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The relationship between Shanks and Luffy has always been one of the most important driving forces behind the entirety ofOne Piece. Without Shanks giving Luffy his iconic Straw Hat, Luffy may never have started his adventure as a pirate, and if he did, he would lack the same drive that he currently has. All in all, without the relationship between Luffy and Shanks, there is noOne Piece.
Due to the importance placed on the dynamic between Shanks and Luffy,One Piecefans have often wondered when and where these characters will meet again. One of the crucial details surrounding thetwo Emperors of theOne Pieceworldis that when the two meet again, Luffy will be a great pirate and will return his Staw Hat. However, some fans believe that Luffy still has a while to go before reaching this point, meaning that the reunion between Shanks and Luffy inOne Piecemay be farther away than most expect.
Shanks And Luffy Are Bound To Meet Again In One Piece
No One Knows When And Where The Duo Will Meet
During Luffy’s childhood, Shanks was a fairly important figure in the young child’s life. Acting as a mentor figure to Luffy, Shanks was one of the main inspirations for Luffy to become a pirate. Additionally, Luffy accidentally took theSun God Nika Fruit from Shanks, giving the young pirate his iconic powers. Most importantly, however, Shanks, after betting his arm on Luffy’s potential, gave Luffy his iconic Straw Hat, something that Luffy considers to be his greatest treasure.
To see him now would violate our agreement, right Luffy? - Shanks at Marineford
However, one detail that some fans forget is that when Shanks gave Luffy his iconic Straw Hat inOne Piece, he implied that Luffy would return it to him once he became a great pirate. This detail has been frequently mentioned in the story and was even brought up in conversation withScopper Gaban in a newOne Piecechapter. Due to this, it seems likely that Luffy and Shanks will only return the Straw Hat later in the series, arguably after Luffy has become the Pirate King.
Luffy Could See Shanks Again On Elbaf Or Lodestar Island
Both of These Locations Are Relevent For The Story
With Shanks’s importance to the plot of Elbaf, with the island being Shanks’s territory and with his twin brother, Shamrock, lurking around the island, it seems likely that Shanks may make an appearance duringOne Piece’sElbaf Arc. However, as of now, this may be a bit too early for the reintroduction of his idol. If Luffy were to meet Shanks and return the Straw Hat this soon, well before he achieves his goals, the reunion between the two figures may feel a bit cheap.
Instead, it seems just as, if not more likely, that Luffy and Shanks may have their reunion after the events of Elbaf, potentially meeting on the importantOne Piecelocation, Lodestar Island. This island is the penultimate island of the Grand Line and the culmination of where all the paths through the New World finally meet. Due to this, being the island beforeOne Piece’sLaugh Tale, Lodestar feels like a strong meeting point to set up the final battle of the series. Plus, this would give an ample amount of time to get Luffy to the point where he is willing to return the Straw Hat back to Shanks, completing his journey with the character.
Waiting To Reintroduce Shanks May Be A Stronger Choice For One Piece
Holding Onto The Shamrock Conflict Could Give It Time To Develop
At the same time, just because Shanks’s brother was introduced during the Elbaf Arc doesn’t mean the conflict between Shamrock and Shanks needs to happen now. In fact, it may be a better move for the story to have Shamrock leave the island, letting the otherGod’s Knights inOne Pieceengage the Straw Hats and the giants. Instead, saving this major plot line between Shamrock and Shanks for Lodestar, and thus not bringing Shanks back during Elbaf, may be a strong choice for the story.
This hat is my gift to you. - Shanks to Luffy
Still, as of now, it seems if Shanks is going to have hisreunion with Luffy inOne Piece, it will likely be at either Elbaf or Lodestar. However, with so much development left for Luffy’s character, out of the two potential places, Lodestar may be a stronger choice for the story in general. In the end, after waiting over 25 years, fans will have to wait a little longer until Luffy and Shanks see each other again inOne Piece.
One Piece
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One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
