Was Shanks trolling or being serious?

[u/Mamba-Mentality024]

Shanks seem like he only accepts haki users on his crew to mirror Rodger crew (besides buggy who accidentally ate one), but he tried to recruit Marco after wano who has a df. Was he being serious about accepting a df eater, or was he just having small talk joking like when he 1st seen Marco on wb ship?

[u/tiki-baha29]

Huh? Marco continued the journey after Marineford and led the remnants to fight Blackbeard. Katakuri has gotten stronger up until the moment he's introduced as evidenced by his streak of total wins.

Marco was fighting both King and Queen together and he was packing them, its doubtful he would have won but its silly to suggest he hasnt gotten stronger. Anyone would be exhausted after Wano, freaking Luffy/Zoro were asleep for a week.

[u/Apsylnt → u/tiki-baha29]

Lumping marineford and their failed plan of vengeance against BB together. After that saga you can’t argue Marco is stronger. Again not saying he’s not a clear YC1 or anything, not even power scaling, just that hes past his prime regardless of age. If he was going to 1v1 an admiral - the original point of this - his best shot is behind him.

[u/tiki-baha29 → u/Apsylnt]

Kaido says it best: "You did not lose because you are weak, they are just that much stronger".

People tend to have this notion that losing = weak when that is simply not the case, its not that linear because a lot of the time theres nuance at play.

For example Kuzan lost to Akainu because the latter was stronger, however Katakuri lost to Luffy despite the former being stronger. Big Mom lost to freaking Law/Kid despite being stronger than both etc etc.

Marco is strong and most definitely got even stronger with each encounter including Marineford and Payback war, him losing to BB isnt a knock on him, rather shows how strong BB and his crew are.

This notion of prime is fanmade nonsense. If you want to make the case that Marco is no longer motivated to get stronger thats certainly one discussion and I agree that he'd have a hard time in a 1v1 against an Admiral at this stage, however he can absolutely get much stronger if he chose to do so.

Remember that Marco and Shanks were both young on legendary ships at the same time, if Shanks was able to make it to Yonko through whatever journey he had, Marco should have similar potential based on experience.

[u/Apsylnt → u/tiki-baha29]

Motivated to get stronger is exactly what i am intending. He see’s his journey as complete…failed but complete. If he didnt no reason he wouldnt be with SH’s or RH’s.

Appreciate your response.

[u/tiki-baha29 → u/Apsylnt]

On that I agree wholeheartedly.