The Figarland Family is one of the royal bloodlines of the World Nobles. The family was first mentioned non-canonically by the Five Elders, in One Piece Film: Red. Figarland Garling, the Supreme Commander of the God’s Knights, is currently the only confirmed member of the family.
Non-canonically, it has been indicated that Shanks and (through adoption) Uta may be part of this family as well. Notably, Shanks was found on God Valley as an infant during the God Valley Incident; Garling was formerly a “champion” of God Valley.
Garling Figarland’s first ever on-screen actions are him crucifying Mjosgard and uttering the phrase “those who protect scum are worse than the scum they protect.”
This is in direct juxtaposition to Shanks, who is noted to have the weakest fleet due to him wanting to protect those who cannot protect themselves in the New World.
We have no idea if Garling is his father, grandfather, uncle, or what have you; however it is clear that regardless of their relation they embody ideals directly conflicting each other. I am certain they both are aware of the other’s existence (and their relation).
Can you imagine Garling learning of Shanks stopping the war in Marineford? Or even better, how much of Shanks’ moves (like cultivating the next generation/seeking the Nika devil fruit) have been in preparation of taking out his relative?
So far, only two natives of God Valley have been publicly revealed. One of them is Shanks, and the other is Figarland Garling. It is common knowledge that Oda does not introduce characters without a motive, and they usually have ties with others. Shanks had requested a meeting with the Five Elders and eventually got to meet them. It makes no sense that one of the most wanted pirates gets a seat with the highest authorities in the One Piece world with such ease. There has to be some reason behind this and that could possibly be Shanks’ connection with the Figarland family.
Maybe Shanks is the child of Rocks D. Xebec and Saint Garling Figarland’s daughter. What if Xebec launched an attack on God’s Valley because he wanted to save Shanks and his mother from execution because of being considered “scum” like Saint Mjosgard for helping commoners?
Xebec managed to save Shanks and sneak him inside a treasure chest then proceeded to wreck havoc on the island to cause a distraction. Roger and Garp had to step in and stop his indiscriminate slaughtering on the island. Pirates being pirates not being able to resist gold, take the chest containing Shanks and leave. These pirates turn out to be the Roger Pirates.
