What happened here? Roger asked, surprised, as he rushed over with Barrett and Rayleigh, seeing several crew members collapsed on the ground.
"It's nothing, Captain! It was Shanks… He just used Conqueror's Haki. No one was prepared, so they all got knocked out."
The sparring match had gone off the rails. Fang Yi, who had stopped the fight, stepped forward and explained what had happened.
"Conqueror's Haki?" Roger, Rayleigh, and Barrett all turned to look at Shanks in astonishment.
So far, only Roger and Rayleigh on the ship had awakened Conqueror's Haki. Even Jabba hadn't managed to unlock it. So, for Shanks to suddenly unleash it was a huge surprise to everyone.
Especially Barrett. He looked at Shanks differently now. Conqueror's Haki wasn't something just anyone could use—it was proof of a person's innate kingly disposition. Even Barrett and Fang Yi had yet to awaken this power.
Normally, Barrett didn't pay much attention to Shanks or Buggy. Even after Buggy had eaten a Devil Fruit, Barrett didn't take him seriously. But now Shanks—who had always seemed so unremarkable—suddenly had Conqueror's Haki, and that stirred a deeper frustration in Barrett.
Still, aside from Barrett, everyone else was thrilled—especially Fang Yi.
Fang Yi understood Roger's thinking. He, Shanks, and Buggy were all labeled as "interns" on the crew. This was to give them freedom for future development. The Roger Pirates wouldn't last forever. But the three of them were young and still had long futures ahead. When the time came, they could form their pirate crews without being weighed down by the legacy of the Roger Pirates.
Fang Yi had long set his sights on Shanks. As someone who would become one of the Four Emperors in the future, Shanks had boundless potential. Fang Yi had been deliberately building a strong relationship with him. At this point, he was 80% confident he could recruit Shanks to join his future crew.
The stronger Shanks became, the better it would be for Fang Yi.
That evening, Roger threw a grand banquet to celebrate Shanks' awakening of Conqueror's Haki.
However, something puzzled Fang Yi. Why was Conqueror's Haki the first to awaken? Normally, a person would first unlock Observation Haki or Armament Haki—Conqueror's came much later.
Still, that didn't matter. The important part was that Shanks had awakened it.
Since that moment, Shanks' status aboard the ship had skyrocketed. A few days later, Roger even gave Shanks his treasured straw hat. That made Fang Yi nervous—not because he feared being overshadowed, but because of what that gift might mean.
In fan circles, there's a common theory: when Roger passed his hat to Shanks, he also entrusted him with a mission, like waiting for Roger's successor to appear.
If that were true, Fang Yi might lose the chance to bring Shanks aboard his ship in the future. That thought made him anxious.
That night, Fang Yi decided it was time to talk to Shanks directly.
Knock knock knock!
"Shanks, you in there?"
Inside the room, Shanks quickly opened the door. "Brother Yi? Just a second—I'm coming!"
"Got a moment to talk?" Fang Yi asked with a smile.
"Sure!" Shanks nodded, glanced at the sleeping Buggy, and followed Fang Yi out.
The two sat at the ship's stern, looking out at the ocean.
"Shanks, have you thought about the future?" Fang Yi asked.
"The future?" Shanks looked puzzled.
"Yeah," Fang Yi nodded. "We're a generation younger than the Captain. By the time we reach our peak, the Roger Pirates may have already faded into history. What will you do then?"
"Fade into history…" Shanks murmured, going quiet.
"I'm sorry, Brother Yi," Shanks said softly. "I've never thought that far ahead. I just know I'm happy here. Being with everyone—it's fun."
Fang Yi rolled his eyes. "What, you think I'm not having fun too? But when we're in our thirties and forties, do you expect the others—who'll be in their seventies and eighties—to still be sailing with us?"
He realized Shanks misunderstood and quickly clarified.
Shanks scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Then what are your plans, Brother Yi?"
"If the Captain keeps being a pirate, I'll follow him and everyone else," Fang Yi said. "But if he retires and we still have unfulfilled dreams, I won't give up. I'll form my crew to continue his quest for the Final Island. And when I find it, I'll bring the others there too."
He didn't mention Roger's illness—at least not yet.
Shanks was stunned. He hadn't realized Fang Yi had thought this far ahead.
"So… if I start my crew, will you join me? Be my vice-captain—my right-hand man?" Fang Yi asked, locking eyes with Shanks.
Shanks hesitated. He wanted to agree, but couldn't make that kind of promise so easily. Who could say what the future would hold?
"Something bothering you?" Fang Yi asked, seeing the conflict on Shanks' face.
Shanks shook his head. "If it's you, Brother Yi, I'd want to join. But… something just feels off. I can't quite explain it."
"You're wondering why I'm thinking about starting my crew so early, right?" Fang Yi said, smiling. "From your perspective, we're still part of the Roger Pirates. We shouldn't be talking about this now."
Shanks froze, then silently looked down—his silence was an answer.
"Idiot," Fang Yi said, playfully knocking on his head. "You can say whatever's on your mind. I won't get mad."
"Then… why are you thinking about it now?" Shanks asked.
Fang Yi hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I'll tell you, but don't spread it around. Soon, the Captain may make it public anyway…"
Shanks' expression grew serious.
"The Captain has an incurable illness," Fang Yi said quietly. "That's why Crocus came aboard—to help manage his condition. But… Crocus estimates he doesn't have many years left."
"What?" Shanks was stunned. "But Crocus and Rayleigh—they said…"
He trailed off. Even without saying it, he understood why Roger was keeping it a secret.
"Don't worry. There's still a chance," Fang Yi continued. "I read about a Devil Fruit—the Ope Ope no Mi, the 'Surgical Fruit.' It might be able to cure the Captain."
He explained everything he knew about the fruit.
"I see…" Shanks finally understood Fang Yi's urgency.
"So what will you do?" Shanks asked.
"Rayleigh already asked Shakky to investigate the fruit's whereabouts. I think it's most likely in the hands of the World Government. Once we get a lead—no matter where it is—I'll go get it," Fang Yi said resolutely.
"Count me in!" Shanks replied without hesitation.
"Of course! I'm already working on the plan. You don't have a bounty yet, so you'll be perfect for slipping under the radar," Fang Yi chuckled.
They talked for a long time about the fruit, the future, and the Captain. Just before they headed back, Shanks looked at Fang Yi seriously.
"If the Captain's dream isn't fulfilled by then, I'll go with you, Brother Yi. I'll do everything I can to see it through. But if we've already reached the Final Island by then… I don't know what I'll do. I'm sorry—I can't give you a definite answer now."
"That's fine," Fang Yi smiled, clapping Shanks on the shoulder. "Follow your heart. If I forced you, our journey wouldn't be any fun, right?"
"By the way… are you planning to invite Buggy too?" Shanks asked suddenly.
Of course! Fang Yi laughed. We're all crewmates. And we know each other well. Adventuring together will only make things better.