One Piece chapter 1158 raises more questions about Shanks' name

Eiichiro Oda has once again left the fandom in shock with the release of One Piece chapter 1158. The chapter not only continues the God Valley flashback but also provides one of the most shocking revelations in recent memory: Shanks and his newly introduced twin, Shamrock, were born in God Valley 39 years ago.

For decades, Shanks has stood as one of the most mysterious figures in One Piece. His rise to Yonko status, his unexplained ties to the World Government, even his presence at the Reverie have all been long-standing points of speculation. Now, with Oda confirming Shanks’ birth in God Valley and introducing his red-haired mother, the puzzle becomes more complex.

This is the first time we see Shanks’ mother, and while her name is not yet revealed, the emphasis on her intelligence seems deliberate. Oda rarely highlights a trait if it isn't significant later, which raises questions: Was she a scholar, perhaps linked to the Void Century? Did she possess knowledge of ancient technology? Could she even be connected to the “D” clan, passing down a hidden will to her children?

Then, of course, the looming shadow of Figarland Garling enters the equation. With his presence on God Valley 40–41 years ago, his ruthless Celestial Dragon background, and his confirmed position as one of the Holy Knights, it is almost impossible not to wonder if he is the father of Shanks and Shamrock.

The mystery of the Figarland lineage in One Piece

Oda has already teased the Figarland family back in One Piece: Film Red, when the Gorosei noted that Shanks’ ties to the family made him a “special case.” At the time, many fans brushed it off as non-canon filler, but chapter 1158 seems to be pulling the Figarland name directly into the manga’s central lore.

If Garling truly fathered Shanks, then Shanks is half-Celestial Dragon. That alone would explain his unique political immunity, such as his ability to walk into Marijoa and speak directly with the Gorosei during the Reverie. However, the chapter leaves this ambiguous, forcing fans to speculate.

There are two dominant possibilities:

1. Garling as a Ruthless Manipulator: In this scenario, Garling approached Shanks’ mother not out of love, but to extract knowledge. The “something else” he reported finding on God Valley could very well have been her - an intelligent woman who knew too much perhaps, about ancient technology or Uranus itself. If Garling exploited her, then Shanks’ very existence is the byproduct of Celestial Dragon cruelty, tying his lineage directly to one of the darkest aspects of the World Government.
2. Garling as a Reluctant Lover: A softer possibility is that Garling actually did fall for the red-haired woman. He may have cared for her, but still prioritized ambition and loyalty to Imu. This creates a tragic angle where Garling tried to protect her and the twins but ultimately failed, leading to her death during the chaos of the God Valley Incident. If true, this adds layers to Garling’s character. He is not just ruthless but conflicted, with personal losses that might explain his current harsh demeanor.

Either way, Shanks’ mother in One Piece is the key. If she truly was a brilliant woman, then what she knew may have set off a chain of events that spiraled into the infamous God Valley Incident.

The name “Shanks” and why it matters

The reveal of Shanks’ twin brother, Shamrock, in One Piece, is almost as shocking as his mother’s introduction. However, the biggest question remains: Why “Shanks”? The name itself carries connotations of cutting, slashing, or even being shackled.

In English, “shank” can refer to both a weapon and a body part, while “shamrock” is a symbol of luck, fate, and destiny in Irish culture. The naming of these twins feels far from random. Oda may be implying a duality: one child symbolizing fate (Shamrock) and the other symbolizing willpower or struggle (Shanks).

It also raises a deeper question: Was “Shanks” truly the name given by his mother, or was it altered later by Roger or even the World Government? If Shanks’ real name ties back to the Figarland lineage, the use of a different name might have been a way to conceal his identity and protect him from political danger.

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This mirrors other cases in One Piece where names carry hidden weight, such as Trafalgar D. Water Law hiding his middle initial or Rocks D. Xebec’s name being erased from history. Could “Shanks” itself be a mask hiding a more dangerous name?

One thing is certain: Chapter 1158 has not just deepened Shanks’ mystery, it has ensured the resolution of his backstory will be one of the most pivotal revelations in all of One Piece.

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