3 days later...
Ray strolled down the mountain nonchalantly, as he had expected the events that followed after Higuma kidnapped Luffy, they went as intended. Shanks lost his arm to a sea king and shortly returned to tend his wounds.
Ray respected Shanks, he was willing to lose his arm to leave behind a meaningful impression on Luffy, to show him what a pirate should truly be. This ignited Luffy's dream of becoming the Pirate King.
At first, I wanted to just have a chat with Shanks, intrigued as he was a mysterious character in the anime, but now? I want to fight him, to see how for I've come in these last few years.
As the Red Hair Pirates were laughing and enjoying their drinks at Party's Bar, Ray strolled into the bar. Suddenly, they all went silent and turned their head, glancing at Ray. They could clearly feel Ray's strength with their Haki.
"Oh, I hope didn't ruin the party HA HAH HAH" exclaimed Ray as he went over to the bar and sat down next to Shanks.
"No, it's just rare to see someone like you here in Dawn Island my young friend" said Shanks with a little smile. Ray glanced over to Shank's missing arm but didn't comment on it.
Makino sensing the slight awkward atmosphere asked, "Ah, Ray nice to see here again, anything to drink?"
"Me? Nah, I just wanted to ask Shanks a favour"
"You know me?" Shanks lifted his eyebrows in slight interest.
"Not personally but I've heard of the Red Hair pirates now and then"
"I see, what favour would you like to ask of me?"
"Fight me" Ray stated simply.
Building Snake quickly commented "Isn't it too early for you b-"
Shanks raised his right hand, interrupting Snake, "I accept, I'm willing to see what the young man has to offer". Of course, Shanks wouldn't accept a fight with everyone he came across, but with his competent Observation Haki, he could feel the power laying dormant in Ray.
Ray and the Red Hair pirates then made their way further outside Foosha village, both not risking damaging or harming the innocent civilians. They stood at an empty field, surrounded by trees so nobody would interfere, also unlikely as the rest of the Red Hair pirates kept watch anyway.
Shanks slowly drew his saber, although he hadn't gotten completely adjusted to fighting as a one armed swordsman, perhaps this young man could help him.
Ray stood opposite, beaming as he had been waiting for an exhilarating battle for all these years. Although his posture indicated him being laid back, his muscles were clenched and ready to unleash their strength at any moment.
"Let's begin, young man" stated Shanks as he instantly unleashed a deadly sword slash, hurling towards Ray. Ray instantly reacted, swerving his body to the side as the slash went past him and dismantled dozens of trees behind Ray.
'Even with Observation Haki, that slash was still quite fast, I doubt he's using armament either, what a scary bastard'. However, Ray hadn't sat on his ass doing nothing these past few years.
Using Soru, Ray dashed at Shanks at full speed, aiming a right hook at his head. As expected, Shank's observation was superior to his, clearly following Ray with his eyes. Shanks blocked Ray's fist with his sword, not budging an inch.
'Yeah, no way he could have unleashed that attack previously without a sturdy body' thought Ray.
Taking a quick step back, Ray demanded "No holding back Shanks, there's no meaning if you take it easy".
"Sure, kid" Shanks vanished from my vision, appearing right beside me in haste, aiming a slash at my throat. In response I blocked with my forearms, using Tekkai. However, Ray went flying back as Shank's had finally started being serious, the blade on his saber was imbued in a black hue, a clear indication of Armament Haki.
'Looks like just Tekkai isn't enough'. Taking a deep breath, I calmed down as I exhaled, covering my fists in an invisible coating, it was just the most basic application of Armament Haki but it provided him with extra protection.
Once again Ray appeared beside Shanks but with his full strength, using the same attack previously but switching to a kick halfway. It wasn't just a normal kick however, as the power of his kick produced a compressed blade of wind.
Shanks, a little surprised, but he regained his composure quickly and just flicked his saber which dispersed the attack, displaying his absurd reaction time and strength.
Giving Shanks no time to breath, I dashed behind him aiming a strike on his spine, Shanks turned around and met my fist. As we clashed, I could feel the pain on my fist despite using Haki, Shanks' Armament Haki provided a boost in his offense while mine did not.
We clashed again and again, providing an entertaining battle for the Red Hair pirates to watch, although it was clear who held the advantage throughout the fight. Shanks had relative physical strength to me but his Haki, techniques and experience were vastly superior. Despite all the tricks I threw at him, he reacted swiftly, blocking my advances at every given opportunity.
"He's pretty good, quite capable I might add, stronger than me that boy is" stated Yasopp, the dedicated Sniper of the Red Hair pirates.
"Lacking experience though, all of his attacks look thoroughly planned, meaning they're a little slower than what they could be, meanwhile the captain is able to react through his sheer experience and muscle memory" explained Beckman
"Hah Hah, think the captain is beginning to enjoy this fight" said Lucky Roux in a lightened tone.