One Piece Chapter 1193 just flipped the entire Elbaf War on its head. Titled “I’m Still Practicing,” the chapter ends with Roronoa Zoro casually stabbing Saint Sommers through the chest and apologizing for his aim. That single line might be the most terrifying power-up reveal since Gear 5 itself.
While Monkey D. Luffy lies exhausted after breaking Imu’s Shield of Emptiness with the insane Gomu Gomu no Dawn Thor Bullet, Zoro is quietly unlocking something far more dangerous: full control over Conqueror’s Haki infusion. Here is why Chapter 1193 changes everything we thought we knew about the Straw Hats’ second-in-command.
Zoro vs Sommers: The Thorn Trap That Failed
At Sea Cloud Port, Saint Sommers surrounds Zoro with endless thorns conjured by his Devil Fruit ability. The Holy Knight is confident. He mocks Zoro, asking how a mere pirate swordsman plans to infuse Conqueror’s Haki into his slashes when even veteran New World captains struggle with it.
Zoro’s answer is pure Zoro. He wonders out loud how to channel Haoshoku Haki through Enma, Wado Ichimonji, and Sandai Kitetsu at the same time, and in the next panel every single thorn is already cut. Sommers does not even see the slash. One blink later, Zoro’s blade is buried in the Holy Knight’s chest, millimeters from his heart.
“Oh, sorry. I’m still practicing.” That quote will live in One Piece history forever.
Manga Evidence: Enma Was Only the Beginning
Remember back in Wano when Kozuki Oden’s sword Enma kept draining Zoro’s Haki uncontrollably? That was foreshadowing. Kaido himself confirmed Zoro had Conqueror’s Haki when Zoro scarred him on the rooftop of Onigashima with Asura and Haoshoku infusion.
Since then, Zoro defeated King the Wildfire by mastering Enma and unleashing King of Hell Three Sword Style. But against Rob Lucci on Egghead and Nusjuro of the Five Elders, Zoro still looked like he was holding back. Chapter 1193 confirms why: he was experimenting.
The theory is simple. Zoro has been treating every Holy Knight fight as training. Saint Sommers, with his regenerative immortality granted by Imu, is the perfect sparring partner. You cannot kill him easily, so you can practice your most lethal techniques without worry. Zoro literally says he is still practicing mid-fight.
Luffy Falls, Zoro Rises: The New Monster Trio Shift
Chapter 1192 showed Luffy teaming up with Prince Loki and Hajrudin to create the Dawn Thor Bullet, a combination of Gear 5 Nika powers, Loki’s giant hammer, and raw lightning. It pierced Imu’s Shield of Emptiness and made the hidden king cough blood with white eyes.
But the cost was massive. Luffy collapses from exhaustion after overusing Gear 5. Loki reveals his hybrid form only as a silhouette, saving the full reveal for later. Hajrudin is battered. Imu is wounded but far from defeated.
This is where Eiichiro Oda’s genius shows. Just as Luffy falls, Zoro and Sanji step up. Sanji is currently clashing with Saint Killingham in a speed battle, while Zoro just nearly one-shot Sommers. The old Monster Trio of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji is evolving. Some fans even argue Loki is becoming an honorary fourth commander of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet.
The Gunko and Owl Library Mystery
Do not sleep on the other huge reveal in Chapter 1193. Gunko finally wakes up on the other side of Elbaf. Meanwhile, inside the Owl Library, Biblo tells Nico Robin, Tony Tony Chopper, and Jaguar D. Saul that he wants to show them something special.
What could Biblo be hiding? Our theory: the Owl Library contains the original records of the Void Century connected to Elbaf, possibly even a Road Poneglyph rubbing or details about the Man Marked by Flames. Robin’s presence there is no coincidence. Oda placed the world’s greatest archaeologist exactly where the story needs her most.
If Robin deciphers Elbaf’s forbidden texts while Zoro holds off Sommers and Luffy recovers, the Straw Hats could leave Elbaf with both a military victory and the key to Laugh Tale.
Future Predictions: What Happens in Chapter 1194?
Here are our three boldest predictions:
First, Zoro will finish Sommers with a brand-new named attack, possibly a Conqueror-infused version of Dragon Damnation or a completely new King of Hell technique. Sommers’ fear in the final panel proves his immortality has a limit, and Zoro just found it.
Second, Scopper Gaban will stop telling Luffy to escape and instead entrust Elbaf’s fate to the new generation. Usopp already gave that incredible speech on Hajrudin’s shoulder, declaring Luffy is not Joy Boy or Nika to him, just his captain. That emotional beat sets up a full Straw Hat rally.
Third, Loki’s full hybrid form will be revealed saving a collapsed Luffy from Imu’s counterattack. The silhouette in Chapter 1193 is classic Oda teasing. Loki transforming to protect the Sun God Nika would complete his redemption arc from chained prince to Elbaf’s true king.
Read more One Piece theories on wibux:
- One Piece Chapter 1204 Theory: Blackbeard’s Bargain with Loki Just Changed the Final War Forever
- One Piece Chapter 1203 Theory: Loki Wasn’t Lying, He’s the Sun God’s Missing Piece
- One Piece Chapter 1202 Theory: The Man Marked by Flames Is Finally Coming to Elbaf
Why This Chapter Matters for the Final Saga
One Piece Chapter 1193 releases officially on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 7am PT on Manga Plus, with no break next week. The Elbaf Arc has turned into a full battlefield with Imu and the Holy Knights invading the giants’ homeland.
Zoro learning to control Conqueror’s Haki infusion at will puts him on the same tier as Shanks, Dracule Mihawk, and Gol D. Roger. If he can spam Haoshoku-coated slashes without Enma draining him, no Holy Knight is safe. Pair that with Luffy’s Dawn Thor Bullet cracking Imu’s invincibility, Sanji’s Ifrit Jambe evolution against Killingham, and Loki’s awakening, and the Final War suddenly looks winnable.
Oda titled this chapter “I’m Still Practicing” for a reason. Imagine what Zoro looks like when he is done practicing.
What do you think? Is Zoro about to surpass Mihawk earlier than expected? Will Loki’s hybrid form outshine Gear 5? Share in comments!
