"That only leaves the one on Fish-Man Island."
Ian smiled.
Shanks smiled along.
Fish-Man Island had long been under the Beasts Pirates' control.
That Poneglyph should have been in Ian's hands long ago.
"It's just a pity," Ian sighed with some regret, "the one on Fish-Man Island was given away by Neptune. I'll have to go retrieve it later."
Shanks nodded lightly.
It was easy enough to guess who the Fish-Man Island had given the Road Poneglyph to.
There aren't many people in the seas who could receive such a grand gift from Fish-Man Island—truly, not even a third could be found.
"So," Ian directed his invitation toward Shanks, "want to come with us to see the Final Island?"
Shanks nodded as if it were obvious. "Back then, I missed the Final Island because I had to take care of a sick Buggy. I've regretted it ever since. This time, I won't miss it again."
"Wait! Ian!"
Uta, who had just been quietly relieved that there wouldn't be a fight, suddenly stirred again. "You're really taking this guy to the Final Island too?"
"Uta," Ian turned back with a cheerful smile, "I've always said that what happened back then might have been a misunderstanding. The Shanks I know isn't the kind of man to do something like that."
"So, what exactly happened?"
Hawkeye couldn't hide his curiosity.
What kind of monstrous thing would Shanks have done to make this girl, who had always regarded him as a father figure, hate him so deeply now?
Shanks fell silent for a moment.
Behind him, the members of the Red Hair Pirates looked grave, not a word spoken among them.
Sigh.
Beckman exhaled in his heart.
Ian—he'd done plenty of reckless things, but when it came to treating his friends, there was no question—he was unwavering.
And yet, he still believed in Shanks.
He had also raised Uta well. Now, the young girl was not only a world-renowned songstress but also well-mannered and cultured.
"Back then, didn't the Red Hair Pirates destroy a country?"
Ian said, "Uta was sent by Shanks to study music there, and after that, she was abandoned on that ruined island."
"You mean, Elegia?"
Hawkeye raised an eyebrow.
The destruction of Elegia by the Red Hair Pirates had caused a major uproar across the seas.
Before that, the Red Hair Pirates had never done anything so outrageous. Shanks himself had seen his bounty soar after the incident.
"Mihawk, what do you think?"
Ian asked. "Do you think Shanks would really do something like that?"
Hawkeye didn't hesitate. He spoke plainly, "Shanks has never been merciful to his enemies, but the idea of him slaughtering civilians? I don't believe it for a second."
Shanks lowered his gaze.
Yet, in his heart, there was a hint of satisfaction.
"See, Uta," Ian said to her, "I'm not the only one who thinks this—Mihawk feels the same way."
Uta's little face looked a bit dazed, her eyes vacant as she stared at the Shanks figure.
At this moment, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of anticipation.
But.
"What are you talking about on your own?"
Shanks simply swayed his wine glass and spoke calmly. "What happened back then was our doing. There's no reason to deny it."
"What do you think?"
Ian turned his head to look at Hawkeye.
Hawkeye spoke lightly, "Just a dead duck being stubborn."
"Hahaha, what a coincidence, I think the same!"
Ian laughed heartily.
Uta pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Should she trust Shanks, or trust Ian and Hawkeye?
If she were a child, she would have unconditionally trusted Shanks, because that man was her most respected father figure.
But now… she found herself leaning toward trusting Ian and Hawkeye instead.
"So, everything's settled now, right?"
Seeing that no fight would break out, Aunt Linlin, though slightly displeased, couldn't hide her eagerness.
After all, they were about to set course for the final island!
Aunt Linlin's curiosity burned; what kind of sights had that bastard Roger seen back then, and what secrets had he uncovered?
"It's indeed time to go back," Ian said, "Let's return to Onigashima to meet up with everyone, then we'll go for the last stone."
Once they had the final stone, they could proceed straight to the final island.
"Shanks," Ian asked, "you'll come back with us, of course?"
Shanks glanced at Aunt Linlin, then at Redfield, and shrugged indifferently. "Charlotte Linlin and Redfield are acting with you all, so I have no objections."
