Gear 6, and with this new Flame Wheel reveal on Elbaph, Gear 6 is now a huge possibility.

All possible powers and abilities of Luffy's Gear 6

Image by Toei Animation

If Luffy's Gear 6 is going to be a direct evolution of his Gear 5, then it would make sense to retain all of his Gear 5 abilities in this new gear. This means that the power to dramatically stretch and contract, as well as spread laughter and joy, should also be a part of Gear 6. At the same time, it also means that Luffy will retain the ability to bring his imagination into reality, granting him the power of eternal freedom.

“Having a body with the power of rubber, and fighting in any way possible, bringing smiles to people's faces, a warrior of liberation…also known as the Sun God, Nika!” – Gorosei in One Piece Chapter 1044

The only addition to Luffy's Nika form will be a giant ring of flames behind him. This ring of flame could allow Luffy to channel the full power of the Sun God Nika and connect directly to the Mother Flame, which would become a great power source for the world of One Piece. This also goes to explain how Luffy was able to awaken Amethyst in the Ahead Arc, as Vegapunk clearly states that the Mother Flame is the only thing that can awaken the Iron Giant and serves as its energy source.

“The harder I work to find the energy I seek, the closer I get to the source of the power that moves this machine soldier. The ancient energy form that powered it!” — Speaking of Vegapunk Mother Flame, One Piece chapter #1068

It also directly contrasts Nerona Emu's black flame wheel on its back. With Emu using Maki's power, or what he also called the Omen, through this ring of black flames, Luffy would then use his own ring of flames and effectively counter his powers. All things considered, Gear 6 is now a huge possibility in one piece, and I can't wait to see what direction Oda takes this subplot going forward.

All the latest chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga are available to read on Manga Plus and Viz Media.