In the latest installment of One Piece, titled Chapter 1189, the character Usopp demonstrated Observation Haki for the first time in over a decade. This sudden surge of ability occurred as the sniper reacted to the injuries sustained by Luffy at the hands of Imu.
A twelve-year gap since the Dressrosa arc
The sniper's ability to sense surroundings was first established during the Dressrosa arc in 2014. According to the report, this was a landmark moment because Usopp became the only crew member outside of the "Monster Trio" to possess such a skill at the time. However,for the next twelve years, his Haki feats were largely relegated to non-canonical media like One Piece Film Red or One Piece Heart of Gold.
This long period of inactivity has fueled significant fan frustration regarding the uneven distribution of power within the Straw Hat Pirates. While characters like Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji have seen their abilities escalate, other members have often felt left behind in the series' power scaling.
Usopp's reaction to Imu's assault on Luffy
The catalyst for this resurgence in Chapter 1189 was the brutal wounding of Luffy by the character Imu. As the source notes, Usopp reacted instinctively to the damage being dealt to his captain, signaling a latent connection to Observation Haki. While the ability was present, the narrative framing suggests Usopp may not yet have full mastery, as he appeared uncertain about the source of the sensation.
Correcting the power imbalance in the Elbaph arc
For much of the recent narrative, fans have criticized the perceived mismanagement of the Straw Hat crew's development. While the primary fighters receive the majority of the combat focus,other members like Usopp have often felt sidelined or stuck in a cycle of cowardice. as the story moves through the Elbaph arc , this sudden activation of Haki could serve as a mechanism to reintegrate the sniper into high-stakes combat.
Can Usopp move past his coward archetype?
Several questions remain regarding how Eiichiro Oda will handle this power spike. It is currently unclear if Usopp's Haki will be a controlled martial skill or an unpredictable emotional reflex. Furthermore, the report highlights that while this could redeem his reputation ,the series must decide if Usopp will truly evolve beyond his established character traits or simply receive a temporary power boost .
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