One Piece: Analyzing Shanks’ Past Encounter with Loki

After a brief two-week pause, the beloved One Piece manga makes a triumphant return with an exciting new chapter set on the enigmatic island of Elbaph. Picking up from the previous cliffhanger, we find Monkey D. Luffy encountering a formidable presence as he investigates a potent Haki that leads him to a giant in chains.

This giant, who introduces himself as Loki, claims to be the “Sun God” destined to bring about the world’s end. Chapter 1130 unveils Loki’s dark nature, revealing him as a power-hungry antagonist who previously murdered his father to steal a legendary Devil Fruit associated with Elbaph’s royal lineage.

As the prince of Elbaph, Loki is also dubbed the “Accursed Prince” due to his malevolent actions. With a blend of Kaido’s sheer strength and Doflamingo’s cunning, Loki is such a significant threat that even Elbaph’s most formidable warriors found it necessary to unite against him. Intriguingly, chapter 1131 hints at the involvement of “Red Hair” Shanks in his potential downfall.

Disclaimer: This article contains significant spoilers from the One Piece manga, particularly through chapter 1131.

The Ironclad Connection: Shanks and Loki’s Downfall

Sneak Peek into Chapter 1131

Loki is the ‘Accursed Prince’ of Elbaf (Image via Shueisha)

The highly anticipated Chapter 1131 is set to be released on November 11, 2024, via Shueisha’s MANGA Plus platform. Preliminary leaks provide insight into the chapter’s developments, continuing directly from the last installment where Luffy and Loki face off.

Readers discover Loki’s bounty stands at an astonishing 2.6 billion berries. He shares with Luffy that he has been chained for six years by Sea Stone, seeking liberation. In exchange for his freedom, he offers to annihilate a pirate crew of Luffy’s choosing.

Luffy in front of Loki (Image via Shueisha)

Loki elaborates on their current location, known as Elbaph’s “Underworld,” a grim site for criminals among giants. As he speaks, he summons five monstrous beasts that suddenly emerge from the surrounding snowy forest, which he refers to as his allies.

To the astonishment of Loki and his henchmen, Luffy employs his Conqueror’s Haki to effortlessly subdue the beasts. This action draws a parallel to Shanks’ past use of the same technique, prompting Luffy to inquire about Shanks’ connection to Loki. Mocking the “Red Hair,” Loki’s taunts ignite Luffy’s temper, pushing him to activate his Gear 4 and strike at Loki, who deftly dodges.

Shanks’ Ascension and Loki’s Imprisonment

Luffy and Shanks have a special bond (Image via Toei Animation)

Upon mentioning Shanks, Loki captures Luffy’s attention. This connection is hardly surprising given Luffy’s admiration for Shanks, who is not only his childhood idol but also the captain whose dream redefined Luffy’s future as a pirate.

Their bond is steeped in sentiment, as Shanks passed down his iconic straw hat after sacrificing his left arm to shield Luffy from danger. He urged the young boy to return it only once he had become a “great pirate,” sealing their connection further.

Luffy considers Shanks' hat his most prized possession (Image via Toei Animation) — Luffy considers Shanks’ hat his most prized possession (Image via Toei Animation)

As Luffy navigated his own adventures, Shanks observed with pride. With both characters now recognized as Yonko, they stand on a course ripe for potential conflict over the coveted One Piece, despite Luffy’s enduring respect for Shanks. An indication of this was Luffy’s explosive response to Loki’s insult towards Shanks.

Presently, Shanks’ intentions and overarching goals remain veiled in mystery. Nevertheless, his involvement appears critical whenever pivotal events occur in the series. This connection raises the question: did Shanks directly influence Loki’s downfall in tandem with his rise?

Notably, both Shanks’ ascension to Yonko status and Loki’s imprisonment occurred six years prior to the current events in the narrative. Loki’s disdain for Shanks is palpable, remarking derisively on the latter’s reputation while simultaneously revealing the enigmatic relationship between their histories.

Mutual Respect between Shanks and the Giants

Shanks is on friendly terms with the Giants of Elbaph (Image via Shueisha)

While the theory remains speculative until officially confirmed by the manga, it aligns with Shanks’ character. Known for his aversion to unnecessary violence, especially regarding the vulnerable, Shanks is unlikely to remain passive in the face of Loki’s tyranny.

The contrast between Shanks and Loki couldn’t be more pronounced; while Shanks embraces diplomacy, Loki revels in chaos and cruelty. Shanks previously expressed his desire to avoid turning Elbaph into a battlefield, suggesting a proactive step to curtail Loki’s violent reign.

It is entirely plausible that Shanks, potentially with Benn Beckman and his crew, allied with the giants to confront and ultimately subdue Loki, thereby restoring peace to Elbaph.

Shanks protected Elbaph from Eustass Kid as well (Image via Toei Animation)

This explains Loki’s derogatory remarks towards Shanks; despite being a villain, Loki’s warrior pride may compel him to view such alliances as cowardly. Simultaneously, the affection shown by the giants towards the Red Hair Pirates underscores Shanks’ critical role in thwarting Loki and restoring their honor.

Dorry and Brogy’s sentiments of brotherhood towards Shanks and the cordial relationship between Shanks and the inhabitants of Elbaph reveal a mutual respect likely built from past alliances. The emotional connections and their significant history suggest Shanks’ contributions could transform Loki into a distant memory, aligning with the Crux of the One Piece narrative.

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