The reveal of this fight in One Piece would be truly epic, and its Norse mythology parallel hints at it

The world of One Piece thrives on mystery, myth, and grand confrontations between figures that shape its course. Among the most enigmatic of these is a battle mentioned only in passing, a legendary clash between the “Fated Red-Haired” Shanks and the “Accursed Prince” Loki. The consequences of their duel reverberate throughout the series, despite the lack of specifics.

The aftermath of their battle continues to have an impact on the whole series, even if the particulars are not given. The skirmish becomes even more important when looked at through Norse mythological thinking. It was more than just a contest— it was a duel that mirrored the narratives of disloyalty, bloodline, and heavenly equity.

Disclaimer: This article is a speculative theory and reflects the writer's opinion.

---

Griffin vs. Serpent: A clash of wills in One Piece

If Shanks is the Griffin— majestic, vigilant, balanced, then Loki is the Serpent— elusive, chaotic, vengeful. Their conflict is a conflict of worldviews, but also personalities. Shanks, having inherited Roger’s will, understands the sacrifices made for the future.

In contrast, Loki, rumored to be the prince of Elbaph and possibly the son of the slain giant Harald, is driven by fury. If he did indeed slay Harald, it paints him as a traitorous figure, one whose rage at the world’s injustice turned inward. Perhaps Shanks confronted Loki not merely to prevent bloodshed but to challenge his distorted view of revenge and fate.

---

Raijin Island: The battlefield of gods

The potential location of their battle— Raijin Island, eternally struck by lightning— adds symbolic weight. Just as Norse gods waged war amid thunder and chaos, so too could Shanks and Loki have torn through the heavens. A battle of Conqueror’s Haki on such a volatile stage would scar the landscape, possibly leaving Raijin Island forever changed.

Their conversation before the battle— with Shanks challenging Loki’s choices and Loki mocking Roger’s legacy— may have mirrored the emotional confrontation between Whitebeard and Ace, or even Roger and Whitebeard.

---

Norse Parallels: Tyr, Fenrir, and the Rope of Fate

The Norse myth parallels run deep. The Norse god Tyr, who gave up his hand to imprison the wolf Fenrir, is reflected in Shanks. If Loki in One Piece is a metaphorical wolf, wild, perilous, and motivated by hatred, then Shanks, like Tyr, might have symbolically and decisively tied him.

This theory grows more compelling when one considers the existence of a real knot called a “dog shank,” a potential nod from Oda toward Shanks’ mastery over Loki. Haki, in this context, becomes not only a force of power but a spiritual rope— one that binds will and fate itself.

---

Shared Lineage: Red hair, giants, and divine archetypes

Shanks as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Both characters also share a Norse connection through their hair. In myth, both Thor and Loki were red-haired. In One Piece, Shanks embodies leadership and restraint, the disciplined warrior.

Loki, while yet unseen fighting in the story, could embody a chaotic blend of Thor’s hammer and the mythic Loki’s mischief. This duality suggests that Loki may be more than a simple antagonist— he could be a reflection of what Shanks might have become, had he chosen vengeance over vision.

---

Final thoughts

Loki as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

The battle between Shanks and Loki, still unseen, may one day be revealed in full by Oda. If so, it could stand among the most mythic and emotionally charged duels in One Piece's history.

Beyond just fighting, it hints at Elbaph's secrets, Shanks' past, and the ideological struggle between fury and understanding. A story of giants, gods, and the red thread of fate that unites them is what its mystery holds till then, like thunder on the horizon.

---