Shanks didn't want to explain too much about Conqueror's Haki. After all, maybe only one in a million people possessed it. It was the quality of a born king, not something you could gain through training. On the vast sea, not every powerful person had Conqueror's Haki, but anyone who did was destined to be a contender for the top. People like his former captain, and like himself. Thinking of this, the image of Captain Roger appeared in Shanks's mind, and a nostalgic smile touched his lips.
"Alright, young man, if you're going to continue…" Shanks gripped Gryphon, getting ready to fight again.
"Are you talking about this?" Before he could finish, Takero suddenly interrupted. He clenched his fists, and his eyes became incredibly focused.
Buzz—!
An invisible, overwhelming pressure erupted from his small body. It wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, but the chilling aura of a king spread out in an instant, like a sleeping dragon suddenly opening its eyes.
The smile on Shanks's face froze. His pupils shrank as he gasped in disbelief, "Con… Conqueror's Haki?!!"
He knew that feeling of pressure, an oppression that came from the depths of the soul. There was no mistaking it. It was the one-in-a-million Conqueror's Haki.
Shanks was completely speechless, his mind reeling. What were the chances? He had stumbled upon a deserted island and found a monstrously talented young boy. Awakening Observation Haki without a teacher was amazing enough, but to have Conqueror's Haki as well… Although the boy's aura was still a bit raw and uncontrolled, the talent was undeniable. To have trained himself to this level all alone, without any guidance—if he were polished just a little, he would one day become a force that could shake the world. In fact, Shanks was certain that even without guidance, this boy was destined for greatness.
After the initial shock came an uncontrollable excitement. A person like this shouldn't be stuck on some nameless little island. Shanks's eyes blazed with a fire he hadn't felt in years. He took a deep breath, calmed his racing heart, and extended an invitation.
"Young man, your talent is a rare sight in this world," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "This vast sea is where you truly belong! Would you… like to join my crew?"
"Yes, yes!"
Takero didn't hesitate for a second. He nodded eagerly, a huge, brilliant smile spreading across his face.
Shanks, however, was stunned. He had expected the boy to be hesitant or suspicious, or at least try to bargain. He never thought he'd get such a straightforward "yes," as if he had just been offered a glass of water.
"Young man," he asked curiously, "we're pirates. The 'bad guys' on this sea. Don't you want to think about it?"
"Think about what?" Takero tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. "I was going to sea anyway. Instead of going through all the trouble of building my own ship, getting a ride on yours is much easier!" Ever since he found out they had a ship, he had been trying to figure out a way to hitch a ride off this island. He never dreamed they would just invite him. It was exactly what he wanted.
"And most importantly…" Takero's eyes lit up with excitement as he looked past Shanks to the powerful crew members behind him. "If I join your ship, that means I can fight you guys every day, right?!"
Their brief fight had made it clear that he was no match for Shanks yet. A direct fight would be foolish. He might be a Saiyan, but he wasn't an idiot. But just because he couldn't win now didn't mean he would never be able to. In his perception, every single person here had an extraordinary aura. These weren't just pirates; they were a group of walking, glittering, high-level experience packs. His gaze swept over them like a searchlight, and a satisfied grin spread across his face. Heh heh, the days ahead are definitely not going to be boring.
For some reason, as Takero's gaze passed over them, all the members of the Red Hair Pirates felt a chill run down their spines. A bad feeling started to creep in. The smile on Shanks's face also froze, and a drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He suddenly felt… maybe inviting this kid was a bit hasty.
"Ah, whatever," he sighed, shaking off the feeling of regret. He broke into a hearty smile and asked, "Young man, my name is Shanks. What's yours?"
"Takero," the boy answered, his voice short and powerful.
"Good! Takero!" Shanks waved his arm grandly, his voice booming across the clearing. "To celebrate our new crewmate—Lads! Let the feast begin!!!"
"YEAH!!!" The crew's cheers instantly chased away the ominous feeling, and the excitement returned.
As night fell, a huge bonfire lit up the forest clearing. The pirates' party was in full swing. Loud laughter, terrible singing, and the clinking of mugs filled the air with a raw, vibrant energy. The men of the Red Hair crew sat around the fire, eating huge chunks of meat and drinking endless amounts of sake.
Takero fit right in, like a drop of water joining the ocean. He held a giant barrel of sake in one hand and tilted his head back, gulping it down with loud "glug glug glug" sounds. With his other hand, he snatched pieces of meat from the grill and stuffed them into his mouth. His fierce, focused eating brought a Saiyan-level shock to everyone there. Even Lucky Roux, the crew's undisputed eating champion, watched in stunned silence, the chicken leg in his hand completely forgotten. "My goodness…" he muttered. "I've finally met my match…"
"Buaaah—!" After finishing the entire barrel, Takero let out a loud, satisfying burp. He felt completely refreshed. As a former underground boxer who loved a good drink, being stuck on a deserted island without a drop of alcohol had been torture.
"That's the spirit, Takero!" Shanks clapped him hard on the shoulder, his face flushed with excitement and alcohol. "You're a real man! That's how it's done: drink hard and eat hard! Hahaha!" For pirates who roamed the high seas, being able to hold your liquor was a basic requirement. Takero's straightforward and uninhibited nature was a perfect fit for his crew.