Summary
- Shanks is a top-tier pirate with unmatched Haki and sword skills but faces potential challengers.
- Legendary figures and mysterious entities could rival or surpass Shanks' strength.
- Future threats like Luffy and Blackbeard may eventually outgrow Shanks.
1. Gol D. Roger
Gol D. Roger is the Pirate King who successfully reached the Laugh Tale first, the last island of the Great Line. He was said to be the greatest pirate of his time. Roger was very strong in Haki, and he could fight with others who were very powerful, like Whitebeard. Shanks was one of the members of Roger’s crew, so he learned much from him. If they had fought, probably Roger’s experience and strength would have been too much for Shanks.
2. Rocks D. Xebec
Rocks D. Xebec was a pirate who dominated the seas before Roger became famous. He was the captain of the Rocks Pirates. These are Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido in his crew. Rocks are dangerous, and they have a plan to conquer the whole world. The Marines and Roger had to merge their power to defeat him at the God Valley incident. If he were still alive, ambition and power would make him dangerous to Shanks.
3. The Five Elders (Gorosei)
The Five Elders are the bosses of the highest rank in the World Government. They look mystical, and they might possess highly powerful abilities that have not yet been exposed. Recent events depict them as having breathtaking combat ability and possibly some connection to the powers of the Void Century. If they work in tandem, they may defeat Shanks using their undeclared skills and wise thinking. Even if they were to be one-on-one, their power and expertise would still present a problem for Shanks.
4. Imu
Imu is the world’s unknown ruler, who sits on the Empty Throne. They do not quite know much about his actual power, but they hold quite an influence and might even possess some hidden powerful skills. As Imu commands the Five Elders and holds the power of the World Government, he must possess some unseen power, one that could be higher than the powers of Yonko like Shanks. If Imu ever goes to a battle, then that will be one major challenge for any one person.
5. Saint Garling Figarland
Shanks reportedly connected to Saint Garling Figarland, a giant warrior believed to be connected to the Celestial Dragons. If such a family truly exists and their combatants are pretty hard to beat, then this family could represent a challenge for Shanks. Therefore, since Celestial Dragons possess secret powers and influence, then such a giant warrior as Saint Garling Figarland would be strong enough to fight alongside Shanks at par level.
6. Dracule Mihawk
Mihawk is referred to as the “World’s Greatest Swordsman” and used to be a rival of Shanks. They were fighting long ago, but Mihawk would not duel Shanks when he lost his arm. Mihawk has no equal swordsmanship skills, and his sword is Yoru, which is the strongest sword. If he had fought seriously with Shanks, then Mihawk’s expertise with swords could have given him a winning chance over Shanks.
7. Monkey D. Dragon
He is known as the “World’s Most Wanted Man.” He is the captain of the Revolutionary Army. Monkey D. Dragon is a resistance against the World Government. With his muscular strength and might, he could not be overpowered in any manner, and though he’s unknown on his abilities; he is estimated to have great Haki and believed to have utilized a Devil Fruit associated with the wind or climate. His unknown status as a strong warrior would make Dragon fight Shanks.
8. Monkey D. Luffy (In the Future)
The protagonist of One Piece is Luffy, and he wants to be the Pirate King. Luffy has gradually become strong with time, mastering all three types of Haki and reaching Gear 5, thus obtaining god-like powers. Luffy’s idol is Shanks, but if they ever have to fight in the future, he might end up being greater than him by unlocking even more power and experience. Therefore, Shanks is still stronger than Luffy.
9. Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) (In the Future)
Blackbeard is one of the most powerful and dangerous characters in One Piece. He has two Devil Fruits: Dark-Dark Fruit and Tremor-Tremor Fruit. His Dark-Dark devil fruit power made him cancel other powers of Devil Fruits as a result, and his earthquake power may also destroy islands. Blackbeard is still growing power-wise, and in the future, he may become strong enough to give Shanks a hard time for an all-out battle
Shanks is among the strongest characters in One Piece, although a few guys would defeat him. Legends like Roger and Rocks D. Xebec would have defeated him ages ago. They are mysterious figures; Imu and the Five Elders might possess hidden powers that can threaten him. Mihawk’s swordsmanship would match him, and future opponents like Luffy and Blackbeard might grow strong enough to conquer him. At the moment, Shanks is one of the strongest in the world of One Piece, but future opportunities await him.
