Did Luffy Get His Devil Fruit by Accident? New One Piece Theory Suggests Shanks Planned It All

One Piece chapter #1138 is undeniably one of the most significant releases in recent years, shedding light on how the series' current world came to be. While the chapter's mural commands most of the fans' attention, it also confirms a long-standing theory that Shanks has a twin brother. Though fans have speculated about this for years, making the reveal somewhat expected, the chapter also contains a hidden detail that reinforces Shanks' true purpose in the story.

Shamrock reveals that Shanks had previously visited the Holy Land. While this may seem like a minor detail, perhaps suggesting mere curiosity, there are too many unresolved threads indicating that his visit was intentional. To understand why Shanks deliberately went to the Holy Land, it's essential to consider what Gol D. Roger might have told him during their fateful conversation, one that left Shanks in tears and set him on his secret mission to bring forth the Sun God, Nika.

Shanks May Have Been on a Secret Mission All Along To Bring Forth the Sun God

Shanks Was Possibly Set on This Mission by Gol D. Roger

When Gol D. Roger and his crew discovered the One Piece, all they could do was laugh. While it's suggested that the treasure holds the world's true history, it's always been puzzling why the Roger Pirates didn't take action against the World Government's tyranny. The recent mural reveal may provide an answer, emphasizing how the Third World will come to an end and underscoring the necessity of the Sun God's existence as its leader.

Thus, rather than acting immediately, Roger chose another path. Upon their return, Roger may have revealed to Shanks the Sun God's existence. Given Shanks' noble lineage, Roger perceived Shanks as a crucial figure in this unfolding story. Learning the truth about his origins and Roger's fate likely brought Shanks to tears, but he ultimately accepted his mission, to bring back the Sun God, Nika, beginning with infiltrating the Holy Land.

Using his noble status to his advantage, Shanks likely spent his time in Mary Geoise uncovering the world's secrets, from Imu's existence to the confirmation of Nika. More importantly, he would have learned how the Sun God could be revived through the legendary Gum-Gum Fruit, also known as the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika. With this knowledge, Shanks set out on his mission to obtain the fruit, believing it held the key to bringing Nika back. This would explain the brief flashback seen at the end of the Wano Arc, where it was revealed that Shanks did not obtain the Gum-Gum Fruit by chance, but he knowingly went after the government ship that was transporting it.

Shanks Chose Luffy as the Successor of the Sun God

Shanks with his hand on a young luffy's head in One Piece Film Red

One Piece suggests that Luffy ate the Devil Fruit by accident. However, the revelation that the Gum-Gum Fruit possesses its own will to find its user, and the possibility that Shanks learned of the successor from Roger, implies that Luffy eating the fruit was no coincidence. Instead, Shanks may have orchestrated the event. This could also explain why Shanks risked his life to save Luffy, sacrificing his arm in the process. It might have even been prophesied, ensuring Luffy embarked on his pirate journey and forged the bonds and friendships crucial for the final battle.

Moreover, this could clarify why Shanks deliberately waited to seek the One Piece until confirming Luffy as the Sun God after the Wano arc. With Luffy now destined to lead the war against the world’s tyranny, all these clues point to Shanks having planned this from the start. Thus, these details prove that One Piece is an exceptionally well-crafted story, solidifying its place as one of the greatest manga ever, while the intricate and inspiring dynamic between Shanks and Luffy continues to stand as one of its most compelling narratives.