Although One Piece has long been known as a manga that hesitates to kill off characters, Eiichiro Oda’s work has still shocked fans with several impactful deaths. From Ace and Whitebeard to Pedro, Yasuie, and Vegapunk, each loss has left a deep mark and pushed the story into new turning points.
Now, as the Elbaph arc reaches its most intense moments, many signs suggest One Piece may soon witness another major sacrifice. Events in chapter 1189 have led many readers to believe an important character might not survive the confrontation with Imu.
Scopper Gaban Faces the “Death Flag”
The character most talked about is Scopper Gaban, a former member of the Roger Pirates.
In chapter 1189, Gaban boldly steps in to protect Luffy from Imu’s overwhelming power. With the Straw Hat captain badly injured and clearly outmatched by the world’s strongest enemy, Gaban is likely to continue buying time to help his allies retreat.
This is a familiar trope in many stories, where a veteran character sacrifices themselves to protect the next generation. Notably, hints about Gaban’s fate had appeared earlier.
A Promise to Luffy That Could Turn Tragic
Before the battle at Elbaph began, Gaban promised that if the island remained intact after this adventure, he would meet Luffy again to continue their story. What seemed like a simple promise now worries many fans.
If Elbaph is successfully defended but Gaban dies fighting Imu, that promise will never be fulfilled. This would be a deeply tragic detail, fitting perfectly with Eiichiro Oda’s emotional storytelling style.
Based on the manga’s current direction, Gaban’s death is considered highly likely.
Why One Piece Needs This Sacrifice
One Piece has now entered its Final Saga, the concluding phase of the entire story. This is when the stakes must be higher than ever.
If the Straw Hats keep defeating the strongest foes without any cost, the battle against Imu and the World Government will lack tension.
That’s why the death of a key character would prove that even the heroes cannot avoid loss in the final conflict. Scopper Gaban, as a legendary figure from the Roger generation, is a fitting choice to create this turning point.
Gaban’s Death Could Be Luffy’s Greatest Motivation
More importantly, Gaban’s sacrifice could be the push Luffy needs to grow.
The overwhelming defeat against Imu shows Luffy is still not strong enough to face the world’s top figure. If this weakness costs an ally their life protecting him, it will be the harshest lesson the Straw Hat captain has ever faced.
From there, Luffy may be forced to fully master Gear 5 and elevate his Haki to a new level in preparation for the final showdown.
Elbaph Could Mark the Biggest Turning Point of the Final Saga
Of course, Scopper Gaban might survive the battle. However, considering the story’s current build-up, his death fits the narrative much better.
If it happens, this would be one of the most shocking deaths since Vegapunk’s, elevating the Elbaph arc emotionally and setting the stage for Luffy’s final journey to become Pirate King.
For now, all of this remains speculation, but chapter 1189 clearly lays the groundwork for an event that could reshape One Piece for years to come.