Shiki in One Piece

Over 40 years ago, there was a powerful pirate group called the Rocks Pirates, and one of its members was a man named Shiki. The Rocks Pirates included future legendary pirates like Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin, aka Big Mom. After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Shiki formed his own crew called the Golden Lion Pirates.

The Battle at Edd War

Around 27 years ago, Shiki learned that Gol D. Roger, who would later become known as the Pirate King, had discovered information about an ancient and powerful weapon. Shiki saw this as an opportunity to dominate the world and approached Roger to propose an alliance.

Shiki wanted Roger to be his right-hand man, believing this way, they could conquer the world. But Roger declined, stating that being a pirate meant doing whatever he pleased. This led to a massive sea battle between their crews at a place called Edd War.

Unfortunately for Shiki, he lost the battle, and half of his fleet was destroyed. During the fight, he suffered a severe injury to his head, where a piece of a steering wheel got stuck, nearly killing him. However, despite this defeat, Shiki gained respect for Roger.

Imprisonment and Escape

Later, when Shiki learned that Roger had been captured by the Marines, he went to Marineford on his own and attacked several Marine soldiers. Shiki was furious that they had managed to capture Roger, whom he considered a formidable opponent. But Sengoku, a high-ranking Marine officer, intervened and explained that he wouldn't let Shiki fight Roger again because he knew that if Shiki won, he would escape and cause more trouble.

After losing to Sengoku and Monkey D. Garp at Marineford, Shiki was imprisoned in a place called Impel Down. However, he didn't give up on his ambitions. Shiki heard about people searching for Gol D. Roger's treasure, and he was determined to prove that pirates were the true rulers of the world.

Twenty years ago, Shiki managed to escape from Impel Down in a daring and gruesome way. He cut off his own shackled legs and replaced them with swords, using them as prosthetic limbs.

Shiki sought out Whitebeard, one of the most powerful pirates, and tried to recruit him for his plan. But Whitebeard threatened him, and Shiki decided to disappear for a while, planning to return later to show rookie pirates the real fear of pirates.

During his absence, Shiki went to an unexplored island on the Grand Line and conducted an experiment with a scientist named Dr. Indigo. The experiment involved creating a dangerous balance between the island's plants and animals. Shiki wanted to use these mutated creatures to unleash havoc on the world and declare war on everyone.

Shiki agreed to wait for twenty years for Dr. Indigo's plan to be ready. After that, he planned to carry out his grand scheme and show the world the true power and terror of pirates.

Little East Blue Arc

After 20 years, Shiki was ready to carry out his plan. One of his powerful animals, a large horned beetle, escaped from his base. He sought help from the Amigo Pirates, led by Largo and Corto, to retrieve the beetle for him. However, the Straw Hat Pirates intervened, defeating the Amigo Pirates and causing the beetle to remain free. Unfazed, Shiki, unaware of the Straw Hats' involvement, continued with his plan.

One Piece Film: Strong World

During his time in Merveille, Shiki's scientist, Dr. Indigo, developed a serum called SIQ from a local plant called IQ. This serum enhanced the animals' evolutionary process, making them stronger and better adapted to their environments. Using this serum, Shiki created an army of mutated animals to challenge the World Government. With his new allies and these powerful creatures, he launched an attack on East Blue, causing significant damage.

Shiki reappeared at Marineford, displaying his power by levitating and crushing several Marine battleships as a warning to his old enemies.

By chance, Shiki encountered the Straw Hat Pirates. Nami, sensing a storm approaching, warned Shiki's crew. Luffy called out to Shiki to alert him, and Shiki recorded the warning. Despite initial disagreement among his navigators, the storm did come, and both ships managed to escape it with Nami's guidance.

Shiki then used his Devil Fruit power, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, to make inanimate objects ignore gravity and float. He tricked the Straw Hat Pirates by offering to take them to East Blue and using his power on their ship, the Thousand Sunny. However, it was all a ruse, and he brought them to his base, Merveille, instead.

At Merveille, Shiki kidnapped Nami, wanting her as his navigator, and scattered the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates to nearby islands using his levitation powers, all while he prepared to unleash his army of mutated animals.

Shiki asked Nami to join his crew as a navigator, but she refused. He showed off an 'evolved' bird named Billy, which could generate electricity. When Nami protected Billy after Shiki tossed it aside, he left the bird with her and departed with his men.

