If there is one moment in One Piece that fans believe is more significant than Luffy getting the treasure, it is his reunion with Shanks. Since the beginning of Luffy’s journey, it has been established within the One Piece storyline that Shanks had a major impact on his development. In fact, he is the reason why Luffy is so adamant to find the One Piece treasure and become Pirate King.
However, there are a few fans who fear that Shanks and Luffy’s reunion might not be as wholesome as everyone has imagined. There is a possibility that the two One Piece characters might clash with each other, considering their developments within the narrative.
And now the situation in Elbaph adds more fuel to this speculation of Luffy battling it out with Shanks as rivals in One Piece. It will only be made clear once Luffy clashes with Imu, defeats him, and saves Elbaph from the attack of the World Government.
Luffy vs Shanks has been hinted at in One Piece for a long time
Whenever Shanks’ name is mentioned in front of Luffy, he glistens with joy and gets excited about finding out the details about his mentor in One Piece. He has looked up to Shanks ever since he was a kid and wanted to go on a journey as a pirate like him. Shanks also had a very caring and personal connection with Luffy, as seen during their initial interaction in One Piece.
However, as they moved forward into the world, Shanks and Luffy’s journey took them on separate roads and made them rivals. This was first hinted at when Luffy announced that in order to become the Pirate King in One Piece, he would defeat all the Emperors of the Sea. While he didn’t explicitly mention Shanks’ name, it was understood, considering his position as an Emperor.
In Shanks’ case, things were a little more complex as he recently announced that he is joining the race for One Piece and will claim it. Not only that, his most recent development within the story saw him taking down Bartolomeo, one of the most crucial members of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. All these instances hint that maybe Shanks and Luffy’s reunion will include some kind of clash, but nothing can be said for certain.
Elbaph’s conclusion will decide whether Luffy or Shanks will clash or not
Another aspect that will most likely add more fuel to Luffy vs Shanks speculation is the conclusion of the Elbaph arc in One Piece. As of now, Elbaph is facing the tyranny of Imu, the Supreme Leader of the World Government. He has unleashed literal hell with demon giants attacking the One Piece nation.
However, according to the latest chapter, Luffy will soon join the battle and somehow save Elbaph from falling under Imu’s rule. If this happens, a new King will be appointed for Elbaph, and it will most likely be Hajrudin. As Hajrudin is also a member of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, it will mark Elbaph as Luffy’s territory, thus removing Shanks as its guardian.
If this happens, there is a chance that Shanks might have no choice but to clash with Luffy because it would hurt his image as an One Piece Emperor. Thus, Luffy vs Shanks is bound to happen, even if it might not be a serious battle resulting in someone’s defeat.
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