The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

Then, equally powerful, they swept towards the approaching Red-Haired Pirates!

boom! !

The two opposing forces collided fiercely in mid-air.

That fierce momentum directly scraped off a layer of the ground in the center of the field!

Zi La La! !

Black lightning danced wildly in mid-air, sometimes pitch black, sometimes crimson, intertwining in a terrifying display that sent chills down one's spine even from afar!

"That's quite a powerful presence!"

The figure approaching from the opposite side also let out a soft laugh.

Then, the domineering aura that had been released was instantly withdrawn, returning to his body like a tide.

"Same for you."

Link responded with a faint smile, and watched as this legend of the high seas walked up to them.

He has a well-proportioned build and striking red hair. His left eye bears three deep scars from an injury inflicted by the now-deceased ambitious Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach.

He had short stubble around his mouth, wore a white shirt, often only buttoning it halfway, and draped a long black cloak over his body, making no attempt to conceal his empty left sleeve.

He was wearing patterned brown capri pants and flip-flops, and a sword that appeared to be one of the Supreme Grade Swords, "Griffin," was slung at his waist.

He had interned with the Roger Pirates before the Great Pirate Era, and after the Roger Pirates disbanded, he founded the Red-Haired Pirates.

He became one of the Four Emperors four years ago, and is a great pirate with a bounty of 4,048,900 Berries.

[Red-Haired] Shanks, the world's strongest user of Haki, a man who can easily stun even elite vice admirals of the Marine Headquarters with his Haki!

Similarly, he is one of the world's top, second-best swordsmen.

However, contrary to his fame, there is no pirate in the world who embodies "freedom" better than him. If the definition of "Pirate King" is "the freest person on this sea", then it can be said that Shanks is the closest to that throne.

And now, this most free man in the world has come before Link and the others.

To be precise, it was in front of the Straw Hat Pirates, with their goofy captain absent.

"I've heard of the Straw Hat Pirates for a long time, and I've always thought that if I had the chance, I would definitely want to meet them..."

Shanks' smile was remarkably calm and gentle, like a warm spring breeze.

He was completely like an elder in the family, or rather, he truly had the demeanor of a head of household or captain of a ship.

This is a world of difference from his carefree demeanor when he teased little Luffy in Windmill Village.

He didn't seem like a fearsome pirate at all; on the contrary, he seemed quite approachable.

However, such outward appearances do not allow people to lower their guard in the slightest.

"But I never expected it to happen in such a place, at such a time..."

Shanks smiled and said, "Captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, Shanks."

He slowly raised his still-intact right arm towards Link and extended his palm.

"The Straw Hat Pirates..."

Knowing what it meant, Link gently raised his hand and said, "First mate, Link."

Snapped! !

Two strong, powerful hands clasped together instantly on the ruined island of Alicia.

The Red-Haired Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates, the two most powerful Yonko (Four Emperors) pirate crews on the seas right now, have officially met!

Although the true captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy, is not here.

However, both sides were very tacit in avoiding this.

In fact, it's a good thing that Luffy isn't here.

"I'm not ready to meet Luffy right now!"

After letting go, Shanks scratched his head in a troubled manner.

"When the two captains meet, such a serious and solemn occasion will probably be turned into a barbecue party by that kid, or he'll cling to me and cry and won't let go..."

Uh-huh!!

Whether it was Nami, Sanji, and the others from the Straw Hat Pirates, or Lucky Roux, Ben Beckman, and the others from the Red-Haired Pirates, they all nodded in unison.

"That Luffy guy (kid), it's like this!!"

Both sides have reached a consensus on this matter.

"It seems you've all had a tough time."

Shanks, having noticed this, looked at Nami, Brook, and the others, nodding earnestly:

"Following a captain like Luffy, you guys must have a pretty tough time most of the time~~~"

Ok? !

Chopper raised an eyebrow at Shanks' words.

He couldn't help but raise his head, instinctively wanting to refute Luffy and reprimand him.

But~~~

"Hahaha, boss, how dare you talk about others like that?!"

