A forgotten Chopper form may explain Gaban's ability to hurt One Piece's Holy Knights

In the recent One Piece chapters set in Elbaf, Scopper Gaban of the Roger Pirates showcases a groundbreaking haki technique, merging advanced observation and armament haki simultaneously. This fusion enables him to detect and exploit the weakness in an opponent's otherwise invulnerable regeneration, revealing a new frontier in haki's potential.

While Luffy, Zoro, and other Straw Hats have progressed significantly, Scopper's display suggests he was ahead of his time. His battle with the Holy Knights hints that Oda may have been foreshadowing this evolution of haki since early in the series, further enriching the lore and depth of the world.

Disclaimer: This article is a speculative theory and reflects the writer's opinion.

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The foundations of Haki fusion in One Piece

Rayleigh once explained that haki manifests in "colors" that individuals naturally gravitate toward based on their talents. Just as an artist might combine primary colors to create new ones, Scopper appears to have discovered how to blend different forms of haki to create something entirely new.

The manga panels clearly show Scopper immediately detecting the presence of giants and Straw Hats upon arriving at Elbaf's shore—an application of advanced observation haki that goes beyond mere presence detection to something akin to radar functionality.

What makes Scopper's technique truly revolutionary is not just using two types of haki simultaneously, which is something seen before, but rather fusing them into a singular new ability. When facing the Holy Knight Sommers, Scopper demonstrates the ability to "see" the weak point in his regeneration ability.

This parallels Chopper's "Brain Point" technique, where he analyzes and identifies an opponent's weakness using "Scope." The vital difference is that Scopper not only detects the weakness but also infuses his armament haki with this precise observational data, creating what could be called "targeted disinfecting armament."

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The Zoro connection

Zoro (Image via Toei Animation)

This fusion by Scopper bears striking similarities to Zoro's breakthrough moment against Mr. 1 in Alabasta, where he first learned to "hear the breath of all things." That experience allowed Zoro to cut steel by perceiving the "nothing" within it, suggesting Oda has been laying groundwork for this concept since early in the series.

Scopper takes this concept further by not just perceiving the weakness but actively targeting it with precision-guided armament haki. Additionally, the panels showing Scopper declaring "SCOPE!" while targeting Sommers visually reinforce the connection to Chopper's diagnostic abilities.

Both use observation techniques to identify vulnerabilities, but Scopper elevates this to a combat application that nullifies regenerative abilities—something particularly valuable against opponents like the Holy Knights, who seem otherwise invulnerable.

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The limitations and implications

Despite Scopper's mastery, the manga hints at significant limitations to this technique. The text notes that fusing advanced forms of haki places enormous strain on the user's stamina, explaining why, despite his incredible skill, the older Scopper couldn't completely defeat Sommers.

This aligns with how Oda typically balances powerful abilities in One Piece; exceptional power comes with proportional drawbacks. Meanwhile, the implications for future battles are profound. If haki can indeed be fused in this manner, it opens new possibilities for how characters might overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Could Luffy combine his advanced conqueror's haki with observation to predict and counter specific devil fruit awakenings? Would Zoro fuse his armament with observation to cut supposedly indestructible materials? All this remains to be seen.

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Conclusion

Scopper Gaban's haki fusion marks a major evolution in One Piece’s power system, deepening established mechanics rather than adding new ones. By showcasing how Roger’s crew pushed the limits of haki decades ago, Oda maintains narrative consistency while enabling meaningful power progression.

This simultaneous fusion of advanced observation and armament haki—not just parallel use—suggests a refined mastery that could be pivotal in upcoming battles. As the story nears its climax, such advanced techniques may become crucial against overwhelming foes like Imu and the Gorosei, positioning haki fusion as the next key advancement in the series’ combat hierarchy.

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