The captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks is one of the most powerful individuals in the world of One Piece who rules the seas with great authority. He is also one of the characters that fans have known since the very early parts of the story, specifically the Romance Dawn Arc.

Shanks is one of the first characters seen in One Piece, and his importance to Luffy’s journey toward becoming the Pirate King is profound. In fact, it was Shanks who set Luffy on this path, and motivated him to create a crew stronger than his own and surpass him one day.

Of course, Shanks’s role in One Piece was always going to be massive, but Oda specifically stated that Shanks was going to be more important towards the end, which is the Final Saga. Now, One Piece is in the Final Saga, which means everything about Shanks, from his strength, all the way to his goals, will finally be displayed to the fans. When it comes to his goals specifically, fans don’t know much and even though he seems to be somehow connected to the Will of D, along with much else, he has overarching goals that remain unknown. Now, however, Oda seems to have dropped a massive hint in regards to what Shanks truly wants in One Piece.

Shanks’s Mysterious Purpose In One Piece

Shanks Has Maintained Balance On The Seas For Long

In Reality, Shanks Is The Enemy Of The Gods

When one speaks of Shanks’s purpose, it has been largely kept a secret by Oda. Shanks has not been active in the early parts of One Piece, other than small involvements here and there where he has been seen trying to make peace or, at the very least, try to preserve it between different parties. At the same time, Shanks is actively invested in Luffy’s growth, and he is invested in ensuring that there is peace and stability in the world. This is evident from Shanks heading to the Whitebeard Pirates, where he requested the Yonko to call back Ace from his quest of Blackbeard. Shanks stated that Blackbeard would beat Ace and that it would lead to catastrophic consequences, which is what ended up happening.

Around the time of the Paramount War, Shanks stopped Kaido from attacking the Whitebeard Pirates and preventing them from going to Marineford, where they aimed to save Ace. Similarly, fans know that Shanks also came to Marineford itself, where he stopped the Summit War for good, and allowed both sides to retreat and save face. Shanks is, thus, seen as a mediator by many. However, this is not his true goal. Shanks doesn’t want there to be balance on the seas. Instead, he’s waiting for the right time to come, which is why, after the events of the Wano war, in the New World, Shanks has openly stated that it is time for him to get serious now and aim for the One Piece.

Hey Beck! I think it’s time we go and claim it…the One Piece! – Shanks

For the very first time in his life as a pirate, Shanks is now openly going for the One Piece and his claim towards it is going to be more aggressive than any Yonko, as is depicted by his speech pattern in Japanese. This has shocked many readers, given that quite a few of them believe that he had no interest in the One Piece. Now, however, Shanks has shown that he has clearly got bigger plans.

Oda Hints At What Shanks Wants

Shanks Might Want The Destruction Of The Celestial Dragons

Of course, Shanks’s goals are somewhat confusing to the readers. After all, he believes that Luffy will go on to become the Pirate King, in the deepest of his hearts. Yet, at the same time, Shanks is pressing for the One Piece himself. Similarly, Shanks seemingly wants to stop the advance of the World Government, yet, he was seen meeting the Five Elders in secret. All this has confused the fans greatly, but one small hint from Oda has possibly revealed what Shanks truly wants. This was revealed during his battle against Eustass Kid in the Egghead Arc. When Shanks met Kid, he unleashed a technique called Divine Departure, or Kamusari at him.

This technique was so strong that it ended up defeating him in a single blow. It is the etymology of this technique that reveals what Shanks truly wants.

Shanks’s technique, Kamusari, is written in Japanese as 神避, which, when translated literally, means “Death of God.” Curiously enough, it is based on ancient Japanese records called kojiki, from 1300 years ago. This word, which simply states Death of God, might imply that Shanks wants the death of the Celestial Dragons, as they are the gods in the One Piece world. This makes even more sense when one takes into consideration the fact that this is actually a technique of none other than the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Roger was against the Celestial Dragons, even though he was not the one who started the Great War. Clearly, he seemingly passed on the mantle to Shanks, who now carries on this war against the Celestial Dragons, and aims for their demolition.

It is not time for Luffy to meet me, yet! – Shanks

As to why Shanks is pressing for the One Piece, the reason could simply be to actually see if Luffy is the one the world is waiting for, or, in other words, Joy Boy, or not. Shanks specifically stole the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, which means that he knew of its importance. Clearly, he also reacted when he saw Luffy had tapped into the power of Gear 5 and had become Nika. Shanks was waiting for Nika’s arrival, but that doesn’t mean that he can simply let him take things easy.

Shanks’s job is to test Luffy and see if he truly is the one the world is waiting for and fit to bear the burden or not. More than that, Shanks wants to aid in the destruction of the Celestial Dragons, despite being of Celestial Dragon descent himself. This is his ultimate goal in One Piece, and this is what makes his character so interesting.

Will Shanks Fight In The Great War?

Shanks Will Likely Take Part In The Upcoming Major War In One Piece

Given that One Piece is in the Final Saga, Shanks will most definitely go on to fight in the Final War. It also depends on when the final war ends up happening. This war could begin as soon as the Elbaf Arc, or, it could wait until Luffy claims the One Piece and then launches an all-out assault on the World Government. Regardless, Shanks could be an active part of this war, and given that his desire is seemingly the death of the Celestial Dragons, or, at the very least, their being stripped of authority and powers, Shanks will have a major role to play here, especially as a guide to none other than Joy Boy himself.