Warning: contains spoilers for One Piece #chapter 1187One Piece‘s Elbaph arc is on a generational run right now, juggling about a dozen exciting plotlines at once, and chapter #1187 may have just delivered the moment Sanji fans have been waiting years to see. After a massive string of power-ups that started back in Whole Cake Island, from tossing on the Raid Suit to awakening his tough Germa exoskeleton against Queen in Wano, and literally defying the laws of physics by kicking away Kizaru’s laser beams on Egghead, the Straw Hat cook is on the verge of awakening Supreme King Haki.
And the timing could not be better. Taking down a powerhouse like Killingham and stopping the god-tier Rain God Zaza would be straight-up impossible without it, especially when normal attacks are barely doing a thing to these immortal monsters. If Sanji really does step up and tap into that Supreme King power to save the day, the Straw Hats could finally have their third Supreme King Haki user. At that point, the Monster Trio is going to be an even bigger problem than it already is.
The Elbaph Arc Proves Sanji Possesses The Rare Qualities Of A Supreme King In One Piece
One Piece Chapter 1187 panel showing Sanji recalling his conversation with Gaban.
Sanji has always been one of the most powerful Straw Hats, but he has never really carried that classic kingly ambition. Unlike Luffy wanting to become the Pirate King or Zoro aiming for the title of the world’s strongest swordsman, Sanji’s dream of finding the All Blue never required him to stand at the top of the food chain. But chapter #1187 flips the script, pushing the cook to finally accept a heavy role he has spent years brushing aside.
After Sanji takes a brutal hit from Killingham, he recalls his recent conversation with Scopper Gaban in the Elbaph underworld. Gaban mentions that he sees the potential of a Supreme King in Sanji, but his stubborn pride is standing in the way. Sanji hates his royal Vinsmoke bloodline so much that he has spent years rejecting anything connected to royalty or ruling.
The Ultimate · Straw Hat Challenge Set Sail for Trivia “I’m gonna be King of the Pirates!”
⚕CrewNakama!
🌊SeasEast Blue
🍋Devil FruitsGomu Gomu!
☠VillainsFear the sea
🏆DreamsOne Piece!
01
Monkey D. Luffy accidentally ate a Devil Fruit as a child, giving him rubber-like abilities. What is the name of that fruit?
✓ Correct! The Gum-Gum Fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi) turned Luffy’s body into rubber. He ate it from Shanks’ treasure chest as a kid, gaining stretchy powers but losing the ability to swim forever.
✗ Overboard! The answer is the Gum-Gum Fruit. The Chop-Chop Fruit belongs to Buggy, the Flame-Flame Fruit to Ace, and the Smoke-Smoke Fruit to Captain Smoker — but Luffy’s rubber powers come from the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
02
Luffy’s iconic straw hat was given to him as a child by a famous pirate who inspired his dream. Who gave Luffy the hat?
✓ Correct! Red-Haired Shanks entrusted his straw hat to young Luffy in Foosha Village, telling him to return it when he becomes a great pirate. That promise drives Luffy’s entire journey.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Red-Haired Shanks. While Gold Roger originally wore the hat, it was Shanks who passed it down to Luffy after saving his life from a Sea King — a defining moment in the series.
03
Before joining the Straw Hats, Sanji works as a sous chef at a floating restaurant on the ocean. What is the name of this restaurant?
✓ Correct! The Baratie is the ocean-going restaurant run by Chef Zeff, Sanji’s mentor. In the live-action series, it’s one of the most stunning sets — a fully realized ship-restaurant on the open sea.
✗ Overboard! The answer is The Baratie. Run by the legendary pirate-turned-chef “Red Leg” Zeff, this floating restaurant is where Luffy recruits Sanji as the Straw Hats’ cook.
04
Roronoa Zoro is famous for his unique sword-fighting technique. How many swords does he wield in his signature style?
