For years, One Piece fans basically treated Scopper Gaban like a myth. We saw him in the background of Buggy’s memories. We saw him swinging axes in the Oden flashback. But while Silvers Rayleigh was busy training Luffy and getting shirtless on Sabaody, Gaban was nowhere to be found.
Honestly, the theories were getting wild. Was he the guy with the burn scar? Was he hiding on Lodestar Island? Is he dead?
Then Chapter 1139 dropped and changed everything.
The Man, The Legend, The "Mountain-Eater"
If Rayleigh is the Right Hand of Gol D. Roger, Gaban is undeniably the Left Hand. The naming scheme isn't subtle. Gold, Silvers, and Scopper (Copper/Bronze). It’s a literal podium of power. In the Roger Pirates, Gaban wasn't just some high-ranking officer; he was one of the few who could stand toe-to-toe with the monsters of that era.
He’s known as the "Mountain-Eater" (Yamagurai). That’s not just a scary nickname. Legend says he once carved through hundreds of enemies to protect an injured Roger, and by the time he was done, the entire forest on that mountain had been leveled.
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Basically, he's a beast.
Where Has Scopper Gaban Been This Whole Time?
It turns out he wasn't lost at sea or guarding the One Piece. He’s been living a surprisingly domestic life on Elbaf, the land of the giants.
Under the alias "Ya-san," Gaban settled down with a partner named Ripley and has a son named Colon. It’s kinda wild to think about. While the world was screaming about the Great Pirate Era, one of the most dangerous men on the planet was probably just helping his kid with homework or grabbing a drink with giant warriors.
- Residence: Elbaf (Warland)
- Family: Ripley (Partner), Colon (Son)
- Local Reputation: Known and respected by the giants
This explains why he didn't show up at Marineford or Wano. He’d moved on. But as we've learned in the Final Saga, legends don't get to stay retired forever.
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How Strong Is He Compared to Rayleigh?
People love to power-scale, and the debate between Gaban and Rayleigh is eternal. The manga uses the term narabi when comparing them, which suggests they are equals or "in the same row."
Think of them like the "Wings of the Pirate King," much like Zoro and Sanji are for Luffy. Rayleigh might have the edge in pure Haki mastery (being the "Dark King" and all), but Gaban’s dual-axe style and sheer physical power make him just as terrifying.
In the Elbaf arc, we saw a glimpse of this. Old Gaban—wrinkled face, braided beard, and those iconic round sunglasses—managed to lift a giant-sized key and smash through a castle tower like it was made of cardboard. He even pushed Luffy to use Gear 5 just to keep up.
He doesn't have a Devil Fruit. He doesn't need one. He relies on:
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- Advanced Observation Haki: He can sense the God’s Knights even when they're hiding their presence.
- Brute Strength: Even in his late 70s, his physical output rivals top-tier New World fighters.
- Weapon Mastery: His dual black axes are likely high-grade blades, though their specific rank hasn't been confirmed.
The "Man Marked by Flames" Confusion
For a long time, the community was convinced Scopper Gaban was the "Man Marked by Flames" who holds the final Road Poneglyph. He does have a scar on his forehead that looks a bit like a flame, but the timeline doesn't quite fit.
The man in the black ship is said to travel the world constantly, while Gaban has been rooted in Elbaf raising a family. It’s more likely that Gaban is the "gatekeeper" for the Straw Hats on Elbaf, similar to how Crocus was at the entrance of the Grand Line and Rayleigh was at the halfway point.
What This Means for the Final Saga
Gaban’s return isn't just fanservice. He’s there to test Luffy. When he challenged Luffy for the key to Loki’s chains, he wasn't being a villain—he was acting as a mentor. He straight-up told Luffy that defeating Kaido "wasn't that big a deal" in the grand scheme of what's coming.
That’s a heavy statement. It suggests that the Roger Pirates saw things at Laugh Tale that make even a Yonko look like a mid-level boss.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Flashbacks: Re-read the Oden flashback (Chapters 965-968). Gaban is almost always at the wheel of the Oro Jackson, showing his role as the primary navigator/helmsman.
- Check the Cover Stories: Go back to Chapter 631. The man drinking with Crocus? It’s widely accepted now that this was Gaban during one of his rare trips away from Elbaf.
- Look for Parallelism: Watch how Sanji develops in the final chapters. If Gaban (the "Left Hand") exhibits specific Haki feats, expect Sanji to follow a similar path.
The mystery of Scopper Gaban is finally unravelling, and his role in guiding the next generation is proving to be the final piece of Roger’s legacy.