Recent arcs in One Piece have turned Red-Haired Shanks into one of the series’ most mysterious characters. Although he doesn’t seem to cooperate with the World Government as many suspected, the fact that he is the son of a Celestial Dragon and visited Mary Geoise for unknown reasons suggests there is still much about Shanks left to uncover.
One Piece Nearly Reveals Shanks’ Past
Recent chapters reveal Shanks spent some time at Mary Geoise before returning to the outside world. While the purpose of his visit remains a mystery, chapter 1152 might finally provide answers. In a flashback to when Shanks still had his left arm, fans noticed a tattoo strikingly similar to the emblem of the World Government’s Holy Knights. This hints that Shanks was once a member of the Holy Knights, although he had clearly left the organization by the time of the flashback.
Of course, there could be more than just the symbol. All Holy Knights possess near-immortality, powerful regeneration, and the ability to teleport through something called the Abyss, abilities shared by the Five Elders. This means Shanks once had the vague magical powers of both the Holy Knights and the Five Elders. He may have given up these powers when he rejected the Holy Knights, but this still suggests Shanks could have been even stronger in the past than he is now.
Latest One Piece Events Highlight Imu’s Terrifying Power
While Imu’s true power remains a big mystery, it’s clear he can possess and control the Holy Knights. The key to this might be the Abyss mark, which acts as their insignia. Furthermore, since Saturn couldn’t stop Imu from killing him, this connection is not something to overlook. The fact that Shanks still had this mark after leaving Mary Geoise means he was vulnerable to Imu’s control until he lost his arm.
Naturally, all these details tie into major theories about Imu’s identity. Imu is known for controlling others by sacrificing their free will, a trait fans have linked to the recent demonic imagery. If the Holy Knights’ insignia is truly the Abyss mark, then the mark Shanks and the Holy Knights bear is literally the devil’s mark in One Piece, making everything connected to it even more chilling.
These revelations and theories only deepen Shanks’ character. He not only rejected Imu’s power to uphold Roger’s ideals, but losing his arm can now be seen as a decisive break from his past and a full commitment to trusting Luffy. Overall, Shanks’ refusal of Imu’s power perfectly highlights his heroic nature. The Elbaf arc continues to build magic around Shanks, and it will be exciting to see what One Piece has in store for him in upcoming chapters.
According to Screenrant