5 Shocking Truths About The 'Garp And Kuzan Dap' Clash That Changed One Piece Forever

The viral "Garp and Kuzan dap" moment is far more than just a cool animation sequence; it is arguably the most emotionally devastating master-versus-student conflict in the entire *One Piece* saga. This highly anticipated clash, recently brought to life in the anime's latest episodes, specifically Episode 1121, has sparked intense debate among fans, not just about raw power, but about the true meaning of justice and loyalty. As of December 2025, the fallout from this battle at Hachinosu continues to shape the trajectory of the Final Saga, leaving the fate of one of the series' greatest heroes uncertain.

The term "dap" became a fan-favorite moniker for the iconic impact frame where the fists of Monkey D. Garp and Kuzan (Aokiji) collide, creating a massive shockwave that encapsulated their tragic, reluctant battle. This confrontation was the culmination of years of divergent paths: Garp, the unwavering Marine Hero, and Kuzan, the former Admiral who chose a path of "Wavery Justice" and now sails under the banner of the fearsome Blackbeard Pirates.

I. The Tragic Biographies: Marine Hero vs. Former Admiral

The history between Garp and Kuzan is rooted in the very foundation of the World Government's power structure. Their personal connection elevates their fight from a simple power struggle to a heartbreaking family affair.

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Monkey D. Garp: The Marine Hero

• Full Name: Monkey D. Garp
• Epithet: Garp the Hero, Vice Admiral Garp, The Fist
• Affiliation: Marine Headquarters (Vice Admiral), SWORD (Indirect Supporter)
• Family: Monkey D. Dragon (Son), Monkey D. Luffy (Grandson)
• Key Feats: Cornering the Pirate King Gol D. Roger multiple times, defeating the legendary Rocks D. Xebec at God Valley (alongside Roger), training multiple generations of Marines, including Kuzan and Koby.
• Haki: Master of both Armament Haki (used in his signature "Fist" attacks) and an extremely potent form of Conqueror's Haki (demonstrated with Galaxy Impact).
• Current Status (Post-Hachinosu): Last seen chained and injured on Pirate Island (Hachinosu), his fate remains a central mystery of the Final Saga.

Kuzan (Aokiji): The Ice Man

• Full Name: Kuzan
• Epithet: Aokiji (Blue Pheasant)
• Affiliation: Blackbeard Pirates (Former Admiral of the Marines)
• Devil Fruit: Hie Hie no Mi (Ice-Ice Fruit), a Logia-type that allows him to create, control, and transform into ice.
• Key Feats: Fighting Akainu for ten days straight for the Fleet Admiral position, freezing an entire ocean, being the first Admiral introduced in the series.
• Relationship with Garp: Garp's former student and protégé, trained personally by the Marine Hero.
• Current Status: One of the Ten Titanic Captains of the Blackbeard Pirates, though his true intentions and loyalty are heavily questioned.

II. The "Omega Dap": Deconstructing the Iconic Clash

The viral "dap" scene is technically the climax of a devastating exchange between the two titans. In the anime, Episode 1121 dramatically adapted the events of *One Piece* Chapter 1087, showcasing the battle on Pirate Island (Hachinosu) where Garp led the SWORD unit to rescue Koby.

The "dap" itself is an impact frame—a moment of pure kinetic energy where Garp’s Haki-infused fist met Kuzan’s ice-coated fist. Fans quickly dubbed it the "Omega Dap" due to its sheer force and the symbolic nature of the two men, master and pupil, reaching across the battlefield to strike each other. This single frame perfectly captured the essence of the fight: a reluctant yet necessary confrontation.

The scene is immediately followed by one of Garp’s most powerful attacks, Galaxy Impact, a massive, Haki-charged punch that destroyed a significant portion of the city and sent a clear message to the Blackbeard Pirates. This attack, along with Kuzan’s counter with his Ice Ball, confirmed that both fighters were operating at an Admiral-level or higher, despite Garp’s advanced age.

