Let me explain for the Zoro fans who are trying hard to downplay Luffy. Gaban could see into the future, where Luffy in Gear 5 would one-shot him, so he chose to give up beforehand. In his base form, Luffy wasn’t even using Haki because he respects the elderly and doesn’t see them as enemies.
Zoro fans will seize any opportunity to hype Zoro, even when Nami has defeated Luffy multiple times. But let’s be clear, this wasn’t a real fight. Gaban simply realized how strong Luffy was and decided to stop before things escalated.
Zoro doesn’t yet understand just how powerful Luffy is, especially in Gear 5. It’s only natural for Zoro to step in and help his captain when a random fodder is trying too hard.
shut up zorotads, sanji still can stop kizaru light while zoro is having a hard time with a cat.