This article includes significant spoilers from the final saga of One Piece.
Essential Insights
- Shanks demonstrated mastery of the Kamusari (Divine Departure) technique at just 15 years old, impressing the legendary Roger Pirates.
- He was also proficient in advanced Conqueror’s Haki by that age, surpassing even noteworthy figures like Roger and Rayleigh.
- As of now, Shanks is regarded as the most formidable character in the One Piece universe.
Table of Contents
Oda Highlights Shanks’s Genius
Shanks is undoubtedly one of the most pivotal characters in One Piece, recognized not only for his status as one of the Four Emperors but also for his formidable combat skills. His past as a member and apprentice of the Roger Pirates lends a significant backdrop to his already impressive reputation. While the narrative surrounding Shanks remains enigmatic, recent revelations from creator Eiichiro Oda present a clearer understanding of his potential and accomplishments.
During a recent Q&A, Oda shared astonishing insights into Shanks’s remarkable abilities as a young pirate. At the age of 15, as the Roger Pirates disbanded, Shanks was already demonstrating monstrous strength—a factor that led to speculation about his potential to become the next Pirate King.
Question: Did Roger teach Shanks the Kamusari technique, or did he learn it by observation?
Oda: Shanks’s brilliance was such that he learned Kamusari on his own, astonishing the Roger Pirates, who were unable to replicate it.
Young Shanks’s Strength Level
Advanced Conqueror’s Haki Mastery by 15
Before he even turned 15, Shanks had already mastered the challenging technique of Divine Departure. This technique is not only formidable but also requires advanced proficiency in both Armament Haki and Conqueror’s Haki. To execute it effectively, one must be able to project Armament Haki over considerable distances—a challenging feat for any pirate.
The implications of Shanks’s ability to utilize Kamusari by such a young age hint at his overall strength, putting him on par with legendary figures like Roger and Rayleigh. The capabilities he displayed suggested that his potential reached or even eclipsed that of his mentors, marking him as a prodigious talent.
Evaluating Shanks’s abilities before becoming an adult underscores why he was considered a leading candidate for the title of Pirate King. His unparalleled talent foreshadowed the extraordinary heights he would achieve in his pirate career.
Current Strength of Shanks
Shanks’s Position as the Strongest in One Piece
In the current landscape of One Piece, Shanks stands out as the strongest individual. This assertion gains weight especially after Kaido’s defeat, who was dubbed the most powerful creature in existence. Kaido acknowledged Shanks’s elite status, ranking him alongside formidable figures like Rocks and Whitebeard.
Shanks’s unparalleled command over Haki, as confirmed multiple times by Oda, sets him apart in a world filled with powerful characters. While other formidable pirates like Luffy and Blackbeard exist, Shanks’s unique abilities place him in a league of his own.
Although Shanks’s true extent of power remains largely undisclosed, he made a significant impression during the Egghead arc by effortlessly defeating Kid without revealing all his capabilities. This revelation has fans eagerly anticipating an eventual clash with Luffy, which could further demonstrate his extraordinary strengths.
As we approach the Elbaf arc, there is a promise of deeper insight into Shanks’s character, as well as a focus on his vital role in the unfolding narrative.
Will Shanks Be Stronger Than Luffy?
While Luffy has proven to be immensely powerful, Shanks’s superiority is likely to become apparent in their anticipated confrontation. With over five years expected to remain in the storyline, fans have plenty to look forward to as the series builds towards its conclusion, projected around 2030.
Fans can follow the adventures of One Piece through Viz Media. The manga is officially available to read for free via the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus platforms. The next chapter, One Piece 1131, is scheduled for release on November 10, 2024.
Leave a Reply