Hello, I’m KENTA, a manga lover from Japan!
This time, I will delve deeply into the life of Shanks, a key character in One Piece. While Shanks plays an incredibly important role in the story, his past is shrouded in mystery, constantly intriguing readers. In this blog, I will trace Shanks’ life from his childhood to his connection with the Roger Pirates and explore how he achieved his current position, all while following a chronological approach.
1. Shanks’ Early Life and the Mystery of the West Blue
Shanks was born 39 years ago in the West Blue. Then, 38 years ago, at the age of one, he was discovered by Gol D. Roger and began his pirate journey following the God Valley incident. A key point to note is that Shanks hails from the West Blue. Though it’s said he grew up there, the exact details of his origins remain a mystery.
One theory suggests that Shanks might be from the Figarland family, a family of Celestial Dragons. If this is true, the question arises: why did Shanks, despite being born into a Celestial Dragon family, grow up in the West Blue? Why did he, with his Celestial Dragon heritage, seek freedom as a pirate? Perhaps one day these mysteries will be revealed.
2. Connection with the Roger Pirates and the Straw Hat
Shanks joined the Roger Pirates when he was just nine years old. An interesting point here is the straw hat that Shanks inherited from Roger. The hat Shanks wears on Roger’s ship actually belonged to Roger himself. According to the Vivre Card, it’s clear that Shanks had a fondness for this hat. But what is the deeper meaning behind this hat?
After learning the secret of the One Piece on Laugh Tale, Roger might have seen some important significance in the hat, eventually entrusting it to Shanks. The scene where Shanks later passes the straw hat to Luffy symbolizes hope for the next generation.
3. Shanks’ Confrontation with Blackbeard
A crucial part of Shanks’ life involves his interactions with Blackbeard, also known as Teach. Blackbeard is not just a rival pirate to Shanks; it seems Shanks is particularly wary of him. Given Blackbeard’s abnormal ability to consume two Devil Fruits, it’s believed that he possesses some special power within his body.
The scar Shanks bears on his left eye was caused by a confrontation with Blackbeard. This wound may be tied to Blackbeard’s abnormal abilities and the power of the multiple Devil Fruits he possesses. Even though Shanks was aware of Blackbeard’s capabilities and could anticipate his attack, the wound was inflicted due to Blackbeard’s “nature” and powers, which threw off Shanks’ senses.
4. Shanks as a ‘Father’ Figure
One of the great mysteries in One Piece is Shanks’ relationship with Gol D. Roger. When Roger’s death was imminent, there was a shocking scene where Shanks asked Roger a question and broke down in tears. This suggests that Shanks may have viewed Roger as a “father-like figure,” deeply respecting and admiring him.
Whether or not they were related by blood, Roger was undoubtedly a spiritual father to Shanks. This moment marked the first time Shanks truly cried from the heart, and it likely had a profound impact on his future actions.
5. The Formation of Shanks’ Pirate Crew and His Growth
After Roger’s death, Shanks formed his own pirate crew and solidified his determination to continue his adventures. His growth was remarkable, and a few years later, he became known as one of the world’s most powerful swordsmen. His rivalry with Mihawk began during this time, further shaping his journey. In this period, Shanks worked hard to hone his skills and earned his place as one of the most famous pirates in the world.
His crew is known for their strong sense of camaraderie and the value they place on their companions. Shanks’ emphasis on “nakama” (friends) likely stems from his past and his relationship with Roger.
6. Shanks and the Gomu Gomu no Mi
Shanks’ connection with the Gomu Gomu no Mi (Gomu Gomu Fruit) also raises intriguing questions. The exact reason why Shanks took the fruit remains unclear, but it’s likely tied to the knowledge he inherited from Roger and the secrets learned on Laugh Tale. The fruit’s connection to the mystery of “Nika” and the secrets it holds may be a key to understanding Shanks’ actions. Perhaps Shanks knew more about it than we realize.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve traced Shanks’ life and explored the many mysteries surrounding him and his actions. There are still many unknowns about Shanks’ past, and we can only hope that future story developments will shed light on these mysteries. Through Shanks’ life, we can see him not just as a pirate, but as someone who embodies hope for the next generation.
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