Shiki chased Nami to the only village on the island, where she sought refuge with some of the other Straw Hat crew members. Shiki effortlessly defeated Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper, trapping them in a giant pillar of earth using his powers. He convinced Nami to join his crew, promising to spare her former friends and East Blue. Usopp, the only conscious Straw Hat member left, tried to stop her, but Shiki knocked him out.

Shiki gave Nami a Tone Dial to leave a farewell message for her friends before taking her to his base. He had his allies witness the destruction of the village by his mutated animals to demonstrate their power.

Later, Shiki learned that Nami tried to destroy the trees protecting his palace, which would have allowed his own savage animals to destroy the place. However, he seemed to have foiled her plan. Shiki had his subordinates immobilize Nami with long spears and left her to suffer from the Daft disease she contracted while attempting to blow away the trees.

Shiki gathered his pirate allies and explained his plan during a drinking ceremony. He was preparing to commence his operation and held a sakazuki ceremony to swear in his fleet.

Suddenly, the Straw Hat Pirates burst into the palace using their ship, the Thousand Sunny and confronted Shiki's forces with various firearms. Shiki called them a suicide squad and revealed hundreds of men surrounding them.

However, Luffy declared that Nami was just the vanguard, and they were the real main force. The Straw Hat Pirates unloaded their firearms, defeating many of Shiki's allies, and then split up to defeat the rest.

Luffy punched Shiki in the face, and Shiki fled the room, with Luffy giving chase. Nami and her friend Billy destroyed the Daft Green, causing animals from outside to storm the palace, adding to the chaos.

Shiki became enraged and tried to kill Nami, Usopp, and Chopper. However, Luffy reappeared in Gear 2, a powerful fighting mode, and fought Shiki with Billy's help. During the battle, Shiki surrounded Luffy with water, putting him at a disadvantage.

Shiki received a Den Den Mushi call warning about an incoming storm and was asked to redirect the island. He complied, unaware that the call was manipulated by Usopp and Chopper, and that Nami had led them straight into the storm.

Realizing the danger of the storm, Shiki's remaining pirates retreated, while the Straw Hat Pirates rigged the palace with explosives. Shiki returned to the palace and confronted them again. However, Luffy also reappeared after recovering from the water attack, ready to continue the fight.

During the intense fight, Luffy activated his Gear 3 technique, making his foot giant-sized and charging it with electricity from the clouds. Shiki underestimated the attack, thinking the lightning would harm Luffy, but Luffy's rubber body protected him from harm.

Before Shiki could realize his mistake, Luffy landed a powerful blow on him, combining the force of a giant axe with an electric shock. The attack smashed and electrified Shiki, defeating him and causing the destruction of an entire island.

As Shiki lay defeated, he wondered if he was destined to be defeated again by someone from East Blue (the ocean where Luffy's journey began). He called out Gol D. Roger's name, possibly reflecting on his past rivalry with the legendary pirate.

With Shiki's defeat, his power's control over the flying islands was lost, causing them to crash into the sea. Shiki, along with his subordinates Indigo and Scarlet, fell unconscious into the sea. The Marines spotted him and tried to capture him, but it's uncertain if they succeeded.

Shiki's personality can be described as ambitious, power-hungry, and strategic. He has an intense desire to rule the world and believes that with his capabilities and the assistance of someone like Roger, he could have achieved that goal. He highly values power and respects those who possess it, regardless of whether they are allies or enemies. Shiki is not the type of person who can tolerate a peaceful era for long, as he thrives on challenges and conflict.

He is a master planner, often devising grandiose and long-term schemes that require extensive preparation. Shiki displays remarkable patience and dedication to maintaining his plans, as seen in his willingness to wait for twenty years for the development of the SIQ formula. However, his anger and impulsive nature occasionally lead him to make reckless decisions that contradict his otherwise cunning mentality.

As a leader, Shiki is charismatic and capable, successfully forming pirate armadas on multiple occasions. He treats his direct crew with compassion and respect, considering them as his own family. Nevertheless, he does not hesitate to eliminate lesser subordinates for seemingly trivial reasons, showing a ruthless side to his leadership.

Despite his power and ambition, Shiki often appears light-hearted and comical, taking most things with a cheerful smile. He doesn't let setbacks, like losing half of his fleet to Roger or enduring personal injuries, bring him down significantly. However, he does have a fear of storms, likely due to past devastating experiences with them during battles with the Roger Pirates.

Shiki comes across as a little absent-minded and occasionally confuses one thing for another, adding a comedic element to his personality. He has a distinct laugh, "Jihahahaha," which is characteristic of many characters in the One Piece universe. Additionally, in the English version, he speaks with a Jamaican accent, adding further uniqueness to his character portrayal.

