One Piece Chapter 1134: "Shanks" finally reappears as Vegapunk Stella's return is teased

One Piece Chapter 1134 was expected to continue its focus on Nico Robin and Jaguar D. Saul’s reunion, the latter showing the former the library as he apparently wanted. Officially released earlier this weekend, the latest installment of author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s manga series saw just that occur and more.

Not only did Robin and Saul’s reunion continue, but it did so by splitting off from the other Straw Hats, allowing additional expansion on Elbaph’s history and current sociopolitical climate. However, One Piece Chapter 1134 also seemingly introduced multiple antagonists, one of whom is apparently “Shanks” himself.

One Piece Chapter 1134’s “Shanks” reappearance likely isn’t what fans expect it to be

One Piece Chapter 1134: Robin and Saul’s reunion, complete

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One Piece Chapter 1134, titled “The Owl Library,” begins with a color spread in place of a cover story. In the spread, the Straw Hats can be seen riding a giant fully metal version of Franky with metal wings, shooting water guns from atop his back. The spread is being done as a tribute to Kazuki Yao, who is Franky’s voice actor in Toei Animation’s television anime adaptation. He recently retired from the role, with his successor set to be announced at Jump Festa 2025.

Starting its story content, the issue begins with Luffy introducing himself to and thanking Jaguar D. Saul for his role in Robin’s life. However, he does so in an esoteric yakuza-style way, mimicking Jinbe’s introduction during the Wano Arc when he officially joined the crew. Saul laughs at this before saying he knows who Luffy is after Robin introduces him, adding that she found the friends he told her she would after all.

One Piece Chapter 1134 sees the other Straw Hats resultantly begin crying again, with Luffy, Zoro, and Jinbe also being the lone exceptions again. Saul once again praises Robin and her allies for getting this far, introducing the Giant who first ran up to them as Ange, his assistant. Saul then compliments Luffy on how impressive being recognized as a Yonko is, thanking him for protecting Robin and asking him to continue doing so.

Jaguar D. Saul is confirmed a full-fledged member of Elbaph society in One Piece Chapter 1134 (Image via Toei Animation)

Vegapunk Lilith then flies up to Saul’s face and explains that she's Dr. Vegapunk. Jinbe and Gerd then unload a box from Egghead Island, which Lilith claims houses another Vegapunk clone. However, she reveals this one is a perfect clone of Stella rather than a Satellite, effectively meaning it's a perfect copy which can be used to revive Stella. She explains that Stella used it to visit Elbaph 20 years ago since he couldn’t leave his lab for several months.

One Piece Chapter 1134 sees Lilith explain that she’s done the prep work for reviving the clone, but needs to build a new lab to actually do so. Jewelry Bonney asks her if this means Lilith can help her father Bartholomew Kuma return to his old self as well, which she says is the plan. Saul says he’s glad to see his old friend again despite the confusion of their reunion, when some kids suddenly call out asking if they can play again.

Ange’s title card then formally introduces her as a librarian as she explains they used this beach where kids normally play to rehearse Saul’s bit. She adds that she and Saul run Elbaph’s top school and library, offering to give them a tour. She introduces them to the Walrus Academy, which Saul opened 20 years prior at King Harald’s request. Saul then tells Gerd and Ange to show the others the school while he takes Robin right to the library.

One Piece Chapter 1134: Elbaph Arc’s antagonists arrive…?

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One Piece Chapter 1134 sees Chopper decide to go with Robin and Saul instead, while Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro have already run off to play with the Giant children. The Giant girls then berate the boys for treating Luffy and co as they did, causing Usopp and Zoro to get confused over how future warriors can act like this. The kids then say they won’t be fighters, as they continue behaving in a way which further supports the claim.

Zoro, Usopp, and Luffy then realize they’ve walked on top of a Giant woman, introduced as Ripley, the Walrus Academy’s biology teacher. Ripley then explains that their idea of Giants comes from 100 years prior, calling it a bygone era. She explains that King Harald wanted them to turn away from being a nation of war, which caused strife with the village elders. Ange then speaks on Prince Loki, regurgitating information fans already know.

Ripley then tells the kids to show everyone around the school, but keeps Luffy with her while asking him about his “white” form. Luffy says it’s him at his freest while she explains he resembles a legendary warrior from Elbaph’s old tales in that form. One Piece Chapter 1134 then shifts focus to Saul, Robin, Chopper, Lilith, and Bonney, with Saul warning Robin to watch out for the book she’s holding as they enter the Owl Library.

One Piece Chapter 1134 sees "Shanks" return to Elbaph in an unconventional way (Image via Toei Animation)

As she enters, the book becomes a size fitting for a Giant, which Saul explains is an effect of the Owl Library. As they enter, large bookcases are seen intertwined with the Yggdrasil tree’s branches, on one of which lies a sleeping owl. He explains that all of the books rescued from Ohara are here, leading Robin to remember Professor Clover calling Ohara’s library the world’s greatest. She tears up as Saul celebrates having the privilege to show her this library.

One Piece Chapter 1134 then shifts focus to the Underworld, where Loki is speaking to someone on a Transponder Snail. He asks them if the moment of fear they mentioned is what motivates them, which they confirm while adding they can’t stop trembling while thinking of it. Loki says they’ve been friends for a long time but never met face to face, calling the person Mosa as he calls them too naive and says that enemies need to be killed mercilessly.

Mosa says Loki speaks foully, but has a kindness to him, upsetting him as focus shifts back to the Dorry and Brogy’s village in the Sun World. As the party is starting, black lightning strikes the village’s castle, with two hooded cloaks appearing within on top of a magic circle like the Gorosei’s. The issue ends by revealing one of them as a woman with a bandaged face, and the other as Shanks, or rather, the “Shanks” who met with the Gorosei during the Reverie Arc.

One Piece Chapter 1134: In summation

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One Piece Chapter 1134 is an incredibly exciting issue, teasing multiple expansionary fronts on lore and worldbuilding while also enthrallingly pushing the narrative forward. As Elbaph’s culture and history is discussed, new apparent antagonists are introduced via both Loki’s friend Mosa, and the hooded figures’ appearance in the village’s castle.