The Base of the Theory: “Let’s claim the One Piece.” - Shanks
We’ve all been wondering what Shanks meant by this and why he waited so long. Here is a massive endgame theory that ties together the Sun God, the Void Century, and how the Straw Hats are going to reach the final power ceiling required to take on Imu.
Part 1: The Elbaph Defeat & The Bronze Legend
While the Straw Hats are currently in Elbaph, things are going to take a dark turn. My theory is that Luffy and the crew are going to get beaten down by Imu. They simply cannot last even 10 seconds in front of Imu right now, not even in a 1v10 scenario.
But Elbaph is where they meet Scopper Gaban. Gaban knows that Shanks holds the missing pieces of the puzzle. He tells a defeated Luffy to go and meet Shanks.
Part 2: Amazon Lily and The True History
Luffy and the crew meet up with Shanks, only to find out that Shanks is just returning from Laugh Tale. Knowing the World Government is hunting them, Shanks takes Luffy to Amazon Lily (Boa Hancock's island) because it's an ideal, isolated place to hide out and regroup for a long time.
Luffy explains everything that happened in Elbaph with Imu. In response, Shanks drops the ultimate lore bomb: he tells Luffy the true reality of his Devil Fruit and the exact story that made Gol D. Roger and his crew laugh all those years ago.
But here is the catch...
Part 3: The "Half" Treasure & The Sun God Key
The story Roger laughed at was only one half of the story. No one knows about the second half of the real One Piece.
Why did Roger say he was "too early"? Because they know for sure that only the Sun God can claim the real One Piece. Roger only ever got the first half of the treasure. He wasn't the Sun God, but he wanted the real Sun God to eventually claim it—which is exactly why he started the Great Pirate Era.
The Joy Boy / Imu Dynamic: The One Piece was originally made by the real Sun God/Joy Boy. During the Void Century, Joy Boy and Imu were actually friends. Even though they were friends, both were secretly plotting against each other:
Right now, only three parties know the absolute truth: Shanks' crew, Luffy's crew, and Imu.
Part 4: The Ultimate Yonko Training Arc
Realizing they stand zero chance against Imu in their current state, the Straw Hats decide to train under the Red Hair Pirates on Amazon Lily.
This is the ultimate Yonko mentorship arc:
By training together, both the Red Hair Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates improve beyond imagination. The Straw Hats go from a 3/10 crew (carried by the Monster Trio) to a perfect 10/10 Yonko crew across the board.
Fully powered and holding the truth of the world, this marks the start of the final voyage for the One Piece and the true finale of the series.
TL;DR: Roger only found half the One Piece because the second half is locked and can only be opened by the Sun God (Joy Boy/Luffy). Imu and Joy Boy were friends who betrayed each other, and Imu needs Luffy alive to act as the "key." After a devastating loss to Imu in Elbaph, Gaban sends Luffy to Shanks. Shanks takes them to Amazon Lily for a massive Red Hair Pirates x Straw Hats training arc where the crew reaches their absolute peak before the final war
We’ve all been wondering what Shanks meant by this and why he waited so long. Here is a massive endgame theory that ties together the Sun God, the Void Century, and how the Straw Hats are going to reach the final power ceiling required to take on Imu.
Part 1: The Elbaph Defeat & The Bronze Legend
While the Straw Hats are currently in Elbaph, things are going to take a dark turn. My theory is that Luffy and the crew are going to get beaten down by Imu. They simply cannot last even 10 seconds in front of Imu right now, not even in a 1v10 scenario.
But Elbaph is where they meet Scopper Gaban. Gaban knows that Shanks holds the missing pieces of the puzzle. He tells a defeated Luffy to go and meet Shanks.
Part 2: Amazon Lily and The True History
Luffy and the crew meet up with Shanks, only to find out that Shanks is just returning from Laugh Tale. Knowing the World Government is hunting them, Shanks takes Luffy to Amazon Lily (Boa Hancock's island) because it's an ideal, isolated place to hide out and regroup for a long time.
Luffy explains everything that happened in Elbaph with Imu. In response, Shanks drops the ultimate lore bomb: he tells Luffy the true reality of his Devil Fruit and the exact story that made Gol D. Roger and his crew laugh all those years ago.
But here is the catch...
Part 3: The "Half" Treasure & The Sun God Key
The story Roger laughed at was only one half of the story. No one knows about the second half of the real One Piece.
Why did Roger say he was "too early"? Because they know for sure that only the Sun God can claim the real One Piece. Roger only ever got the first half of the treasure. He wasn't the Sun God, but he wanted the real Sun God to eventually claim it—which is exactly why he started the Great Pirate Era.
The Joy Boy / Imu Dynamic: The One Piece was originally made by the real Sun God/Joy Boy. During the Void Century, Joy Boy and Imu were actually friends. Even though they were friends, both were secretly plotting against each other:
- Joy Boy knew the One Piece was the most precious, powerful, and desirable thing on the planet. He protected the second half so that only he (or his future reincarnation, the Sun God) could open or claim it.
- Imu was simultaneously developing his own powers so that nobody could defeat him and he wouldn't die of old age.
Right now, only three parties know the absolute truth: Shanks' crew, Luffy's crew, and Imu.
Part 4: The Ultimate Yonko Training Arc
Realizing they stand zero chance against Imu in their current state, the Straw Hats decide to train under the Red Hair Pirates on Amazon Lily.
This is the ultimate Yonko mentorship arc:
- Usopp's Time to Shine: Training alongside his father, Yasopp, Usopp finally masters Advanced Observation Haki and Future Sight.
- The Crew Levels Up: Nami, Brook, Jinbe, Chopper, and Robin all improve their combat and utility massively.
- The Monster Trio Ascends:
- Sanji: Unlocks Conqueror's Haki, learns to control it, and his physical Germa strength improves by 10x.
- Zoro: Gains complete command over all Haki types. He converts all 3 of his blades into Supreme Grade Black Blades and coats them constantly in Conqueror's Haki to maximize lethality.
- Luffy: Finally understands the true extent of his Devil Fruit. He can use Gear 5 for an unlimited time without burning out, and his mastery over Conqueror's Haki finally exceeds even Shanks.
By training together, both the Red Hair Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates improve beyond imagination. The Straw Hats go from a 3/10 crew (carried by the Monster Trio) to a perfect 10/10 Yonko crew across the board.
Fully powered and holding the truth of the world, this marks the start of the final voyage for the One Piece and the true finale of the series.
TL;DR: Roger only found half the One Piece because the second half is locked and can only be opened by the Sun God (Joy Boy/Luffy). Imu and Joy Boy were friends who betrayed each other, and Imu needs Luffy alive to act as the "key." After a devastating loss to Imu in Elbaph, Gaban sends Luffy to Shanks. Shanks takes them to Amazon Lily for a massive Red Hair Pirates x Straw Hats training arc where the crew reaches their absolute peak before the final war