Every One Piece fan has heard of Shanks’ name as being one of the Four Emperors and the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates. His role in shaping Luffy’s mindset toward becoming the Pirate King has been a key turning point in One Piece. But has anyone heard about his connection with the World Government leaders?
A recent theory has emerged and if it’s true, it could alter the understanding of Shanks’s character. The theory proposed a connection between Shanks and Imu, suggesting Shanks might actually be Imu’s son. Also explaining why he is so respected by the World Government’s authorities.
Red Hair Shanks’ Surprising Connection
According to @Wafer-the-Dog on YouTube, Shanks‘ lineage could explain the unusual level of respect he receives from the Five Elders (Gorosei) and the Fleet Admiral. Being a pirate he has shown unprecedented access to these high-ranking officials, or even influencing their decisions which happened during the Marineford arc.
The theory argues that such treatment could be because of his relationship with Imu-sama – mother and son. It also suggests that Imu-sama might be a woman, as the character’s gender is still unknown, potentially casting her in the role of Shanks’ mother. The unexpected twist hints at possible maternal instincts beneath the facade of a ruthless ruler.
The theorist speculates that Imu-sama has accepted Shanks as her son even though Shanks left to find freedom and teamed up with Gol D. Roger, whom the Celestial Dragons hate the most. Her acceptance might be due to Shanks becoming a powerful Yonko and bringing a semblance of peace to the new world.
However, this isn’t entirely true because he was found by Roger pirate at God Valley when he was an infant. So, Shanks leaving Imu-sama at that stage doesn’t make sense.
Shanks’ Prophetic Power Relation in One Piece
The same theory proposed that Shanks possesses a ‘prophetic eye’, which is very similar to Imu’s power to foresee threats to her rule. It adds an interesting aspect that draws parallels between Shanks and Imu-sama’s abilities.
It also pointed to Shanks’ accurate prediction of Ace’s downfall as evidence of his prophetic ability. Thus explain why the World Government’s top leaders hold him in such high regard. They value him because of his relationship with Imu-sama and his foresight.
One of the commenters pointed out that Shanks can foresee the future only for a brief period because he has mastered his Observation Haki and not by any connection to Imu-sama. It is also true for Luffy and Katakuri’s case, who possess such Observation Haki and they are not even related to Imu-sama.
As the theory remains purely speculative in t, there’s nothing to be predicted about the true nature of the character’s relationship because of Eiichiro Oda‘s narrative style. Even then, the theory certainly adds an interesting perspective to the ongoing mysteries in One Piece.
One Piece is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
