One Piece chapter 1190 delivers one of the most striking moments in the Elbaf arc as Scopper Gaban, the former right-hand man of Gol D. Roger, directly confronts Nerona Imu.
Can Gaban defeat the World King? Of course, it’s not that simple. Still, Gaban achieves something extremely important: he actually wounds Imu and creates an opening for Luffy to get back on his feet and keep fighting.
Here are the key highlights from One Piece chapter 1190.
1. Scopper Gaban Scolds Luffy Again
Finally, Luffy breaks free from the swords controlling him, especially Vohu.
But instead of immediately encouraging Luffy after saving him, Gaban takes a tough approach. He criticizes Luffy for making an injured older man come to his rescue and brings up Luffy’s ambition to become Pirate King.
According to Gaban, that title isn’t a position to be enjoyed comfortably. The Pirate King is someone whose death would be celebrated by many, all vying for that spot.
So if Luffy thinks he can become Pirate King easily and peacefully, Gaban even suggests he should go back home. On the surface, it seems like Gaban is trying to bring Luffy down. But that’s likely his true intention.
Luffy is the kind of character who grows stronger after being challenged or provoked. Gaban is probably trying to rile him up so he can prove he truly deserves the Pirate King title.
2. Gaban Knows What Joy Boy Said
A very notable moment comes when Gaban asks Imu if seeing Luffy reminds him of Joy Boy. Imu immediately questions how Gaban knows that.
The answer is simple: Gaban learned it from the words Joy Boy once spoke. This detail reinforces that Roger’s pirate crew truly uncovered vital information after reaching Laugh Tale. Gaban seems capable of connecting various clues.
If Imu had to personally leave Mary Geoise to face Luffy, this move could confirm that Luffy is the figure Roger’s crew and Whitebeard had been waiting for. In other words, Gaban might understand more about the link between Luffy, Joy Boy, and Imu than we realize.
3. Notice Imu Coughing Up Blood
An interesting detail appears when Gaban starts talking about Joy Boy’s words and Roger’s dream, and Imu begins coughing up blood.
Notably, at that moment Gaban hasn’t yet landed a direct, powerful blow on Imu. This fuels speculation that Imu might have a time limit or some restriction when outside Mary Geoise. Of course, this is still just a theory.
However, if such a limit or consequence exists for Imu being away from Mary Geoise, the battle at Elbaf could be pushing him closer to that threshold.
4. Gaban Shows Impressive Conqueror’s Haki
This is probably the most crucial part of the fight. Gaban leaps up and prepares to strike. His Conqueror’s Haki bursts out in all directions, even hitting Imu as he prepares his Stigma. The effect is immediate. Blood drips from Imu’s mouth again.
This becomes even more interesting since earlier Gaban reminded Luffy that it’s not just about increasing Haki power but also about how to use it.
Perhaps Gaban is directly showing Luffy an example of what he means.
Then Gaban uses the Yachitakeru technique, unleashing a storm of axe slashes with his two axes. Imu counters with the Honebami Toshiro sword.
Their clash is so intense that part of an Adam wood tree is cut and falls all the way down to the Underworld. Imu also suffers a wound near his temple.
So yes, Scopper Gaban truly injured Nerona Imu. However, that still isn’t enough for him to win.
Another worrying detail is that Gaban complains about joint problems. He remains incredibly strong, but it’s clear his body isn’t in peak condition like in his prime.
5. Gaban Loses His Left Arm
The chapter ends with a brutal scene. Scopper Gaban lies motionless, his left arm severed.
The battle’s outcome matches what many expected. Gaban successfully frees Luffy, draws Imu’s attention, showcases his Conqueror’s Haki, and even wounds Imu.
But he faces the World King while older and already injured from Gunko’s attack.
In the end, Imu’s power is still overwhelming for Gaban to handle alone. Yet maybe Gaban never needed to win. His mission was to help Luffy, motivate him, and buy time.
Now, Luffy has gained two crucial things from this fight. First, Gaban directly challenges him on what it truly means to become Pirate King. Second, Luffy witnesses firsthand how Roger’s former right-hand man uses Conqueror’s Haki.
Since chapter 1152, Gaban has urged Luffy to think more about how to use Haki, and One Piece 1190 finally gives Luffy a direct example.