One Piece Reveals Shanks vs Bartolomeo Showdown in Cover Story: A Long-Awaited Setup

Introduced in One Piece as a rude and menacing character, Bartolomeo is quickly revealed to be a dedicated admirer of Monkey D. Luffy and the other Straw Hat Pirates. In the highly anticipated One Piece chapter 1126, Bartolomeo, who idolizes Luffy to an extreme degree, encounters “Red Hair”Shanks, the very person who inspired Luffy to pursue a life of piracy.

Two years prior to the current timeline, Bartolomeo witnessed Luffy’s incredible survival in Logue Town. This event sparked his fandom for the Straw Hat Pirates, motivating him to emulate Luffy. During the Dressrosa Arc, he finally met Luffy and his crew, pledging his allegiance as a member of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet.

According to spoilers from One Piece chapter 1126, Bartolomeo and his crew faced an attack from the Red Hair Pirates, who quickly overpowered them. While this outcome was anticipated, it’s noteworthy that the manga had previously foreshadowed this confrontation with a cover story in which Bartolomeo disrespected Shanks’ Jolly Roger.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1126.

One Piece chapter 1126 showcases the awaited Bartolomeo vs Shanks confrontation

Exploring Bartolomeo’s loyalty to Luffy in spoilers from One Piece chapter 1126

Scheduled for release on Monday, September 16, 2024, on Shueisha’s MANGA Plus app and website, One Piece chapter 1126 transitions from the recent events in Egghead to various locations within Eiichiro Oda’s expansive fictional world.

As anticipation builds for the official release, fans can catch the initial leaks. The spoilers indicate that the title of One Piece chapter 1126, “Payback,”aptly reflects its events. The chapter reveals a devastating defeat inflicted by the Red Hair Pirates on Bartolomeo’s crew, known as the Barto Club.

Faced with Shanks and his officer Benn Beckman, Bartolomeo and his crew were promptly subdued. Shanks then presented Bartolomeo with a choice involving poison, giving him one month to choose to kill Luffy.

While the spoilers do not elaborate on this fact, it’s reasonable to assume that Shanks was aware of Bartolomeo’s loyalty to Luffy, perhaps influenced by the tribute to Luffy displayed on the bow of the Going Luffy-senpai, Bartolomeo’s ship. Regardless, Bartolomeo chose not to entertain Shanks’ proposal.

Without hesitation, he consumed the poison himself, a reaction that seemingly did not surprise Shanks, who had predicted Bartolomeo’s response. In reality, the poison was a ruse by Shanks, meant to test the depths of Bartolomeo’s loyalty to Luffy.

Following this revelation, Bartolomeo and his crew assumed they were free to leave. Instead, Shanks had his sniper, Yasopp, fire at the Going Luffy-senpai, causing it to explode.

Bartolomeo faces the consequences of his feud with the Red Hair Pirates

Bartolomeo went too far and paid the price for it (Image via Toei Animation)

Bartolomeo holds the Straw Hats in such high esteem that he becomes visibly shy in their presence, often overwhelmed with joy. As a member of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, he vowed to come to Luffy’s aid whenever necessary. His loyalty borders on obsession, willing to risk his life without a second thought.

Through the events of One Piece chapter 1126, Bartolomeo demonstrated a commitment to Luffy that mirrors that of Luffy’s own crew members. However, an earlier misstep precipitated Shanks’ actions in the latest chapter.

The conflict between Bartolomeo’s crew and the Red Hair Pirates can be traced back to Bartolomeo’s earlier actions, which led to the confrontation seen in One Piece chapter 1126. The title, “Payback,”signifies that Shanks and his crew were merely exacting a form of justice for Bartolomeo’s previous deeds.

Bartolomeo disregarded the authority of the Red Hair Pirates (Image via Shueisha)

In the cover story “The Stories of the Self-Proclaimed Straw Hat Grand Fleet,” Bartolomeo and his crew invaded an island under the Red Hair Pirates’ protection. Following a victory over a local group, they began selling Straw Hat souvenirs.

Bartolomeo then committed a serious offense by burning Shanks’ flag, as depicted in the cover of One Piece chapter 875. Subsequently, Shanks learned of this incident, and from events in chapter 1126, it clearly angered him.

Upon arriving in Wano after the Onigashima Raid, Shanks instructed his crew to resolve the issue with Bartolomeo before meeting Luffy.

Bartolomeo burns the Jolly Roger of the Red Hair Pirates (Image via Shueisha)

Shanks reasoned that ignoring Bartolomeo’s disrespect would damage their reputation as a Yonko crew. Given Shanks’ playful nature and his friendship with Luffy, many fans believed he would merely admonish Bartolomeo rather than retaliate. However, Shanks could not overlook Bartolomeo’s actions—entering Red Hair Pirates’ territory and burning their flag publicly.

Bartolomeo's ship, the Going Luffy-senpai (Image via Toei Animation) — Bartolomeo’s ship, the Going Luffy-senpai (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite his amiable nature, Shanks remains a formidable pirate. As a Yonko and captain of a powerful crew, he must uphold his reputation. Allowing Bartolomeo’s actions to go unpunished could signal weakness, inviting challenges from other pirates and risking the safety of those under his protection.

Shanks is known for decisively addressing threats to those he cares about, which leaves him no choice but to confront Bartolomeo and impart a critical lesson.

Bartolomeo as a catalyst for Shanks and Luffy’s eventual reunion

Sooner or later, Shanks and Luffy will meet again, this time as rivals (Image via Toei Animation)

Interestingly, Shanks was aware of Bartolomeo’s affiliation with Luffy and still pursued action against him. By burning Shanks’ flag and replacing it with Luffy’s, Bartolomeo effectively declared war against the Red Hair Pirates on behalf of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Luffy, unaware of Bartolomeo’s actions, would likely disapprove, setting the stage for a future confrontation between the Red Hair Pirates and the Straw Hats. Given Shanks’ recent declaration of intent to seek the One Piece, a clash between him and Luffy seems inevitable unless they plan to share the legendary treasure.

However, there is no animosity between Luffy and Shanks. Their mutual respect suggests a potential friendly rivalry, wherein Shanks finally acknowledges Luffy as the formidable pirate he was meant to be, setting the stage for their competition in the pursuit of the One Piece.

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