For over two decades, One Piece fans have debated one of the series’ earliest mysteries: Why did Shanks, one of the most powerful pirates alive, lose his arm to a weak sea monster in Chapter 1? Oda’s explanation — that it was “a bet on the new era” — satisfied some, but many readers still felt there had to be more to the story. After all, we’re talking about a man who could clash with Whitebeard and stand face-to-face with the Gorosei without fear.
But recent manga developments have sparked a fascinating new theory. With the introduction of the Holy Knights and the shocking reveal of their summoning circle technique, we might finally have an answer — and it’s far more political, personal, and dangerous than anyone expected.
What if Shanks didn’t just lose his arm that day?
What if he cut ties with the Celestial Dragons themselves?
The Holy Knights’ Summoning Ability – The Key to the Puzzle
In a recent manga chapter, we saw Gunkko, one of the Holy Knights, use a summoning circle to forcibly summon another member from across the world. This wasn’t a standard Den Den Mushi call or a passive request — it was instant, unavoidable teleportation.
However, there’s a catch:
The technique only works if the target bears a specific mark on their body.
This mark acts as a “binding seal,” ensuring that no matter where the marked person is, they can be pulled back to the Holy Knights’ side without consent. It’s a power designed for total control — the kind the Celestial Dragons would treasure.
The Figarland Connection
Shanks’ possible family ties have been hinted at before. The Film: Red novelization outright states that Shanks is from the Figarland family, one of the royal bloodlines associated with the Celestial Dragons.
If this is canon in the manga continuity, it changes everything. The Figarlands may have long-standing connections to the Holy Knights — perhaps even serving as their members or leaders. This would mean that Shanks, as a child, could have been branded with the summoning mark as part of his heritage.
Why the Mark is a Threat
If Shanks still had that mark during his time as a pirate, he’d never truly be free. Even in the middle of the New World, the Holy Knights could summon him back to Mary Geoise against his will — to serve their political games, execute orders, or even punish him for betrayal.
For a man like Shanks, who values freedom above all else, this would be unbearable. The only way to break that link? Destroy the part of his body bearing the mark.
The Fateful Day in Foosha Village
Now, let’s revisit One Piece Chapter 1 with this theory in mind.
We see Shanks hanging out with his crew, laughing with the villagers, and enjoying a peaceful day. Then, tragedy strikes: Luffy is attacked by the Lord of the Coast, a relatively weak sea king by Grand Line standards.
Here’s the part that never made sense — Shanks is fast enough to stop an Admiral’s attack mid-strike and strong enough to rival the Yonko. He could have killed that sea king instantly before losing his arm. Yet he didn’t.
What if this was intentional?
Imagine Shanks realizing that the sea king’s bite presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rid of the summoning mark on his left arm. In the same moment, he could:
- Save Luffy.
- Symbolically “bet” on the next generation.
- Permanently sever the Celestial Dragons’ control over him.
The cost? His arm. The reward? Absolute freedom.
Why Hide the Truth?
If this is true, why hasn’t Shanks told anyone? The answer is simple: revealing that he was once bound to the Holy Knights by birth would raise dangerous questions about his loyalties and his past. By framing it as an act of sacrifice for Luffy, he hides the political implications and avoids unwanted attention from pirates and the World Government alike.
Foreshadowing Across the Series
Oda is a master of planting seeds decades in advance. If this theory holds, then moments like these suddenly gain new meaning:
- Shanks meeting the Gorosei — He’s able to walk into their chambers not because he’s allied with them, but because they know exactly who he is and what bloodline he comes from.
- Shanks’ mysterious political moves — From stopping Kaido to intervening at Marineford, his actions may be guided by a personal war against the Celestial Dragons rather than simple pirate rivalry.
- Film: Red’s Figarland reveal — While films are often semi-canon, Oda’s oversight suggests he approved of linking Shanks to that family.
What This Means for the Future
If Oda decides to confirm this theory, it would:
- Turn one of One Piece’s biggest “plot holes” into a masterpiece of hidden storytelling.
- Deepen Shanks’ character by showing his rebellion began long before Luffy ever set sail.
- Set up a direct conflict between Shanks and the Holy Knights — one that could tie into the final war.
Conclusion
For years, fans have accepted that Shanks lost his arm as a symbolic gesture for Luffy’s sake. But maybe that was only half the truth. The introduction of the Holy Knights’ summoning ability and Shanks’ suspected Figarland heritage open the door to a much darker, more personal reason: he wasn’t just saving Luffy — he was saving himself from a lifetime of chains.
If that’s the case, the loss of Shanks’ arm wasn’t a moment of weakness at all. It was his greatest act of defiance.
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