Eiichiro Oda has always been one for foreshadowing. Luffy’s Gear 5, when it was first introduced, became one of the most impactful moments in One Piece. The power that was exuded by him easily made his moment one that was cherished by fans all around the world. While many would wonder if Gear 5 to be the last form, that may not be the case. Out of some of the most powerful characters, Shanks is another name that stands out, one perhaps right next to Luffy.
The latest One Piece episode has helped showcase his prowess even more with his fight against Eustass Kid being one worth a big spectacle. Both Shanks and Luffy hold each other close and have both love and respect in a way that establishes a found family between them. With them both holding so much power, a battle against each other would be a bittersweet masterpiece.
Shanks Knew What Broke Luffy So Long Ago
According to a theory on Reddit, Shanks wasn’t just aware of Ace’s death but was even an accomplice. Proposing an idea, the story paints Kaido as the man adamant about wanting to kill Ace after being under the impression that he was Joyboy and not Luffy because of his lineage. Blinded by his own desire to kill Ace, it wasn’t even about Luffy as much as it was to kill the potential Joyboy.
During the Marineford arc, Kaido’s intention was to go and save Ace so that he could battle him in Wano for his own assurance. However, his plan got severely derailed when he came across Shanks. The captain of the Red Hair pirates was more than aware of Luffy being Joyboy and not Ace. Upon filling Kaido up with the same information, he keeps him from saving Ace.
Instead, he used Ace as bait to trigger Luffy’s own growth as a character and person. Not only would his powers grow but so would he as a person.
Luffy Would Need Something Greater Against Shanks
Shanks has an ace up his sleeve. If Luffy were to ever find out about what he was a part of, there would be no doubt he would feel betrayed and it could even lead to a fight. For two of the most powerful characters of One Piece, a fight as emotional could only lead to the worst-case scenario. This means, there is a likely chance Luffy will bring about Gear 5 against him.
However, Shanks isn’t one to back away from a fight, especially with his Conqueror’s Haki. His Divine Departure isn’t one to be messed with. A single strike alone can take on an opponent as easily as anything. Eustass Kid was the latest victim of the Divine Departure. Coating one’s weapon, especially a sword, in the Conqueror’s Haki on a scale that of Divine Departure gives rise to the ability to slash any opponent in a single swing.
It is not a technique easily mastered by just anyone and needless to say, Luffy might need something stronger than Gear 5 to go up against Shanks. It won’t be an easy fight and the very idea that something like this would await him might be the perfect opportunity for Eiichiro Oda to give Luffy the powerup he needs.
Moreover, there could be a strong possibility that Shanks purposefully tells Luffy about his hand in Ace’s death so as to push the protagonist even further in connecting with his own powers. If he can put someone else’s life in danger for Luffy’s growth, he can just as easily do his own.
One Piece is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
