The Hidden Connection: Unraveling Shanks' Secret Await for Joy Boy in One Piece

Highlights

Shanks, despite being a former member of the Roger Pirates, has never been to Laugh Tale and is determined to visit the final island and see the treasure for himself.

Shanks pilfered the Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit from the World Government and was taken aback when Luffy unintentionally consumed it, prompting him to shield Luffy from any harm. It is probable that Shanks harbors a greater objective beyond Laugh Tale, potentially entailing teaming up with Luffy to seize the One Piece and dismantle the World Government, surpassing the accomplishments of Roger.

No theory has been able to conclusively prove Shanks' true motives in One Piece. Despite inspiring Luffy to become a pirate and his interactions with the Five Elders, Shanks often acts in unexpected ways. While it may not be surprising for Shanks to have his own objectives in the New World, his relationship with Luffy remains unclear. Hopefully, the upcoming visit to Elbaf by the Straw Hat Pirates will shed light on this. Additionally, fans may be surprised by Shanks' desire to claim the One Piece, considering it is Luffy's goal. Taking all this into account, one could speculate if Shanks was actually waiting for Joy Boy to emerge in order to find Laugh Tale.

Shanks' Original Goals

Although once a member of the famous Roger Pirates, known for conquering the Grand Line and reaching Laugh Tale, Shanks unfortunately did not have the opportunity to witness the final island firsthand. When his crewmate Buggy fell ill shortly after their visit to Zou, Shanks made the selfless decision to stay behind and take care of his friend, while the rest of the crew continued their journey. As a result, Shanks was never able to set foot on Laugh Tale or discover the awaiting treasure.

Nevertheless, Shanks remained determined to one day embark on his own voyage to Laugh Tale and experience it for himself, as the Roger Pirates disbanded and went their separate ways. However, he chose to postpone his search for the One Piece, patiently waiting for the right moment to venture into the New World. Having conversed with Gol D. Roger and the other Roger Pirates upon their return from Laugh Tale, it is likely that Shanks possessed some understanding of the island's secrets and the true nature of the Gomu Gomu no Mi.

Biding His Time

Shanks' most significant action in One Piece was stealing the Gomu Gomu no Mi, which was actually the Mythical Zoan Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, from a World Government ship protected by Who's-Who. Who's-Who, a former CP9 agent and future member of the Beasts Pirates' Tobiroppo, held a grudge against Shanks for taking the fruit and ruining his career. Furthermore, Who's-Who despised Luffy for eating the fruit.

This event could possibly explain why Shanks delayed his journey to Laugh Tale. He must have been shocked to see Luffy consume the Devil Fruit he had stolen, as he was likely aware of its true nature. Although it's unclear whether Shanks intended to eat the fruit himself or use it in another way, many of his subsequent actions can be linked to his desire to protect Luffy from harm.

Surpassing His Former Captain

From intervening at Marineford to halting Admiral Ryokugu off the shores of Wano Country, he has consistently kept a watchful eye on Luffy from a distance. Some argue that this is purely due to his genuine concern for Luffy, and to a certain extent, that may be true. As he gained more power and ascended to become one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, he gradually established an extensive network of allies and contacts to assist him when the time came to embark on the journey to Laugh Tale. Despite these instances, it is not far-fetched to wonder if he was also intrigued by Luffy's progress and the possibility of him awakening his fruit ability, potentially fulfilling Joy Boy's prophecy of his second coming.

Shanks' ultimate objective may extend beyond merely reaching Laugh Tale; he may aim to harness the treasure attributed to Joy Boy, which is believed to be concealed there. As Luffy's newfound Awakening indicates Joy Boy's resurgence, as suggested by Zunesha, the opportune moment has arrived for Shanks to act and potentially join forces with Luffy in an endeavor to accomplish what Roger was unable to achieve.

Alternatively, Shanks could opt to compete with Luffy for the esteemed title of Pirate King, though it may seem contradictory to his typically benevolent nature. The only evidence to suggest otherwise lies in his calculated defeat of the Kid Pirates and his confiscation of their Poneglyph copies, indicating his genuine determination to obtain the prized One Piece.

In this captivating narrative, should the Roger Pirates have reached Laugh Tale prematurely and lacked the mythical Devil Fruit associated with the Sun God Nika, Shanks now possesses a unique opportunity to join forces with his protégé and challenge the authority of the World Government. This scenario remains ideal, as Shanks remains steadfast in his adherence to his moral principles and harbors no ill will towards Luffy and his crew. By following this path, both Shanks and Luffy could ultimately surpass the accomplishments of Roger, while uncovering the true history of the Void Century and catalyzing the eventual downfall of the oppressive World Government, thus ushering in a new era.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.