"Captain!"
Lucky Roux looked a little anxious.
Following Ian alone? That was far too dangerous.
Oh.
Though now, it was also extremely dangerous; if Ian decided to do something to them, they wouldn't have the strength to resist.
"Alright," Shanks simply smiled and said, "Ian is my friend. What's wrong with visiting a friend at his home?"
Beckman silently lit another cigarette for himself.
Ian really was a friend, no doubt about that, but a friend who was overwhelmingly strong could also be terrifying.
However, right now, they had no room to choose.
If Shanks chose to refuse, then Ian, this good friend, would immediately no longer be their ally.
"Anyway, everyone, just wait for my news."
Shanks, however, appeared completely calm.
"I understand."
Beckman nodded lightly. "I'll make sure everyone is ready to respond whenever you contact us."
Shanks' departure was now unavoidable. The next step had to fall to him, the vice-captain, to lead the crew.
"Oh! That's so reassuring, Beck!"
Shanks nodded with delight.
Only then could he truly leave without worry.
"By the way," Shanks suddenly remembered something very important. He turned back to the tavern owner, still slumped behind the bar. "Don't forget to wake up everyone in the town. If they stay unconscious too long, it might cause problems."
"Leave it to us."
Beckman nodded gently.
They had to make sure the captain could leave at ease.
Soon, Bear-claw-shaped bubbles rose into the sky once more, but this time, another Shanks appeared within the bubbles.
Truly a monster.
Redfield watched Shanks chatting with Ian and couldn't help but think that.
He had already almost captured all the top pirates on the sea with such ease.
Only Whitebeard remained, but even he probably wouldn't escape.
However,
A strange light flickered in Redfield's eyes.
Could this be an opportunity?
Ian was dragging things out a bit too long.
His strength was undoubtedly immense, and Hawkeye was equally terrifying.
But if he, Charlotte Linlin, and this Shanks teamed up, perhaps they might actually have a chance at fighting!
Yet, this thought didn't stay in Redfield's mind for long.
Shanks was Ian's friend; whether he would intervene was still unknown.
And Perona was still in that Shiryu guy's hands.
If Ian couldn't be eliminated and sent a message, Perona's life was doomed.
Redfield suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for the days when he sailed the seas alone. Back then, though he was alone, he was free from any attachments or threats.
With a quiet sigh, Redfield remained silent.
Looking on the bright side, this journey wasn't entirely a bad thing.
Although he couldn't become the Pirate King, at least he could catch a glimpse of the Final Island.
And the thought of the ultimate battle against the World Government alone was enough to make anyone's blood boil.
Bear Claw Bubble didn't pause for a single moment, heading straight back the way it had come.
Next, it was time to obtain the final Road Poneglyph from the Whitebeard Pirates.
But before heading to the North Blue, there was one stop to make—returning to Onigashima.
Uta, the little sister, was set down. She no longer needed to participate in the upcoming battle with the Whitebeard Pirates.
Then, Teach was brought along.
Just as he had brought his daughter when visiting Shanks, it only made sense to bring his son when visiting Whitebeard.
When Teach was called over by Ian, his face was filled with a resolute expression.
"Lord Ian!"
His tone carried an unparalleled weight, as if he had made the most difficult decision of his life. "Even if I must stand against my father, if it is to fight for you, I will do so without hesitation!"
Ian couldn't help but laugh.
If he didn't already know what kind of person this guy was, he might have actually believed Teach had gone through some agonizing choice.
Shanks, too, looked at Teach with astonishment. "Teach… I never thought I'd see the day you would betray Whitebeard."
"Because…"
Teach still smiled with his simple, earnest demeanor. "Father is getting old. Only by following behind Lord Ian can I see the scenery I truly desire."
Shanks remained silent.
This was the same man who had left three scars across his face, yet now he obeyed Ian without question.
But when Ian eventually grew old and frail, would this man betray him again?
Oh, almost forgot—Ian was much younger than him.
In any case, Kuma Claw Bubble surged into the sky once more, its destination clear: the North Blue, to the Whitebeard Pirates.
**********
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