Shiki's appearance is that of a very tall elderly man with a distinct and eye-catching sense of style. He is typically dressed in traditional Japanese clothes, wearing a red and black kimono robe adorned with orange trimmings. The robe is fastened together with a dark green sash, and he also has a golden chain around his waist, adding a touch of regality to his attire. Over his shoulders, he drapes a yellow striped tattered haori coat, giving him a somewhat rugged and weathered appearance.

His most notable feature is his golden mane-like hair, which flows down all the way to the ground, creating an imposing and majestic look. On top of his head is a part of a steering wheel that got lodged into his skull during a past battle with Roger, becoming a permanent fixture. His facial features include a golden bushy tuft of hair for a beard at the bottom of his chin and a black goatee with pointed edges around his mouth.

His eyebrows are dark and pointed, adding intensity to his gaze. Due to his age, he has purple spots on the left side of his face, particularly around his right eye. Shiki's overall appearance gives him a wise and experienced aura, showcasing the weight of his years and the battles he has fought.

He is often seen smoking a cigar, which further contributes to his intimidating and seasoned demeanor. Twenty years ago, Shiki's appearance was slightly different, as his hair covered the now bald top part of his head, and his haori coat had a different pattern with big flower-like motifs.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Shiki's appearance is the fact that he uses his own swords as prosthetic legs, which he openly displays. This choice reflects his unconventional and formidable nature, highlighting his willingness to embrace his injuries and turn them into assets rather than opting for more conventional prosthetics.

Shiki is an incredibly powerful and skilled pirate with a diverse set of abilities that make him a formidable opponent. He is renowned for his swordsmanship and can dual-wield two double-edged swords, Oto and Kogarashi, with great efficiency.

Shiki has showcased his sword skills by single-handedly massacring an entire army of Marines. Despite losing his legs, he adapted by using his swords as prosthetics, which allows him to attack from a distance, sending powerful slashes in a Rankyaku-like fashion.

In addition to his martial prowess, Shiki is also a Devil Fruit user, possessing the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. This power allows him to levitate objects, including bodies of water, by slashing them open and then controlling their movements. He can use this ability to drown opponents or create tactical advantages in battle.

Shiki's tremendous strength is highlighted by his ability to stand toe-to-toe against powerful figures such as Garp and Sengoku, two of the strongest Marines at the time. Their battle, which destroyed half a city, demonstrates his remarkable durability and resilience. Even when he was defeated, Shiki sustained only a few bruises, showcasing his tenacity and endurance.

Moreover, Shiki's reputation as the first prisoner to escape from Impel Down on his own without any help showcases his intelligence and resourcefulness. He freed himself by cutting off his own legs, displaying a willingness to endure extreme measures to regain his freedom.

Shiki is also proficient with a flintlock pistol, displaying accuracy and skill when using it on various occasions. Alongside his combat abilities, he is also known for commanding a large pirate crew with at least 51 divisions, indicating his ability to lead and control a substantial military force. His crew was likely a formidable threat, given that it was considered the largest pirate fleet of its time.

During Roger's era, Shiki was considered one of the most powerful pirate figures, placing him on par with legendary figures like Whitebeard, Garp, Sengoku, and Roger himself. Additionally, his association with the Rocks Pirates, a powerful crew that included three future Emperors, further solidifies his status as a formidable and feared individual within the pirate world.

Physical Abilities

Shiki is one of the most powerful pirates of his generation, alongside Roger and Whitebeard. His physical might is incredible, with tremendous strength and supreme sword skills. At Marineford, he demonstrated his prowess by single-handedly slaying an army of Marines.

After capture, Shiki was imprisoned on Level 6 of Impel Down. Despite his injuries from the previous battle, he survived in prison, showcasing a massive level of endurance. Impressed by his feat, even Indigo acknowledged Shiki's ability to endure pain, as he had parts of a steering wheel permanently embedded deep into his head.

In an astonishing display of resilience, Shiki amputated his own legs to break free of Seastone shackles. Throughout the process, he remained completely unfazed by the pain, even casually smoking a cigar while joking around with Hannyabal. With profuse and heavy bleeding, he successfully broke out of the supposedly impenetrable security defenses of Impel Down single-handedly.

Later, Shiki resorted to crude emergency treatment, forcefully grafting his swords into the inner stumps of his amputated legs. Despite shedding even more blood, Shiki simply shrugged off the pain and continued with his plans.