Before he could even begin to speak, it was Shanks' own crew members behind him who couldn't contain themselves and started jeering him.

~~~~~~~~~

[A huge thank you again to the generous user 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch'! This morning around 7 AM, they gave me yet another donation, countless times! I'm truly grateful for their support!!!]

921, a self-proclaimed righteous navy?! Necessary sacrifices are acceptable?!

"Exactly, boss, aren't you the same way? Just as unreliable!!"

"We sailors have it really tough too!!"

"That's right, boss, you're supposed to be the captain, but you don't act like one at all!!"

The group of clowns, led by Raki Lu and Roaring Gabu, immediately burst into laughter and started making fun of Shanks.

Furthermore, this joyful atmosphere was spread, which also diluted the tense and slightly serious atmosphere of the first meeting between the two great pirate crews.

Well, I have to say, the Red-Haired Pirates are really good at setting the mood.

"Alright, alright, you guys, when we're out in public, at least give me some face!"

Shanks chuckled and shook his head, then looked at Link in front of him, his gaze sweeping over Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and the others.

I was right~~~

His expression remained calm, but a hint of amazement flashed through his heart, followed by a deep sense of satisfaction.

"Although I already knew, I still have to say it..."

Shanks' gaze finally settled on Luffy, who was still lying on the grass, fast asleep in his dream world, and a gentle smile appeared on his face:

"You've found a really great group of partners!"

He murmured to himself, genuinely happy for Luffy's progress.

Of course, Shanks' gaze lingered on Aokiji and Jinbe, and he gave them a slight nod.

One was a former Marine Admiral, and the other was the strongest Fishman among the original Seven Warlords of the Sea, a knight-errant who was on Whitebeard's ship and often hung out with him.

They had met and interacted with each other quite a few times before.

"I never imagined we'd meet again in this capacity. Life and fate..."

Shanks shook his head inwardly, banishing all those thoughts.

"Then~~~"

Afterwards, he glanced at Luffy to make sure he was alright, and then the brief greeting was over.

Next, it's time to get down to business.

Finally, his gaze settled on Uta, who was still lost in thought.

"It's been so long since I listened to this..."

He spoke softly, "Your singing."

That one sentence instantly brought Uta back to her senses, and she stared at him intently.

Meanwhile, singing takes place in the dream world.

"Shanks is here..."

When Luffy saw Uta's condition and heard the words of Link's clone, which had been created by the "Clone Hammer," he had an "I knew it" expression on his face.

"I knew it..."

He couldn't help but grin and laugh. "He definitely won't stand idly by!"

If we're talking about who understands Shanks the most, it's Luffy himself.

Or rather, it's about the trust and understanding between them as pirates!

At this moment, in the real world outside.

"you……"

Uta, completely ignoring Luffy in the singing world, opened her mouth, about to say something.

But at this very moment~

boom! !

A gunshot shattered the silence of the scene!

And with that gunshot...

bang bang bang! ! !

It was a continuous barrage of various muskets, flintlock pistols, and artillery fire!

The hail of bullets completely surrounded Uta, the Red-Haired Pirates, and the Straw Hat Pirates!

And the only ones who could unleash such artillery fire and musket fire are...

"That's right!!"

In the Admiral's office at the Naval Headquarters, far away on the Red Earth.

"Deploy all naval forces present to destroy Uta!!"

Sakazuki, with a cigar dangling from his lips, stood there expressionless, issuing commands to the Den Den Mushi in his hand:

"If possible, it would be best to include the Red-Haired Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates in the scope of elimination."

"And even if we harm some civilians during this procession, it doesn't matter!!"

·· 0 flowers requested ··· ····

Beneath his calm exterior, he uttered the coldest words:

"Necessary sacrifices are acceptable."

"If we can eliminate Uta or weaken the Red-Haired Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates, it will be worth it, no matter how many people die!!"

"We do this to protect the world!!"

"In Uta, before those pirates pose a threat to the people of the world, let's wipe them out completely!!"

Snap! !

Akainu snapped the cigar in his hand with his own fist, demonstrating his unwavering resolve at that moment.

At the same time, he, who has always been obsessed with iron-fisted justice, never believed that his actions were wrong!

......... ...... 0

He did it all so that he could better protect the safety of the world and other people in the world!

However~~~

"The navy, which prides itself on justice, intends to harm innocent civilians like this?!"