Shanks' latest appearance in One Piece teases sinister motives

One Piece's Elbaf arc has been one of the most anticipated arcs while also shaping up to be one of its most ominous. Although the arc appears to center around a power struggle, Shanks' previous appearance in Elbaf, along with his dialogue, might be teasing something much more sinister.

Shanks' current goal is revealed to be the One Piece, which he is actively pursuing. While Luffy is his apprentice in spirit, Shanks' actions and affiliations suggest that he might just be trying to stall Luffy and his crew in Elbaf. This would allow him to pursue the treasure without much worry.

Disclaimer- This article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.

One Piece: Entirity of Elbaf is Shank's trap for Luffy

Red-Haired Shanks has been a character lingering in the background since the very first chapter of the series. Although his intentions and role in the story were initially painted as that of a mentor to Luffy, his recent appearances have led to a much different hypothesis. It is theorized that Shanks will seemingly take on the role of Luffy's rival and become an antagonistic force standing in front of the actual treasure.

Shanks is arguably one of the most influential pirates of the current era, with a deep bond with the Elbaf giants. This connection is evident in previous chapters, including chapter 1132, where he is referred to in a very familiar tone. In this chapter, Shanks asks the barkeep and Colon to remember the name "Straw Hat Luffy." While this line of dialogue is not unusual, the artistic choice in this panel contributes to its unusualness.

Red Haired Shanks as shown in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The gray lines over the face or eyes have been repeatedly used by Oda to emphasize the seriousness of a situation or dialogue. These lines mostly appear whenever a character experiences a groundbreaking realization, witnesses something atrocious, or enacts something despicable or impactful.

Combined with the ominous message in chapter 1132, which states, "Do not overstay your welcome here," this might be referring to the true nature of Elbaf. It is possible that the entirety of Elbaf is subject to a phenomenon that slows time compared to the outside world. This would allow Shanks to make a beeline for the One Piece treasure in a sea free of Luffy.

Monkey D. Luffy as shown in the One Piece anime adaptation (Image via Toei Animation)

Although Shanks has been built up for a fight against Luffy, it is possible that he wants to achieve his goal without directly confronting his spiritual protége. Shanks remains one of the most mysterious figures in the story, despite being one of the earliest characters introduced. Given his heritage as a Celestial Dragon, it is possible that he could be a traitor.

Final thoughts

One Piece chapter 1134 will be released on December 22, 2024, and will be available for reading on Shueisha's MANGA Plus platform. Chapter 1133 ended with Robin and Saul's reunion. Although Saul's current appearance heavily hints at his identity as "The Man Marked by the Flames," it is still possible that the entire situation is simply a red herring constructed by Oda.