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III. Power Scaling Debate: Was Garp Truly Defeated?

The outcome of the fight, where Garp is ultimately defeated and chained, has fueled one of the most intense power-scaling debates in the community. The core question is: could Kuzan defeat Garp in a fair, one-on-one fight?

The overwhelming consensus from the manga’s context is No, Garp was the superior fighter in a pure 1v1 scenario. During their initial exchanges, Garp’s speed and overwhelming power, boosted by his Conqueror's Haki, allowed him to blitz Kuzan and land a powerful body slam, rendering the former Admiral momentarily defenseless.

Garp’s defeat was not due to Kuzan’s raw power alone, but a combination of overwhelming external factors:

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• The Shiryu Stab: Garp was critically injured by a sneak attack from Shiryu of the Rain, one of the Blackbeard Pirates’ Ten Titanic Captains. This stab was through the chest and significantly crippled Garp’s ability to fight at full strength.
• The Numbers Game: Garp was simultaneously fighting multiple high-level pirates, including Shiliew, Avalo Pizarro, and Vasco Shot, while also attempting to protect his SWORD subordinates and rescue Koby.
• Kuzan's Wavering Will: Many fans argue that Kuzan was internally conflicted and holding back, which weakened his Haki and resolve. Garp, on the other hand, was fighting with the full, unwavering will of a hero.

In short, the fight at Hachinosu was a testament to Garp’s legendary strength, as he was only overcome after being severely injured and facing multiple Yonko-Commander level opponents, not by Kuzan alone.

IV. The Ice-Cold Truth: Kuzan's Questionable Loyalty

Perhaps the most significant revelation from the Garp vs. Kuzan confrontation is the ambiguity surrounding Kuzan's true allegiance. The very reluctance to fight his master, visible in his expressions and dialogue, suggests his loyalty to Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) is far from absolute.

This has given rise to the popular "Kuzan is the Itachi of One Piece" theory. This theory posits that Kuzan is not a true Blackbeard Pirate but is operating as a deep-cover agent, similar to the character Itachi Uchiha from *Naruto*. His reasons for joining Teach could be:

1. Intelligence Gathering: To monitor the activities of the Blackbeard Pirates, who pose the greatest threat to the World Government and global stability.
2. A Greater Justice: To defeat Blackbeard from the inside, believing this is the only way to achieve his "Wavery Justice" after his ideological conflict with Akainu.
3. Protecting Garp's Honor: Some theories suggest Kuzan fought Garp to make Blackbeard trust him, or that Garp allowed himself to be captured to ensure Kuzan's cover was not blown.

The emotional weight of the "dap" and the subsequent capture of Garp serves as the ultimate loyalty test for Kuzan. If he truly is a deep-cover agent, Garp's imprisonment on Hachinosu will be the catalyst for Kuzan's inevitable betrayal of the Blackbeard Pirates in the near future.

V. The Legacy: Garp’s Sacrifice and the Final Saga

The Garp and Kuzan clash is a pivotal moment that firmly sets the stage for the Final Saga. Garp's actions—his rampage through Hachinosu, his willingness to sacrifice himself to protect Koby, and his final confrontation with his former student—cement his status as a true hero of the Marines and a figure of legendary strength.

The battle's legacy is twofold: it provides a definitive measure of the power of the old generation against the new, and it lays the groundwork for a massive internal conflict within the Blackbeard Pirates. The fact that the legendary Marine Hero is now a prisoner on Pirate Island means that a rescue operation, likely involving Luffy and the Straw Hats, is imminent, setting up a massive confrontation that will undoubtedly shake the world.

The "Garp and Kuzan dap" is more than just a cool fight; it is a tragic moment where two men, bound by honor and a shared past, were forced to choose between personal loyalty and ideological duty. The emotional impact of their confrontation will resonate until the ultimate fate of Monkey D. Garp is revealed.