Unveiling the Secrets of Kuzan's Ice Glove in One Piece

Highlights

In the final Saga of One Piece, Kuzan emerges as a significant figure within the Blackbeard Pirates. Notably, he engages in a fierce confrontation with his former mentor, Garp.

Possessing the Hie Hie no Mi Devil Fruit, Kuzan wields the power to transform into ice, generate it at will, manipulate its properties, and immobilize adversaries by freezing them to the very core. This renders them utterly incapacitated and unable to participate in combat.

Despite Kuzan's mastery of the Ice Glove technique, which combines his ice powers and Armament Haki, it still falls short in comparison to Garp's formidable techniques. Kuzan still has room for improvement in order to measure up to his former mentor.

Kuzan holds a significant role in the final Saga of One Piece as a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, as evidenced in the latest chapters of the series. Despite being a highly respected Marine in the past, Kuzan is now the 10th Titanic Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates. The intense battle between Kuzan and his former teacher, Garp, following the capture of Captain Koby, has been regarded as one of the most thrilling clashes in the history of One Piece.

Kuzan's Hie Hie no Mi

The clash fully showcased the immense powers possessed by both Kuzan and Garp. Despite fans already being familiar with the capabilities of the former Marine Admiral, Oda introduced several new attacks, including the formidable Ice Glove.

Kuzan, known for his alias "Aokiji," possesses the rare Logia-type Devil Fruit called Hie Hie no Mi. Regarded as one of the most powerful Devil Fruits in the entire series, this ability grants Kuzan the power to transform his body into ice, as well as generate and manipulate it at will. The ice he creates is so chillingly formidable that it can freeze any individual to their core within a matter of seconds. Not even formidable figures like Whitebeard are immune to this icy onslaught, although the effectiveness of Kuzan's powers against Whitebeard could be debated due to the latter's mastery over the quake fruit. Once encased in ice, individuals are rendered completely incapacitated, as demonstrated by Diamond Jozu, as well as the occasions when even Luffy and Robin fell victim to this frigid fate.

The potency of Kuzan's icy abilities surpasses imagination, exemplified by his ability to instantaneously freeze the vast ocean and anticipate a grueling wait of seven days for it to thaw – a true testament to his extraordinary strength. Aside from his power to freeze others, Kuzan exhibits further prowess by fashioning weapons out of his Hie Hie no Mi. This was evident during the Marineford saga when he effortlessly crafted a formidable ice spear. Additionally, he demonstrates versatility by wielding ice swords in his clash against the Straw Hats, and ice arrows in his intense encounter with Whitebeard's Haki-infused assault. Kuzan further showcases his mastery through devastating techniques like the awe-inspiring Pheasant Beck, where he conjures colossal constructs imbued with his Devil Fruit abilities, capable of obliterating anything obstructing their path.

Kuzan's Ice Glove

During the Egghead Island Arc, Kuzan found himself in a fierce battle against Garp, where he initially seemed to be at a disadvantage. Despite his age, Garp possessed greater strength than Kuzan and could enhance his punches with the Color of the Supreme King, giving him the upper hand in their clash. However, Kuzan had a few tricks up his sleeve and used them to counter Garp's immense power. After recovering from the Blue Hole attack, Kuzan decided to amplify his strength and provide extra protection by enveloping his fist in ice. Adding to this, he also utilized the power of Armament Haki, further increasing the potency of his punch. With his newly ice and Haki-enhanced fist, Kuzan delivered a powerful blow to Garp.

How Strong Is Ice Glove?

Kuzan dubs this technique "Ice Glove," a formidable blend of the Hie Hie no Mi and Haki. When employed against Garp, it propelled the Vice Admiral backward and left him clutching his head in agony. This move packs a punch equal to Garp's own Haki-infused strike, resulting in both adversaries being thrown back upon impact. By amalgamating his Hie Hie no Mi abilities with his punches, Kuzan ensures he can stand toe-to-toe with the esteemed strength of the Marine's Hero.

The Ice Glove stands as Kuzan's most formidable technique for close-quarters combat. Among all the impressive displays witnessed so far, this skill represents the zenith of his physical conditioning under Garp's tutelage. In the past, fans are aware of Kuzan's rigorous training regimen alongside Garp, involving the utilization of Battleship Bags. The objective of these exercises was to dent the colossal battleships solely through sheer physical prowess, devoid of any assistance from Haki or Devil Fruit abilities. This arduous regime not only elevated the combatant's foundational strength but molded them into an unparalleled force. While Kuzan certainly progressed immensely as a fighter during his time with Garp, his might always faltered in comparison to that of his mentor.

Kuzan's incontestable inferiority to Garp was only equalized when Shiryu intervened. Despite his immense physical prowess, Kuzan's strength alone falls far short of Garp's. To compensate for this disparity, Kuzan relies on his Devil Fruit abilities to enhance his punches, which is precisely the function of the Ice Glove. The Ice Glove can be deemed Kuzan's most potent close-combat technique, a manifestation of years of dedicated training. Nevertheless, it still pales in comparison to some of Garp's more formidable techniques, such as the Galaxy Impact or, as we witness later, the Galaxy Divide. Nonetheless, the Ice Glove stands as an immensely powerful technique, enabling Kuzan to take on adversaries like a Yonko or someone of Garp's caliber. Undoubtedly, this technique possesses the strength to vanquish anyone who dare obstruct his path.

Is Kuzan As Strong As Garp?

The events that recently unfolded on the Pirate Island in the world of One Piece revealed a unique bond between Kuzan and Garp. Despite Kuzan's betrayal and alliance with the Blackbeard Pirates, Garp still sees him as his beloved pupil. It was evident during their fight that Garp surpassed Kuzan in terms of strength, despite the latter holding the rank of Admiral. Even with the added challenge of battling against other Captains of the Blackbeard Pirates, Garp clearly had the upper hand. If it had been a one-on-one duel between Kuzan and Garp, the outcome would undoubtedly have been in Garp's favor. Additionally, the length of their battle was prolonged by Shiryu's deceptive tactics, resulting in Garp suffering a fatal injury.

In this fight, Oda carefully compared the power levels of these two powerhouses, and it is evident that Garp outshined Kuzan despite his age and diminished strength from his prime. This is not to imply that Kuzan is weak, as he is a former Admiral and capable of facing almost anyone in combat, including the Yonko. However, in comparison to his former mentor, Kuzan still has room for improvement.

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