I’m really hoping he either lost on purpose or got jumped
Or even if he lost (which is fine) at least imply that it was an incredibly tough fight
Hang on, wouldn't Shanks have had HK regen back then? That would help.
Cause someone with a bag as deep as Loki losing badly because of “muh haki” is just so silly to me
Hopefully with added context it makes more sense
You know, it's kinda funny, this discussion.
Because in the story, Loki is the privileged one with super genes and 2 DFs while Shanks is the underdog.
But because of the way Oda writes hakimen, we see Loki as the underdog and Shanks as advantaged.
It reminds me of Kengan Omega (manga from which the Mihawk funny face meme originated).
There are many genetic freaks like a man with 52x muscle density and a roid monster who's his equal.
But the author keeps emphasizing skill to the point where these superheavies seem like the true underdogs....because the so-called in-story "underdogs" have license to do any bullshit in the name of skill.
And this makes them so narratively OP they might as well be the gifted privileged ones.