The Red-Haired crew dragged themselves onto the shore, seawater streaming from their coats, silence replacing their usual laughter.
Jin still held Makino at his side, violet eyes cold, voice cutting through the tension:
"Your captain… has luck. But that wager was reckless."
Ben Beckman's gaze hardened. He understood the meaning. "Reckless, yes. But it paid off." His tone was low, edged with irony. "This time, though, the stakes were steep."
No one else spoke. The weight of their captain's missing arm pressed down on them all, heavier than the sea itself. Laggy Roux and Yasopp pulled Shanks onto dry land, his red hair plastered against his face, his single arm clutching a shivering Luffy.
Jin exhaled, drawing Makino closer. "Take him back to the tavern. I'll tend to his wound. Otherwise, infection alone will cripple him for a month."
He didn't wait for argument. He turned, hand still locked with Makino's, and strode back toward the bar. The pirates followed in silence.
Inside, the tavern smelled of blood, salt, and wet wood.
Jin worked quickly, laying out herbs, poultices, and a vial of his refined medicine. His movements were precise, mercenary-efficient. He wasn't healing a friend; he was patching a soldier.
"Here." He pressed a small bottle into Shanks' good hand once the bandages were tight. The faint scent of iron and herbs filled the air. "One pill a day. It'll restore your blood and stabilize your body. Half a month, and you'll be steady again. Thirty doses—keep the rest. You'll need them."
Shanks chuckled despite the pain, tilting the bottle toward the light. "Well, well… I thought you were just a smith. Didn't know you dabbled as a miracle doctor too."
Jin didn't humor the jest. His eyes slid past Shanks to Luffy, who stood biting his lip, guilt written across his young face.
"Strong men overcome hardships," Jin said flatly. "But only when they have the strength to face them. Remember that, brat. Before you throw yourself into trouble, ask if you're strong enough to crawl back out."
The boy froze, eyes wide, words lost in his throat.
Jin turned back to Shanks. "Your trip to East Blue ends here, doesn't it?"
Shanks leaned back, one-handed, a wry smile pulling at his lips. "Yeah… this year was almost too comfortable. Still, the thing I came here to do—fate took care of it."
He reached down, ruffling Luffy's hair with his remaining hand. "Don't sulk. Jin's right—he wasn't scolding you. This is just the way of the sea. You'll grow. And one day… you'll understand."
Jin said nothing. He'd already understood enough. Shanks had chosen his gamble, and the cost was carved into his body. Words couldn't change that.
That night, aboard the Red Force, lanterns swung in the sea breeze.
"Captain." Beckman's voice was firm, but tinged with worry. "How's the arm? Did Jin's medicine work?"
Shanks sat upright, cradling a mug of rum in his good hand, the stump of his other arm cleanly wrapped. His smile was as unshakable as ever. "It works. You can feel it, can't you? Every herb he uses is the real thing. With this, I'll be back on my feet in weeks instead of months."
Beckman exhaled. "I don't doubt his skill. But the gamble you made… was it worth it?" His eyes flicked to the silent crew listening from the shadows.
Shanks tilted his head back, laughing softly before answering. "A gamble isn't a gamble without a stake. And Luffy… he's worth betting on. The sea itself agrees—why else would that fruit find him?"
For a moment, even the seasoned pirates fell silent, the weight of his conviction pressing over them.
Then Shanks broke the mood with a grin, flashing teeth. "Besides—who cares? One arm less, I'm still Red-Haired Shanks."
He downed the rest of his drink, slammed the cup down, and leaned forward with a mischievous smirk. "But… don't let Jin think he has all the cards. Take one of those pills he gave me—get it to the ship's doctor. See what we can learn. Can't let him have all the glory, right? Hahaha!"
Beckman pinched the bridge of his nose. Yasopp groaned. Laggy Roux rolled his eyes.
"Captain…" Beckman muttered, exasperated. But Shanks only laughed harder, drunk on both rum and stubborn optimism.
That same night, back in the tavern, Makino lay curled against Jin's side, her voice quiet in the dark.
"Jin… you said Shanks was strong. Then why didn't he just dodge that Sea King?"
Jin stroked her hair slowly, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Because it wasn't about strength. It was a wager. He bet his arm to secure Luffy's future. Foolish, reckless… but that's how he chose to live. He's the kind of man who gambles with pieces of himself."
Makino frowned. "And you…?"
"I don't gamble with my body for anyone's future." His voice was low, edged with steel. "Not for a boy, not for fate, not for the sea. I protect what I choose to protect. If the world wants to take it from me, I'll burn the world instead."
Makino shifted, sliding her arm across his chest. Her eyes shone faintly in the dark. "Then keep that promise. Today, when the bandits came… when Shanks bled… I realized how dangerous this world truly is. It's everywhere. No matter how quiet the village feels, danger can walk in at any time."
Jin turned, smiling faintly at her worry. "That's why I train. Why Kuina trains. Why Kuma grows stronger every day. Danger is everywhere, yes—but power… power makes danger irrelevant. Trust me, Makino. No matter what comes, I'll be ready."
He kissed her forehead softly, his tone shifting to warmth. "Sleep now, Ki-ki. The world's monsters can wait until tomorrow."
Her breath slowed, tension easing in his arms. But Jin lay awake longer, violet eyes open against the dark.
Because he knew the truth Shanks had proven with blood: the sea always demanded its price.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: patreon.com/GodFic