Den Den Mushi in the pirate world is a snail-like creature used for communication.
They typically have patterns like spots or stripes or come in solid colors, with a receiver or buttons on their shells. When not in use, they sleep, and upon connection, they awaken. During calls, their mouths move to mimic the speaker's, and they can even understand human emotions, converting spoken words into Den Den Mushi's voice for long-distance transmission.
There are several types of Den Den Mushi. The most common are used for communication.
Others include small black Den Den Mushi for eavesdropping, golden Den Den Mushi for "emergency summoning," visual Den Den Mushi for recording and projecting images, and those used for taking photos, among other things...
Before these creatures were adapted for human use, they lived freely in the wild.
Wild Den Den Mushi are mostly docile and don't resist being captured by humans. Even when fitted with receivers and buttons, it doesn't harm them, nor does it cause them any pain.
Although Shanks didn't explicitly mention why he was catching Den Den Mushi, from Mihawk's understanding of him, the reason was easy to guess.
It seemed like Shanks had high hopes for Takumi...
After Takumi left the castle, he took a casual stroll through the forest to clear his head. As the sky darkened and he was about to return to the castle, he ran into Yasopp and a few other members of the Red-Haired Pirates.
"Well, well, look who's back," Yasopp grinned.
Takumi didn't respond and just walked past him.
Unfazed, Yasopp sent the others to grab supplies from the ship while he stayed behind. "Takumi, hold up. I've got something to ask you."
He quickly stepped in front of Takumi, blocking his way.
"What is it?" Takumi asked, slightly annoyed.
Yasopp continued, "Do you know those two crewmates of yours well?"
Takumi paused.
Yasopp wasn't the type to ask questions without reason, meaning he had likely noticed something.
If anyone was a concern, it would be Kaku rather than Enel.
Takumi didn't care to delve into Yasopp's findings. To be honest, he wasn't particularly close to either Enel or Kaku. In fact, he didn't really know anyone in this world that well.
His actions had already altered the fate of many people here…
Without thinking much about it, Takumi answered calmly, "I know them."
"Oh? How well do you know them?" Yasopp rubbed his chin. "You're only fifteen. You haven't seen as much as I have. Be careful that someone doesn't double-cross you. Though, knowing you, you're usually the one doing the double-crossing. Haha."
"I've got it under control, thanks."
With that, Takumi brushed past Yasopp once again and walked into the castle.
Yasopp blinked, watching as Takumi shut the door behind him.
"Did that arrogant kid just thank me?" Yasopp muttered as if he'd discovered something extraordinary.
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out: "Yasopp! Just in time. Can you deal with these two Den Den Mushi?"
Shanks emerged from the nearby forest, holding two Den Den Mushi.
Yasopp turned to look at him. "Captain, you'll never guess! Takumi just thanked me!"
Shanks, however, wasn't as surprised as Yasopp had expected. Instead, he asked curiously, "He's not a robot; he's got emotions like everyone else. Why is it so strange that he'd say thank you?"
"Eh? Captain, you're not reacting like I expected," Yasopp scratched his head, but after thinking about it, it made sense. After all, they hadn't seen Takumi in a while. People grow and change. It wasn't that weird for him to be different now.
Looking at the Den Den Mushi Shanks was holding, Yasopp asked, "The ones on our ship are fine. Why'd you catch two more? Are these for Takumi?"
Shanks grinned, baring his teeth. "Yep, they're for the kid. I bet he doesn't have any yet."
"Oh, I see," Yasopp said as he took the Den Den Mushi from Shanks. "I'll take these to the ship."
Shanks nodded. "Alright."
After Yasopp left, Shanks headed back to the castle. Seeing the mess left behind from the banquet, he couldn't help but hold his head in his hands and laugh. "These guys really just leave a disaster behind, don't they?"
Mihawk was a neat freak. If he found out they had thrown a party and didn't clean up, he'd probably kick them off the island the next time they came by.
Sighing, Shanks rolled up his sleeves and prepared to tidy up.
He had barely gathered a few plates when Takumi walked by, a bottle of red wine in hand, freshly taken from Mihawk's wine cellar.
Shanks turned and looked at him.
Sensing Shanks' gaze, Takumi glanced back at him as well.
As soon as their eyes met, Shanks set down the plates and called out, "Perfect timing, kid. Come help me clean up."
"No," Takumi declined flatly and continued walking.
Before he could take a few steps, Shanks appeared in front of him again, stopping him in his tracks.
Noticing the bottle of wine in Takumi's hand, Shanks smirked. "I remember you don't like owing people, right? You've been eating, drinking, and staying here. Don't you think you should do something in return for all that free hospitality?"
Takumi: "…"
After a moment of silence, Takumi said, "When Enel and Kaku get back, I'll send them to help."
"That won't do," Shanks placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, grinning. "You've got two options: one, help me clean up, or two, duel me. You have to choose, or I won't let you leave."
"Boring," Takumi sighed and walked around him.
Shanks immediately drew his sword, Gryphon, blocking Takumi's path. "I'll take that as you agreeing to the duel."
"I didn't agree..."
Ignoring him, Shanks continued, excitement bubbling in his voice, "Let's go! A duel! You can use any moves you like. Don't hold back."
Takumi: "…"
Seeing how excited Shanks was, Takumi turned and walked towards the hall.
Shanks, still holding Gryphon, followed closely behind, grinning. "I can't wait! Don't hold back when you fight me. Use whatever you've got!"
However, as they passed the dining table, Takumi suddenly stopped, taking off his coat and casually tossing it onto a nearby chair.
Shanks blinked. "What are you doing?"
"Cleaning up," Takumi replied nonchalantly.
Shanks: "..."