The significance of this moment extends beyond mere aesthetics. Unlike the speed of Gear Second or the blunt force of Gear Third, Gear Fourth utilizes elasticity in a revolutionary way: compression. By contracting his inflated muscles, Luffy creates immense tension, allowing him to bounce across the battlefield at incredible speeds and deliver strikes like the “Kong Gun”—a punch so powerful that it warps the air and sends Doflamingo flying through several city blocks. Episode 726 captures this moment of awe and terror, as even the unflappable Doflamingo is shown bleeding from the mouth, realizing that the "Straw Hat" has entered a realm he cannot easily follow.
In conclusion, is the definitive answer to when Luffy uses Gear Fourth for the first time. It is not merely an episode containing a fight; it is a turning point in the One Piece power scaling. It showcases Luffy’s ingenuity in weaponizing his own biology, the profound mastery of Haki required to sustain the form, and the desperate courage needed to risk total exhaustion. For fans, the image of Boundman bouncing defiantly in front of Doflamingo remains an iconic testament to the lengths Luffy will go to protect his crew and liberate an island. which episode luffy uses gear 4
Furthermore, Episode 726 establishes the critical weakness of Gear Fourth: the Haki drain. After using the form, Luffy is rendered completely immobile and unable to use Haki for ten minutes, shrinking into a tiny, exhausted figure. This risk-reward dynamic elevates the tension, proving that even this god-like power comes at a terrible price. The significance of this moment extends beyond mere