Luffy is Going to Kick Kizaru’s Ass!!!

One Piece Chapter 1093 Review/Recap

This was the fight that fans have waiting to see for years! Ever since they got their butts kicked by the Admirals, fans have wanted to see Luffy and the Straw Hats take down one of the Navy Admirals. Thanks to Luffy’s new Gear Fifth form, that day might finally be upon us! However, despite having the potential this has to push the Marine assault on Egghead Island back, it might not be enough. There’s another player working behind the scenes that the Straw Hats don’t know about, after all…

I don’t care, though. I want to see Luffy take the Admiral’s a peg down!

Recap

After transforming into a giant and grabbing Kizaru in his hands, Luffy chucks him over the horizon! The others waste no time and use this chance to get the hell out of dodge. However, Atlas insists on heading down below to turn the Pacifista’s back to their side, while Vegapunk insists on getting Bonney. Franky and Sanji both agree to come along.

Down below, Bonney’s using hit-and-run tactics to pick off the Marines, but it’s not enough. In the Labophase, Zoro and Lucci clash.

Kizaru manages to recover from his throw and zips back to the island to begin his counterattack. Light clones of him begin attacking Luffy, distracting him long enough to make it back to the lab. Vegapunk’s long-gone though. He, Sanji, Atlas, and Franky head out in a custom tank, forcing Luffy to guard them from Kizaru’s power. He gets blinded by the light, but he manages to buy them time to get away. As a result, Atlas gives the order for the Pacifista’s to drive out the Marines. 

Unknown to them, though, Jaygarcia Saturn of the Five Elders overhears this command from the ship. Uh-oh.

Review

It should be no surprise that Luffy’s managing to give Kizaru a run for his money. In his base form, Luffy could fight on even footing with the Marine Admiral, but in Gear Fifth? It may not look like it due to his calm demeanor, but Kizaru’s on the backfoot. The fact that the first thing he did after recovering was distract Luffy so he could make a beeline for Vegapunk says it all: if the two were to have a prolonged battle against each other, Luffy would likely win. The best Kizaru could do was distract him and finish his mission.

Another thing to note is how Lucci’s now forced to fight Zoro, who is having almost no problem keeping up with him. This highlights how much weaker Lucci is now compared to Luffy, and how out of his league he’s become. 

The introduction of Vegapunk’s tank was a personal favorite moment of mine from the chapter. I’m curious to learn how Vegapunk developed something like that, and if he and Franky can integrate the tech into the latter’s own tank. Should the two combine their engineering prowess, they could make the Thousand Sunny nigh-unstoppable.

Luffy vs. Saturn on the Horizon?

As good as things are going, though, the chapter ends with an unspoken feeling of dread. None of the protagonists know that one of the Five Elders is present at Egghead Island. If Saturn gets in front of the Pacifista’s, he can turn them against the Straw Hat’s and Vegapunk for good. The only advantage the good guys have is the fact that Saturn has to address them directly for it to work. In other words, Saturn has to get involved.

The implications of one of the Five Elders stepping in to join the fight are legitimately terrifying. Having gotten a hint of what they’re capable of at the Reverie, we know they’re hiding some horrific power. I can’t even imagine how terrifying they must be in their unseen monstrous forms, but it was enough to force Sabo to flee. That could be a problem for the Straw Hats.

Then again, it also presents a unique opportunity. Luffy could have the chance to beat up one of the Five Elders in full view of the world. I thought beating Kizaru would be a major blow to the World Government, but taking down one of the Gorosei would make that pale in comparison. That, and it would partially avenge all those who suffered due to the cruelty of the Five Elders, like Ohara.

Once again, we have another two-week break, but at this point, it should come as no surprise. I only hope that the manga can keep ahead of the anime as the Wano Country Arc starts to wind down.

I Give “Luffy vs Kizaru” a 4.5/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff.