#ONEPIECE Theory The Checkered Fate of Shanks
Typical Joe@3SkullJoe
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Jan 27, 2025
~5 min read
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#ONEPIECE Theory
The Checkered Fate of Shanks
The Checkered Fate of Shanks
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The concept of the "Checkered Fate," was first introduced to us in ch. 798, through a discussion between Law & Sengoku about Corazon.
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Since then, in ch. 996, Law has declared that his new motivation is to discover the truth about the "Checkered Fate."
Later still, in ch. 1086, it was implied that this concept also applies to Sabo.
It is based on this that I believe Law & Sabo will work together in future.
Later still, in ch. 1086, it was implied that this concept also applies to Sabo.
It is based on this that I believe Law & Sabo will work together in future.
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This piece of dialogue from the Gorosei gives us the best idea of what the checkered fate actually means.
It affects those who's lives seem to be constantly surrounded by those who bare the initial 'D.'
It affects those who's lives seem to be constantly surrounded by those who bare the initial 'D.'
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Now, it's important to distinguish between those who 'follow' the checkered fate, and those who 'have' the checkered fate.
Those with the initial 'D' are the followers, and those who 'have' the checkered fate are the guides.
Those with the initial 'D' are the followers, and those who 'have' the checkered fate are the guides.
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With this in mind, we can identify who else has the checkered fate, and who could it apply to more than Shanks?
Even without going in to depth on what it all means, we can tell that Shanks' life is surrounded by those who bare the initial 'D.'
Even without going in to depth on what it all means, we can tell that Shanks' life is surrounded by those who bare the initial 'D.'
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Since chapter 1, we have seen Shanks being directly involved in influencing the life of Luffy. Luffy was inspired by Roger, but it was Shanks who really set him on the path to become a pirate.
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In fact, it even be said that Shanks is directly responsible for imposing the destiny of Joyboy on to Luffy.
It could be argued that this is the true significance of the moment in which Shanks gave Luffy the straw hat.
It could be argued that this is the true significance of the moment in which Shanks gave Luffy the straw hat.
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Shanks knew to steal the Devil Fruit from CP9, and this implies that he knew about the true nature of the Devil Fruit.
He may not have originally intended for Luffy to eat the Devil Fruit, but he accepted it when Luffy said the same words as Roger.
He may not have originally intended for Luffy to eat the Devil Fruit, but he accepted it when Luffy said the same words as Roger.
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Speaking of whom it may have been that Shanks originally ended to give the Nika Devil Fruit to, that leads us to another individual with the initial 'D,' who's life Shanks intervened in directly.
Portagas D. Ace.
Portagas D. Ace.
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Shanks actually first met Ace when Ace was a rookie, and approached Shanks on one of his island territories. The snow island of Yukiryu.
It was then that Shanks learned that Ace was Luffy's adoptive brother.
It was then that Shanks learned that Ace was Luffy's adoptive brother.
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Whether or not Shanks knew that Ace was Roger's son was never said out loud, but it seems highly likely that he was able to quickly figure it out.
This connects us back to who it was that Shanks may have originally be searching for in East Blue.
Roger's son.
This connects us back to who it was that Shanks may have originally be searching for in East Blue.
Roger's son.
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This brings us to this scene between Shanks & Roger, and the question of what it was that Shanks asked Roger.
It is possible that Roger asked Shanks to carry his will & to be the one to find the individual who will surpass him & become Joyboy.
It is possible that Roger asked Shanks to carry his will & to be the one to find the individual who will surpass him & become Joyboy.
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It is important to remember that Shanks did not go with Roger to Laughtale, and instead stayed behind with Buggy.
However, Shanks was present at FMI, when Roger & Oden first learned about Joyboy.
However, Shanks was present at FMI, when Roger & Oden first learned about Joyboy.
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It seems that the purpose of Shanks' checkered fate is to be the one who brings about the age of the next Joyboy.
This is also likely one of the main reasons behind his opposition to Blackbeard.
As Whitebeard said, Teach is not the man who Roger is waiting for. He's not Joyboy.
This is also likely one of the main reasons behind his opposition to Blackbeard.
As Whitebeard said, Teach is not the man who Roger is waiting for. He's not Joyboy.
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However, this proclamation clearly matters little to Blackbeard, and he is still intent on ruling the new era & becoming Pirate King.
This is why Shanks is focusing on keeping tabs on Blackbeard, and clearly intends on fighting him.
This is why Shanks is focusing on keeping tabs on Blackbeard, and clearly intends on fighting him.
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Shanks' checkered fate clearly positions him as a sort of compass for those who possess the initial 'D.'
He is carrying Roger's will, and in doing so, has directly influenced the lives of Luffy, Ace & Blackbeard.
But does it stop there?
He is carrying Roger's will, and in doing so, has directly influenced the lives of Luffy, Ace & Blackbeard.
But does it stop there?
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Given that the theme of the checkered fate was introduced through Law's story. It seems highly likely that this shared fate will cause their paths to cross.
Law is likely the next member of the D clan who's life will be directly impacted by Shanks.
Law is likely the next member of the D clan who's life will be directly impacted by Shanks.
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It is likely not a coincidence that Shanks recently asked about fresh intel on Blackbeard, and that same moment, Law was being defeated by Blackbeard.
Odds seem in favour of their paths crossing sooner rather than later.
Odds seem in favour of their paths crossing sooner rather than later.
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If all of these events end up aligning, then it will mean that Shanks ends up meeting with Dragon.
Whether or not Shanks & Dragon will be friends of enemies has been a debate for a long time.
I believe that they have long since held a secret alliance.
Whether or not Shanks & Dragon will be friends of enemies has been a debate for a long time.
I believe that they have long since held a secret alliance.
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Naturally, this would also implicated Nefertari D. Vivi, who we now know to be Sabo's main objective.
Sabo promised Cobra that he wold reunite Luffy & Vivi & explain the implications of Lili's message to them.
All signs point to this event occurring in the finale of Egghead.
Sabo promised Cobra that he wold reunite Luffy & Vivi & explain the implications of Lili's message to them.
All signs point to this event occurring in the finale of Egghead.
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Before we reach a conclusion. We should also consider the potential role of another character who has known Shanks since they were boys, Buggy.
Buggy being a member of the D clan is already a popular idea, and many such as myself even believe that he is the son of Rocks D. Xebec
Buggy being a member of the D clan is already a popular idea, and many such as myself even believe that he is the son of Rocks D. Xebec
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Other than Luffy, Buggy is the character who has been most affected by Shanks. Both joined Roger after God Valley.
Buggy was deeply affected by Shanks' original decision to not follow in Roger's footsteps & felt that meant he was inadequate to do so.
Buggy was deeply affected by Shanks' original decision to not follow in Roger's footsteps & felt that meant he was inadequate to do so.
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I strongly believe that Buggy is indeed a member of the D clan, and that he plays a most essential & central role in the dynamics between Shanks, Luffy & Blackbeard, and the plot of the checkered fate.
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In conclusion: This would mean that Shanks has affected & influenced the lives of almost all of the members of the D clan.
This is Shanks' "Checkered Fate." To be the leader among those who guide the D clan to their destiny.
This is Shanks' "Checkered Fate." To be the leader among those who guide the D clan to their destiny.
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That's about all I've got for this one. I would like to go in to more depth in some parts, but that would make the thread overly long.
I will save the extra thoughts on characters such as Mihawk & Buggy for their own dedicated threads.
Thank you for reading 🙏
I will save the extra thoughts on characters such as Mihawk & Buggy for their own dedicated threads.
Thank you for reading 🙏
