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Ever since Shank’s first appearance at the very beginning ofOne Piece’sstory, fans have been speculating about the origins and true intentions behind Luffy’s previous mentor figure. With the character only rarely showing up in the story, yet still having a major impact on the world, so little information has been shared about the character thatOne Piecefans have to start filling in the blanks.
However, with the level of speculation that goes into Shanks, some theories are bound to be a bit more strange than others. Ranging from theories about a twin brother, or his true connection to Luffy in the world ofOne Piece, Shanks is one of the few characters, along with Dragon, that is open to the most speculation. This includes plenty that suggest that Shanks himself is actually evil and is looking to fight or betray Luffy bythe end ofOne Piece.
Shanks Is A Mysterious Figure In One Piece
He Is Luffy’s Idol And Connected To The World Government At The Same Time
Shanks, as manyOne Piecefans know, is an important figure in Luffy’s life. Shanks is Luffy’s idol and model pirate, as well as being the one who gave him his Straw Hat so many years ago. However, Shanks, at the same time, isan Emperor of the Seawho constantly claims weaker territories to protect. In many ways, out of any other Warlord, except for Whitebeard, Shanks is the most altruistic and helpful to the world ofOne Piece.
Pistols aren’t for threats. They’re for actions! Are you willing to risk your life? - Shanks
At the same time, Shanks has a few darker connections to the World Government inOne Piece. It is heavily implied in theOne Piece Film: Redand throughout the story that Figarland Garling, the previousSupreme Commander of the God’s Knights, and current member of the Five Elders may be Shanks’s father. At the same time, Shanks is given special privileges when discussing matters with the Five Elders, implying directly that he has some connection with the highest positions in the World Government.
Shanks Has Become The Snitch Of One Piece
Firstly, this connection to the World Government ofOne Pieceis one of the reasons that many fans believe Shanks may be evil. Many fans in the community ofOne Piecemake memes that constantly poke fun at the fact that Shanks has private conversations withthe Five Elders of the World Government, referring to him as a rat or snitch. Additionally, many believe that he has a major plot that he’s been scheming behind the scenes that will only be revealed closer to the end ofOne Piece.
At the same time, some fans believe he is evil due to the sheer ruthlessness that he dispatches enemy pirates with. Shanks completely decimatedCaptain Kid and his crew, presumably leaving him for dead. At the same time, Shanks also captured Bartolomeo and gave him an ultimatum of taking poison or ratting out Luffy, a fairly cruel method. Although it proved to be a test in the end, Yassop, Shanks’s sniper, still destroyed Bartolomeo’s ship while they were sailing away.
Shanks Is Too Well Respected To Be Evil
Luffy And The Giants Respect Shanks For His Morality
However, despite these small details, there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that implies that Shanks is not evil. Shanks seems to have a genuine care for Luffy, as well as the many islands he protects. Additionally,the giants of Elbafhold Shanks in high regard, implying that he’s honorable enough to have the noble giants on his side.
I’ll leave this hat with you. It’s dear to me. - Shanks to Luffy
On top of this, Shanks has too much respect forthe formerOne PiecePirate king, Gol D. Roger, to be evil. To Shanks, Roger is his idol and mentor. If Shanks were to do anything too evil, it would go against everything that Roger taught him.
While there may be a small amount of evidenceto craft a theory inOne Pieceas to why Shanks could be evil, so far in the story, Shanks is one of the furthest Pirates inOne Piecefrom being bad. In many ways, Shanks is one of the few good pirates left and was the only morally good Emperor before Luffy joined the fray. Unless something big happens later in the story ofOne Piece, and it turns out his entire persona was a facade, there is almost no way Shanks could be evil.
