Scopper Gaban’s return in the Elbaf Arc has finally given One Piece fans a chance to see how a legendary fighter from Roger’s era compares with the current Straw Hats.
For years, Gaban was mostly a mysterious figure from Roger’s past.
Elbaf changed that.
Despite his age and previous injuries, Gaban has demonstrated tremendous Haki, fought against Luffy, defeated a Holy Knight, and even stepped in when Imu was about to kill Luffy.
So, how strong is Gaban compared with today’s Straw Hats?
Gaban’s Strength During Roger’s Era
Gaban was one of the most important fighters in the Roger Pirates.
While Rayleigh was known as Roger’s right hand, Gaban represented the other side of Roger’s combat force.
During the Elbaf Arc, Gaban even claimed that he was Roger’s second strongest crew member, although the story does not definitively settle whether he was actually stronger than Rayleigh.
What matters is that Gaban clearly belonged among Roger’s strongest fighters.
He fought during an era filled with monsters such as Roger, Whitebeard, Garp and other legendary pirates.
And although the Gaban we see today is past his prime, he has retained enough of his old strength to remain relevant against some of the strongest characters in the Final Saga.
That makes his current feats especially impressive.
Gaban vs. Rayleigh: Roger’s Two Great Fighters
Gaban and Rayleigh are natural comparisons.
Rayleigh was Roger’s right hand, while Gaban served as his counterpart on the other side.
Both were among the strongest members of the Roger Pirates, and both remained formidable even in old age.
Gaban’s claim that he was Roger’s second strongest creates an amusing rivalry with Rayleigh, but it should not be treated as a confirmed ranking.
The important point is that Gaban was powerful enough to be discussed alongside Rayleigh in the first place.
His current strength therefore gives us a glimpse of the level Roger’s senior fighters reached during their prime.
Gaban vs. Luffy: Their First Clash
Gaban’s first major comparison with the current Straw Hats came through Luffy.
Their encounter was not a full, serious death match, so it cannot be used to establish a definitive winner.
However, Gaban was able to control the situation against Luffy and force him to take the confrontation seriously.
Luffy eventually entered Gear 5.
That does not prove that Gaban is stronger than Gear 5 Luffy.
But it does demonstrate that even an elderly Gaban remained dangerous enough that Luffy could not simply overpower him.
That is remarkable considering that Luffy is now a Yonko with Gear 5 and advanced Haki.
What Gaban’s Return Means for the Straw Hats
Gaban’s return is important because he represents Roger’s generation while the Straw Hats represent the new one.
Luffy wants to become Pirate King.
Zoro wants to become the world’s greatest swordsman.
Sanji continues to grow alongside them.
Gaban has already walked the path they are now following.
That makes him an important benchmark.
His presence allows us to ask how close Luffy, Zoro and Sanji have actually come to the legendary fighters of Roger’s era.
And the answer isn’t necessarily the same for each Straw Hat.
The Holy Knights Show Gaban’s True Strength
Gaban’s fight with Shepherd Sommers is one of the clearest demonstrations of his modern strength.
He was able to cut the Holy Knight apart and prevent his unusual regeneration from simply restoring him.
The feat is important because it demonstrates more than raw physical power.
Gaban understands how to use his weapons and Haki against an opponent with extraordinary abilities.
That is where his decades of experience become especially valuable.
He may no longer possess the physical condition of his prime, but his combat knowledge and Haki mastery remain extremely dangerous.
His later involvement against Imu reinforces the same point: Gaban can still operate in battles involving the highest level of the Final Saga, even if he ultimately cannot defeat Imu.
Gaban vs. Zoro: Has the Student Reached Him?
Zoro is probably Gaban’s most natural comparison.
Both are dedicated combatants who rely heavily on weapons and Haki.
But their positions in the story are very different.
Zoro is still developing.
Gaban already completed his journey decades ago.
Zoro has dramatically improved his Haki throughout the Final Saga, particularly his Conqueror’s Haki.
However, Gaban possesses something Zoro cannot yet match: decades of experience fighting at the highest level.
His Elbaf feats demonstrate that his Haki and combat instincts remain extremely refined.
That does not mean Zoro cannot surpass him.
In fact, Zoro’s entire journey points toward eventually reaching the level of legendary swordsmen.
The question is whether he has already done so.
Based on the feats currently shown, the manga has not definitively established that Zoro has surpassed old Gaban.
Gaban vs. Sanji: Why They’re Similar
The comparison with Sanji is different.
Gaban and Sanji occupy similar positions within their respective crews as major combatants supporting their captains.
Their personalities also create an interesting parallel with Gaban’s relationship with Rayleigh and Sanji’s rivalry with Zoro.
More importantly, Gaban’s conversation with Sanji gives the latter recognition from someone who understands what it takes to stand beside a future Pirate King.
Gaban points toward Sanji’s potential to become a king himself, which has naturally fueled discussion about Sanji’s future development and Conqueror’s Haki.
Sanji already possesses tremendous physical ability, speed and durability.
But Gaban’s greatest advantage is experience.
Sanji is still developing.
Gaban has already spent decades fighting at the highest level.
Is Old Gaban Stronger Than Zoro and Sanji?
This is where we need to separate confirmed feats from interpretation.
Gaban has demonstrated extraordinary modern feats.
He challenged Luffy.
He defeated a Holy Knight.
He demonstrated extremely advanced Haki.
And he intervened when Imu was about to kill Luffy.
But none of these feats gives us a definitive numerical ranking.
His confrontation with Imu is especially important.
Gaban was able to intercept Imu and fight back despite being old and already injured.
However, he ultimately lost and suffered a devastating injury.
So the fight demonstrates that Gaban belongs among the strongest fighters involved in the current conflict.
It does not prove that he is stronger than Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, or Imu.
The same applies to Zoro and Sanji.
Their growth is continuing throughout the Final Saga, meaning their eventual ceilings have not yet been reached.
For now, Gaban is best viewed as an extremely high-level benchmark for the two fighters.
Where Does Gaban Stand Among the Current Straw Hats?
Gaban’s return shows just how high the ceiling of Roger’s generation really was.
Even after his prime, he remains capable of fighting characters operating at the highest levels of the Final Saga.
Luffy has already surpassed many of the limitations of the previous generation through Gear 5 and advanced Haki.
Zoro continues moving toward the level of the world’s greatest swordsmen.
Sanji continues developing his physical abilities and Haki potential.
But Gaban represents something they have not yet fully acquired:
decades of experience fighting at the highest level.
That makes him more useful as a benchmark than as a simple position on a power ranking.
The manga has not definitively established that Gaban is stronger than Zoro and Sanji.
But it has given us plenty of evidence that even an elderly Gaban remains an extraordinarily powerful fighter.
And that may be the real significance of his return.
The Straw Hats are approaching the territory once occupied by Roger’s generation.
Gaban is here to show them—and us—just how high that level actually is.
