Shhh! Shanks is undercover!
Quite the truth-seeker that Shanks is, eh?
But instead of heading for Laugh Tale, Shanks decides to take a different approach: Learning as much as he can about the true enemies of the world—Imu and the Celestial Dragons.
It’s safe to say Shanks inherited Roger’s will to learn the truth about the world, but how much did he know before going to the Holy Land? Roger didn’t want to tell him anything that happened on Laugh Tale, but there’s someone else who could’ve pointed Shanks in the Celestial Dragon’s direction…Blackbeard!
[Thanks to LunaPianArt for putting this Blackbeard idea in my head, by the way.]
Here’s what I’m thinking: Shanks confronts Blackbeard who spills some beans about the Celestial Dragons being the final boss of the world and the ones behind, well, everything. After their battle, Shanks decides learning the truth for himself and feigns loyalty to Team Imu. Makes sense, right?
Does that mean Shanks intentionally attacked a World Government ship to steal the gum-gum fruit? Does it also mean Shanks purposely got his arm bitten off to remove the Holy Knight’s tattoo? Yeah, probably. This guy has been planning to take down the World Government, something Gol D. Roger couldn’t do, for a looong time.
Hmm…Was Shanks waiting for Luffy to become a powerful pirate before going after the Ponegliffs? Is that what Shanks wants: To team-up with Luffy/Nika to learn the truth of the world and take down the WG? That’s quite the endgame, if that’s true.
Too bad Shanks never got a chance to talk to Harald about Nika. Still, he could’ve learned a little from Loki, Saul, or Dorry and Broggy. Okay, maybe not Loki. Although, I’ll bet the reason Shanks captured Loki was to keep him for dying in a fruitless attack on Sacred Marijoa. Big Brain Shanks is using every ounce of his I.Q. Must be all that fresh fish he eats. Gives him brainpower.
We learn a little about Imu’s tattoo contracts. Not sure if the lowest contract—Shallow Covenant—grants any powers, but rumors are they get 15% off everything at Urban Outfitters. The second level—Depths Covenant—probably grants regeneration and access to Shangara’s top-notch WIFI. The final contract level—Abyssal Covenant—grants you the whole package: Regeneration, Immortality, and a Demonic Form.
Out of the chosen thirteen, only the Five Elders get the full package. But…then how come Gunko doesn’t age? Hmm…
I’m calling bullsh*t on Loki and Ida’s relationship!
It’s all tell, NO show whatsoever! It’s lazy writing, Oda. You can do better than that.
Guess I should talk about Harald, huh?
…He’s an idiot. Yeah, I get he’s determined having Elbaph join the World Government, but he’s seen firsthand the organization can be sketchy at best. Hell, he’s been to Sacred Marijoa. He knows the leaders of the world are pro-slavery selfish assholes. Are you telling me he’s not having any second thoughts about this? Ugh!
This was a good chapter! Shanks’ role brought the chapter up, while Harald’s blind obedience made my eyes roll. Once again, I feel Oda’s dumbing down his characters in order to fit them into his overall plot. Wait! Harald called Shirahoshi “Shaggy”. Could she be the same Shaggy talking to Loki vis transponder snail? Either her or it’s King Neptune himself. Zoinks! I think I’m on to something!
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 