One of the most intriguing characters in One Piece is Shanks, the red-haired pirate who inspired Luffy to become a pirate and gave him his straw hat. Shanks is also one of the Four Emperors, the most powerful pirates in the New World. But what is his connection to Luffy? Are they related by blood or by fate? In this article, we will explore the relationship between Shanks and Luffy and reveal some secrets about Shanks’ past and future.
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Shanks and Luffy: A Bond of Friendship
Luffy first met Shanks in his hometown of Foosha Village when he was seven years old. Shanks and his crew were frequent visitors of the local pub, where they befriended Luffy and his friends. Shanks was amused by Luffy’s ambition to become a pirate and a Pirate King, but he also teased him for being too weak and naive. He called him “Anchor” and refused to take him seriously.
However, things changed when Luffy stood up for Shanks and his crew against a bandit named Higuma, who tried to humiliate them. Luffy declared that he would become a pirate and assemble his own crew, which impressed Shanks. He saw a resemblance between Luffy and himself when he was young, as well as his former captain, Gol D. Roger.
Shanks decided to give Luffy his straw hat, which was actually Roger’s hat and one of his most precious possessions. He told Luffy to return it to him someday when he became a great pirate. He also accidentally provided Luffy with the Gomu Gomu no Mi, a Devil Fruit that gave him rubber powers.
Shanks also saved Luffy’s life when he was attacked by a sea monster called the Lord of the Coast. He sacrificed his left arm to rescue Luffy and scare away the beast. He then told Luffy that he had bet on the new era and that he expected great things from him.
Since then, Luffy has treasured Shanks’ hat and his words. He sees Shanks as his hero and idol, and he adopted some of his traits, such as being carefree, optimistic, and loyal. He also respects Shanks’ decision to not fight unnecessarily and to value friendship over pride.
Shanks also cares deeply for Luffy and follows his progress as a pirate. He was proud when he learned that Luffy had become a notorious rookie with a high bounty. He also intervened in the war at Marineford to stop the fighting and protect Luffy’s life. He even offered to bury Ace and Whitebeard’s bodies alongside his crew.
Shanks longs to see Luffy again and fulfill their promise. He believes that Luffy will achieve his dream of becoming the Pirate King and finding the One Piece, the legendary treasure that Roger left behind. He considers Luffy as his bet for the new era and hopes that he will surpass him someday.
Shanks and Luffy: A Mystery of Blood
Despite their close bond of friendship, there is no direct relation between Shanks and Monkey’s family. Shanks was born into a wholly unrelated family and he first met Luffy much later in his life. There is absolutely no familial relationship between them, at least as far as we know now.
However, some fans have speculated that there might be more to their connection than meets the eye. They have pointed out some similarities between Shanks and Monkey D. Dragon, Luffy’s father and the leader of the Revolutionary Army. Both have red hair, similar facial features, scars on their left eyes, tattoos on their left arms, and are considered dangerous by the World Government.
Some theories suggest that Shanks and Dragon might be brothers or cousins, making Shanks an uncle or a relative of Luffy. Others propose that Shanks might be an illegitimate son of Monkey D. Garp, Luffy’s grandfather and a legendary marine hero. These theories would explain why Shanks took an interest in Luffy and why he has some knowledge about Roger’s legacy.
However, these theories are not confirmed by any official source or evidence. They are based on assumptions and coincidences that could be easily dismissed or explained otherwise. For example, red hair is not uncommon in One Piece, scars can be acquired from different sources, tattoos can have different meanings, and being wanted by the World Government does not necessarily imply a family connection.
Until more information is revealed, we can only assume that Shanks and Luffy are not related by blood, but by fate. They share a common bond of admiration, respect, and friendship that transcends blood ties. They also share a common goal of finding the One Piece and fulfilling Roger’s will.
Shanks and Luffy: A Future of Conflict
Shanks and Luffy have a friendly and supportive relationship, but they are also rivals in the pirate world. They both aspire to become the Pirate King and claim the One Piece, which means that they will eventually have to face each other in a decisive battle.
Shanks is aware of this and he does not intend to hold back against Luffy. He has stated that he will not give Luffy any special treatment and that he will fight him as an enemy when the time comes. He also expects Luffy to do the same and to surpass him with his own strength.
Luffy also acknowledges this and he does not fear Shanks. He has declared that he will defeat Shanks and all the other Four Emperors to become the Pirate King. He also wants to return Shanks’ hat to him as a sign of gratitude and respect.
However, their confrontation might not be as simple as they think. There are other forces that might interfere with their plans, such as the World Government, the Marines, the other Four Emperors, the Revolutionary Army, and the mysterious Blackbeard.
Blackbeard is a former member of Whitebeard’s crew who betrayed his captain and killed his comrade Thatch to obtain the Yami Yami no Mi, a Devil Fruit that grants him darkness powers. He then used his cunning and ambition to rise in power and become one of the Four Emperors. He also possesses another Devil Fruit, the Gura Gura no Mi, which gives him earthquake powers and makes him extremely dangerous.
Blackbeard has a history with Shanks, as he was the one who gave him his scar on his left eye. Shanks considers Blackbeard as his enemy and warns Whitebeard and Luffy about him. He also clashes with him at Marineford, where he tries to stop him from killing Luffy.
Blackbeard might be the biggest threat to Shanks and Luffy’s future. He might try to steal their Devil Fruits, kill them, or take the One Piece before them. He might also have a connection to Roger’s legacy, as he shares his real name, Marshall D. Teach, with a historical pirate who was associated with Edward Thatch.
Shanks and Luffy might have to join forces against Blackbeard or face him separately in their quest for the One Piece. Either way, their fate is intertwined with his and they will have to overcome him to achieve their dreams.
Conclusion
Shanks and Luffy have a complex and fascinating relationship that spans from friendship to rivalry. They are not related by blood, but by fate. They inspire each other to become great pirates and pursue their dreams of finding the One Piece. However, they also have to face each other and other enemies in their journey.
Shanks is one of the most mysterious characters in One Piece, as he has many secrets about his past and future. He is connected to Roger’s legacy, Dragon’s family, Blackbeard’s schemes, and Luffy’s destiny. He is a key player in the story and his role will be revealed soon.
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