Oda Hints at Shanks’s Potential Devil Fruit Ability in One Piece

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This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf arc.

Summary

  • Shamrock Figarland serves as Elbaf’s biggest antagonist with a sword that has a Cerberus Devil Fruit power.
  • Shanks’s Gryphon sword could also have a Devil Fruit ability, enhancing his unique fighting style.
  • Shanks might be the strongest due to his potential sword ability, placing him above others in the current era.

As the Elbaf storyline of “One Piece” unfolds, fans are uncovering additional details about the legendary pirate known as Shanks. Everyone had been expecting this arc to revolve around Shanks, and it appears Oda is devising strategies to incorporate this red-haired Emperor further into the plot. Although Shanks isn’t physically on Elbaf at present, what fans do know is that someone connected to Shanks is already here.

Independent of whether Oda decides to bring Shanks to Elbaf or not, there are numerous clues about his character and possible skills, including his potential Devil Fruit powers. These hints might seem utterly surprising to the fans, but recent events in One Piece seem to imply that Shanks could possibly possess a Devil Fruit, even though the fruit may not have necessarily been consumed by him directly.

Shamrock Has A Sword With A Devil Fruit Power

  • Shamrock Serves As Elbaf’s Biggest Antagonist
  • His Sword Has The Power Of Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Cerberus

It wasn’t known by fans that Shamrock Figarland was going to appear in Elbaf, but Oda clarified this in his Jump Festa announcement. He indicated in his message that Shamrock Figarland would indeed be coming to Elbaf.

Regarding One Piece, we’ve reached the peaceful realm of Elbaf at last! However, tranquility won’t last long with the arrival of a crucial figure! Meanwhile, storms are brewing across other seas too! And brace yourself, as one individual is about to cause quite a stir in the world! Get ready for an exhilarating 2025 filled with One Piece excitement! – Eiichiro Oda

Right following the Elbaf arc, two enigmatic figures appeared within the Aurust Castle of the nation, and one bore a striking resemblance to Shanks. Interestingly enough, this was most likely the same character who had previously encountered the Gorosei in One Piece chapter 907. The plot thickened when Eiichiro Oda deliberately concealed the identity’s face from fans, suggesting that it might not indeed be Shanks.

The World Government will bring Elbaf to heel no matter what! — Shamrock Figarland

In chapter 1137 of One Piece, it was finally revealed that this character isn’t Shanks but his counterpart, Shamrock Figarland, the eldest son of Garling Figarland. As the leader of the Holy Knights, a powerful group in One Piece, Shamrock is expected to have immense powers. Since he serves as the main antagonist for Luffy in this arc, it’s clear that he’ll be equally formidable, likely on par with Yonko-level strength. However, most of Shamrock’s abilities were a mystery until chapter 1138 of One Piece.

At last, Oda has unveiled that Shamrock Figarland possesses an extraordinary power, yet not in the way fans might initially expect. Instead of Shamrock consuming a Devil Fruit, it is his sword that has been imbued with one. This isn’t entirely surprising in the world of One Piece, given that Mr. 4’s gun and Lassoo, as well as Spandam’s sword Funkfreed, have also been known to possess Devil Fruit abilities. Similarly, Shamrock’s sword now wields a Mythical Zoan Cerberus ability, making him an incredibly formidable combatant. This revelation has certainly sparked much speculation among fans about Shanks as well.

Shanks’s Gryphon Could Have A Devil Fruit As Well

Shanks’s Fighting Style Remains Unknown To This Day

In much the same way that Shamrock Figarland’s Sword possesses a Devil Fruit power, it may be plausible that Shanks’s sword shares this characteristic too. Although fans perceive Shanks as someone who avoids consuming Devil Fruits due to his preference for Haki and swimming, the idea of his sword being imbued with such powers is distinct. Given its name derived from a legendary creature, it’s not unreasonable to speculate that Shanks’s sword might hold an impressive ability.

During a recent episode of SBS (Shonen Jump’s Q&A session with Eiichiro Oda), it was disclosed that Shanks’s sword is named Griffon, and this weapon carries immense power. Furthermore, Oda subtly suggested that Shanks’s combat style is unique in a way not yet fully revealed. Here’s what Oda shared about the mighty Griffon:

Q: What is the name of Red-Haired Shanks’s sword?

As a diehard fan, I’ve been following the story since day one and Shanks has always been there. But I must admit, I’m still eager to learn more about his fighting style, especially when it comes to this “Griffon” he mentioned!

It appears that Oda is suggesting that Shanks’s combat style is exceptional and somehow related to Griffon. In Greek mythology, which serves as one of Oda’s inspirations for Shamrock’s Cerberus, Griffin is a mythical creature with the body and legs of a lion, an eagle’s head, and wings. This creature is legendary for its immense power. Similarly, just like Shamrock’s Cerberus sword, Shanks’s sword might possess the strength of a Griffin, making him even more extraordinary.

Why Shanks’s Gryphon Having A Devil Fruit Makes Sense

Shanks Would Be The Undisputed Strongest

Among several plausible explanations, one that resonates as an observer is the intriguing notion behind Shanks’s sword imbued with a Gryphon Devil Fruit aligns perfectly with the Red Hair Pirates’ ethos of abstaining from consuming Devil Fruits. While Shanks himself may lack any inherent supernatural abilities, his weapon amplifies his combat techniques to unprecedented levels. This unique arrangement has long sparked curiosity among fans, particularly concerning how Shanks surpasses Mihawk, the self-proclaimed Greatest Swordsman.

Are you that afraid of the new era? — Shanks

The answer leaves no room for doubt. Fans of Shanks have long argued that his combat style doesn’t align with the conventional swordsman, an idea Oda hinted at heavily in SBS. If Shanks’s sword were discovered to be a Gryphon Devil Fruit, it would immediately cast doubt on whether he is classified as a traditional swordsman because his “sword” is a creature in combat. This would give Shanks an unusual fighting style, where he doesn’t primarily use a blade to defeat his foes, despite being able to do so.

In essence, it appears that Shanks’ power, which seems equivalent to Joy Boy’s, positions him as the unquestionable strongest character of this period, surpassing others by a significant margin, with exceptions being only Roger and Joy Boy. Readers should anticipate Oda unveiling Shanks’ full potential and clarifying Gryohin’s role in the narrative. For now, all we can do is wait and enjoy as Shanks displays his might in the Final Saga.

Fans can now access “One Piece” through Viz Media. This popular series is officially and freely available on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps for reading. Mark your calendars, as the next chapter of “One Piece,” One Piece 1138, will be published on February 2, 2025.

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2025-01-31 00:34