The One Piece fandom is on fire right now — and for good reason. With the Elbaf arc in full swing, Eiichiro Oda has been dropping bombshells chapter after chapter. But amidst the giant battles and emotional flashbacks, one question has emerged as the most explosive theory circulating across Reddit, Twitter, and every fan forum: Is Shanks secretly the final villain of One Piece? And could the Road Poneglyph hidden in Elbaf be the key to everything?
Buckle up. This theory goes deep — and the evidence might just change the way you see the entire story.
The Elbaf Arc: More Than Just Giants
When Oda finally brought the Straw Hats to Elbaf — a location foreshadowed since the Little Garden arc back in the East Blue saga — fans expected an epic showdown between Luffy and some legendary giant warriors. What they got was so much more. The arc has been systematically dismantling everything we thought we knew about the world’s history, the Void Century, and most critically — the true nature of the Will of D.
But the most jaw-dropping development? The revelation that Shanks has been operating in Elbaf far longer than anyone realized. His crew did not simply “visit” the island of giants. According to the latest chapters, Shanks appears to have deep, ancient ties to Elbaf’s forbidden archives — the very same records that contain information about Joy Boy and the Ancient Kingdom. This raises an uncomfortable question that fans have been whispering about for years: What exactly is Shanks hiding?
The “Two Joys” Theory — Shanks as the Counter-Will
Here is where the community’s most viral theory kicks in. Across Reddit’s r/OnePiece and numerous YouTube channels, a growing number of theorists are arguing that Oda has been building toward a paradigm-shattering reveal: there were originally two prophesied figures tied to Joy Boy’s era — one meant to fulfill the promise (Luffy), and one meant to ensure the old world order survives (Shanks).
The evidence is surprisingly compelling:
- The Five Elders’ reaction to Shanks: In a stunning moment during the Reverie and subsequent arcs, the Five Elders — the most powerful figures in the World Government — spoke with Shanks as equals. Not as an enemy. Not as a threat. They listened to him. What emperor of the sea gets a diplomatic audience with the World Government’s shadows?
- Shanks stopped Kaido: During Marineford, Shanks arrived and ended the war with his mere presence. Kaido — one of the Four Emperors, a monster even the World Government fears — chose to stand down. Why? The theory suggests that Shanks carries a specific authority rooted in the same ancient power structures that the World Government was built upon.
- Shanks took Luffy’s Devil Fruit: The revelation that Shanks “stole” the Gomu Gomu no Mi — which is in fact the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika — from the World Government is perhaps the most loaded piece of information Oda has ever dropped. Was it really a random heist? Or was Shanks executing a specific plan that required Luffy to awaken as Nika?
The Elbaf Road Poneglyph: A Hidden Compass
Here is the smoking gun that fans have been losing their minds over. The Road Poneglyph believed to be located in Elbaf has never been physically shown — until recent chapters began circling the location with deliberate narrative tension. If confirmed, it means Luffy now has access to three of the four Road Poneglyphs, with only one remaining between him and Laugh Tale.
But the fan theory goes further: what if the Elbaf Poneglyph does not just point to Laugh Tale — what if it contains a warning? Some theorists believe the ancient civilization left behind not just coordinates, but a message specifically about the dangers awaiting whoever reaches the end. A message that Shanks has already read.
This would explain Shanks’ urgency at Marineford, his cryptic comment about his “ambition” for the One Piece, and why he has been maneuvering both Luffy and Blackbeard like pieces on a chessboard. He is not preparing to fight Luffy at Laugh Tale. He is preparing Luffy for what comes after.
The Blackbeard Complication
No One Piece theory in 2026 is complete without addressing Marshall D. Teach — Blackbeard. His fleet’s current trajectory suggests a direct collision course with Elbaf, and if Blackbeard reaches the Road Poneglyph before Luffy, the implications are catastrophic.
But here is the twist that is circulating in fan communities: Blackbeard may already know where Laugh Tale is. His time on Whitebeard’s ship — and access to Roger’s era survivors — may have given him partial intelligence that no one else has. The race to Elbaf is not just about the Poneglyph. It is about controlling the narrative of history itself.
And Shanks — if the “counter-will” theory is correct — cannot allow Blackbeard to win that race. Which means the true final battle of One Piece might not be Luffy vs. Im. It might be Shanks vs. Blackbeard, with Luffy arriving to finish what both of them started.
What Oda Has Been Building Toward All Along
Eiichiro Oda has stated that One Piece is in its “final phase.” Every chapter now carries the weight of 30 years of storytelling. The Elbaf arc feels like the narrative engine has shifted into overdrive — mysteries are being answered, old characters are returning, and the scope of the endgame is becoming terrifyingly clear.
The Shanks theory, wild as it sounds, fits Oda’s storytelling DNA perfectly. He has always rewarded patient readers with payoffs that recontextualize everything that came before. The moment Luffy learns the truth about Shanks — whether he is a protector, a manipulator, or something entirely more complex — is going to be one of the greatest reveals in manga history.
And based on the current pace of the Elbaf arc? That moment might be closer than any of us expected.
Fan Reactions: The Internet Is Not Ready
Since these theories began circulating on r/OnePiece and gaining traction on Twitter/X, the responses have been explosive. Some fans are completely convinced, pointing to panels from chapters as far back as Dressrosa as supporting evidence. Others are in firm denial — insisting that Shanks is purely heroic and his story will end in noble sacrifice.
There is also a fascinating contingent of fans who believe the truth lies somewhere in between: Shanks is neither villain nor hero, but a guardian of a secret so large that ordinary moral categories do not apply to him. He is a man carrying the weight of Joy Boy’s era on a single arm — and he has been waiting for Luffy to be strong enough to share that burden.
If you want to catch up on everything leading to this arc, check out our breakdown of THE ONE PIECE Netflix Anime Remake and why the fandom is already preparing for its biggest adaptation yet. And for context on where One Piece sits in the pantheon of anime greatness, our Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 deep dive gives a great perspective on what makes this era of anime so extraordinary.
The Question Every Fan Must Answer
So here is where we land: the evidence is stacking up, the narrative threads are converging, and Oda is clearly building toward something that will redefine everything. The Shanks mystery is not a red herring. It is the red thread running through the entire tapestry of One Piece.
The real question — the one that is going to fuel fan debates for months — is this: When Luffy finally faces Shanks at Laugh Tale or beyond, will it be a reunion of equals, a battle of wills, or the most emotionally devastating confrontation in anime history?
Oda knows. And right now, so does Shanks.
What do you think — is Shanks secretly the final obstacle between Luffy and the One Piece, or is he the ultimate ally hiding in plain sight? Drop your theory in the comments below — the best One Piece debates happen right here.
