This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Final Saga.
Overview of Shanks and His Ascendancy
- Shanks ascended to Yonko status 6 years ago, correcting previous assumptions about his timeline.
- His rise involved a fierce battle against a formidable adversary, Loki.
- The identity of the Yonko who held the position prior to Shanks remains elusive, prompting speculation that they may have been a former member of the Rocks Pirates, such as Shiki.
Table of Contents
How Shanks Became A Yonko Of The Sea
Fans have often debated Shanks’s timeline regarding his Yonko status, as many previously believed he held that title during his early encounters with Luffy. This notion was further bolstered by the Vivre Cards. However, chapter 957 of One Piece confirmed that Shanks did not become an Emperor until approximately 6 years prior. Notably, this means he rose to the esteemed position just four years before Luffy embarked on his adventures. Insights from the ongoing Elbaf arc are likely to provide clarity on how Shanks achieved this elevation.
During this critical period, Shanks faced off against Loki, a notorious threat in the New World. Loki, infamous for his deadly exploits—including the assassination of King Harald—garnered a Special Bounty of 2.6 billion berries, indicating his formidable power and affirming his place among the high-ranking figures in the One Piece universe. In a fierce battle, Shanks overcame Loki, capturing him and securing his own spot among the Four Emperors.
“Before Red Hair, nobody was able to stop him. Do you know what kind of ability Loki possesses?”— Scopper Gaban
The victory over Loki not only showcased Shanks’s capabilities but also left fans speculating about the previous Yonko’s identity before Shanks made his ascent.
Who Was The Yonko Before Shanks Entered The Equation?
The Answer Might Lie In A Completely Different System
Traditionally, fans assumed that Shanks must have dethroned the preceding Yonko in order to claim his title. Contrarily, this theory doesn’t hold true, given that Shanks’s rise to power was linked to defeating Loki, who, despite his threat level, was not classified as a Yonko. This suggests that someone else must have vacated the Yonko position concurrently with Shanks’s ascension.
As famously noted, “Those four shining pirates rule the New World and they’re known as the Yonko of the Sea. Red Hair is one of them!”— Garp.
The Legendary Names Who Could’ve Claimed The Yonko Position
A number of candidates could have potentially filled the void left by Shanks’s predecessor. Shiki, a formidable figure, is one name that springs to mind; however, his fate remains unclear since his escape from Impel Down. Moreover, no other former members of Gol D. Roger’s crew have stepped into this role. If a Yonko existed prior to Shanks, he is likely linked to the infamous Rocks Pirates, although Oda has specifically highlighted only four members associated with them: Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and Shiki.
While Shiki is a prime candidate, there is insufficient evidence within the storyline to conclusively identify him as the former Yonko. This raises intriguing possibilities, suggesting that the Four Emperors System may have emerged contemporaneously with Shanks’s rise. Before his ascension, there may have only been three dominant figures in the New World, possibly influencing the balance of power among pirates and the Shichibukai system.
For those eager to stay updated with the latest developments in One Piece, the manga is accessible through Viz Media, and readers can enjoy it for free via the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus applications. Look forward to the release of chapter 1144, slated for March 30, 2025.