"It's the Sun and Moon Pirates!!" Yasopp shouted in alarm.
"Why are you shouting so loudly?" some of the crew members groaned, still hungover from last night's party.
But soon, realization dawned.
"Wait, who did you say?"
"The Sun and Moon Pirates? You mean those Sun and Moon Pirates?"
In an instant, everyone sobered up.
Shanks, just like the rest of his crew, leaned over the railing, straining his eyes to see the approaching ship.
It was getting closer, and there was no mistaking it.
The Red-Haired Pirates had been keeping an eye on the Sun and Moon Pirates ever since they rose to prominence.
"It really is them." The Red-Haired Pirates abandoned their plans to leave.
"What are they doing in the East Blue? And why here?" Ben Beckman, the crew's strategist, pondered aloud. There was a vast ocean to sail, and yet, here they were. It seemed too coincidental.
"They must be here to see me!" Shanks grinned, excitement surging through him. "The most talked-about pirate captain has come all the way here to pay his respects."
His confidence was palpable, as the thought of meeting a worthy rival stirred his blood.
"Doubt it," Beckman interjected, bursting Shanks' bubble. "No one knows we're here. Their goal is likely someone else."
"Then who? Gaban, maybe?" Shanks' brow furrowed.
Beckman nodded—it made the most sense.
"Everyone, disembark," Shanks ordered as they dropped anchor and returned to shore.
"What's going on?" Gaban, sitting in front of his cabin, looked at the group curiously.
"Someone's here to visit you, Gaban," Shanks replied, his expression serious.
Gaban narrowed his eyes slightly, then chuckled darkly. "So someone thinks they can step on the remnants of the old era to make a name for themselves?"
It wouldn't be the first time.
And every time someone tried, they ended up swimming home.
"Shanks, are you worried about me?" Gaban gave Shanks a sharp look. "Don't tell me you think I've gotten soft."
A powerful aura emanated from Gaban, causing the wind to whip through the grass, flattening it to the ground.
"Gaban, the person coming isn't just anyone. He's someone big," Shanks said, maintaining his respectful tone.
"A big shot, huh?" Gaban raised an eyebrow.
"It's Kuke, the captain of the Sun and Moon Pirates."
"Who?" Gaban looked confused. The name didn't ring a bell.
Shanks was stunned. "You don't know Kuke? He's been the biggest name on the Grand Line for months! Every major headline has featured him."
Surely no one could be that out of touch, Shanks thought.
"I haven't spoken to anyone in over half a year," Gaban shrugged. "Why would I care about the outside world?"
Living in isolation, Gaban hadn't bothered to keep up with the news. No one brought him newspapers, and he had no interest in the affairs of the outside world.
Before Shanks could explain further, Yasopp shouted again, this time with more urgency. "Captain! They're here!"
The Radiant Eclipse had arrived at the shore.
"The fastest-growing pirate crew, the Red-Haired Pirates, is here too," Gion remarked, her expression serious as she stood beside Kuke.
"It's no surprise. Coming from Windmill Village to here, Shanks was bound to visit Gaban," Kuke responded calmly. "Gion, come with me. The others will stay on the ship for now."
Although unlikely, Kuke preferred caution. After all, in the original timeline, Shanks had mysterious ties with the Five Elders and the World Government. His connections ran deep, and his actions were often unpredictable.
Kerra and Makino were too weak to risk. They would remain on the ship, where the ship's spirit could activate its invincible defense in case of danger.
"Captain, look at the Sun and Moon Pirates' ship. Do you see who's aboard?" Yasopp nudged Shanks, pointing toward the Radiant Eclipse.
Makino was leaning over the railing, waving cheerfully at the Red-Haired Pirates.
"They went to Windmill Village too? And now Makino has joined the Sun and Moon Pirates?" Beckman said, concerned as he glanced at Shanks.
Earlier, Shanks had been confidently speaking about destiny. Now, it seemed like fate was playing a cruel joke on him.
Shanks stared blankly at Makino, who was waving at them with a friendly smile, completely unaware of the emotional turmoil stirring inside him.
It was a simple gesture, but for Shanks, it felt like a blow to the chest.
He could barely process it.
"This… is fate?" Shanks murmured, tilting his head back to gaze at the sky, his face filled with melancholy. How could fate be so cruel?
If he'd known Makino would leave with another pirate crew, he would have made the first move.
But now it was too late.
Was the Red-Haired Pirates' reputation no match for the Sun and Moon Pirates? Was Kuke more appealing than him?
Shanks' pride kept him from voicing these thoughts. He could only endure the frustration building inside him.
"Poor captain," Yasopp teased, trying to stifle his laughter.
"Let this be a lesson," Beckman added with a smirk. "Don't rely on 'fate.' If you want something, go for it."
The crew burst into laughter, clearly enjoying Shanks' misfortune.
Meanwhile, Gaban was studying Kuke and Gion, who had just disembarked from their ship. Both were young, but their presence was undeniable.
"They're just kids," Gaban noted, intrigued. "And yet Shanks takes them so seriously."
They were young—especially Kuke, who looked as though he had only recently set sail.
But the way they carried themselves, their lack of fear, their confidence—it spoke volumes.
Only pirates with true strength would stand so unperturbed before the Red-Haired Pirates. Even Gaban, out of touch with recent events, could sense that these weren't ordinary pirates.
Kuke stepped forward, addressing Gaban directly. "I'm here to test the Supreme Grade Sword, Ace," he stated calmly.
Shanks, who had just taken a drink, choked and spat it out.
What?
Not only had Kuke taken Makino, but now he wanted to claim Roger's legendary sword too?
This was too much!