This article contains spoilers from One Piece's Elbaf Arc.
Shanks is one of the most important One Piece characters and fans know him to be one of the most pivotal players when it comes to the Final Saga of the series. He's also one character that Oda has always wanted to draw more of, and now that the Final Saga is upon us, Oda has started to integrate him into the story slowly. Shanks serves the role of one of the Four Emperors of the Sea in One Piece, and he acquired this position 6 years ago. However, he plays an even bigger role as the Child of Destiny, and the man who put Luffy on the path of becoming a pirate.
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No matter which way fans look at it, Shanks is bound to have tremendous importance, and figures with such importance often come with great strength. Shanks's strength lies primarily in his Haki, but there's another ability that he likely possesses that Oda teased himself, and that's a Devil Fruit. Fans will be shocked to know that Shanks makes use of a Devil Fruit, but evidence in the manga supports this strongly. Here's everything you need to know about how Shanks has a Devil Fruit power, and which power he possesses.
Shanks's Sword Might Hold A Devil Fruit Power
Shanks is primarily a powerful Haki user. He relies on this skill in combat, and fans know that very well. Shanks gained the power of Haki at a very young age. In fact, before he was even 15, Shanks could use abilities like advanced Conqueror's Haki, as confirmed by Oda himself. Most fans see Shanks as a Haki monster that cannot be stopped in battle, and while that is accurate, it must also be noted that Shanks is also potentially a Devil Fruit user.
I won't say that's not fair, Navy man. But raiding the worn-out new green leaves that changed the era of piracy forever? Don't you think you're doing too much? Are you that afraid of the new era? — Shanks
Of course, Shanks saved Luffy from drowning in One Piece chapter 1, so his Devil Fruit power couldn't have come back then, but he doesn't necessarily have to eat the Devil Fruit himself to gain this power. The true secret of Shanks's Devil Fruit power lies in his sword, which is most definitely a Supreme Grade sword.
Shanks Changed His Sword After Romance Dawn
When One Piece began, Shanks was seen carrying a sword with a very unique hilt. This sword was wielded by him for quite some time, but after the timeskip at the end of One Piece chapter 1, Shanks had grown a lot in influence and power. By this time, Shanks had already acquired a new sword. Interestingly enough, Shanks's sword was named Gryphon by Oda. For those who don't know, Gryphon, or Griffin, is a mythical lion-like beast with the head, tail, and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
Why are you crying? It's just an arm. I'm just glad you're safe. — Shanks to Luffy
Curiously enough, Shanks's spirit animal is also a lion, according to Oda, which aligns with the Gryphon theme. Now, for the longest time, fans weren't sure if Shanks had a Devil Fruit power. In Elbaf, however, Oda almost confirmed that his sword possessed a Devil Fruit ability.
Shanks's Sword Has The Power Of A Gryphon
In the Elbaf arc of One Piece, fans met Shamrock Figarland, Shanks's twin brother, for the very first time. Upon his introduction, Shamrock showed the power of his sword named Cerberus. It was quite easy for the fans to see that Oda was drawing a parallel between Shanks and Shamrock. Shamrock's sword is named after a mythical beast, Cerberus, or the guardian of the gates of hell. And sure enough, Shamrock went on to utilize the power of an actual Cerberus, which emerged from his sword.
Shanks's sword is also very similar to Shamrock's in appearance, and it is also named after a mythical creature. It is quite straightforward to see how Shanks wields the power of the Gryphon. Oda himself supports this idea by making it ambiguous how Shanks fights:
Q: What's the name of Red-Haired Shanks's sword?
A: Apparently it's called "Griffon". We've known Shanks ever since the very first chapter, but how does he actually fight? — Eiichiro Oda
It also explains how Shanks quickly travels from one place to another. For instance, during the Paramount War, Shanks transported himself from the New World to Paradise almost instantly. If his sword can transform into the Gryphon, then it explains how the ship made it all the way to the Marine Plaza so quickly.
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece will be featured in this week's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date of One Piece Chapter 1167 is December 1, 2025. In Japan, One Piece drops at 12AM JST on Monday, which is 11:00 AM EST, or 8:00 AM PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps.