Shanks: The Hidden Strength Behind the Strongest Pirate

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

Summary

  • Kaido considers Shanks to be among elite pirates, potentially stronger than him.
  • Shanks has a different fighting style and excels in Haki, making him a strong contender against Kaido.
  • Shanks biding his time and serious nature could indicate he is the strongest, surpassing even Kaido.

In the realm of the legendary Pirates of “One Piece”, the Four Emperors undeniably stand supreme. Essentially, these are the four most influential pirates who govern the New World as if they were kings. Their power is so profound that even the World Government treads carefully when dealing with their affairs, which speaks volumes about their immense might. The Yonko are not simply powerful individuals; they are also commanders of formidable crews and boast numerous allies. When united at full strength, they can wage war against the Marines.

Apart from their notoriety, the Yonko govern vast domains, a factor that sets them apart as the most powerful and menacing pirates within the One Piece universe. Among all the Yonko characters, Kaido stands out as the strongest, a fact often acknowledged by fans. However, it’s rumored that there might be someone stronger than Kaido, and that person is none other than Shanks.

The Problem With The Statements That Call Kaido The Strongest

  • Kaido Himself Has 5 Elites In His Mind Capable Of Fighting Him
  • Shanks Was Always Biding His Time

It’s often stated that Kaido is the strongest character in the series One Piece. When he made his full debut to fans in chapter 795 titled Suicide, it was evident that Kaido was a colossal figure who could only be compared to a handful of others. Essentially, Oda, the narrator, intended to convey that on land, sea, and air, Kaido is generally recognized as the strongest living being. In essence, being labeled the strongest implies that Kaido possesses immense power.

On land, air, and sea, he’s the man known as the strongest creature alive. — Narrator

It’s indisputable that no one could rival Kaido, given the facts presented. Oda consistently portrays Kaido as the strongest character in One Piece, and even other Yonko have acknowledged him as a formidable force. For example, Big Mom openly admitted that she cannot beat Kaido. Similarly, before the Wano arc, it seemed like no one could match Kaido, with very few characters having ever come close. The World Government was so terrified of Kaido that his alliance with Big Mom caused them great apprehension.

In the One Piece universe, Kaido is widely recognized as the strongest pirate currently alive, with Kid and Killer among those who share this view. It’s said that in a one-on-one fight, Kaido’s power is unmatched and he is almost always victorious. This opinion is supported by Oda, the manga creator, who suggests that it’s wiser to avoid confrontation with Kaido due to his overwhelming strength. While it’s clear that Kaido is exceptionally powerful, this doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t be defeated someday.

In many cases, an author strengthens a villain as a prelude, intending for the character’s power to be surpassed later. For example, Kaido’s undefeated status in one-on-one battles was set up to be broken by Luffy. This setup served as a challenge for Luffy, and though he had assistance during the early stages of their fight, he ultimately succeeded in defeating Kaido.

Our enemy is the strongest pirate in the world. — Kid and Killer

One issue with Kaido being called the strongest is that there are other characters in the One Piece universe who haven’t publicly displayed their power. These individuals have been holding onto their might, saving it for a specific purpose. They plan to unveil their strength only when the situation demands it.

For example, fans are well aware that Shanks is concealing his full power, and it’s evident he hasn’t been actively engaging in battles to demonstrate his abilities due to some reason or another. However, after the downfall of Kaido, Shanks became more determined and publicly declared his pursuit for the One Piece.

Why Shanks Is A Special Case

Shanks Is The Successor To Roger And The Strongest Pirate

Without a doubt, the most powerful Yonko in One Piece at the moment is Shanks. It’s likely that he would have been the strongest even before Kaido’s downfall. However, Shanks’ unique characteristic lies in his lack of seriousness regarding the pursuit of the One Piece. Consequently, stories about Shanks being the most powerful pirate alive may not circulate widely. Interestingly, the government views Shanks as a composed pirate who doesn’t rush into danger or create trouble for them. Similarly, other pirates perceive Shanks as someone who is not bloodthirsty or aggressive under normal circumstances. However, Shanks reveals his true dangerous side only when his companions are in harm’s way, and this trait has been consistently portrayed throughout the series.

Oda might have hidden Shanks as the strongest pirate by using him as a perfect disguise because Kaido views five Pirates as elite, placing them in a league of their own. This exclusive group includes Roger, Whitebeard, Rocks, Oden, and Shanks. The fact that Shanks is included among these powerful pirates suggests that Kaido considers him to be exceptionally strong, perhaps even stronger than himself, as all the other characters Kaido has fought could potentially have defeated him. Moreover, it’s worth noting that the power levels of Kaido and Shanks are depicted as vastly different in the series. For example, both Kaido and Big Mom failed to defeat the Worst Generation when they fought them on the rooftop of Onigashima.

In contrast to Kaido’s powerful strikes, which didn’t manage to defeat characters like Law or Luffy when they grew stronger, a single blow from Shanks was able to take down both Kid and Killer. These pirates had no trouble withstanding attacks from Kaido and Big Mom, but against Shanks, they were unable to withstand even a single strike. This suggests that Shanks is operating on an entirely different level, reinforcing the idea that he was merely waiting for the right moment and has now decided to act seriously.

Despite popular opinion, Shanks and Kaido are two pirates who hold similar power levels in combat. Kaido was a force to be reckoned with, boasting numerous advantages during battles. For example, Kaido possessed extraordinary durability and endurance, and it’s likely he had greater stamina than Shanks due to his Zoan devil fruit abilities. Additionally, Kaido’s physical strength and other physical attributes were probably superior to that of Shanks.

However, there is one area where Shanks stands out: Haki. In Kaido’s own words, “Haki conquers all,” implying that with his mastery of Haki, Shanks could potentially defeat Kaido in a confrontation.

You can access ‘One Piece’ for reading through Viz Media. Officially and without charge, fans can read it on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next installment of ‘One Piece’, titled ‘One Piece 1137’, is scheduled to be released on January 26, 2025.

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2025-01-20 04:35