One Piece: With Sign-in System

Chapter 236 - 236: Meeting Shanks

A lone rocky island stood in the vast sea, its jagged cliffs battered by the endless waves. Anchored nearby was the unmistakable Red-Haired Pirates' ship, its sails swaying gently with the ocean breeze.

On the deck, leaning casually against the railing, Benn Beckman exhaled a stream of smoke as he set down the Den Den Mushi in his hand.

He turned toward the man standing on the rocky shore—his captain, Red-Haired Shanks—and reported:

"The Glint-Glint Fruit has fallen into the hands of the Revolutionary Army. The Quake-Quake Fruit was recovered by the World Government. As for the Dark-Dark Fruit... no leads yet."

Shanks gazed at the horizon, the salty breeze ruffling his crimson hair. He nodded slightly.

"I see."

His voice was calm, but his expression darkened slightly.

"The Quake-Quake Fruit, huh...?"

From the deck, Lucky Roux—seated comfortably with a chicken leg in one hand—raised a brow as he took a hefty bite.

"That's one hell of a Devil Fruit. Do they even have someone worthy of wielding it?"

Benn Beckman flicked the ash off his cigar, inhaled deeply, then exhaled another plume of smoke.

"Seems like the World Government has set their sights on Edward Weevil. They're probably planning to use the fruit as a bargaining chip to recruit him."

"Weevil... that guy who claims to be Whitebeard's son?" Lucky Roux mused, nodding in understanding.

"His strength is monstrous—just like Whitebeard in his younger years. If he gets his hands on the Quake-Quake Fruit..."

Another crew member, a bald-headed officer, took a sip of his drink and chuckled.

"He just might become a second Whitebeard."

"No."

Shanks shook his head, still gazing at the sea, his expression distant.

His voice carried a rare touch of melancholy.

"There will never be another Whitebeard."

A heavy silence settled over the crew.

...

From his spot, Yasopp, the Red-Haired Pirates' sharpshooter, was meticulously cleaning his rifle.

Suddenly, he paused. His sharp eyes narrowed as he looked toward the distant horizon.

"He's here."

Beckman and the others turned their heads.

A low rumbling echoed across the water—

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The sound of an engine roaring to life.

The ocean parted, sending massive sprays of water in both directions.

Then—

A jet-black watercraft burst into view, racing toward them at an incredible speed.

Its design was ferocious, resembling a steel beast charging through the sea.

Beckman's eyes gleamed with interest as he took another drag from his cigar.

"Oh?"

As the watercraft approached Red-Haired Pirates' ship, it showed no sign of slowing. It tore through the waves, heading straight for them.

Just when it seemed like a collision was inevitable—

The rider gripped the handlebars, squeezed the brakes, and twisted sharply—

In the blink of an eye, the watercraft executed a flawless high-speed drift, sending massive arcs of seawater crashing back into the ocean.

The water droplets rained down, shimmering under the sun.

And when the mist settled—

The man seated atop the watercraft came into clear view.

He was clad in an open floral shirt, revealing a sculpted abdomen, paired with beach shorts and flip-flops—an attire that seemed almost too relaxed for someone of his status.

Yet, there was no mistaking his presence.

As the Red-Haired Pirates' members—Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and the others—stared in stunned silence, the young man lifted a hand.

With a single, effortless motion—

He pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead, revealing a pair of piercing blue eyes—as vast and unfathomable as the sea itself.

And a face recognized by the entire world.

...

A smirk tugged at his lips.

He turned toward the man standing on the rocky shore.

"I heard you were looking for me, Red-Haired."

The wind carried his voice across the water.

Shanks—standing alone on the reef—smiled.

...

Beneath a clear blue sky, the waves crashed gently against the island's shore.

On the massive rocks at the water's edge, two men sat face-to-face.

Between them—

A bottle of fine liquor.

Benn Beckman, his gray slicked-back hair barely shifting in the breeze, knelt beside the watercraft that had just arrived at the shore. A lit cigar dangled from the corner of his lips as he inspected the machine with genuine interest.

