Since its first mention in One Piece, Elbaf has intrigued fans.
Home to a race of powerful giants, the island is steeped in Norse mythology-inspired lore, filled with warriors who pride themselves on their strength and honor. Recently, readers saw Shanks in Elbaf, where he was hailed by the giants, who seemed to hold him in high esteem. Shanks even went so far as to protect Elbaf from the threat posed by the Kid Pirates, showcasing his dedication to the island and its people.
Shanks’ deep connection to Elbaf could be due to his position as the island’s official protector. But the respect the giants have for him isn’t simply about Shanks’ strength; rather, it hints at a protective relationship that goes beyond camaraderie. Could Shanks’ presence be tied to an obligation to keep Elbaf safe from danger within? Perhaps the answer lies in Elbaf’s most feared individual—Prince Loki.
Who Is Loki? The Accursed Prince and His Sinister Legacy
The Fall of a Giant Prince
Prince Loki, the son of King Harald, now known as the “Shame of Elbaf,” is a royal turned prisoner. The title was not given to him lightly; the prince allegedly murdered his own father, King Harald, for a legendary Devil Fruit passed down through the generations of Elbaf’s royal family. After his horrific act, Elbaf’s military managed to capture Loki, sentencing him to a form of perpetual imprisonment after they failed to kill him.
Loki’s dark intentions didn’t stop at obtaining the Devil Fruit, though. He harbors aspirations that could destroy the world, which aligns with the prophecy of Ragnarok from Norse mythology—a foretold series of battles that lead to total destruction. If left unchecked, Loki’s power could truly pose an existential threat, not just to Elbaf, but to the entire world of One Piece.
Loki’s Struggle Against Elbaf’s Strongest Warriors
Containing Loki is no small task. According to recent revelations, keeping the prince restrained requires constant vigilance from Elbaf’s strongest warriors. His power is so great that it demands a continuous effort to prevent him from escaping and unleashing chaos. The prince’s confinement brings the giants to their limits, which raises a critical question: Could even Elbaf’s warriors alone be enough to hold someone as powerful as Loki?
Why Shanks’ Haki Matters: A Force Strong Enough to Bind a Prince
This is where Shanks and his incredible Wi-Fi haki enters the picture.
With his unmatched Conqueror’s Haki and a profound commitment to protecting Elbaf, Shanks might be the only person capable of keeping Loki subdued. The giants’ high regard for Shanks likely stems from a shared history, one in which Shanks either helped subdue Loki or has acted as a deterrent, ensuring Loki remains confined.
If Shanks was indeed called upon to control Loki, his presence in Elbaf would make perfect sense. His Haki, in this theory, acts as a metaphorical lock—an added layer of security beyond what Elbaf’s warriors can offer. Shanks’ role as a protector of Elbaf, refusing tribute and fighting off threats, hints at a broader responsibility to safeguard not only the island but the world from the wrath of Loki. After all, Shanks has always been the character who seems to know most about what’s going on.
The Shifting Tides of Elbaf: Shanks, Loki, and the Role of the Straw Hats
Shanks and Loki: A New Tier in the Power Scale?
Shanks’ ability to keep someone like Loki confined—either through sheer willpower, his legendary Haki, or even coordinated efforts with the giants—has staggering implications for One Piece’s power scale. Giants already rank among the most powerful beings in the series due to their inherent strength, and Loki surpasses them all, wielding a “legendary” Devil Fruit. Though the fruit’s abilities remain unknown, it’s likely extraordinarily powerful, especially since Loki killed his own father for it. For Loki, a giant already hailed as the strongest among his people, the fruit represents a deadly advantage, potentially putting him on the level of a Yonko.
If Shanks alone, or even alongside Elbaf’s best warriors, is maintaining Loki’s captivity, it suggests Shanks’ true power might be beyond Yonko level—a tier the series has only hinted at but never fully revealed. This possibility aligns with Shanks’ character though, just to be fair; despite being one of the Four Emperors, he has consistently held back his true strength. And though he may have assistance from Elbaf’s warriors in containing Loki, the fact that Shanks’ Haki is likely central to the effort indicates a power that not only matches but surpasses what fans typically expect from a Yonko.
This also implies that Loki himself is on par with the Yonko, which makes sense if he has to be Luffy’s next enemy.
Luffy and Shanks’ Paths Converging on Elbaf
Shanks and Luffy’s reunion could revolve around Loki and the secrets of Elbaf’s ancient past, particularly as Elbaf is rumored to hold the books from Ohara. This convergence of storylines elevates Elbaf’s importance, making it a central stage for One Piece’s unfolding mysteries.
Whether Shanks’ true purpose is to guard Loki or he’s involved for other reasons, his presence in Elbaf undoubtedly points to a deep connection with the island and its secrets. As the Straw Hats make their way through Elbaf, the intersection of their journey with Shanks’ mysterious mission promises to bring both revelation and peril. Fans can only wait to see how Luffy and Shanks’ paths will intertwine with Elbaf’s darkest mystery, and whether the “Shame of Elbaf” will remain imprisoned—or rise again.
