Summary
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Luffy is the protagonist ofOne Piece, and quite easily, the most important character in the story. Fans have followed Luffy’s journey right from the beginning of the story and seen him transform from a child to a Yonko of the Sea with the ambition to aim even beyond Pirate King. Undoubtedly, fans will get to see a lot of incredible things fromLuffy in the Final Saga, but what’s clear in the story here is that Luffy isn’t going to be the only character to whom Oda pays immense attention.
There is another character whom Oda has already earmarked to be crucial in the grand scheme of things, especially when concerning the Final Saga ofOne Piece, and that is none other than the Yonko and the Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks.
Luffy Is The Most Important Character
When One Piece began, fans didn’t know much about Luffy’s eventual goal which would eventually see him go up against and topple the World Government. Luffy’s goal was to simply be the Pirate King. While that is true even now, what fans know is thatLuffy is also the Sun God Nika, and this god is known to be the Warrior of Liberation. Nika brings laughter and joy to people’s faces wherever he goes, and he fights oppression, always coming to the scene from the prayers of the oppressed.
As long as the people wish for him, Nika will always return. — Vegapunk
As long as the powerful prey on the powerless, Nika will always exist, and fans know that very well. This single point that Oda hammered home on multiple occasions inOne Piecechanges Luffy’s role in the Final Saga greatly, and fans know that very well.
As the Sun God Nika, Luffy is destined to fight Imu. He will, at some point, go up against Imu, and crush them, along with their army. But, if there’s one character who fans know will play just as big a role here, it’s Shanks.
Shanks Is Just As Important In The Final Saga
Shanks Is The One Who Enabled Everything
In many ways,Shanks is the one who set things in motionand enabled the return of Nika inOne Piece. Fans know very well that Shanks was the one who set Luffy on the path to becoming the Pirate King, but more than that, he is the one who stole the Nika fruit from the World Government. He is the one who held it and eventually, he took it to Fushia Village, where Luffy ate it.
Hey Beck, don’t you think it’s time? To claim the One Piece, that is! — Shanks
Shanks Is Tied To Nika And Imu
Shanks also knows all about Nika, as is clear from his reaction to Luffy’s wanted poster. More than that,Shanks is well aware of the Holy Knights, and even Imu, and that specifically shows that he has a larger plan in the works that he’s working towards.
Oda has specifically saved Shanks for the Final Saga, and the fact that even now, years afterthe beginning of the Final Saga, Shanks hasn’t been focused upon much is simply because his role is that big. Shanks isn’t just there for Blackbeard or as an obstacle for Luffy. He is going to be directly involved in the war against Imu and the Celestial Dragons. He is the child of destiny, and fans can’t wait to see what Oda has in store for him.
One Piece Chapter 1152 will be out in one week. As usual, One Piece is going to drop on Sunday. In Japan, One Piece drops at 12AM JST on Monday. However, the vast majority of international readers will see the chapter available on June 22. The official release date of One Piece Chapter 1152 is August 01, 2025. Fans can read the chapter for free onManga Plus.
