Luffy pulled back his fist and shook his slightly numb wrist.
"So… still not enough, huh…"
He sounded a little disappointed.
But the look in Shanks' eyes had changed.
He casually rubbed his abdomen.
It didn't hurt.
But he could tell—
That punch had been at least thirty percent stronger than yesterday.
And the way Luffy had generated power was more refined, more controlled.
Thirty percent improvement in a single day?
That wasn't just "fast."
That was monstrous growth.
"Kid," Shanks said.
Luffy looked up.
"How much strength did you use in that punch just now?"
"All of it," Luffy answered honestly.
"You're lying."
Shanks shook his head.
"You had some left."
Luffy blinked.
He did have some left.
That punch had only been about eighty percent of his full power.
Not because he was holding back on purpose—but because…
He had a feeling that if he went all out, his arm might not withstand it.
Yesterday's training load had been too much. His muscles hadn't fully recovered yet.
"I… was worried my arm wouldn't hold up," Luffy admitted quietly.
Shanks nodded.
"That's a wise judgment."
He stepped forward and crouched down so they were eye level.
"Listen, Luffy."
"Getting stronger is important. But protecting yourself is just as important."
"If you injure yourself chasing power, that's the biggest kind of foolishness."
Luffy nodded, half understanding.
Shanks stood and patted him on the shoulder.
"But that punch just now was genuinely good."
"Your speed, your power, the way you transferred force—much better than yesterday."
"At this rate…"
He paused, his gaze deepening.
"You might really be able to set sail within three years."
Luffy's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
"Really."
Shanks smiled.
"But that's only if you can endure."
Luffy nodded vigorously.
"I can endure!"
Shanks looked at the unwavering determination in Luffy's eyes and felt something complicated stir in his chest.
That gaze was too pure.
Pure desire to grow stronger. Pure desire to become Pirate King.
No hesitation. No doubt.
He had only ever seen that look in one other person—
Gol D. Roger.
"Alright. Head back," Shanks said, turning away.
"I'll still be in the village tomorrow. If you've got questions, come find me."
Luffy watched his back, then suddenly called out—
"Shanks!"
"Hmm?"
"Will you… teach me how to get stronger?"
Shanks paused.
He turned around.
Luffy's eyes were filled with expectation.
After a few seconds of silence, Shanks shook his head.
"No."
The light in Luffy's eyes dimmed instantly.
"Why…"
"Because you're not my crewmate," Shanks said calmly.
"I have my companions. You have your own path."
"I can give you advice. I can guide you once in a while."
"But I won't train you systematically."
"Your road is yours to walk."
Luffy lowered his head and clenched his fists.
Seeing the disappointment on his face, Shanks sighed inwardly.
But he didn't change his decision.
Some things had to be experienced firsthand.
"However—"
Shanks' tone shifted.
Luffy looked up again.
"If you ever face a life-or-death crisis, or run into something you truly can't figure out, you can come to me."
"I'll help you once."
"But only once."
Light returned to Luffy's eyes.
"Thank you, Shanks!"
Shanks smiled faintly, waved a hand, and turned to leave.