Why Did Rayleigh And Gaban Not Do Much During God Valley?
As the God Valley flashback continues to unfold in One Piece, fans are growing increasingly puzzled by the apparent absence of action from two major members of the Roger Pirates: Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban. While Roger, Garp, Rocks, and even newer faces take center stage in the chaos, Rayleigh and Gaban have so far played surprisingly minor on-panel roles. This has led to heated debates across the fandom, with many asking a simple question: Why aren’t Roger’s right-hand men doing more in one of the most important battles in history?
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
The God Valley Incident has become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end. Eiichiro Oda’s exploration of this long-mysterious event has brought together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the enigmatic Imu — creating a flashback that feels more like a grand historical epic than a side story. The arc dives deep into the power struggles that shaped the modern world of One Piece, revealing long-hidden secrets about the Celestial Dragons and the early days of piracy. For many, it’s a rare glimpse into the “true history” of the world, something fans have been waiting for since the manga’s earliest chapters.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
Surprisingly, many readers say they don’t want to go back to the Straw Hat Pirates just yet. Social media platforms are full of fans expressing that this arc feels like the most thrilling part of One Piece in years — with its dark tone, intense storytelling, and lore-heavy revelations. While Luffy and his crew are the heart of the series, the God Valley storyline offers something entirely different: a look at the legends and events that shaped everything we know. One fan summed it up best on X (formerly Twitter): “If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.” The sentiment highlights a unique moment in the fandom, where the past has become more captivating than the present adventure.
Rayleigh and Gaban’s “Silence” Becomes a Talking Point
In the middle of all this hype, Rayleigh and Gaban’s relative inactivity has turned into a major talking point. These aren’t background nobodies — they’re Roger’s most famous crewmates, characters fans have associated with overwhelming strength and leadership for years.
So far in the flashback, however, panels have heavily favored Roger himself, Garp, Rocks, and the Celestial Dragons. Rayleigh and Gaban are present but rarely spotlighted, often shown reacting to events rather than dominating the battlefield. Many fans expected jaw-dropping tag-team moments or iconic clashes that would cement their reputations, and the absence of those scenes (for now) has led to frustration and confusion.
Posts and comments are filled with questions like:
- “Where is Rayleigh’s big God Valley moment?”
- “Why does Gaban feel more like a side character than Roger’s core crew?”
- “Are they being sidelined for other characters?”
For a flashback that’s supposed to define the legends of the old era, some readers feel Rayleigh and Gaban haven’t yet received the level of focus their reputations deserve.
Possible In-Story Explanations
Of course, not everyone sees this as a problem — many fans are trying to rationalize it within the story itself. A few of the most popular theories and explanations include:
- The Chaos of God Valley’s Battlefield
God Valley is being portrayed as pure chaos: multiple factions, Celestial Dragons, kidnapped civilians, rival pirate crews, and world-shaking powers all clashing at once. It’s possible Rayleigh and Gaban are doing a lot off-panel — defending civilians, holding off enemies, or securing key positions — but the manga is choosing to show only the most critical “history-changing” moments involving Roger, Garp, and Rocks. - Focus on the “World-Shaping” Figures
This flashback is not just about the Roger Pirates; it’s about how the entire world order came to be. From a narrative standpoint, Oda may be prioritizing characters whose actions directly tie into the World Government, Imu, and the balance of power. As important as they are, Rayleigh and Gaban might not be the ones making the decisive move that changes history in this particular incident. - Rayleigh and Gaban as Trusted Pillars, Not Centerpieces
Another angle is that their calmer portrayal actually fits their roles. Rayleigh has always come across as steady, observant, and composed rather than flashy, while Gaban has an air of quiet reliability. They might be the ones holding the line, protecting the crew, or executing Roger’s orders behind the scenes, allowing Roger and Garp to clash with the true “monsters” of the era.
Is Oda Holding Them Back for a Bigger Reveal?
Outside of in-universe explanations, many fans believe the answer is meta-textual: Oda might simply be saving Rayleigh and Gaban’s true highlights for later.
We’ve already seen Oda’s habit of subverting hype timing — characters sometimes get their biggest moments long after fans expect them. Some readers think God Valley is primarily the story of Roger, Garp, Rocks, and the Celestial Dragons, and that Rayleigh and Gaban’s real showcase will come in a different flashback or in additional scenes later in this same arc.
Others speculate that Oda doesn’t want to overexpose Rayleigh in particular. He’s already legendary in the present timeline, and showing too much of his peak might risk overshadowing current characters or making future reveals less impactful. Keeping some mystery around his true power level and iconic moments might be intentional.
Divided Reactions: Disappointment vs. Patience
As with most things in One Piece, the fandom is split:
- Disappointed fans feel that God Valley was the perfect stage to solidify Rayleigh and Gaban’s reputations with unforgettable, panel-dominating moments. To them, anything less than that feels like a missed opportunity after decades of buildup.
- More patient fans argue that the arc isn’t over, and Oda’s storytelling often pays off in ways no one sees coming. They believe judging Rayleigh and Gaban’s roles before the flashback concludes might be premature — and that a single chapter could instantly change the conversation.
For now, Rayleigh and Gaban occupy a strange space: physically present at one of the most important moments in One Piece history, yet not fully unleashed in the way fans imagined.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
The enthusiasm surrounding the God Valley flashback underscores Eiichiro Oda’s enduring genius as a storyteller. After more than two decades, he continues to surprise fans by revealing layers of history that connect generations of pirates, marines, and rulers. The arc’s pacing, emotion, and scope have reminded readers of One Piece’s golden era — a blend of mystery, world-building, and drama that few series can match.
Whether Rayleigh and Gaban eventually get the spotlight fans are craving or remain more subtle presences in this particular flashback, one thing is clear: God Valley has reshaped how the fandom views the old era. And as long as readers are passionately debating what characters “should” have done, it’s proof that One Piece still has the power to make its world — and its legends — feel intensely real.