Even in old age, Shiki remained extremely powerful, although his strength had waned somewhat over time. Nonetheless, he demonstrated his prowess by blocking Sanji's kicks with one hand, negating Zoro's powerful slashes with his legs, and sending him crashing to the ground with one crushing punch.

He also held his ground against Luffy in his Gear 2 mode, withstanding several attacks in turn. Notably, he withstood Chopper's powerful Kokutei Roseo Metel attack with almost no damage at all.

Intelligence

Apart from his physical abilities, Shiki displayed considerable craftiness and resourcefulness as a pirate. He managed to remain hidden from the World Government for 20 years despite his famed status, skillfully putting his plan into action.

Shiki's compound had a sophisticated communication network across his chain of floating islands, allowing him to monitor general surface activity. Additionally, he had a base of operations within Merveille to accommodate his vast armada, which he had developed on at least two occasions during his career.

Moreover, Shiki had access to advanced technology, like the SIQ formula developed by his crewmate Doctor Indigo. He maintained an entire laboratory on Merveille dedicated to further researching this powerful formula.

Devil Fruit

Shiki possesses the powers of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. This fruit grants him the ability to fly, as well as manipulate non-living matter in his surroundings after coming into contact with it.

Shiki's flight ability allows him to soar through the air, granting him exceptional mobility and maneuverability. He can quickly traverse long distances and evade attacks with ease, giving him a significant advantage in battle.

Once Shiki touches any non-living matter, he gains the ability to make it float and levitate at his command. The levitated objects remain suspended in the air until he decides to undo the effect or loses consciousness. This telekinetic manipulation extends to weapons, structures, and debris. He can control multiple flying weapons simultaneously, launch heavy objects at his opponents, and create defensive shields to protect himself.

Shiki's powers go beyond individual objects, as he has demonstrated the ability to make entire islands and even Marine vessels float. This immense power grants him control over vast areas and the potential to reshape the battlefield according to his will.

However, there are limitations to his powers. Shiki's abilities are restricted to non-living matter only, meaning he cannot directly control living beings, such as animals, plants, or people. This limitation prevents him from exerting direct control over living opponents.

Beyond basic levitation, Shiki can manipulate specific elements like minerals, snow, and bodies of water. He can shape these elements into intricate forms, using them as potent weapons against his adversaries. He can also use his abilities to bind opponents by surrounding them with a vast amount of non-living material, restricting their movements effectively.

Another deadly application of his powers is drowning his enemies. Shiki can float large amounts of water all around his opponents, creating a dangerous hazard that can potentially lead to drowning.

Interestingly, Shiki has utilized the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi to convert a small island into his personal flagship. This unique application of his abilities allows him to act as the helmsman for the crew, and any changes in the ship's trajectory depend on his commands.

Crew

Shiki's relationship with his crew is complex and multifaceted. He values his closest crewmates very much, seeing them as valuable assets and potentially even friends. This inner circle likely consists of individuals who have earned his trust through their competence and loyalty. Shiki shows respect for these crew members, valuing their opinions and skills, and may listen to their advice when making decisions.

However, his respect does not extend to the lower-ranking members of his fleet. Shiki can be harsh and unforgiving towards them, displaying an intolerance for mistakes. He has been seen resorting to physical violence, as demonstrated when he shot a crew member for failing to meet his expectations. This reveals a stark contrast between his treatment of the closest crewmates and the lower members of his crew.

Amidst the serious dynamics, there is a comedic manzai duo that lightens the atmosphere onboard. Shiki engages in humorous performances alongside Dr. Indigo, and though their gags often fail to impress the audience, Shiki takes it in stride. He allows Indigo to slap him for a comedic effect and tolerates the irritations caused by Indigo's shoes.

This comedic partnership hints at a long-standing familiarity and mutual understanding between the two, likely forged through years of working together. Apart from his closest crewmates, Shiki seems to have personal attachments to certain members.

He appears to be fond of Scarlet, the gorilla who is almost always at his side. Shiki may view Scarlet as a loyal companion, and his habit of mistaking him as a relative showcases a softer and more compassionate side.

Additionally, Shiki admires Nami, the crew's navigator, for her forecasting capabilities and beauty. He refers to her as "Baby" due to her attractive appearance. However, his admiration doesn't prevent him from displaying ruthlessness when faced with betrayal, as seen when he left Nami to face the consequences of her actions.

Enemies

Gol D. Roger

Shiki's relationship with Gol D. Roger can be described as one of respect, rivalry, and a mutual understanding of each other's ideals. In their youth, Shiki and Roger engaged in multiple skirmishes due to their differing ideologies. Shiki sought to control everything, while Roger valued freedom above all else.

