For 28 years, the seafaring epic One Piece has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Now, with over 1,169 chapters, the story has entered its final saga, unraveling long-held mysteries—from the identity of the 10th crew member to the deep history of Shanks. We’ve learned about his noble origins, the existence of a lookalike twin, and how he first boarded Roger’s ship as an infant. However, Chapter 1169 finally tackles the ultimate question that has puzzled fans for decades: What is the real reason Shanks lost his left arm? Why did such a powerful figure lose it so easily? Let’s dive into the hidden truth behind this sacrifice together.
As we know, Shanks lost his arm in the very first chapter of the One Piece manga, 28 years ago. Since that day, fans have been fueling endless debates: Does Shanks have Haki? Does he possess a Devil Fruit power? If he truly had Haki, how could a mere Sea King bite off his arm? Countless theories emerged to explain this event, which took place 12 years before the main story began. Shanks' sacrifice to save a young boy from a sea monster seemed like a monumental heroic act, yet the question remained: 'Why did Shanks have to lose his arm?' If you search for this today, you'll find a mountain of theories from fans both in Thailand and abroad. For decades, it was a mystery we couldn't quite solve—until now. 28 years later, One Piece Chapter 1169 has finally revealed the truth
Based on the latest spoilers from One Piece Chapter 1168, we delve into a flashback of King Harald, who is being controlled by Imu. It is revealed that Harald holds a rank within the God’s Knights even higher than that of Shanks.
For context, back in Chapter 1197, Shanks was seen returning to his brother’s side as a God’s Knight before mysteriously vanishing. Later, in Chapter 1169, Shanks shows Gaban a "Covenant of the Shallow Waters" tattoo on his left arm and explains:
"Harald and I forged a 'Covenant of the Shallow Waters' with entities known as the Great Gods within the Holy Land. Even with only this shallow covenant, as long as I am within their sphere of influence, it is absolutely impossible to defy their commands...!!"
This revelation appears to be a pivotal turning point for the series' overarching plot
In One Piece Chapter 1168, it is revealed that King Harald was promoted to an "Immortal Knight," granting him the "Covenant of the Deep Waters" tattoo. Unlike Shanks—whose control is limited by proximity—those marked with this tattoo cannot defy Imu’s commands regardless of where they are in the world.
Shanks further explains the nature of this power:
"By forging this new covenant, the God’s Knights gain superhuman strength and immortal bodies. They even acquire the ability to create 'Abyssal Rifts' for long-distance travel. In exchange, the voice of the Great God follows them to the ends of the earth. No matter where they are, they can never disobey an order again."
Knowing this grim reality, it is implied that Shanks had been searching for a way to sever his own arm to escape the bond. When the opportunity finally arose, he allowed the Lord of the Coast to take his arm, just as we witnessed in the very first chapter
If you’re wondering why Shanks didn't just cut off his own arm instead of letting a Sea King bite it off, the answer likely lies in the nature of the covenant itself. The tattoo's binding contract likely prevented Shanks from self-harm or directly severing his own limb.
By seizing that specific moment to let his arm be taken, Shanks effectively "cut the spark before the fire could spread," ensuring that if he ever faced Imu in the future, he could not be manipulated or controlled. It appears Shanks kept this a closely guarded secret, with Gaban being the only one who knew the truth behind the tattoo. This revelation provides a shocking explanation for one of the series' oldest mysteries, leaving many fans stunned
For those interested in reading One Piece legally with the official translation, you can check it out on MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA
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