One Piece Fans: Did We Meet Rocks D. Xebec and Is He Part of Shanks’ Crew?

Despite being a prominent character in the One Piece world, Shanks, the leader of the Red Hair pirates, continues to maintain an air of mystery. Throughout the series, little has been revealed about this Emperor, but the recent introduction of Rocks D. Xebec has sparked speculation that Shanks may be the offspring of this infamous figure.

During the era of Gol D. Roger, Rocks D. Xebec was a notorious pirate with a strong desire to rule the world. Despite his ambitions, he was ultimately overpowered by Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp at God Valley and was believed to have perished, according to former Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

A recently proposed theory suggests that a member of the Red Hair Pirates shares similarities with Rocks D. Xebec, leading to speculation that the latter may still be alive and potentially a member of the Emperor’s crew.

One Piece: Clues Hinting at Rocks D. Xebec’s Survival

Rocks D. Xebec (Image via Toei Animation)

Eiichiro Oda has suggested in two SBS that a mysterious and powerful foe connected to Whitebeard may emerge in the near future. This has sparked speculation that Xebec, also known as Rocks D. Xebec, may have somehow survived and could potentially be disguised as Rockstar.

The chapter that introduced Rockstar was titled “Please Remember”and also highlighted Whitebeard and Sengoku. Rockstar, a noteworthy pirate from the past, has been a member of Shanks’ crew since after the Alabasta events. Although he did not participate in the Marineford War, he was seen reacting to Luffy’s victory over Doflamingo in the Chapter 838 cover story. Despite being in the presence of Whitebeard, Rockstar showed no signs of fear and was prepared to engage in battle with him.

Red Hair Shanks as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Shanks and Xebec both use the same Gorowasei number play, 4 8 9, with “Shanks”being translated as 4=Shi, 8=Ya, 9=Ku, and “Rocks D. Xebec”as 4=Ji, 8=Be, 9=Ku. When comparing the silhouettes of Rockstar and Xebec, their attire seems to be identical. Rockstar was introduced and received his bounty before the rest of Shanks’ crew, and his bounty was revealed before Shanks’.

Despite not holding an official position on Shanks’ crew, Rockstar is given more responsibilities and plays a more significant role than other members, like Lucky Roo. This parallels Massacre Soldier Killer, also known as Kamazou the Manslayer, which hints at a trend where names and duties intertwine, possibly implying that Rockstar and Rocks D. Xebec are one and the same.

One Piece: The Possibility of Rocks D. Xebec Being Shanks’ Father

There has been speculation about the possibility of Xebec being Shanks’ father. Although it is widely believed that Garling Figarland, who has red hair, is Shanks’ father, this has not been officially confirmed. Furthermore, Garling’s hair is not portrayed with shading in illustrations, causing some to speculate that it could actually be white.

Sengoku, Garp, and the Gorosei all refer to Shanks in a derogatory manner, using the term “red-haired,”which would be illogical if he had the same red hair as Garling. It is unlikely that they would openly ridicule Shanks if they shared the same unique physical characteristic.

Celestial Dragons as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite his grave sin, Rocks was not simply killed but rather erased from history. There is speculation that Xebec may have had a relationship with a woman of the Celestial Dragon family, potentially Garling’s daughter or sister, leading to Shanks being their child.

Despite his initial plans to arrange a marriage for his daughter, Garling ultimately abandoned this idea upon discovering the relationship between Xebec and the Celestial Dragon. This revelation prompted him to plot the execution of Shanks. The name Figarland Garling may have been chosen as a nod to “The Marriage of Figaro,”a play by Mozart that depicts a love forbidden by social class, possibly alluding to Xebec’s status as a commoner in this situation.

This narrative is consistent with Oda’s inclination to incorporate elements from history and literature. The most heinous transgression against a Celestial Dragon would be to demonstrate their mortality and human nature by engaging in relationships and producing offspring with ordinary individuals, such as the pirate Xebec.

One Piece: Pros and Cons of Shanks’ Parentage

Edward Newgate in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

If it were revealed that Xebec was Shanks’ father, it would not only highlight the wickedness of the Celestial Dragons, but also introduce a surprising plot twist by depicting Xebec as a potentially benevolent character, explaining Whitebeard’s loyalty to him and his eventual formation of a family.

This revelation would further solidify Shanks’ identity as a “D.”and confirm him as the son of Rocks D. Xebec, a figure highly revered by Blackbeard and renowned for his fierce battles against both Roger and Garp. Moreover, this would suggest the possibility of Shanks being a triple agent, potentially informing the Gorosei about Rockstar or feeding them misleading information.

Conversely, if Garling is indeed Shanks’ father, the narrative may not be as thrilling. This situation could potentially lack the same depth and intricacies that having Xebec as Shanks’ father would bring, resulting in a potentially less engaging story.

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