"Heh~ It can't be such a coincidence, right?"
Lucifer muttered, twitching his mouth as he looked at the figure before him.
A yellow straw hat, red hair, and a powerful aura.
Besides the apprentice on the Pirate King's ship, who else could it be but the future Yonko, "Red-Haired" Shanks?
"Yo, what's up, little brother? Need some help?"
Shanks squinted, looking down on Lucifer.
His strong Observation Haki also detected Lucifer's uncommon nature.
"Ah, I'm Chris D. Lucifer, heading to Log Town... but because of the storm... I lost direction.
Could you please point me the way?"
Lucifer didn't dare show recognition of Shanks, quickly giving his true reason for help.
"Ah? Chris, huh?"
Upon hearing this, Shanks first reacted to Lucifer's surname.
This was noticed by Lucifer.
Sure enough, Shanks knew the Chris family.
Both were from the West Sea, and Mage had once told him he had visited the Shanks family as a child with his father.
The original story also mentioned Shanks' complex background—it wasn't just an ordinary pirate.
"Chris? Chris from the West Sea?"
Shanks asked.
"Yes, do you know my family?"
Lucifer feigned surprise.
"Hmm, yes. I heard of your family before. You're somewhat famous in the West Sea,"
Shanks said slowly in a magnetic voice.
"Oh, it seems you're also from the West Sea, big brother?"
Lucifer said happily.
"Ah, yes... how old are you, calling me big brother?"
Young Shanks frowned.
"Ah, I'm eleven this year.
Can't you tell, big brother?"
Lucifer said naturally.
"Heh~ Eleven years old... impressive!"
Shanks looked at Lucifer's height and aura.
Though not yet equal, he was already a notable figure.
"Big brother, you haven't answered my question.
Which direction is Log Town?"
Lucifer timely asked again.
"Oh? Log Town?
What are you going to do there?"
Shanks narrowed his eyes, asking warily.
But then he remembered.
The captain voluntarily surrendered and had declared the reason for public execution before disbanding the crew.
So Shanks thought there was no need to be on guard.
"Oh, the newspaper says Pirate King was captured and will be executed publicly in Log Town.
But I don't buy it.
The Pirate King had never been caught for so many years.
Why would he be captured after becoming King?
But since it's true, I must go see his last moments!"
Lucifer said excitedly.
Although his words weren't fully factual, they were close truths.
"Oh? You're sailing out at eleven just to see the Pirate King's last moments?
Amazing!"
Lucifer's reason resonated with Shanks, who spoke with a slight sigh.
"Log Town, huh...
I just happen to be going there too.
I'll give you a ride.
If your ship is still there, just tie your anchor to the back of my ship."
Shanks thought for a moment.
"Great, big brother, thank you!
But I don't know your name yet."
Lucifer said excitedly.
"Oh, just call me Shanks.
I'm also from the West Sea.
We're fellow countrymen!"
Shanks said as he turned, called to his crew, then turned back to Lucifer.
"Oh, big brother is also from the West Sea?
That's great!"
As for Lucifer's inner thoughts, only he knew.
He wasn't afraid to reveal his thoughts.
As a soul-transformed "cheat" from another world, he didn't believe Observation Haki could hear his inner voice.
"Alright, tie your anchor to my ship's stern, then come aboard.
Your little ship looks uncomfortable."
Shanks said calmly.
"Alright, big brother Shanks, thank you!"
This time Lucifer sincerely thanked him.
Getting a ride really helped a lot!
"Just call me Shanks—no need to add 'big brother'!"
"Okay, Shanks!"
Lucifer happily responded.
Soon, Lucifer completed tying his anchor and climbed aboard.
On Shanks' ship, Lucifer found not many people—mostly crew Shanks temporarily hired to speed back to East Blue.
"Shanks, are you also going to Log Town to see the Pirate King?"
Lucifer asked knowingly.
"Ah... yes.
Gol D. Roger, such an extraordinary person.
It'd be a pity not to see his last moments."
Although Shanks spoke calmly, Lucifer could hear grief in his voice.
Their most respected captain had chosen such a path.
Even Lucifer himself might not fare better in the same situation.
"Here, Shanks, I brought some special wild boar meat from Buna Island. Try some!"
Lucifer offered some remaining grilled meat from his bag.
Shanks looked at the small leg, twitched his mouth again, but still accepted the well-preserved meat.
---To be continued---
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T/N:
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