On the surface, the answer is simple: Episode 726 / Chapter 784 — Luffy vs. Doflamingo, Dressrosa.
Gear 4 is the physical manifestation of and the will to never be helpless again . when do we first see gear 4
And when we finally see it against Doflamingo, it’s not a triumphant reveal. It’s a . Luffy’s eyes go dark. His body inflates into something almost grotesque — a caricature of power. He even jokes about it (Boundman), but you can feel the weight: this form is a burden. It shortens his lifespan. It nearly kills him after one use. On the surface, the answer is simple: Episode
We don’t just see it when Luffy first uses it. We see it every time he risks himself for his crew. And when we finally see it against Doflamingo,
Here’s a deep, reflective post on the topic:
That’s the moment.