When it came to September of Sea Circle Calendar 1510, Kahn, who had obtained the Logia Flame-Flame Fruit in July, took Kuina to the first half of the Grand Line, just like he had previously done with Scarlett, Viola, Mansherry, and the two sisters, Monet and Sugar.
However, this time, Kahn didn't simply repeat his own previous adventures. Instead, he took Monet and Kuina to visit some islands that had appeared in the original story, but he had never been to himself.
For example, they visited the Boin Archipelago, where Usopp originally trained for two years.
The Boin Archipelago is one of the archipelagos in the Grand Line, similar to the Sabaody Archipelago, which is formed by the world's largest mangrove tree. The Boin Archipelago is a unique archipelago.
This archipelago is actually made up of several carnivorous plants known as "Stomach Baron."
These carnivorous plants are as large as islands, and when viewed from above, they resemble flower petals.
Upon closer inspection, these petals are covered with all kinds of delicacies, and even the spring water is either a drink or wine. After consuming everything, the food grows back quickly.
The entire island is made up of petals of food, exuding a tempting aroma that attracts sea beasts and Sea Kings from the surrounding waters.
However, despite being a gourmet paradise, it is a forbidden place in the Grand Line where no one dares to enter.
The reason is that the island itself is a predator.
It consumes prey by closing its petals, trapping anything on them.
No one knows when these carnivorous plants will decide to eat.
If someone happens to be on the island when it decides to close up, they would need to escape to another island at incredible speed, or else they would face almost certain death.
This was the first time Kuina had seen such an island, and her worldview was once again expanded.
To help Kuina broaden her horizons, Kahn patiently took her to the island for a while. Then, they headed back along the route towards Alabasta, allowing Kuina to see the massive island that resembles a continent.
Afterwards, they visited Sky Island, located 10,000 meters above sea level, Rainbow Island, Water 7, and more.
Just after the three of them arrived in Water 7, a piece of news from the World Economic Journal suddenly caused a worldwide sensation.
This news was the third major event of the year, following the death of the hero Fisher Tiger, the reshuffling of the Marines, and other key events of Sea Circle Calendar 1510.
The headline of the news read, "Who the hell made this man lose an arm in East Blue?"
The cover was a candid photo.
The subject of the photo was the man causing the global uproar.
He was the former apprentice of the "Roger Pirates." Ever since the execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, he had disappeared like the other crew members. However, a few years ago, he entered the New World and quickly became a major pirate with a bounty surpassing ten figures—"Red-Haired" Shanks.
Yes, Shanks and his "Red-Haired Pirates" had actually entered the New World.
Not only that, but this crew also displayed remarkable strength, quickly becoming a first-class power in the New World.
Although among these top-tier forces, they were still not on the same level as the dominant "Cross Family," they were certainly a rising force.
"Red-Haired" Shanks was even evaluated by Morgans as one of the "Red and Black Twin Stars," second only to the "Strongest Twin Star."
Yes, one of the "Red and Black Twin Stars."
The other star, as famous as "Red-Haired" Shanks, was "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk, who had not yet become the world's greatest swordsman.
Even with the "Cross Family" settling down, the New World had not descended into chaos despite the absence of Kahn and Hancock.
On the contrary, the New World remained as thrilling and lively as ever.
Under the reign of the reigning emperors and pretenders, new stars from all over the world continued to flood into the first half of the Grand Line. Unable to find the path to the final island, they began vying for supremacy.
Some of these new stars were as fleeting as fireflies.
These were the big pirates from the first half of the Grand Line or the Four Seas. However, once they reached the New World, they were quickly overwhelmed by established pirates or driven out, meeting their end or becoming subordinates of stronger pirate crews.
However, some new stars shone as brightly as the full moon.
These were individuals like Ace from the original story—those who, relying on their exceptional talent or strength, entered the New World, quickly established themselves, and became the most dazzling newcomers.
Among these new stars, a pair stood out even more than Ace from the original story.
They were almost akin to Kahn and Hancock.
Not only did they quickly establish themselves in the New World, but they also rapidly transcended the super rookie stage, becoming world-renowned pirates.
These two were "Red-Haired" Shanks and "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk, whom Morgans dubbed the "Red and Black Twin Stars," just behind the "Strongest Twin Stars."
These two young men had already become top swordsmen.
After entering the New World, they encountered each other on an island, leading to a duel of swordsmen so intense that even the three emperors and Kahn himself took notice.
This battle, in the original story, led to "Red-Haired" Shanks becoming the youngest Emperor of the Sea, while "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk earned the title of the world's greatest swordsman. Whitebeard himself remarked that the battle was unforgettable.
Following this clash, the bounties of the "Red and Black Twin Stars" quickly soared past ten figures.
Although they hadn't yet reached the 1.5 billion level of Kahn and Hancock, the "Red and Black Twin Stars" had undeniably earned global recognition.
Just when everyone expected these two newly crowned superstars to challenge the three emperors or even Cross Kahn, Shanks and Mihawk shocked the world with their actions.
Instead of pursuing the highest peaks of the world, Shanks, along with the "Red-Haired Pirates," abruptly left the New World to explore other seas.
Meanwhile, Mihawk, who was known as the "Marine Hunter" due to his deep-seated hatred for the Marines, accepted an invitation from the World Government and became one of the "Seven Warlords of the Sea," aligning himself with the Marines.
Their withdrawal left them still distant from the "Strongest Twin Stars," Kahn and Boa Hancock.
Especially after the "Cross Family" had solidified their influence in the entertainment industry following a second period of stabilization, the gap between the "Twin Stars" and the "Strongest Twin Stars" grew even wider.
Even so, Shanks and Mihawk remained two of the most prominent pirates in the New World.
But now, the shocking news of a great pirate like Shanks losing an arm in the weakest sea was bound to cause a global sensation.
It was truly astonishing!
The weakest sea, which had birthed both the Pirate King and Marine heroes, seemed to harbour an incredibly terrifying monster.
Everyone wanted to know who had taken Shanks' arm.
However, only the members of the Red-Haired Pirates knew the truth behind their captain's lost arm.
Loyal to the core, they would never reveal it.
And apart from confiding in a few close individuals, Shanks himself remained silent on the matter.
Thus, the mystery of how the great pirate "Red-Haired" Shanks lost his arm in the weakest sea became one of the most enigmatic events in the New World.
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