The ongoing Egghead Arc has provided One Piece fans with a deeper understanding of Joy Boy, the legendary figure whom the franchise’s protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, is believed to be a reincarnation of. Joy Boy was the first pirate to ever set sail on the seas and he battled against the founders of the infamous World Government during the Void Century.
Joy Boy had prepared for his eventual defeat by storing a portion of his Conqueror’s Haki in a knot, which he gave to his friend Emet. He instructed Emet to use it when the time was right. When the Egghead Incident occurred, Emet unleashed Joy Boy’s powerful Haoshoku to overpower the Five Elders.
In Chapter 1123 of One Piece, Dorry and Brogy were unable to contain their awe at Joy Boy’s incredible strength, going as far as to proclaim that his Haki surpassed even that of “Red Hair”Shanks.
Despite appearances, this is not a demotion for Luffy’s mentor and role model.
Please note that this article includes significant spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1123.
One Piece: Joy Boy’s Haki is Stronger than Shanks, but Red Hair Remains a Formidable Opponent
Joy Boy, the most impressive Haki user to ever live
Among the numerous characters in One Piece, only a select few possess the innate ability to harness and master the Color of Conqueror, otherwise known as Haoshoku. This exceptional form of Haki, seen as a manifestation of one’s inner strength, grants the powerful the ability to dominate the weaker by releasing an overwhelming aura.
Despite the rarity of natural-born Haoshoku users, only a select few possess the strength to master the advanced version of Conqueror’s Haki. By imbuing their bodies, weapons, and attacks with the Color of Conqueror, these individuals gain an unparalleled level of power.
Kaido himself defined the Haoshoku’s evolved state as a revolutionary skill that bestows its wielders with unmatched strength, distinguishing the exceptional from the average.
It is undeniable that Shanks belongs to the exclusive circle of top-notch warriors. This is only natural, considering that the “Red Hair”is widely recognized as one of the most powerful characters in One Piece.
Additionally, he is the individual responsible for Eiichiro Oda’s introduction of the concept of Haki to his readers. Though it was not explicitly identified as Conqueror’s Haki, there is unquestionably a connection between the enigmatic power exhibited by Shanks in One Piece chapter 1 and Haoshoku.
According to the latest releases of the One Piece manga, it is evident that even Shanks, who is known for his charisma and immense power, cannot match the strength of Joy Boy. Joy Boy’s Haki is capable of lasting for centuries and even after such a long time, it remains powerful enough to overpower the Five Elders.
Upon releasing the Haki blast implanted into him by Joy Boy, Emet unleashed an unprecedented level of power that had never been witnessed in the series before.
The attack not only rendered every Marine near Egghead Island unconscious, including multiple Vice Admirals, but also overpowered the Five Elders, all of whom are known to be top tier fighters.
Despite its seemingly absurd nature, Joy Boy’s activation of the Color of Conqueror was able to reverse the transformation of the Five Elders and break the summoning that had brought Warcury, Nusjuro, and the others to Egghead. As a result, they were all sent back to Mary Geoise in their human forms.
Despite being far away in the Holy Land, even Imu-sama could feel the immense power of Joy Boy’s Haki.
Undoubtedly, this is the most remarkable display of Haki in the entire series, establishing Joy Boy as the most powerful Haki wielder in the world of One Piece, at least according to the knowledge of the current readers.
Shanks Remains One of the Biggest Big Shots
After witnessing the magnitude of Joy Boy’s strength, Dorry and Brogy acknowledged that it exceeded even Shanks’. However, this does not diminish the legacy of the renowned “Red Hair”. Being the first pirate in the One Piece world and the original possessor of the Human-Human Fruit Model: Nika prior to Luffy, Joy Boy is destined to belong in a league of his own.
Despite being powerhouses like Shanks, Mihawk, and Akainu, they still do not compare to the god-like individual that is Joy Boy. In all fairness, considering Joy Boy’s immense strength, the statements made by Dorry and Brogy should not be seen as a diminisher for Shanks. In fact, it could be argued that it elevates him even further.
