Shanks. Copying my post from AP
- Shanks reacts very competitively or in a very dark way (maybe the wrong word idk) when Luffy is mentioned
- Luffy has proclaimed, twice, that he wants to beat Shanks, as long as he isn't first (which is true currently)
- Shanks has existed since Chapter 1, since Oda has planned his ending already. Bleackbeard wasn't a factor until the 150's or so. Im not sure of there have been hints to Oda creating this character early on, maybe someone can clarify
- Returning the hat is almost as a significant/iconic moment as finding One Piece I'd say, but maybe others disagree.
- Asked Roger an unknown question before he left. Started crying. Why is Oda hiding this?
- Was born the exact year as the God Valley incident. Roger has hinted that its "been a while since he had held a baby", perhaps he got Shanks from there?
- Shanks being able to stop entire wars and achieving respect from Sengoku. "Because its you"
- Biggest Red Flag is Shanks discussing matters with the Gorosei and them almost "hinting" at Shanks having a role that doesn't involve matters with the Gorosei. Not directly specifying Blackbeard as the problem pirate, meaning Oda may have a twist coming.
- Zoro vs. Mihawk being pretty defined, and Mihawk only really associating with Shanks, otherwise Mihawk doesn't really have a "place" in the story unless Oda involves him in something else.
Shanks is the ultimate snitch and final antagonist of the series. Watch