Shanks is a powerful pirate who was once part of the Roger Pirates. He is also the captain of the Red Hair Pirates and one of the Four Emperors in the New World. He is related to Luffy in two ways. First, Shanks was friends with Monkey D. Garp, who is Luffy's grandfather. Second, Shanks gave his straw hat to Luffy, which inspired him to become a pirate.