The next day at noon, when the flushed-faced Galette reappeared before Poire and the others, Carl had already returned to Mary Geoise.
...
About a week later, on a bright and sunny morning, a massive pirate ship surfaced on the sea not far from the Red Line.
The Jolly Roger on this ship bore a large red X. Neither the defense forces stationed at Mary Geoise nor the nearby Marine detachments paid it any attention, allowing it to dock freely at the base of the Red Line.
Once the pirate ship was completely stable, two figures leapt down from the deck—it was Shanks and his only remaining follower, Rockstar.
It was Rockstar's first time coming to this area of the Red Line. He had never imagined he would one day set foot in a place so close to Mary Geoise.
He looked up at the towering Red Line above and sighed emotionally.
"So that up there is Mary Geoise... A pirate like me actually made it this far…"
Shanks chuckled at his words.
"Rockstar, we're not pirates anymore."
Rockstar scratched his head and said,
"Captain... I'm still not used to that. Also, how are we supposed to get up there? Climb it?"
Shanks glanced around.
"My brother said there's a lift nearby, but I'm not planning to take that."
With a grin, red flame-like clouds began to swirl around him.
"Hey, Rockstar, hold on tight!"
Rockstar instantly understood what Shanks was planning. As Shanks' body began to expand rapidly, he rushed forward and clung tightly to his waist, putting on a perfect "man-lock."
But Shanks' transformation was so extreme that what started as holding his waist ended with Rockstar practically lying on top of him—Shanks had entered his Dragon-Human form.
The next moment, Shanks threw his head back and let out a powerful dragon's roar. A surge of crimson cloud exploded outward, and a massive dragon burst forth, rocketing toward Mary Geoise in a flash.
...
Above Mary Geoise, the remaining Celestial Dragon families and their vast guard force had long been waiting. The moment they saw the dragon that Shanks had become appear in the sky, they froze in utter shock.
Some of the more timid Celestial Dragons even collapsed to the ground in fright.
The new Five Elders, led by Sakazuki, stood at the front. The five of them only showed a flicker of surprise upon seeing Shanks—after all, they had fought Kaido before, and this wasn't their first time witnessing a dragon.
What shocked them wasn't the fact that Shanks had taken on a dragon form—but that his dragon body was even more massive and imposing than Kaido's had been, and the sheer aura he radiated was even more overwhelming.
Shanks looked down at the ant-like people below, hot steam snorting from his nostrils. Just as he was searching for Carl's presence, a cold, familiar voice suddenly echoed in his ear.
"Had enough of showing off yet? If so, get your ass down here."
Shanks' massive dragon eyes widened. He blinked twice, then rolled them upward—and there, sitting comfortably on his forehead, was Carl.
Still clinging to Shanks' back, Rockstar felt the sudden stillness and scrambled toward Shanks' head. When he got there and saw Carl, he slipped and fell on his butt, muttering bitterly to himself,
"Captain, seriously... all that flair for what..."
Shanks and Carl locked eyes—big dragon eyes against small human ones. Shanks' mouth twitched a little as he forced a laugh.
"Well, uh... I just thought I'd surprise you…"
Carl crossed his arms and said with a scowl,
"Surprise? Didn't I tell you to take the lift? What, riding the lift was beneath you?"
"Uh… Not really..."
Carl snorted.
"Whatever. You didn't forget to bring the stuff, right? Garling-san's still waiting for you down below."
"My father... I didn't see him."
Shanks had already seen photos of Garling and had been looking for him earlier, but hadn't spotted him.
Carl shook his head helplessly.
"I told you already, Garling-san is… well, let's just say he's a bit stiff. He's still waiting for you in the family's estate."
"What about Makino and Amara?"
"They're at the estate too. Good thing they didn't come with you—if Amara saw you looking like that, you'd be kneeling at the gate all day today."
Cold sweat beaded on Shanks' enormous dragon forehead. He gave his head a shake, then dove down toward the ground. As he descended, his form gradually shrank until he returned to human shape and landed.
Carl followed right after, dragging Rockstar in one hand.
The moment Carl and Shanks landed, both the Celestial Dragons and the guard corps dropped to their knees and shouted in unison:
"Carl-sama! Shanks-sama!"
It was the first time Shanks had ever been addressed like that—Shanks-sama—by so many people. Even with his easy-going nature, he found it a bit overwhelming.
Carl, however, was already used to this kind of treatment. He casually waved a hand, and everyone stood up at once.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and the others weren't required to kneel. Per Carl's arrangement, the five of them retained their preferred military-style salutes.
When he saw Sakazuki and the others, Shanks took the initiative and walked over, waving like he was greeting old friends.
"Long time no see!"
Back when Carl was in deep sleep, Sakazuki and the others had quite a few encounters with Shanks—though those meetings usually involved fights. Unlike with Whitebeard, however, Shanks never fought the Navy to the death. He'd exchange a few blows and retreat. His crew followed an elite formation, and in skirmishes at sea, they had no trouble escaping.
Moreover, the Red-Haired Pirates never killed ordinary Marine soldiers. There wasn't any real blood feud. And once they learned Shanks' true identity, Sakazuki and the others no longer viewed him as a pirate.
So they all politely returned his greeting—an unexpected scene that left Rockstar blinking in confusion.
Aramaki was the most enthusiastic. He stepped forward and saluted.
"Welcome back, Shanks-sama."
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+120 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg