Sailing: His comprehension is against the sky, and he comprehends the Eight Gates at the beginning.

It seems that as long as you make a bold choice at the right time, you can enhance the aura that influences Conqueror's Haki.

At the same time, Shanks and his crew members were all suddenly taken aback when they saw Luffy.

Especially the most perceptive Shanks.

He was surprised to find that Luffy exuded a hint of kingly aura for a fleeting moment.

Especially after having that feeling, when looking at Luffy again, Luffy's aura seemed to have risen to a whole new level.

This unusual feeling shocked Shanks and made him involuntarily think of the purpose of his trip to the East Blue.

To find the next owner for the Nika fruit.

Of course, he couldn't just hand over the Nika Fruit based on a simple feeling.

He needs a long time to consider Luffy.

After putting his thoughts aside, Shanks then turned his attention to the embarrassed Uta and tried to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright, Uta."

"Becoming the Pirate King isn't something you can just do easily, so stop trying to compete with Luffy."

"We'll be staying here for a long time, so you should get along well with Luffy."

Although Uta was surprised that Luffy could say such things, she was still unwilling to easily acknowledge Luffy.

"Hmph! Didn't you say you wanted to become the Pirate King? Then let's have a competition!"

"If you can't even beat me, the daughter of Shanks, the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, then don't say such ignorant things in the future."

Luffy glanced at Uta, then decisively rejected her.

"do not want!"

Uta, feeling pent up but having nowhere to vent his anger, became even more furious, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.

"Why?! You... are you scared?"

"If you're scared, just admit defeat."

Luffy looked helpless and said.

"Why should I compete against you? There's absolutely no reason!"

Uta was already furious with Luffy and was eager to teach him a lesson.

"Then tell me, what exactly do you want in order for me to compete with you?"

Upon hearing Uta say those words, Luffy instantly became serious and looked at Uta as he spoke.

"There are winners and losers in any competition. If you lose, you'll join my pirate crew."

Chapter 4's match against Uta shocked Shanks.

When Luffy made this condition, Uta, who had been so aggressive, suddenly hesitated.

This means that if she loses, she will have to leave the Red-Haired Pirates and Shanks.

Uta looked to Shanks for help, but Shanks just smiled, as if to say, "You can do whatever you want."

In fact, this is very much in line with Shanks' style of doing things; he would definitely respect Uta's own wishes.

Seeing that Uta was struggling, Luffy waved his hand and spoke up to help.

"Well! I was just saying that casually, so don't take it to heart."

He knew that if Uta continued to hesitate, he would definitely choose Shanks.

His statement was, in a way, giving Uta a way out.

"However, no matter what we compete in, you can't beat me."

At this point, Luffy added that he didn't want Uta to say that he had backed down because he was scared.

Uta had just developed some feelings for Luffy because he gave her a way out.

But when he heard the next sentence, he got angry again.

"Damn it! You bastard... let's settle this once and for all!"

"Didn't I say..."

"Hurry up! The first event is arm wrestling..."

...

Three months later.

"This time it's a rowing competition."

On the shore, Uta gritted her teeth, looking at Luffy beside her with a defiant expression.

"Uta, it's about time you gave up, isn't it?!"

“You’ve played 136 matches against me in the last three months.”

"And your record is 0 wins!"

Luffy responded with a helpless expression.

"Stop talking nonsense, I'm sure I'll beat you this time."

Uta ignored Luffy's response and continued speaking angrily.

"Do you see that rock in the sea? Let's make that rock our destination."

"Whoever reaches the stone first wins."

Following Uta's directions, Luffy looked towards the sea.

He saw through it at a glance.

That's not a rock at all; it's clearly the king of the nearshore waters near the windmill village.

However, he did not tell Uta this information.

Once we get close enough, when Uta discovers that the rock is the King of the Near Sea, he will surely be frightened and retreat.

At that point, she'll definitely admit defeat willingly.

Thinking of this, Luffy was immediately filled with enthusiasm.

"Come on! The 137th match!"

...

After they were ready, they set off at Uta's command.

Luffy's stamina was far superior to Uta's, so he quickly left her behind.

"How about it, Uta? Still not admitting defeat?"

Uta gritted her teeth, swinging the oars until they were smoking, creating a halo of smoke.

"Stop talking nonsense, the match isn't over yet!"

After saying that, Uta swung even harder.

Luffy smiled and increased his speed.

Just then, the "stone" that had been sitting quietly there suddenly rose up.

Immediately afterwards, the two saw a huge monster resembling a moray eel burst out of the water, baring its sharp fangs and staring at them menacingly with its scarlet eyes.

At that glance, Uta was instantly terrified; his eyes rolled back, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"Aren't you going to give up, Uta?"

Seeing that Uta still didn't turn around, Luffy couldn't help but ask again.

They are getting closer and closer to becoming the kings of the near seas; if they don't turn back now, it will truly be too late.

"You...you haven't given up, so I won't give up either."

Uta was so frightened that his voice trembled, but he still kept moving forward.

Upon hearing this, Luffy was immediately speechless.

For Uta's safety, he had no choice but to turn around first.

"Alright, Uta, this match is off the table. Let's go back!"

However, Luffy had already started walking back when he saw that Uta still showed no intention of turning back.

Just as I was about to ask, I heard Uta say, her voice trembling and choked with tears.

"No... I can't take it anymore, I have no strength left."

As soon as Uta finished speaking, the King of the Near Seas swooped down and charged towards her.

...

Meanwhile, at the Makino Tavern.

Shanks, who was drinking, suddenly put down his glass and looked serious.

Seeing Shanks' sudden change in expression, his previously playful subordinates also stopped.

"What's wrong, boss?"

Shanks frowned.

"I have a bad feeling."

"Where are Uta and Luffy?"

A subordinate who knew the situation answered.

"They said they went to a rowing competition."

No sooner had his subordinate finished speaking than Shanks dashed out of the tavern.

The rest of his men followed suit.

The Makino Tavern wasn't far from the shore, and in the blink of an eye, Shanks and his crew were the first to arrive at the coast.

Shanks was startled when he saw the sea monsters in the distance lunging at Uta.

His gaze sharpened immediately, and he prepared to use Conqueror's Haki to intimidate the sea king from a distance.

At that moment, Shanks, who had been looking serious, suddenly looked shocked, and the surrounding executives also stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

They watched in disbelief as the once incredibly ferocious sea king suddenly seemed to be terrified, then plunged headfirst into the water and disappeared.

Just before the Sea King disappeared, Luffy exuded an unparalleled and powerful aura.

And this aura was directed solely at that one sea king.

"That...that was just now..."

"There's no mistake, it's Conqueror's Haki!!!"

"Luffy... he's actually a king like the boss?!?"

While his men were in shock, Shanks was also extremely impressed, thinking to himself.

"At such a young age, he has not only awakened Conqueror's Haki, but he has also mastered it so skillfully. Is he a born king?"

"Luffy, could it be... that you really are the person I'm looking for?"

Chapter 5: Mountain Bandit King Higuma eats the "Gum-Gum" Fruit.

Makino Tavern!

"cheers!"

"Hahaha..."

The tavern returned to its lively and cheerful atmosphere, with everyone raising their glasses in a perpetual feast.

At the bar, Luffy and Shanks sat together, with Uta sitting silently beside them, seemingly sulking.

Uta was extremely dissatisfied with the fact that he was so afraid that he lost his strength.