Meanwhile, Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and the rest of the Red-Haired Pirates remained on their ship's deck, deliberately keeping their distance.

They knew better than to interrupt when their captain, Shanks, was engaged in conversation—especially with that man.

...

Shanks and Ron sat upon the rugged reef, the ocean breeze rustling their clothes as they drank from the small cups.

Their voices carried over the waves, casual yet deliberate.

"Didn't expect you to come alone."

"Didn't you send Mihawk to deliver the message?"

"And that doesn't make you wary? What if this was a trap?"

Ron smirked, lifting his sake cup.

"Doesn't matter. Whether it's one-on-one or one-against-many—I don't mind either way."

Shanks paused for a brief moment.

His fingers tightened slightly around his cup.

That tone, that confidence... it wasn't arrogance. It was simply fact—a reflection of absolute strength.

For someone to stand before a Yonko's crew and speak so nonchalantly...

How strong had he become to think this way?

...

Shanks glanced at the watercraft, his eyes trailing over its sleek and sturdy frame.

"Nice machine."

He turned back to Ron with a small grin.

"Where'd you get it?"

Ron casually took a sip of his drink.

"Didn't 'get' it anywhere. I built it myself."

Shanks raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

"You built it? So... you understand machines too?"

Ron chuckled but didn't respond.

Shanks studied him for a second, then decided to let it go.

"How's Luffy doing?"

"Training with Rayleigh, I'd assume he's learning Haki by now."

Shanks nodded.

"If it's Rayleigh, he'll be in good hands."

He lifted his cup, taking another sip before shifting his gaze back to Ron.

"You've fought Mihawk already, haven't you?"

Ron nodded.

"Who won?"

"I did."

Shanks exhaled lightly, staring at his drink.

"So, the man who sat on the throne of swordsmen for so long... has finally been pulled down."

A hint of bitterness lingered in his voice, but it was quickly drowned by amusement.

He set his empty cup aside and met Ron's gaze.

"I've crossed swords with Mihawk countless times. I know his strength better than anyone. And yet, you defeated him..."

His expression grew more serious.

"You're only twenty. At this age, your mastery of the three types of Haki is already at the highest level. Your swordsmanship has surpassed even the world's strongest swordsman. Even in the golden age, twenty years ago, there wasn't a single soul who could compare to you. If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that a 'monster' like you could exist."

Ron tilted his head slightly, his blue eyes gleaming under the sunlight.

"Calling someone a 'monster' to their face... don't you think that's a bit rude?"

Shanks laughed, raising his empty sake cup.

"Would this make up for it?"

Ron simply refilled his own drink without another word.

He took a sip, then locked eyes with the Yonko before him.

"I came here today, not just to honor our meeting—but because I have a question for you."

Shanks lowered his cup slightly.

"What question?"

Ron's voice remained calm.

"What is your relationship with the World Government?"

For the first time, Shanks' expression shifted.

His brow furrowed slightly.

"Why do you ask?"

Ron's gaze didn't waver.

Shanks set down his sake cup, his expression growing steadily more serious.

"Seems like you know more than I expected."

Ron smirked.

"I just happen to know a few things."

Shanks let out a long sigh and looked at him with a piercing gaze.

Then, finally, he spoke:

"It's true. I have ties to the Five Elders."

Ron's eyes narrowed.

The waves crashed against the rocks, but for a brief moment, the world seemed quiet.

Then, Shanks spoke again.

And what he revealed—

Was a secret that had long been buried in history.

It was the untold story of what truly happened when the Roger Pirates arrived at Laugh Tale.

The story of the truth hidden within the Grand Line.

And the secret of the D. Clan—

A secret woven into the void century, buried for over 800 years.

When Roger's crew reached Laugh Tale, what they found wasn't just the ultimate treasure—

They found the ruins of a lost kingdom.

The remnants of the D. Clan's homeland, recorded within the Poneglyphs.

And with it—

The truth that the world had worked so hard to erase.