✓ Correct! Zoro uses Three-Sword Style (Santoryu), wielding one sword in each hand and a third in his mouth. His dream is to become the world’s greatest swordsman by defeating Dracule Mihawk.
✗ Overboard! The answer is three. Zoro’s iconic Three-Sword Style places one blade in each hand and a third clenched between his teeth — a fighting technique unique to him in the One Piece world.
05
Each Straw Hat crew member has a personal dream. What is Nami’s ultimate goal that drives her journey?
✓ Correct! Nami’s dream is to draw a map of the entire world. Her cartography skills and navigation talent make her indispensable to the crew, and her passion for mapmaking was nurtured by her adoptive mother Bell-mère.
✗ Overboard! The answer is to draw a complete map of the world. Nami is a gifted cartographer whose dream goes beyond just sailing — she wants to chart every sea and island so no one is ever lost again.
06
A powerful Marine Vice Admiral is revealed to have a surprising family connection to Luffy. Who is this high-ranking Marine?
✓ Correct! Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather. Known as “Garp the Fist,” he’s a Marine hero who wanted Luffy to become a Marine — not a pirate. Their family dynamic is a major subplot in the live-action series.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Vice Admiral Garp. Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather and one of the most legendary Marines alive. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, their bond runs deep.
07
Usopp is recruited into the Straw Hat crew after the pirates help defend his home village from Captain Kuro’s Black Cat Pirates. What is the name of Usopp’s village?
✓ Correct! Syrup Village is Usopp’s peaceful hometown where he was known for telling tall tales. It’s also where Kaya lives, and where the crew acquires the Going Merry from her estate.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Syrup Village. Foosha Village is Luffy’s hometown, Shells Town is where Zoro was held captive, and Coco Village (Cocoyasi) is Nami’s home — but Usopp hails from Syrup Village.
08
The Netflix live-action adaptation was praised for its casting. Which actor plays Monkey D. Luffy?
✓ Correct! Mexican actor Iñaki Godoy won fans over with his infectious energy and earnest portrayal of Luffy. Mackenyu plays Zoro, Taz Skylar is Sanji, and Jacob Romero Gibson plays Usopp.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Iñaki Godoy. The young Mexican actor perfectly captured Luffy’s boundless enthusiasm. The other actors all play Straw Hat crew members — but Luffy is all Iñaki.
Voyage Complete Your Pirate Record
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Are you King of the Pirates — or lost at sea?
Gaban’s message is simple: if Sanji truly wants to help put Luffy on the Pirate King’s throne, he needs to let go of that baggage and finally embrace the king inside him. And really, there could not have been a better person to have this talk with him. Gaban was one of Roger’s most trusted fighters, filling much the same role for the future Pirate King that Sanji now fills for Luffy. Facing an immortal monster like Killingham may finally be the push he needs to accept that power on his own terms.
One Piece Sets Up Sanji For A Huge Victory Against The World Government’s Deadliest Fighter
With One Piece entering its final stretch, the timing could not have been better. The enemies standing between Luffy and the One Piece are only getting stronger, and the World Government has already started sending immortal fighters after the crew. If the crew is going to survive the final stretch against the World Government, both wings of the Pirate King need to be operating at the absolute highest level.
Over on the other side of the village, Zoro has already made it pretty clear to Sommers that his friend will not be showing up, putting his full faith in Sanji to finish the job. And Oda is not setting up a moment this big just to downplay it later.
The Straw Hat captain isn’t ready for the King of the World, but Elbaph’s Accursed Prince is the perfect match.
The way Elbaph is playing out right now, Killingham feels like Sanji’s fight to win. Taking down an immortal Holy Knight, shutting down the bizarre Rain God Zaza nightmare, and saving the giant children is exactly the kind of big moment Sanji needs right now. And if he really does awaken Supreme King Haki to pull it off, the entire One Piece power-scaling conversation around the Monster Trio is about to change.
