The New World, uncharted waters.
The dark red sunset dyed the sea the color of coagulated blood.
—
The sails of the Red Force snapped loudly in the wind. The deck was littered with broken swords and scattered fragments of pirate flags.
Shanks leaned against the ship's railing, his black cloak flapping wildly in the sea breeze. The three scars over his left eye were faintly visible in the twilight.
Beneath his feet lay a torn corner of a pirate flag, bearing half of a blood-red skull.
This was the flag of the Blood Bone Pirates, who had dominated these waters for nearly a decade, now crushed and deformed in the fierce battle.
In the world of pirates, a pirate flag isn't just a piece of cloth—it symbolizes the very soul of a crew.
To have their flag shattered and trampled underfoot meant the complete defeat of a pirate crew.
...
"Captain, the cleanup is almost done," Beckman said, holstering his short gun as his gaze swept over the crew resting on the deck.
The members of the Red Hair Pirates were either sitting or standing, each bearing injuries, yet none showed signs of weary defeat.
Lucky Roux clutched a half-eaten leg of meat, replenishing his strength while using his sleeve to wipe blood and grime from his face.
Click—
Yasopp adjusted his rifle barrel, then turned to Shanks with a grin. "That guy's vice-captain—his marksmanship was far worse than the rumors said."
"Oh, and should we keep Blood Bone Gairl's armor as a memento?"
Shanks chuckled softly, wiping a trickle of blood from his temple as he looked toward the churning sea of clouds in the distance.
"No need."
The sea wind howled past, tousling his red hair, which blazed like fire under the fading sunlight.
A supremely confident smile played on his lips as he declared loudly,
"In the New World, reputation is earned through strength and courage—not through trophies."
"Let's keep moving forward!"
"Let everyone who sees our flag flee in terror!!"
...
Amid the unified cheers of the crew, the red dragon figurehead lifted high, and the Red Force set sail once more.
Behind them, the waters were strewn with the wreckage of the Blood Bone Pirates' ships and corpses bobbing among the broken masts.
The path to becoming an Emperor is paved with endless mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
...
...
Beckman sniffed the gunpowder scent clinging to his coat and flicked his hand. "Shanks, let's find a place to resupply. My ammunition and the ship's food are running low."
Shanks eyed Beckman up and down, a bottle of liquor in hand, and grinned. "After all these years, you still haven't shaken that bad habit of yours."
"I remember we still have plenty of ammunition and food—it's your clean clothes that are gone, isn't it!"
"How ridiculous—a pirate so fixated on cleanliness! Hahahaha!!"
...
"Heh, maintaining a gentleman's demeanor is essential when pursuing beautiful women."
Beckman took the bottle from Shanks, wiping the rim. "By the way, our liquor reserves are truly gone. This is the last bottle."
Gulp, gulp...
Shanks lunged at Beckman like a carp leaping, barely managing to snatch the bottle back. Staring at the empty bottom, he looked on the verge of tears.
"Hey... how dare you..."
"Not a single drop left for me!!!!"
"This was the last bottle!!!!!"
...
Beckman, with a cigarette in his mouth, said leisurely: "Let's restock at the nearest Dressrosa. That place is famous for its fine wine."
Of course... that tropical resort island is even more famous for its beautiful women.
Shanks hung his head in dejection, his single arm drooping lifelessly: "It's too far... I'll die without alcohol these few days... I'll really die, you bastard Beckman!!"
Bang—
Beckman lifted his foot and kicked open a treasure chest nearby, causing a series of clinking sounds from colliding wine bottles.
"You underestimate me, Shanks."
"How could I let the crew celebrate our victory without any celebratory drinks?"
Shanks immediately revived, his eyes shining brightly.
"Alcohol!!!"
"I love you so much! Beckman!!"
...
"Hey, let me remind you first, this is truly the last case. Make it last until we reach Dressrosa."
"Got it! Got it!"
Shanks shouted: "Everyone!! Let's start the feast!!!!"
——
——
——
Calm Belt, Amazon Lily.
The Pirate Empress's palace.
...
"This is the condition the World Government agreed to for not pursuing the last incident. You must go."
"The Marine warships are still a hundred miles away!"
The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, reclined on a chaise lounge with a pink-and-white snake coiled around her, staring intently at a bounty poster.
Elder Nyon leaned on her cane nearby, admonishing: "Only by playing a role in capturing that guy can your position among the Seven Warlords of the Sea be secured, and our Amazon Lily remain safe from Marine threats!"
...
Hancock gently raised her hand, and the snake understandingly fetched the bounty poster with its mouth.
"Elder Nyon, you know where we were during those missing years, don't you..."
Elder Nyon, the former Pirate Empress Gloriosa, fell silent.
She was the one who had helped the fleeing Hancock sisters return to Amazon Lily and nurtured her to become the new empress.
The brand marks on the three girls' backs...
How could Elder Nyon not know?
Taking a deep breath, Elder Nyon said gravely: "That's all in the past! If you still hold grudges against the World Government and want to resist now, you'd be treating the lives of thousands of citizens too lightly!"
"Hancock! You're still young!"
"Time is on your side. You're the most talented among all the emperors of Amazon Lily throughout history. Once you grow to the level of Whitebeard and Roger, there will still be time for revenge!"
"By then, even if you kill that person, the World Government won't dare to do anything!"
"This world operates this way - strength reigns supreme!"
"When you lack sufficient strength, endurance is your only choice!"
...
Hancock on the chaise slowly curled up, hugging her knees, like a little girl afraid of something.
"It's too late..."
"How could it be! You must believe in yourself—"
"That person has already been hunted down by Kari."
...
Elder Nyon's comforting words were cut off. Hancock pressed her face against her knees, her eyes empty: "Elder Nyon, what should I do..."
"The person I wanted to take revenge on is already dead."
"For the sake of our people, you want me to go after my benefactor... Elder Nyon, why must I endure such painful things?"
"I'm so tired..."
...
...
Elder Nyon approached her, gently stroking Hancock's trembling back.
"On the path of growth, pain always follows like a shadow."
"You must swallow the pain, taste the pain, digest the pain, endure..."
"Damn it! Endure my foot!!"
Seeing the glistening tears in Hancock's eyes, Elder Nyon could no longer continue, striking her cane forcefully against the ground.
Her chest heaving with emotion, Elder Nyon declared angrily, "Little Hancock, do whatever you want to do! No matter what happens, this old woman will back you up!"
"We old folks haven't all died out yet!"
"It's absolutely wrong to make a young girl like you bear the weight of an entire nation!"
...
...
When Elder Nyon walked out of the palace, night had already fallen.
Gazing at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, she sighed and took out a Special Den Den Mushi she had kept sealed away for a long time.
Buru buru...
"It's been a long time since I last heard from you, old captain."
A clear woman's voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
"Is something the matter?"
After several deep breaths to compose herself, Elder Nyon spoke with difficulty.
"There's trouble. I need you to come back."
...
"Alright."