One Piece has had only one King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger, who acquired the renowned title after conquering everything the world had to offer, be it fame, wealth, knowledge, and power.

Everything Eiichiro Oda’s series has to offer is based on pirates following in Roger’s footsteps and achieving the acclaimed treasure, the One Piece. However, the journey to acquire this treasure is perilous, and countless have lost their lives in pursuit of it. Many, though, continue to draw closer to achieving what the former King of the Pirates left behind.

As the final saga of One Piece is currently in development, the series’ main cast, the Straw Hats, seems nearer than ever to the ultimate treasure. The captain of the Straw Hats, Monkey D. Luffy, embodies much of what Gol D. Roger likely represented, as he grows into the true successor to Roger by coming closer to the One Piece.

However, this is only partially true, as another of One Piece‘s iconic characters, Shanks, has repeatedly shown himself to be an even truer successor to Roger, despite his minimal screen time. The latest information confirming Shanks as Roger’s true successor comes from a recent One Piece event, where Eiichiro Oda answered a particularly intriguing question.

One Piece‘s Latest Manga SBS Q&A Confirms How Shanks Is Roger’s True Successor

Eiichiro Oda Answers How Shanks Learned the “Divine Departure” Technique That Took Down Captain Kid and His Crew in One Shot

Shanks’ Divine Departure (Kamusari) technique, which eradicated Captain Kid and his entire crew, is a powerful attack first introduced by Gol D. Roger. During Kozuki Oden’s flashback in the Wano arc, the Whitebeard Pirates encounter the Roger Pirates. Oden charges at Roger but is struck down by this overwhelming technique. So far, only two known individuals have wielded Divine Departure: Gol D. Roger who originated it, and Shanks.

While fans speculated that Shanks may have learned it directly from Roger, Oda clarified in a recent Q&A that Shanks actually learned the move by imitation. Notably, Oda confirmed that no one else in Roger’s crew could replicate this technique, highlighting Shanks’ unique mastery of it.

Although Luffy shares some similarities with Roger, like the ability to hear the “Voice of All Things,” he hasn’t directly emulated any of Roger’s techniques. However, the true reason why Shanks embodies Roger even more so than Luffy is the fact that Roger and Shanks both lack the powers of one of One Piece’s iconic devil fruit, while Luffy’s whole fighting mechanism is based around his devil fruit. Luffy even uses Haki to elevate his devil fruit’s abilities to an even higher level, but it is almost impossible to imagine Luffy only relying on his Color of the Supreme King Haki as much as Shanks and Roger do.

Additionally, Shanks’ growth under Roger’s mentorship since childhood, his close observation of Roger’s every move and even mastering a technique just by imitation, further supports the fact that Shanks embodies Roger’s spirit in a way that Luffy does not. With the final saga bringing Shanks more into the spotlight, it’s clear he will continue to echo Roger’s legacy in his techniques and demeanor, solidifying himself as the true heir to Roger’s will in One Piece and why Shanks received the iconic Straw Hat from Roger. Furthermore, Shanks being Roger’s true successor and not Luffy might also be essential for the plot.

Shanks Being Gol D. Roger’s True Successor Might Also be Pivotal For One Piece‘s Narrative

Custom Image by Merlyn De Souza

One of One Piece‘s most enduring mysteries is why the Roger Pirates, despite uncovering all the world’s secrets, including the truth about the World Government and the Void Century, chose not to take action. Upon discovering the One Piece, the crew is moved to laughter, with Roger marveling at how Joy Boy could leave behind such an incredible treasure, wishing he had been born in the same era. Even after obtaining the treasure, Roger and his crew do nothing with it. But it’s plausible to assume that there surely is a reason, and it is likely because it belongs to Joy Boy alone.

The One Piece may require a special key that only Joy Boy himself can provide. As Luffy increasingly embodies the spirit of Joy Boy, the treasure will only reveal its true purpose through him. With Roger’s desire to have been born in Joy Boy’s time, possibly to aid him, Shanks is now fulfilling a similar role by ensuring that Luffy reaches the treasure, believing Luffy is the epitome of the new era. This makes it essential that Roger’s true successor is Shanks, who will guide Joy Boy, in this case, Luffy, to unlock the final treasure of One Piece.