Shanks’ Secret Past in Marijois: Unveiling the Figarland Family Ties

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Summary

  • The Figarland Family is one of the most powerful in One Piece.
  • Shanks’ time in Marijois likely involved familial connections and a revelation of world history.
  • Shanks’ potential battles with his family may lead to significant events, raising questions about his allegiance.

From what we’ve seen so far in One Piece, it appears that the Figarland Family is exceptionally powerful. Although details about them are scarce, the strength demonstrated in their appearances and the abilities they possess suggest that each of the three known members ranks among the most formidable characters in the entire series. Consequently, their influence also mirrors this immense power.

Additionally, genetically speaking, they are all members of the noble World Noble lineage, which seems to originate from the ancient era known as the Void Century. During that period, one of the ruling kingdoms is believed to have merged to form the World Government, and these individuals hail from Marijois. As depicted in Chapter 1138 of One Piece, it’s evident that Shanks spent part of his life within the Holy Land; however, he eventually left to continue his adventures on the open seas. Let us now explore how this time might have been utilized by him.

Shanks’ Time In The Holy Land Of Marijois

What The Time He Spent There Means For His Arc

Shanks’ First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of Adventure”
Garling’s First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1086, “The 5 Elders”
Shamrock’s First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1134, “The Owl Library”

Since Shanks first appeared in the series, his infrequent appearances have kept him shrouded in enigma, sparking debates among fans about his loyalty and possible connections to the World Government. Before Shamrock’s official debut on Elbaf, speculation ran rife that it was Shanks who interacted with the Gorosei in Chapter 907.

In Elbaf, Shamrock dropped some surprising revelations. The most significant one was that he is actually the older brother of Shanks, which suggests that it was probably him who spoke with the Gorosei in Chapter 907, effectively clearing Shanks of any suspicion. However, this discussion has raised a fresh batch of questions as Shamrock also mentioned that Shanks had previously visited Marineford but decided to depart because he grew fond of the place.

The pirate in question is actually my younger twin. At some stage, he strayed from our path. However, he eventually returned to the sacred land we call home. Unfortunately, it appears that he became overly entangled in the corrupting influences of the world above.

This sudden development has left fans buzzing with excitement as they eagerly speculate on the possible sequence of events. It’s widely believed that Shanks abandoned pirate life for a span of two years immediately following Gol D. Roger’s execution. The popular theory among fans is that during this time, Shanks traveled to the Holy Land to reconnect with his kin and community, given that he may have learned about his ancestry from Roger during their final encounter, causing him to weep.

This scenario is reinforced by Buggy and Shanks’ final encounter prior to their separation, in which Shanks expresses that he won’t embark on a pirate life right away because he has other responsibilities first, causing Buggy to abandon him as well. It’s plausible that Shanks spent this time in Marijois, likely to explore what his family life would be like. However, after encountering the oppressive and distasteful rule of the Celestial Dragons, which contradicts his justice-oriented code, instilled upon him by the Roger Pirates, he decided to depart.

It’s possible that this explanation shows us how Shanks acquired his preferred sword, Gryphon. From what we’ve seen in the series, it seems that Garling, Shamrock, and perhaps others possess swords of a similar type, likely Supreme Grade Weapons, which appear to be related to one another. Moreover, their names follow a pattern: Shanks’ sword is named Gryphon, while Shamrock’s is Cerberus, who are mythological siblings in Greek lore.

Based on this trend, we might infer that Garling’s sword will be named after Typhon, the Monster King from Greek mythology and father of Gryphon and Cerberus. At some point, it seems that Garling crafted those two swords as gifts for his sons. This is likely how Shanks obtained his legendary sword, but instead of returning it when he left the Holy Land, he chose to keep it.

When I look at your face, it makes my scars ache. The scars I got from ‘him’…

It’s often been suggested that Shanks may be aware of more than he seems, given his father’s significant role as the leader of the Gods’ Knights among the Celestial Dragels and his status as a World Noble. This might mean that Shanks has insights into the true origins and workings of the world, which could account for some of his actions, particularly his timing in pursuing the One Piece treasure, as he was aware that Nika had reawakened following the events in Wano.

What This Means For The Future

Shanks’ Eventual Battles

It seems undeniable that Shanks and his kin from Figarland are heading towards a showdown. The specifics of when and how this encounter unfolds remain uncertain, but it appears inevitable that all parties involved will engage in an epic battle. This battle could potentially mark the end of Luffy’s primary motivation for pursuing a pirate career.

On the contrary, some fans have their doubts about Shanks being a genuine ‘good guy,’ suggesting instead that he may continue to serve the World Nobles. They believe his time in Marijois might have influenced him to align with their objectives. Thus, it’s hypothesized that Shanks could be secretly working towards the Celestial Dragons’ and Imu’s goals without anyone realizing it. Although this theory is improbable, it keeps fans engaged as they eagerly await Oda to unveil the truth whenever he decides to do so.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-02-06 17:54