I don't think he's a CD. I think he's something else. I don't t know what exactly. He clearly holds great sway in the OP world.

He was also a wearer of the straw hat before Luffy. We've seen the big sh in the vault so he has some connection to it. The sh seeming to me to be a symbol of something, don't know what yet.

Shanks seems to a degree to be a peacekeeper in the world. So his role may be one passed down to try and keep the world balanced. Kinda like a watcher from the mcu or to get really "nerdy" the living tribunal. He may know more about the past than we think.

He doesn't seem to have a "side" he doesn't war against the WG or other pirates unless necessary. Outside of Buggy and Luffy he doesn't seem to favor any one side over the other. Even with Luffy he allowed Kizaru to keep attacking laws sub. I know this is a long rant but last thing.

We saw a panel of him reading about Luffy exploits and he said its almost time or something to that effect. So like Oden and WB and even Kaido, he may know whats coming in the future and be waiting for the time to play his role.

For some reasons,

-he wants stability in the world for the time being.

-he chose Luffy since he was a kid.

-he's extra cautious of Blackbeard.

-all factions show willingness to give him reputation, sees him highly, or tends to his demands (face).

-Roger seemed to favor him (puts both his hats on kid Shanks' head in one scene). (Actually, this should fall under the previous one)

-he, along with his whole crew, was all mad gloomy in one scene, then when he heard about Luffy they suddenly get high.

-he surpasses everyone and rises up all the way to be recognized as an emperor.

There are bound to be much more, these are just off the top of my head. We really need to know more about him. But seeing that understanding him would probably mean understanding everything from One Piece to the void century, it's probably not anytime soon. Seems he has that secret and powerful bargaining chip that holds the balance of this world (from gorosei to fleet admirals to Kaido).

Also it's amazing that despite such few episodes he appeared in, plus the little that we know of him, he still ranks consistently in the top 15th.

Also, those who opposed him (his intention to keep stability and be aware of BB) directly or bluntly all ended up in some form of tragedy so far. Vice versa.

Rocks D. Snitch! Lets fucking goooo!

I still don't think he is a former celestial dragon.

@Stone Pirates so what do you really think?

@ASimon24 I see what you mean. Although that would be some type of big reveal if he is something else & holds the exact same power as the Gorosei! I just feel like he’s at that level not in terms of fighting combat but just in his influence. Good point on the Straw Hat I forgot about that, but then again idk Shanks is just so sus I’m not even sure if he’s on the good or bad side anymore 😂 also yeah, he seems to be a peace maker for sure but then we get that big reveal of him actually attacking a WG Ship & stealing the Gomu Gomu no mi fruit. So it’s like man what is the deal with this dude ? For now I will still think he must be a former CD like Doffy due to his influence but yeah that’s good shit.

@SkywalkerTC All facts, this man is just overall such a mystery & to the point where I’m sure most fans at some point just have to doubt him. His true motives are unpredictable! You think he could be evil or no ? By the way in terms of what he knows, I’m doubtful for that too on if he knows the true history & stuff since he didn’t travel to the last island. Maybe the crew did end up telling him ? Idk we’ll have to see but I’m my opinion that pirate he wanted to talk about is not Teach, it’s got to be someone else…

I dont think hes good or bad. I think he does whatever he thinks is best regardless of the sides.

Also I think him stealing the df was an early story plot hole since it didn't end when Oda originally intended. So now its just kinda out there but I dont think it matters. The first we heard of it since was about Who's Who

Hmm your point of Shanks stealing the DF is interesting. The thing is though, that chapter (which I think was 1018) is super interesting when you read all of it. The Sun God Nika ? Looking like a rubber person ? The Gomu Gomu fruit ? Joy Boy ? I mean idk bro that just can’t be a coincidence. That chapter right there might be the most important chapter information wise in terms of the future of the story & what not. It may seem like a plot point but idk, I think Oda fit that in there pretty well & the thing is here is why would Shanks steal it in the first place when he’s not one to start a fight as we’ve seen ? Again Shanks at the center of all this, again 😂😂

Originally he said they were going to sell it for money so that would kill the importance of it.

But again I think all that changed when the story continued. Also Luffy at the end of skypea at the party looked suspiciously like the sun God Nika. I think that is quite the foreshadow and makes sense with Luffy's dream being that of throwing the biggest or greatest party.

Damn Shanks really said that ? I’m going to have to look back on that for sure. Yeah bro that shit is just incredible how he foreshadows like that 😭 that chapter is one of the best ones of the story for sure so many theories coming out of there.