Shanks is one of the most powerful and influential pirates in the world of One Piece. As a member of the Yonko, the four most notorious pirate captains in the New World, Shanks has made many dangerous enemies over the course of his pirating career. In this article, we will examine some of Shanks’ biggest rivals and adversaries.
Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)
One of Shanks’ most infamous enemies is Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Originally a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, Blackbeard betrayed his captain and crew to pursue his own goals. He killed Whitebeard’s 4th division commander Thatch to steal the powerful Devil Fruit known as the Yami Yami no Mi. He then defected from the Whitebeard Pirates to form his own crew, the Blackbeard Pirates.
Shanks had warned Whitebeard about Blackbeard before these events transpired, recognizing the threat that Teach posed. After Blackbeard killed Whitebeard during the Paramount War and stole his Devil Fruit power to become a Yonko himself, Shanks confronted Teach and they briefly clashed. Shanks promised Blackbeard that he would not allow him to go any further and warned him not to underestimate the Yonko.
As two of the Yonko, Shanks and Blackbeard are now rival pirates competing for territory and influence in the New World. With both captains possessing tremendous strength and leaders of dangerous crews, they will likely continue to clash in the future over their conflicting goals and ideologies.
Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom)
Another member of the Yonko that Shanks can consider an enemy is Charlotte Linlin, more widely known as Big Mom. Big Mom rules over Totto Land as queen of the Big Mom Pirates. She seeks to form a utopia where all the races of the world live together in harmony. However, her methods are brutal, wedding her children into strategic political alliances and destroying any islands that refuse her demands.
As fellow Yonko, Big Mom and Shanks are competitors and threats to each other’s territories and control over the New World. When Big Mom found out that Shanks had intercepted Kaido to prevent him from reaching Marineford and going to war against Whitebeard, she was furious at the interference. Big Mom scolded Shanks for disrupting her plans to become the undisputed strongest pirate.
While Shanks seems to hold no personal grudge against Big Mom, as Yonko they stand opposed based on their conflicting ambitions. Big Mom’s ruthless empire-building threatens the balance of power that Shanks seeks to maintain on the seas. These clashing ideologies could certainly put them at odds with each other in the future.
Kaido
The vicious ruler of Wano Country known as Kaido of the Beasts is another major antagonist for Shanks. Regarded as the strongest creature alive, Kaido possesses an enormous army including over 500 Artificial Devil Fruit users. He seeks to plunge the world into complete war and chaos.
During the Battle of Marineford, Kaido attempted to attack Whitebeard from behind to gain an advantage in the war. However, Shanks intervened and clashed with Kaido, preventing the battle from continuing. Shanks was able to intimidate even the fearsome Kaido from attacking, demonstrating the respect and caution that Kaido has for Shanks’ power.
As a fellow Yonko with very different philosophies and end goals, Kaido remains a dangerous rival for Shanks. Kaido’s love of violence and anarchy conflicts directly with Shanks’ more reasoned desire for balance between the great powers of the world. This fundamental divide between them sets Kaido and Shanks against one another.
Admirals of the Navy
As one of the Yonko ruling over the second half of the Grand Line, the Navy views Shanks as a major enemy to their goals. The Marine Admirals, some of the Navy’s strongest fighters, are likely to see Shanks as a prime target to be defeated.
During the Paramount War, Admiral Akainu viewed Shanks as a significant threat when he arrived. Even surrounded by the Navy forces, Akainu showed anger and hesitation at having to confront an emperor like Shanks. This demonstrated the power and infamy that even Navy Admirals associate with Shanks.
Other Admirals like Kizaru, Fujitora, and Ryokugyu would likely share Akainu’s sentiments about bringing down such a notorious pirate emperor. Their contrary objectives put the Navy Admirals perpetually at odds with Shanks as long as he persists as a Yonko.
Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)
One of Shanks’ most infamous enemies is Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Originally a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, Blackbeard betrayed his captain and crew to pursue his own goals. He killed Whitebeard’s 4th division commander Thatch to steal the powerful Devil Fruit known as the Yami Yami no Mi. He then defected from the Whitebeard Pirates to form his own crew, the Blackbeard Pirates.
Shanks had warned Whitebeard about Blackbeard before these events transpired, recognizing the threat that Teach posed. After Blackbeard killed Whitebeard during the Paramount War and stole his Devil Fruit power to become a Yonko himself, Shanks confronted Teach and they briefly clashed. Shanks promised Blackbeard that he would not allow him to go any further and warned him not to underestimate the Yonko.
As two of the Yonko, Shanks and Blackbeard are now rival pirates competing for territory and influence in the New World. With both captains possessing tremendous strength and leaders of dangerous crews, they will likely continue to clash in the future over their conflicting goals and ideologies.
Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom)
Another member of the Yonko that Shanks can consider an enemy is Charlotte Linlin, more widely known as Big Mom. Big Mom rules over Totto Land as queen of the Big Mom Pirates. She seeks to form a utopia where all the races of the world live together in harmony. However, her methods are brutal, wedding her children into strategic political alliances and destroying any islands that refuse her demands.
As fellow Yonko, Big Mom and Shanks are competitors and threats to each other’s territories and control over the New World. When Big Mom found out that Shanks had intercepted Kaido to prevent him from reaching Marineford and going to war against Whitebeard, she was furious at the interference. Big Mom scolded Shanks for disrupting her plans to become the undisputed strongest pirate.
While Shanks seems to hold no personal grudge against Big Mom, as Yonko they stand opposed based on their conflicting ambitions. Big Mom’s ruthless empire-building threatens the balance of power that Shanks seeks to maintain on the seas. These clashing ideologies could certainly put them at odds with each other in the future.
Kaido
The vicious ruler of Wano Country known as Kaido of the Beasts is another major antagonist for Shanks. Regarded as the strongest creature alive, Kaido possesses an enormous army including over 500 Artificial Devil Fruit users. He seeks to plunge the world into complete war and chaos.
During the Battle of Marineford, Kaido attempted to attack Whitebeard from behind to gain an advantage in the war. However, Shanks intervened and clashed with Kaido, preventing the battle from continuing. Shanks was able to intimidate even the fearsome Kaido from attacking, demonstrating the respect and caution that Kaido has for Shanks’ power.
As a fellow Yonko with very different philosophies and end goals, Kaido remains a dangerous rival for Shanks. Kaido’s love of violence and anarchy conflicts directly with Shanks’ more reasoned desire for balance between the great powers of the world. This fundamental divide between them sets Kaido and Shanks against one another.
Admirals of the Navy
As one of the Yonko ruling over the second half of the Grand Line, the Navy views Shanks as a major enemy to their goals. The Marine Admirals, some of the Navy’s strongest fighters, are likely to see Shanks as a prime target to be defeated.
During the Paramount War, Admiral Akainu viewed Shanks as a significant threat when he arrived. Even surrounded by the Navy forces, Akainu showed anger and hesitation at having to confront an emperor like Shanks. This demonstrated the power and infamy that even Navy Admirals associate with Shanks.
Other Admirals like Kizaru, Fujitora, and Ryokugyu would likely share Akainu’s sentiments about bringing down such a notorious pirate emperor. Their contrary objectives put the Navy Admirals perpetually at odds with Shanks as long as he persists as a Yonko.
World Government
As the rulers of the world, the World Government and their loyal Navy naturally view the Yonko as enemies that must eventually be defeated. Shanks, as one of the four emperors, is seen as a grave threat to their power and control over the world.
Shanks in particular has defied and hindered the World Government on a number of occasions. He ended the Paramount War before the Navy could fully defeat the Whitebeard Pirates. He also negotiated a ceasefire with Kaido to prevent further bloodshed. These actions directly interfered with the government’s plans.
While less antagonistic than pirates like Big Mom and Kaido, Shanks does not bow to the whims of the World Government. His disruptive acts have made him a marked target in the government’s eyes, especially for his influence over the balance of the Three Great Powers.
Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)
One of Shanks’ most infamous enemies is Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Originally a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, Blackbeard betrayed his captain and crew to pursue his own goals. He killed Whitebeard’s 4th division commander Thatch to steal the powerful Devil Fruit known as the Yami Yami no Mi. He then defected from the Whitebeard Pirates to form his own crew, the Blackbeard Pirates.
Shanks had warned Whitebeard about Blackbeard before these events transpired, recognizing the threat that Teach posed. After Blackbeard killed Whitebeard during the Paramount War and stole his Devil Fruit power to become a Yonko himself, Shanks confronted Teach and they briefly clashed. Shanks promised Blackbeard that he would not allow him to go any further and warned him not to underestimate the Yonko.
As two of the Yonko, Shanks and Blackbeard are now rival pirates competing for territory and influence in the New World. With both captains possessing tremendous strength and leaders of dangerous crews, they will likely continue to clash in the future over their conflicting goals and ideologies.
Conclusion
As one of the four great pirate emperors, Shanks has amassed his fair share of formidable enemies over the years. Rival Yonko like Big Mom and Kaido threaten his power and seek to expand their own domains at his expense. The World Government views him as a grave threat to their authority that must eventually be eliminated. And the dangerous Blackbeard continues to rise as Shanks’ arch-nemesis for the title of King of the Pirates.
However, few can match Shanks when it comes to Haki mastery and conquests on the high seas. He has stalemated and intimidated even the likes of Kaido through sheer power alone. Shanks remains an influential force among the worlds’ strongest powers. His ability to compete with these mighty enemies and maintain balance demonstrates precisely why he is regarded as one of the Four Emperors ruling over the New World.