When Eiichiro Oda first introduced “Red-Haired” Shanks in the opening chapter of One Piece, fans saw him as a mentor figure—an idol who inspired Monkey D. Luffy to become a pirate. Yet over the years, Shanks has steadily grown into one of the most mysterious and influential figures in the entire series.
Now, with shocking revelations in the Elbaf arc, some fans argue that Shanks—not Luffy—had the perfect background to be the main character of One Piece.
Shanks’ Lineage Makes Him Unique in the World
From his very first appearance, Shanks carried an aura of mystery. While he initially seemed cheerful and carefree, Chapter 1 already hinted at his hidden depth—casually unleashing Conqueror’s Haki to scare off the Lord of the Coast. Since then, every glimpse of him has only reinforced his prodigious strength.
In fact, Shanks is one of the only known pirates besides Roger capable of performing Divine Departure, a technique requiring supreme mastery of Conqueror’s Haki. He taught himself the move at just 15 years old—something no one else has ever achieved.
But the real bombshell came in Chapter 1158–1159. It was revealed that Shanks is the child of St. Figarland Garling, a Celestial Dragon, and a woman from God Valley. More importantly, Rocks D. Xebec himself revealed that God Valley was the ancestral home of the Davy Clan—descendants of the legendary Davy D. Jones.
This connection strongly suggests that Shanks may secretly be Davy D. Shanks—a bloodline that would make him both a member of the D. Clan and a Celestial Dragon at the same time.
That combination is unprecedented. It would explain why Scopper Gaban once referred to Shanks as the “Child of Destiny.” It would also mean Shanks shares blood ties with none other than Blackbeard—potentially making them cousins.
Why Shanks Fits as a Protagonist
If true, Shanks’ dual heritage bridges the two most important factions in One Piece:
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The Celestial Dragons, who rule as the self-proclaimed “gods” of the world.
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The mysterious D. Clan, the so-called “enemies of the gods.”
This makes Shanks uniquely positioned as the ultimate embodiment of One Piece’s central conflict. His story would naturally tackle the greatest mysteries of the Void Century, the Will of D, and the corruption of the World Government.
Unlike Luffy, who grows into his role through adventure, Shanks would represent someone born directly into destiny—forced to balance two clashing legacies. In many ways, his journey could have been even more dramatic than Luffy’s.
What Shanks’ Future Role Could Mean
While Oda chose Luffy as the series’ protagonist, Shanks’ role in the Final Saga is shaping up to be monumental. Many fans believe:
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Shanks’ unique heritage will make him central to the Final War.
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He may be the one to pave the way for Luffy to fully embody the Sun God Nika.
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His tragic fate may come at the hands of Blackbeard—which would carry even more weight if the Davy D. bloodline connection is true.
In the end, Shanks’ story is almost too grand to remain a side narrative. Whether he survives or falls, his legacy will likely be the final catalyst for Luffy’s rise as Pirate King.
Conclusion
Shanks was introduced as a mentor, but over time, Eiichiro Oda has built him into one of the most layered characters in anime. His unmatched mastery of Haki, mysterious family ties, and possible status as both a Celestial Dragon and a member of the D. Clan give him the kind of epic background usually reserved for a protagonist.
If Luffy is the sun lighting the world’s future, then Shanks is the red shadow cast across history—a man whose story could have easily carried One Piece on its own.