28 Years Later, One Piece Quietly Changed The Best Moment in Its Entire History

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Please be aware that this article contains spoilers from the One Piece manga! Throughout the One Piece series, it’s become clear that Shanks is a hugely important character. Even with so many characters in the story, he’s especially significant, not only as Luffy’s hero but also as a key player in the upcoming final arc. We first meet Shanks in the very first chapter, when he encounters a young Luffy in Foosha Village in the East Blue. Luffy spent a lot of time with Shanks and his crew, inspiring him to become a pirate himself. But when Luffy, as a reckless child, got into trouble with some local pirates, Shanks stepped in to save him.

Shanks famously lost his arm protecting Luffy from a Sea King, but he quickly defeated the creature with his Haki. Even after over 28 years, this scene remains a popular topic of discussion among fans. Many question why Shanks, being so strong, didn’t simply save Luffy and defeat the Sea King without such a sacrifice. However, the scene subtly reveals Shanks’ willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the next generation. With the unfolding of the Elbaph Arc, more details about Shanks’ history are being revealed, shedding light on the true reasons behind his sacrifice.

One Piece’s Elbaph Arc Confirms Shanks Had More Reasons to Sacrifice His Arm

A recent flashback showed that Shanks once pretended to be a Holy Knight to learn more about the World Government. Like all Holy Knights, he received a special mark – the mark of the Abyss – which lets people instantly travel great distances. This mark also gives them unusual abilities, but it permanently ties them to Imu’s control. During the events at Aurust Castle fourteen years ago, Shanks struggled to hide his pain because of his arm.

It’s still unclear exactly why, but recent events in Chapter 1171 show Shanks had significant reasons for sacrificing his arm. This happened shortly after Harald died. While Shanks likely wanted to demonstrate the dangers of the sea to Luffy, the full story is more complex than first thought. Shanks has always been enigmatic, and as the Elbaph Arc reveals more of his past, we may finally understand this pivotal moment – a scene that sparked Luffy’s dream of becoming Pirate King.

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2026-01-23 05:43