@Greg or anyone else who was here when it happened, has he ever talked about Shanks' suspicious actions at the Reverie? I've been dying to talk more about this but its been really fueling my suspicions that he's not "as good" as we think.
I've always thought this series should start and end with Shanks (i.e. Being the final battle/antagonist/etc). I don't think he's EVIL/VILLAIN but I do think there are goals there that don't align with Luffy's. This also sort of possibly aligns with Zoro vs. Mihawk. Its "supposed" to be Zoro's final battle and Mihawk has now lost his Shichibukai title. Either he will be consistently chased by Marines, or he may partner with Shanks at least, as a means to fight Zoro when Luffy reaches the top.
Idk, I'm sure people have very different opinions on this. Blackbeard/Akainu just personally don't "Feel" like Final Antagonists to me, especially because Oda has known his ending since the beginning and Shanks is the only character that existed at that time. For the record, I've had weird thoughts about Shanks for a while, but this scene in 907 solidified that for me. Why would Shanks discuss matters with genocidal Gorosei about a "certain Pirate"? Not only did Oda avoid having Shanks mention Blackbeard (clearly he has disdain for him), but he made it ambiguous on purpose. My guess is its Luffy.
Shanks didn't go to the Gorosei until after he read the news about Luffy. There was no other major event at the time.
Edit: Just to kind of get a little list going….
! - Shanks reacts very competitively or in a very dark way (maybe the wrong word idk) when Luffy is mentioned
! - Luffy has proclaimed, twice, that he wants to beat Shanks, as long as he isn't first (which is true currently)
! - Shanks has existed since Chapter 1, since Oda has planned his ending already. Bleackbeard wasn't a factor until the 150's or so. Im not sure of there have been hints to Oda creating this character early on, maybe someone can clarify
! - Returning the hat is almost as a significant/iconic moment as finding One Piece I'd say, but maybe others disagree.
! - Asked Roger an unknown question before he left. Started crying. Why is Oda hiding this?
! - Was born the exact year as the God Valley incident. Roger has hinted that its "been a while since he had held a baby", perhaps he got Shanks from there?
! - Shanks being able to stop entire wars and achieving respect from Sengoku. "Because its you"
! - Biggest Red Flag is Shanks discussing matters with the Gorosei and them almost "hinting" at Shanks having a role that doesn't involve matters with the Gorosei. Not directly specifying Blackbeard as the problem pirate, meaning Oda may have a twist coming.
! - Zoro vs. Mihawk being pretty defined, and Mihawk only really associating with Shanks, otherwise Mihawk doesn't really have a "place" in the story unless Oda involves him in something else.
I do like the whole Red=Control and Black=Chaos for Red Haired Shanks and Blackbeard. Perhaps Shanks WANTS peace, but wants it through control, which can explain his WG ties?
My pet theory is that Shanks believes he can make Luffy see his ways once he becomes PK. Shanks never learned of the One Piece or the Void Century (assumedly), so he never truly understood Roger's outlook either. I think Shanks comparing the "words" that both Luffy and Roger have said, to be confidence that they would agree with his own thoughts, which he hasn't explained. And I think Luffy will reject those thoughts, but understand why Shanks wants to achieve it that way.
Tbh, I feel like this is way more emotional in terms of dealing with an ending than Luffy vs. Blackbeard, which just feels like an epic moment imo before becoming Pirate King. The thought is that there will be some pretty strong feelings of personal betrayal from Luffy, a man who he thought was his idol.
This might also explain why Oda started to introduce Rocks/God Valley (outside of Kaido and Big Mom's personal relationship). It seems to fuel ideas of Blackbeard and Shanks having "something" to do with Rocks, considering BB almost FEELS like a Rocks incarnate with his ideals (though we don't know enough), and we also have possible hints to Shanks being from God Valley due to his age and Roger possibly having him since he was a baby (possibly even Buggy too, they are the same age). I personally don't think the Rocks/God Valley plot dies with Wano/Kaido. I think its going to serve as big fuel for other motivations once we know more about the incident.