One Piece fans are buzzing over the latest developments in chapter 1169. A crucial piece of the past has been revealed: Monkey D. Garp somehow informed Scopper Gaban that Roger had a son, and Gaban passed this news on to Shanks.
Shanks was extremely excited and firmly believed that Roger’s son would be like a little brother to him. However, this detail has sparked a wave of criticism, accusing Shanks of being cold-hearted or a traitor for not intervening to save Ace at the Marineford headquarters.
The Secret Behind the Name Portgas D. Ace: A Barrier to the Truth
To clear Shanks’ name, we need to revisit the fateful encounter between him and Ace (shown in a flashback in episode 461). At that time, Ace approached Shanks to thank him for saving Luffy’s life. However, Ace introduced himself as Portgas D. Ace, Luffy’s older brother.
Ace’s use of his mother’s surname (Portgas) instead of his father’s (Gol) was no random choice. Driven by deep hatred for Gol D. Roger, whom he blamed for all his suffering, loneliness, and being hunted since birth, Ace hid his true identity from the world. Because of this, Shanks had no reason at that moment to connect “Luffy’s brother” with “the captain’s son.”
Shanks Didn’t Save Ace Because He Didn’t Know the Truth
Many believe that as one of the Four Emperors, Shanks must have known everything. But in reality, Ace’s bloodline was only officially revealed by Fleet Admiral Sengoku right before the execution at Marineford began.
Considering Shanks’ deep respect and loyalty to Roger, along with his “wanting a little brother” reaction in chapter 1169, it’s clear that if Shanks had known Ace was Roger’s blood earlier, he would have acted. Shanks’ loyalty to Roger is unquestionable, and his arrival at Marineford to end the war shows a belated effort to protect what remained.
The Regret of a Missed Bond in One Piece
Oda missed (or perhaps deliberately skipped) a chance to explore the relationship between these two major characters. Imagine if Shanks and Ace had spent more time together, they could have been the perfect bridge between two generations.
Shanks could have helped Ace understand what a great man his father was, a man who conquered the seas and found the legendary treasure. In return, Ace could have updated Shanks on Luffy’s growth, creating a meaningful link between Roger’s legacy and the journey of the new Joy Boy.
If Shanks had appeared at Marineford from the start as Roger’s son’s protector, One Piece history might have taken a different path, one where both Ace and Whitebeard could still be alive.
Though Ace has fallen, the mysteries surrounding Shanks remain a key element for Oda to build the climax of the Elbaf arc. The events in chapter 1169 not only clear the “Red-Haired” Shanks’ name but also deepen the tragedy of Ace’s life, a hero who denied his origins until the very end.