The world was not ready for One Piece when it decided to feature the Gear 5 form, the much-awaited form of Monkey D. Luffy, where he changed the tide of the battle against Kaido on Onigashima. The fight was ridiculous because it felt as if Eiichiro Oda was showcasing a 90s cartoon, where our protagonist persistently pulled off ridiculous moves.
Each of his actions was greatly enhanced by the sound effects that appeared each time he appeared on screen. However, the Loony Tunes effect should not distract the fans from the fact that the Straw Hat received a major buff and is showcased in his most free state.
Strength is not what makes this form so unique but the imaginative powers that came along with it. The after-effects of the power had major consequences, which can be overcome quite easily. Thus, making the theory of Law sacrificing himself is pretty much useless.
Luffy’s Unique Drawback of the Gear 5 is the Result of His Imagination
Eiichiro Oda’s Wano Country Arc is believed to be one of the greatest narrative sagas of the grand adventure that has been going on for the past 25 years. The raid at Onigashima not only had a deeper meaning for the Kozuki Clan but also changed the balance of the sea, where two old Yonkos had fallen, only to be replaced by Luffy and Buggy.
However, it was the heated battle between Monkey D. Luffy and Kaido, where the former finally awakened his Devil Fruit powers after his opponent beat him to stop his heart. It was only then revealed by the Gorosei that his Devil Fruit’s real name was Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, and it was a mythical Zoan fruit.
The form is bewitching to the eyes, where the Warrior of the White would laugh and make the people laugh, bringing them together, all while defeating his foe. However, a major drawback follows the power, where his body becomes withered and old, and he must take a break to fully recover.
Many believed that this was the biggest con of the overwhelming power, even asking on social media. However, they might be shocked to learn that this weakness is not a result of his newfound abilities, but his older Gear forms, where each had unique drawbacks. This can be understood because, in this form, he could bend reality to a certain degree.
Hence, this blowback on himself is the result of his constantly interpreting things in a different manner, where his imagination plays a key role. The recoil is thus a result of his imagination and to some extent his confidence that sinks as the battle continues.
However, this is not a major issue because each of his other Gear abilities had absurd recoils, where he would shrink after using Gear 3. If he continues to work on his confidence, he might just overcome the drawback and stop looking like a shriveled old man.
Though Oda-Sensei might just stop featuring this drawback on the protagonist soon, it puts the theory of Trafalgar Law dying for Luffy at Mary Geoise pretty much useless.
Gear 5’s Strength Eliminates Trafalgar D. Water Law’s Noble Sacrifice Theory
A prevalent notion that has been followed among One Piece fans is that everything Oda-Sensei introduces in the series serves a major purpose. This is true in the case of Trafalgar Law, who was once a side character in the series but became an essential part of the storyline.
However, this is not a fluke because it is believed that the Captain of the Heart Pirates will lay down his life in Mary Geoise, where he will die saving Luffy after his life force has been immensely depleted.
The theory sent a major uproar when it started circulating the internet, but it can be speculated that this weakness can be conquered if Luffy can reinforce himself psychologically. This brings forth the thought of the shift in narrative and not sacrificing himself for the protagonist of the show.
While fans of the series will be delighted that their favorite character not dying, talking from a story perspective this expected scene would have taken the drama to another level. Nevertheless, the story will be gripping, and Oda-Sensei will focus on real-life events to make his series’ conclusion more epic.
One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll, and the manga can be read on VIZ.