Eiichiro Oda, author of One Piece, used his words to highlight the monstrous nature of Joy Boy, making even the immensely powerful fighter Shanks appear ordinary in comparison. This serves as a testament to Oda’s admiration for the “Red Hair”as he sees Shanks as a suitable measure to build hype for Joy Boy.
It should be noted that Dorry and Brogy are acquainted with Shanks, but their level of familiarity with Mihawk, Akainu, Dragon, and other prominent figures in the One Piece world may not be as extensive. Therefore, it is likely that they used Shanks as a point of reference due to their personal knowledge of him.
If Dorry and Brogy were replaced with Zoro, he would most likely have compared Joy Boy to Mihawk. Similarly, if Sabo was the observer, he would have used Dragon as the standard, and so on.
Despite this, there is no denying Shanks’ incredible Haki abilities and overall strength. He stands out even among the most powerful users of Conqueror’s Haki, earning his nickname “Red Hair.”
It is a testament to Shanks’ skills that he is able to utilize his Haoshoku to suppress the abilities of others. Through a technique known as “Observation Killing”, Shanks is capable of preventing his opponents from using Future Sight, a unique ability that he is the sole known user of.
Despite being outnumbered and exhausted from the Onigashima Raid, Luffy and his friends were protected by Shanks’ powerful Haki. When Ryokugyu, a Marine Admiral, threatened to attack, Shanks used his Conqueror’s Haki to intimidate the Admiral into submission, causing him to retreat without putting up a fight.
It is noteworthy that Shanks’ actions towards Ryokugyu, who appeared to be immobilized and subsequently had to relinquish his Wood-Wood Fruit abilities, bear a striking resemblance to the impact of Joy Boy’s Haki on the Five Elders. This further highlights Shanks’ mastery of the Advanced Conqueror’s Haki, as he demonstrates exceptional skill in utilizing it.
Shanks coated his sword Gryphon with Haoshoku, allowing him to match the strength of Edward Newgate, also known as “Whitebeard”, the strongest man in the world. Their clash was so powerful that it cleared the clouds and tore through the sky.
Using his Conqueror’s Haki, Shanks was able to easily defeat Eustass Kid, a notable member of the Worst Generation. Employing his powerful Divine Departure technique, Shanks swiftly took down Kid with a single strike, slicing through his Railgun before it could even finish charging.
Despite being incredibly resilient and able to withstand numerous attacks from Big Mom, both Kid and his partner Killer were no match for Shanks. With just one powerful strike, Shanks demonstrated his undeniable superiority over not only them, but also the other Yonko.
A Key Character in One Piece’s Final Arc
Despite his reputation as a seasoned and formidable pirate with strict ideals, Whitebeard held Shanks in great regard and commended his legendary battles against Dracule Mihawk, which were known to have caused waves throughout the Grand Line.
Shanks possesses an incredible strength that rivals that of the World’s Strongest Swordsman and the World’s Strongest Man. He is also capable of instilling fear in a Marine Admiral and effortlessly defeating one of the most powerful Supernovas, making him a formidable force to be reckoned with.
His involvement in One Piece’s endgame is crucial, particularly as his ultimate objective remains unclear.
The announcement that the infamous “Red Hair”is after the One Piece treasure has sparked speculation among fans due to his connections to the notorious Figarland Family. However, there is a growing belief that there is more to this pirate than meets the eye, especially in regards to the mysterious connection between Joy Boy and Luffy. And it seems that Shanks plays a significant role in this connection, spanning across centuries.
As an apprentice under Gol D. Roger, Shanks was entrusted with the late Pirate King’s cherished straw hat. He later passed it on to Luffy, serving as inspiration for the protagonist to embark on his own journey throughout the oceans. Additionally, Shanks was the owner of the powerful Nika-powered Devil Fruit, which Luffy eventually consumed, gaining the same abilities once possessed by Joy Boy.
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