Warning: Spoilers for One Piece chapter #1090Luffy recently challenged and defeated one of the four Pirate Emperors, Kaido, but One Piece already presents an opponent that has intimidated Luffy more than Kaido ever did, despite the fact that the Straw Hat captain now has access to his powerful Gear Fifth. Kaido was regarded as the world’s “Strongest Creature,” but even after Luffy lost to Wano’s primary antagonist three times, he never showed an ounce of fear as he did in chapter #1090 when Admiral Borsalino “Kizaru” entered the battlefield.
Since the One Piece manga returned from its long break, the Egghead Island arc has been ramping up for an epic clash between the World Government forces and the new alliance between Dr.Vegapunk and the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy’s first meeting with the Five Elders started the confrontation strong when the World Leaders revealed their plan to the Straw Hat’s captive and Egghead traitor, Vegapunk Satellite York. Unfortunately, the tide of the battle quickly shifted in chapter #1090 of One Piece, with Admiral Kizaru finally showing up on the island. Kizaru’s sudden appearance was instantly detected by Luffy, and judging by the expression on his face the Admiral scares Luffy more than Kaido ever did.
Luffy’s Beaten Kaido, But Admiral Kizaru Truly Scares Him
In the past, Luffy had good reasons to be scared of Borsalino. Before the series time skip, after Luffy punched a World Noble in the face in the Sabaody Archipelago, the Straw Hats had to face the wrath of Admiral Kizaru, one of Marine’s highest-ranking officers and user of the Pika Pika no Mi Logia Devil Fruit. He easily outclassed Luffy and his crew with his light speed and laser powers. If not for the help of Silvers Rayleigh, the former First Mate of the previous Pirate King, and Bartholomew Kuma’s ability to teleport, the Straw Hat crew would have indeed been killed or captured. The crew’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Kizaru was actually the catalyst for each member to take two years off their journey to train and become strong enough to face the dangers of the New World. After years of powering up, readers may soon find out how well Luffy’s crew stacks up against the Navy Admiral who previously devastated them.
Related: One Piece Sets Up The Straw Hats To Avenge Their Worst Defeat
If Kizaru wins his first battle against Sentomaru on Egghead Island, a long-awaited rematch between the Straw Hats and the Light-speed Admiral could be Luffy’s hardest One Piece battle yet. In fact, Luffy’s reaction and his expression of pure fear are somewhat surprising, considering that the Marine Admirals have lost much of their terrifying aura as more powerful characters took the stage, such as the Four Emperors, including of course Big Mom and Kaido. When a new Admiral, Ryokugyu, showed up on Wano after the battle with Kaido, the Straw Hats showed their growth by remaining calm and almost indifferent to the presence of such a powerful figure.
Luffy’s Fight With Kizaru Is A Long-Awaited Rematch
Most fans assumed that, now that Luffy has awakened his Devil Fruit and can fully control Gear Fifth, he should have no problems beating a Marine Admiral. After all, Gear Fifth is the technique that beat Kaido, but Luffy’s reaction at the end of chapter #1090 tells another story. It would actually be an interesting development if Kizaru proved to be the strongest opponent Luffy has faced until now. The Admirals have somewhat lost their mystique recently, but they are the original “big baddies” of One Piece, considered among the “Three Great Powers” of the world. After all, the series has to introduce stronger villains than Kaido sooner or later, otherwise it risks damaging its own stakes, and Kizaru is the perfect candidate.
Fans who still remember the humiliation, the powerlessness, and the desperation of the Straw Hats in Sabaody have been waiting for this rematch for fifteen years. Hopefully, this battle will demonstrate how much the Star Hats have grown since that heartbreaking day. Kizaru’s arrival has surely shaken the Straw Hats’ captain, and fans will soon witness how the Admiral will fare against Luffy‘s Gear 5, which put One Piece‘s “Strongest Creature,” Kaido, in the ground for good.
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