Unveiling Shanks’ “Twin” in One Piece: Key Insights on the Latest Major Plot Twist

Note: Spoilers ahead for One Piece chapter #1134. In recent chapters of One Piece, the narrative has begun to plant seeds of doubt regarding the true nature of Shanks. His unexpected summit with the Five Elders, compounded by implications suggesting that Figarland Garling—leader of the Holy Knights—might be his father, raises questions about Shanks’ morality and motives as the series progresses through its concluding saga.

While many fans have speculated about Shanks’ potential to harbor a sinister agenda, another perspective suggests the narrative may be hinting at a significant twist that could reshape how Shanks is perceived. The unfolding revelations offer intriguing insights into his character, and it’s likely that further clarifications are forthcoming in future chapters.

Why Fans Think Shanks Has an Evil Twin

Understanding the Theory of Shanks’ Evil Twin

Shanks and a mysterious new character arrive on Elbaph

One of the most striking developments during the Levely arc was Shanks’ entrance into Mary Geoise to converse with the Five Elders. Fans observed the oddity of his access to such a secure location—especially since neither the anime nor the manga depicted his iconic scar, focusing solely on his profile. This omission led to the fan theory proposing that Shanks may have an evil twin operating within the World Government. This notion gained traction following One Piece Film: Red, which suggested Shanks might harbor ties to the Celestial Dragons.

Although much of the evidence supporting this theory is circumstantial, recent revelations in chapter #1134 fortify the hypothesis. The chapter’s conclusion features the same teleportation mechanism employed by the Five Elders to arrive at Egghead, and notably, Shanks is once again shown in profile, mirroring the visuals from the Levely arc. The continued concealment of Shanks’ scar seems deliberate, pointing toward a potential confirmation of the theory that he has a twin who is possibly nefarious.

Exploring Theories Behind Shanks’ ‘Evil Twin’

The plausibility of Shanks having an evil twin continues to gain traction. Several explanations could account for such a character’s existence and his significance. Firstly, while it’s conceivable that Garling may have chosen to abandon one child, the possibility of cloning—an established concept within the One Piece universe—could support the idea that Shanks’ twin is an artificially created entity, intended for service within the World Government.

Furthermore, this potential twin appears to wield considerable authority within the World Government, given their access to the Five Elders and the use of similar powers. Given Garling’s implications as Shanks’ father and his leadership of the Holy Knights, it’s highly plausible that this ‘evil twin’ could be among the elite warriors serving the Government.

Another intriguing theory posits a connection between Shanks’ twin and the enigmatic Man with the Burn Scar. Speculation suggests that this character may have allegiances to the World Government, particularly if they were involved in the covert acquisition of a Road Poneglyph. Thus, it is possible that Shanks’ twin could indeed be identified as the Man with the Burn Scar, deliberately maintaining a profile view to obscure his identity and replace Shanks’ recognizable scar.

Additionally, a recent message from Vegapunk included silhouettes of major figures expected to impact the final saga, notably featuring a mysterious swordsman. Regardless of the specific narrative role, Shanks’ twin is set to be a significant player in the ongoing story, particularly given his recent emergence in Elbaph. It is conceivable that he is the aforementioned silhouette from Vegapunk’s presentation, emphasizing the weight of his role in the series.

Could an Evil Twin Diminish Shanks’ Character?

While the introduction of an evil twin could serve to enrich Shanks’ narrative and background, there is a concern that it might complicate the moral complexity of his character. This notion holds the potential to add depth, especially as Shanks has remained a somewhat enigmatic presence in the series for over two decades. The possibility that he could be exonerated from associations with the World Government through this twin dynamic may indeed be unfulfilling to some fans.

Nonetheless, the essence of Shanks’ character does not necessitate ties to the World Government for him to evolve further. His recent engagements with characters like Kid and Bartolomeo highlight his multifaceted personality, suggesting that his character can still thrive without dependence on the ‘twin’ narrative. Whichever direction the plot takes, it’s clear that Shanks is on the cusp of receiving significant attention as One Piece approaches its climax, and audiences eagerly anticipate the unfolding of his story.

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