Highlights
The Straw Hat Pirates are involved in a massive incident as they find themselves trapped on Egghead Island and facing the arrival of Admiral Kizaru.
Luffy is the sole member of the crew with a realistic opportunity of defeating Kizaru, as he has enhanced his capabilities with advanced Haki and experienced the Awakening of his Devil Fruit.
Kizaru proves to be an intimidating rival, possessing formidable Haki and the capacity to generate and manipulate light. However, he acknowledges that Luffy has significantly amplified his strength, thereby becoming a genuine menace.
The Straw Hat Pirates' return to the center of the story brought much excitement to One Piece fans. After weeks of focusing on other events around the world, it became evident that the pirates would be caught up in a major incident.
When the Navy arrived at Egghead Island, where the pirates, CP0, and Vegapunk's satellites were confined, the pirates sought refuge in the secure Frontier Dome. Although they were trapped inside, the other satellites started working on an escape plan. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when Kizaru, the Admiral, finally arrived at their location. Using his powers, he easily defeated Sentomaru and then ordered the Pacifista to eliminate the Sea Beast Weapons. In the midst of all this, Kizaru came face to face with the Straw Hat Pirates, but before he could react, Luffy immediately launched an attack.
The Sabaody Incident
Kizaru, one of the Navy Admirals who dutifully serve the World Government, made his debut in the Sabaody Archipelago arc. Sent by the World Government to protect the Celestial Dragons and combat the pirates who attacked them, Kizaru made a grand entrance atop a cannonball, swiftly eliminating the pirates. Fearlessly challenging numerous Supernovas single-handedly, none were able to withstand the might of the Admiral.
Without delay, Kizaru located the Straw Hat Pirates and commenced his relentless assault. Helpless against his immense power, the entire crew would have surely met their demise if not for Rayleigh and Kuma. While Rayleigh kept Kizaru occupied, Kuma transported the Straw Hat Pirates to different destinations. Now, two years later, the crew finds themselves once again confronted by the Admiral, leaving the pivotal question of whether they can finally overcome him this time.
Luffy's Power
The Straw Hats' strength has significantly increased since their last encounter with Kizaru. Each crew member has made notable improvements, as showcased in the Wano Country arc. However, only Luffy has a chance of defeating Kizaru. The memory of his powerlessness against Kizaru fuels Luffy's motivation to become stronger.
Currently, Luffy possesses the ability to utilize all three types of Haki and their Advanced counterparts. He can anticipate his opponents' moves and deliver devastating blows from within. Furthermore, if he needs to amplify the strength of his attacks, he can infuse them with Haoshoku Haki.
If Luffy's Haki falls short, he can always rely on his Devil Fruit Awakening. Known as the Awakening Gear 5th, Luffy considers it to be the ultimate manifestation of his power, granting him unparalleled freedom compared to his previous Gears. Thanks to Gear 5th, Luffy emerged victorious against Kaido and put an end to his oppressive rule in Wano.
Kizaru's Strength
After demonstrating his dominance in Sabaody, fans quickly learned not to underestimate Kizaru. Even during the Marineford arc, Kizaru maintained a nonchalant demeanor as no one managed to inflict any visible harm on him. Despite Marco's kick, Kizaru remained unscathed. He even engaged in an attack against Whitebeard, skillfully evading the Yonko's strikes. Kizaru possesses a formidable mastery of two types of Haki: Kenbunshoku and Busoshoku. In response to Whitebeard's devastating quake, Kizaru and his fellow Admirals utilized their Advanced Busoshoku Haki to disperse the attack. Additionally, Kizaru has clearly attained great proficiency in Kenbunshoku Haki, allowing him to skillfully dodge critical blows. This was evident in his encounter with Sentomaru, where he effortlessly avoided the latter's assaults by transforming himself into light and separating parts of his body.
Is Luffy Really 100 Times Stronger?
Undoubtedly, the power of Kizaru's Haki is unquestionable, but his most formidable weapon lies in the Pika Pika no Mi. This Logia-type Devil Fruit grants him the ability to manipulate and generate light at his command. Kizaru's assaults become remarkably potent, as evidenced by the sheer destruction caused by a mere kick that annihilated a colossal mangrove tree. While Kizaru possesses several named techniques, his go-to move is the Yasakani Sacred Jewel in combat. This attack unleashes a barrage of luminous beams that blanket a considerable area, inflicting substantial damage. Furthermore, Kizaru has the ability to fashion a sword out of pure light to engage and confront his adversaries.
Luffy asserted that since their previous encounter, the crew had made significant strides in their abilities. As he launched a kick towards Kizaru, the Admiral skillfully thwarted the attack. Yet, Kizaru's realization that he could no longer remain nonchalant spoke volumes. According to translators, the Japanese version showcased an uncharacteristically resolute tone from the Admiral, adding further weight to the situation.
Having witnessed Luffy's growth since his days of being bullied in Marineford and Sabaody, it is clear that he has come a long way. With their current power levels, Luffy holds a distinct advantage over his opponent, making him fully capable of defeating Kizaru.
You can find One Piece's available reading material on Viz Media.
