Spoilers for chapter 1196. These are OtaHub’s predictions, not leaked details of chapter 1197.
Sanji’s confrontation with Killingham is approaching a potentially important change. In commentary published after chapter 1196’s release, Ivankov’s criticism of Sanji’s disregard for himself stands out. OtaHub’s reading is that the counterattack could show Sanji taking greater care of his own safety, rather than merely giving him a stronger kick.
Sanji could start by avoiding damage he does not need to take
Accounts of chapter 1196 describe a training flashback in which Ivankov criticises the injuries Sanji accumulates even when he wins. This makes his weakness more specific. Defeating an opponent is insufficient if each victory leaves the Straw Hats’ cook closer to being unable to protect anyone.
If chapter 1197 continues this fight, OtaHub would like to see Sanji evade a blow he might previously have accepted in exchange for an opening. That would connect Ivankov’s lesson to a decision in the present. He could remain aggressive and committed to his friends while refusing to treat injury as an insignificant cost.
An immediate heavy attack is another possibility. It could suit the pace of the confrontation, especially if Sanji creates the opening through positioning or timing. The useful distinction would be whether he deliberately limits the damage he takes or returns to trading blows in the same way.
Killingham may need a different way to apply pressure
A post-release account dated October 19 describes an image of Ivankov emerging through Sanji’s fear and disappearing as his understanding changes. If that fear no longer holds him, Killingham may struggle to control the fight through the same approach.
OtaHub’s prediction is that the opponent could try to unsettle Sanji again, potentially forcing a choice between personal safety and protecting someone else. This is a hypothetical situation. It would test the lesson more severely than a declaration of confidence. Valuing his own life would become harder if Sanji believed hesitation could leave another person hurt.
Oda could instead let Sanji recover the initiative quickly, creating a sharp contrast with the preceding struggle. In that version, the interest would be in how he controls the exchange. Overcoming a fear does not by itself explain how Sanji will deal with everything Killingham can do in combat, so OtaHub is less convinced by the prospect of an immediate victory.
Supreme King Haki remains a possibility to discuss
For Sanji, a possible Supreme King Haki reveal naturally attracts more attention than defensive discipline. OtaHub does not treat the reported psychological change as proof that the ability has appeared. Recognising his own worth and demonstrating a new power remain separate developments.
If Oda connects those developments in chapter 1197, the scene would need to make the ability distinguishable from an unusually powerful kick. Dialogue identifying the Haki or a reaction that demonstrates recognition would carry more weight than interpreting a visual effect alone. These are ways to assess the prediction, not descriptions of an announced scene.
OtaHub leans towards a change in fighting behaviour coming first. A sustained exchange showing Sanji protecting himself would give Ivankov’s lesson an immediate consequence, even without a new ability. If a power reveal followed, it would build on progress already visible in his decisions. The most interesting question for chapter 1197 is how Sanji will keep himself safe while remaining determined to protect other people.
Chapter 1197 is scheduled for November 1, 2026. See the official reading links and release schedule. For the longer character arc behind these predictions, read why Sanji keeps taking the danger on himself.
References: Post-release chapter analysis (October 19), Post-release chapter account (October 19), Official chapter listing. Plot details above are drawn from post-release accounts. Cover: Sanji in the anime; body image: official Luffy and Sanji promotional video. ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation.
