The return of Scopper Gaban in the Elbaf arc has not only thrilled fans but also highlighted one of the most fascinating duos in One Piece. While Silvers Rayleigh and Gaban were the trusted right and left hands of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, Roronoa Zoro and Sanji are seen as the “wings” helping Luffy soar to become the Pirate King of the new era.
At first glance, these two pairs share many similarities. Rayleigh and Zoro are both calm, serious swordsmen, while Gaban and Sanji stand out with their charismatic, impulsive personalities and strong appeal to women.
However, the more fans analyze, the clearer it becomes that Oda did not create two identical pairs. There are plenty of interesting differences between them.
1. Rayleigh and Gaban are much more open about romance
One of the most noticeable differences lies in their love lives.
From the start, Eiichiro Oda has largely avoided developing romantic relationships among the Straw Hat crew. Sanji often falls for women, but most of these feelings never lead anywhere, including his story with Charlotte Pudding.
Meanwhile, Zoro has hardly ever shown any interest in romance, as if it’s completely outside his priorities.
In contrast, Roger’s generation was more open about such matters.
Scopper Gaban was mentioned by Shanks as having a lover in nearly every port he visited. In fact, at Elbaf, Gaban is confirmed to have a child with a giant female warrior.
Rayleigh presents a different image. In flashbacks to God Valley, he risked his life to protect Shakuyaku out of love for her. Today, the two still live together on the Sabaody Archipelago as a long-time couple.
2. Similar roles but opposite fighting styles
Within their crews, Zoro clearly inherits Rayleigh’s role, while Sanji is seen as following in Gaban’s footsteps. Yet when it comes to fighting styles, this similarity is actually reversed.
Rayleigh is famous for precise sword strikes focused on a single target. He always chooses speed, technique, and accuracy over wide-area destructive power. Interestingly, this style closely resembles Sanji’s. The Straw Hat chef’s kicks target opponents’ weak points, using speed and timing to end fights without damaging the surroundings.
On the other hand, Zoro, though also a swordsman, delivers attacks with tremendous destructive force. In Wano, even when Kaido dodged one of his strikes, the aftershock was strong enough to cut off a giant horn on Onigashima Island. This power-driven fighting style reminds many of Scopper Gaban, known as the “Mountain Eater” for his wide-reaching attacks.
3. Zoro and Sanji have more unique backgrounds
Looking at their lineage, the Straw Hat duo stands out more than their predecessors.
Through SBS, Oda confirmed that Zoro is a descendant of the Shimotsuki family and related by blood to the legendary swordsman Ryuma. However, Zoro himself seems unaware or indifferent to this fact.
Sanji’s background is even more special, as he is the son of Vinsmoke Judge, making him a prince of the Germa Kingdom. Despite this, Sanji denies his family ties and avoids mentioning his origins.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh and Gaban’s noble blood or special origins have yet to be revealed. They appear as ordinary pirates who rose through talent, experience, and their will to conquer the seas.
4. Completely different weapons between the two generations
The final difference lies in their weapon use.
Rayleigh mostly fights with a single large sword, while Zoro is famous for his unique Three-Sword Style (Santoryu). Still, the Straw Hat swordsman can adapt to fighting with one or two swords when needed.
The gap between Sanji and Gaban is even clearer. Scopper Gaban wields two massive axes, favoring strength and battlefield sweeping attacks.
Sanji is the complete opposite. He fights using only his legs, as he considers his hands tools for cooking and refuses to use them in combat. The rare exception is when Sanji uses a kitchen knife to face Wanze, an opponent connected to cooking.