In the latest chapter, when Luffy is fighting Ulti, and she turns into her Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Pachycephalosaurus hybrid form, she grabs Luffy by the arms and goes to head butt him, and he in turn prepares to activate Gear 4.
Then she’s suddenly attacked by Yamato who proceeds to grab Luffy and run away.
Something I noticed immediately was that the circumstances Luffy found himself in (both arms restrained) would, as far as we know, prevent him from activating Gear 4.
I could be reading into it too much, but I also think it could be a hint towards a new way of activating Gear 4. Earlier in the arc, when Luffy, Kid, and Law board an enemy ship and decimate it, we don’t see Luffy bite his forearm as he usually does, and instantly transforms into Gear 4.
Admittedly, that last example could just be a stylistic choice, but I found it interesting nonetheless.
*by Scribblewell
