This article includes spoilers from the Elbaf Arc of One Piece.
Overview
- Kozuki Oden emerged as a remarkable prodigy with extraordinary combat skills from a very early age.
- Shanks, the child of Saint Garling Figarland, exhibited extraordinary talent by mastering Roger’s techniques in his youth.
- With the ability to execute Kamusari at merely 13-14 years old using advanced Conqueror’s Haki, Shanks stands out as the most powerful prodigy in the One Piece universe.
Contents
The realm of One Piece boasts an array of characters who have solidified their status as formidable entities across the seas. Within this tapestry of power, we encounter the Yonko and the Admirals, as well as newer faces like the Holy Knights, the enigmatic Five Elders, and their leader, Imu. These iconic figures have evolved into legends over time.
Amidst these legendary beings, certain individuals seem to be destined for greatness from the moment they are born, possessing an inherent combat aptitude that sets them apart as geniuses at a young age. These characters leverage their extraordinary talents to ascend to the highest echelons of power, distinguishing them in the One Piece narrative. Recently, Oda has highlighted some of the most remarkable prodigies in this expansive universe.
Notable Prodigies in One Piece
- Oden stands among the elite prodigies.
- Shanks ranks alongside the best of them.
Throughout the years, fans of One Piece have encountered numerous prodigies, but few resonate as deeply as others. Kozuki Oden, for example, was introduced as an unequivocal prodigy. He demonstrated immense strength by slaying a bear at just four years old, exploring pleasure houses at age six, overcoming Yakuza by eight, and mastering two legendary swords by age ten. Remarkably, by this young age, he wielded Ryuo power. His blades included Enma and Ame no Habakiri; notably, the latter is a sword that Zoro still struggles to master. By 18, Oden had reached his pinnacle, aligning himself with the foremost legends of the One Piece universe, including the Yonko, Whitebeard, and Roger.
Consider Kaido and Big Mom, who also embody legendary status, although not without some ambiguity regarding their pasts. Kaido, for instance, was a formidable soldier in the Vodka Kingdom by age ten, boasting a bounty of 70 million berries by thirteen. At fifteen, he allied with the Rocks Pirates, reflecting a powerful but not fully unveiled strength.
Big Mom’s prodigious feats are equally striking. Infamously, she inadvertently killed bears with punches at five years old and destroyed a village in Elbaf during her youth. Her early foray into piracy earned her a 50 million berry bounty, which quickly escalated to 500 million berries. However, much like Kaido, the extent of her prodigious talents remains somewhat obscure.
Then we have Loki, whose legacy includes influencing the Underworld of Elbaf at a young age and even slaying King Harald. Although he consumed a legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf, Loki’s advanced age makes it challenging to classify him definitively as the top prodigy in One Piece.
Shanks: The Apex Prodigy
Mastering Unattainable Skills as a Child
In the conversation surrounding One Piece prodigies, while many stand out, it is Shanks who reigns supreme. Born to Saint Garling Figarland, Shanks is distinguished not just by his lineage but by his exceptional abilities that were apparent even in his childhood.
Guided by Roger, Shanks evolved into a formidable force, often hailed as the next Pirate King—an accolade acknowledged even by Buggy. However, what defines Shanks’s prowess are his remarkable achievements as a young pirate. Oda recently shed light on one pivotal moment in his youth: Shanks’s astonishing capability to master Roger’s signature technique, Kamusari, entirely on his own.
Shanks was such a genius that the Roger pirates were all surprised that Shanks learned Divine Departure by himself without instruction from Roger, and no one else in Roger’s pirates could even mimic it.— Oda
While this may seem minor to some, it carries significant weight. Oda specifically labels Shanks as exceptionally gifted, having accomplished something that even Rayleigh could not replicate. Since Shanks was only 15 when the Roger Pirates disbanded, this mastery must have occurred prior to that—establishing that he controlled Kamusari by around 13 or 14 years old.
What adds to the gravity of this achievement is Kamusari’s requirements; it necessitates advanced Conqueror’s Haki, inferring that Shanks infused his weapon with Supreme King Haki at an age where most haven’t even scratched the surface of their potential. This milestone firmly positions Shanks at the pinnacle of One Piece’s prodigious talents.
The Future of Shanks
The Limitless Power of Shanks
While Shanks undeniably takes the crown as the greatest genius of his era, what remains intriguing is how much more there is to unveil. Currently, the story unfolds in the Elbaf arc, and Oda is likely to showcase additional thrilling moments regarding Shanks through Shamrock Figarland. As the plot progresses, likely focusing on Shanks either in a dedicated arc or through other characters, his unparalleled brilliance and potential will come to the forefront.
So far, fans are privy to only one notable feat from young Shanks, yet that single achievement has firmly established him as One Piece’s foremost prodigy. As more revelations emerge, Shanks’s status as the strongest pirate of his generation is bound to solidify even further.
Readers can enjoy One Piece via Vision Media, with official and free access available through the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus applications. The highly anticipated next chapter, One Piece 1140, is scheduled for release on February 23, 2025.
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