Despite their clashes, Shiki eventually came to respect Roger, and in their last battle, he was willing to let go of the past and proposed forming an alliance with the Pirate King. Shiki was ready to work together with Roger to achieve his grand dream of conquest and even offered to share the known world as spoils.

However, it seems that Roger did not regard Shiki in the same way and declined his hand of friendship on several occasions. This suggests that Roger might not have considered Shiki as a significant rival, unlike his interactions with Whitebeard and Garp.

When Gol D. Roger was captured by the Marines, Shiki reacted strongly. Shiki invaded Marineford in anger, expressing his regret that he did not get the chance to personally defeat Roger. This reaction showcases the intense rivalry and admiration Shiki had for the Pirate King.

During his time in Impel Down, Shiki's thoughts were filled with sadness as he learned about the new generation of rookies who were eager to venture into the dangerous and mysterious Grand Line. This sorrow stemmed from the realization that legendary veterans like Gol D. Roger were dying, possibly indicating the end of an era. It also highlights the impact Roger's death had on the pirate world, leaving a void that aspiring pirates aimed to fill.

World Government

Shiki is a staunch opposer of the World Government’s authority and the Marines. He believed the Marines were too weak to capture someone as formidable as Gol D. Roger, which reflects his disdain for their capabilities.

His defeat at the hands of Sengoku and Garp during Roger's capture likely fueled his hatred toward these two prominent Marine figures. Shiki's attack on Marineford and his escape from Impel Down, which deeply affected the prison's pride and vice warden Magellan, further demonstrate his animosity towards the World Government and the Marines.

Straw Hat Pirates

Shiki's relationship with the Straw Hat Pirates can be described as one of antagonism and conflict. When Shiki encountered the Straw Hat Pirates, he saw an opportunity to further his plans for world domination and sought to recruit Nami into his crew by holding her friends hostage. This act showcases Shiki's ruthless and manipulative nature.

However, the Straw Hat Pirates were not willing to let their crewmate be taken, and they launched a full-scale attack on Shiki and his allies to rescue Nami and put a stop to his plans. They showed their determination to protect their friends and their refusal to back down in the face of a powerful adversary like Shiki.

During the ensuing battle, the Straw Hat Pirates demonstrated their strength and teamwork, with members like Monkey D. Luffy using his lightning-enhanced attack to defeat Shiki and bring down his floating island fortress, Merveille. The Straw Hat Pirates proved to be formidable opponents and were successful in thwarting Shiki's ambitions.

Other

Edward Newgate

Shiki's relationship with Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, appears to be one of mutual respect and acknowledgment of each other's strength. While they were not allies, they shared history together as part of the Rocks Pirates before they went their separate ways.

Shiki regarded Whitebeard as a strong man, capable of rivaling Gol D. Roger in dominion over the seas. They shared some camaraderie when they were drinking together on Moby Dick and reminiscing about old times. Whitebeard seemed to be aware of Shiki's strategic planning abilities, suggesting some level of familiarity between them.

In addition to the manga and its anime adaptation, Shiki also appeared in video games.

He is a playable character in the following games:

• One Piece: Gigant Battle! 2 New World

• One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X

• One Piece Treasure Cruise

• One Piece Thousand Storm

• One Piece Bounty Rush

He also makes supporting appearances in One Piece: Gigant Battle.

• Shiki from the One Piece movie and the mentioned character in the manga are confirmed to be the same person by Oda.

• Originally, Oda planned to introduce Shiki during a meeting between Shanks and Whitebeard in the manga but held back to avoid overwhelming readers with information.

• Shiki's overall design resembles that of a typical shogun, giving him a regal and imposing appearance.

• An early trailer for the movie "Strong World" showed Shiki in different attire, wearing a white suit with red marks on the sleeves and carrying a red sword.

• Shiki may be themed on the color gold, similar to his named crewmates.

• Shiki's control over numerous animals aligns with the symbolism of lions being referred to as the "King of Beasts."

• Shiki and Kaido of the Four Emperors were once crewmates on the same ship.

• In a movie trailer for "One Piece: Stampede," Shiki's wanted poster was shown with a bounty of around Beli 60,000,000, but this was corrected in the movie to display Capone Bege's bounty instead.

• During a flashback, Kurozumi Higurashi briefly transformed into a person resembling Shiki, suggesting a potential connection or history between them.

• Shiki and Uta are the only movie characters that have been officially integrated into the main series canon.