In Eiichiro Oda's epic series “One Piece,” one of the most fascinating yet mysterious characters is “Red Hair” Shanks, the current Yonko and captain of the Red Hair Pirates.
Despite playing a major role in the series from the very beginning, spanning over 1100 chapters, Shanks has maintained a rather low profile compared to other prominent characters.
Among fans, there is widespread speculation about Shanks' intentions, especially regarding the central mystery of the series: the legendary treasure known as One Piece.
A popular theory is that Shanks delayed his pursuit of this treasure until after his two formidable opponents, Big Mom and Kaido, were defeated. However, recent developments in the story suggest otherwise.
According to compelling evidence, the action Shanks has been waiting for all this time did not come from defeating Big Mom and Kaido, but from the awakening of Joy Boy, a character who plays an important role in the series' lore.
This theory is largely inspired by Oden's flashbacks during the Wano arc, which focused on Gol D. Roger, the former Pirate King. Roger's comment about it being “too early” to discover One Piece strongly implies that Joy Boy must return before the treasure can be found.
It is said that Shanks, although not present at Laugh Tale when Roger and his crew discovered One Piece, had a deep conversation with Roger upon their return.
This conversation, which is said to end with Shanks in tears, could potentially reveal the truth about Joy Boy and his fate tied to finding One Piece.
Furthermore, Shanks' knowledge of the true nature of the Gum-Gum Fruit (also known as the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika) further supports this theory. It is believed that Shanks was targeting this specific Devil Fruit, understanding its connection to Joy Boy's return and its significance in changing the fate of the world.
Shanks' seemingly passive attitude throughout much of the series, including his calm reaction to Luffy eating the Gum-Gum Fruit, is consistent with his perception that Luffy is the character destined to inherit Joy Boy's legacy and take over One Piece. His words to Koby during the Marineford arc also suggest a deeper understanding of these cosmic events.
Recent events surrounding Wano, especially after the Onigashima Raid, show that Shanks has been closely monitoring developments, perhaps to sense Luffy's evolution into the next Joy Boy.
This theory is supported by observations such as Luffy noticing the familiarity in Shanks' Conqueror's Haki.
While these theories remain speculative, they weave together into a compelling story about Shanks' motives and the complex web of fate in the One Piece world.
As the series progresses towards the Final Saga, fans eagerly await further revelations that may shed light on Shanks' mysterious actions and his important role in the quest for One Piece.