Itachi was sitting calmly when suddenly he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, stood up, and said:
"I've located him. He's nearby—closer than ever before. I'm moving now. I'll try to intercept him at the Island of Beasts, since he'll naturally pass through it. There, we'll see how things stand. I don't think Shanks is the type to go after gold, but if his goal is what we're after, then we'll have to make the right decision at that moment. Kisame, time is running out."
Itachi and Kisame set off toward the desolate island, where thousands of untamed beasts roamed and fought among themselves.
On the other side, Shanks and his crew activated the compass for only a few seconds. It revealed their destination: the Island of Beasts. Immediately after, Shanks turned it off. So far, everything was going well—he already knew the way to the island. But how would he handle things when the compass pointed to an unknown destination?
The ship was sailing through the East Blue at high speed, trying to distance itself from the point where the compass had been activated. This only bought Shanks some time, as everyone was already on his trail.
The Island of Beasts was the main target. Some had already identified the destination, while many were still trying to trace where the compass had appeared.
Whitebeard was drinking when his first commander, Marco, approached him and said,
"Oyaji, we've located the compass. It's only a few days away from the Island of Beasts, but it was turned off very quickly."
Whitebeard set his drink down, grabbed his spear, and stood up. His crew gathered behind him in an imposing scene.
"My sons, someone is trying to steal the One Piece. We will not allow that. I want to reach whoever holds that compass."
His words ignited the crew's passion. Everyone began chanting, "The One Piece is ours! The One Piece is ours!" They set sail toward the island at full speed, their eyes fixed on one goal: the One Piece belongs to the King of the Pirates—it belongs to Whitebeard.
But how would Whitebeard react when he learned that the one holding the compass was Shanks? Reality suggested it would lead to a fierce war—neither side would give up the compass.
Everyone wanted the One Piece, and everyone was ready to sacrifice for it.
Shanks had already taken the lead. He finally reached the Island of Beasts and said,
"Here we are. We've finally arrived. Now we need to head to the top of that mountain and activate the compass again—but we must hurry. Fleets are tracking us. We need to be fast and prepared for anything."
Shanks and Benn Beckman disembarked and entered the forest. Suddenly, darkness fell quickly and unnaturally.
Benn Beckman said,
"I think something isn't right. The darkness came too fast… is that even possible?"
Suddenly, a sound from behind made Shanks draw his sword.
"There's only one honorable way to fight—show yourself. But we can force you out like this."
He swung his sword, releasing a red flame that burned through a large cluster of trees. The shock was intense. From the flames emerged a figure dressed in black, wearing a red mask, his hand raised.
"I know why you're here. I'm just a potential ally—you'll need me on your journey."
Shanks sheathed his sword and said,
"We don't need anything right now. Leave before something happens that you won't like."
"You need me, Shanks."
Shanks and Benn Beckman ignored him and continued toward the mountain. But Shanks suddenly stopped and said,
"Come out."
The masked man stepped forward and said,
"Listen, I know why you're here. Please, let me join your crew. I'll help you."
Shanks replied firmly and angrily,
"What do you gain from this? What's your goal?"
The man removed his mask, shocking Shanks. His face was severely scarred.
"Who did this to you?" Shanks asked.
The man put his mask back on and said,
"My name is Bob. I used to work with Blackbeard. He promised me a Devil Fruit, but I had a falling out with one of his crew. They attacked me."
Shanks responded,
"Listen, I advise you to stay out of my way, Bob. I have something to do, and you're delaying me. I'll say this only once—take it seriously and leave immediately."
Bob stepped back, raising his hand as before, and withdrew.
After a long struggle, Shanks and Benn Beckman finally reached the mountain's summit, where a small pyramid stood, carved with strange symbols and unreadable runes. As Shanks approached it, a shadow appeared from behind the structure.
The figure slowly emerged. When Shanks saw him, his eyes widened. He immediately drew his sword and said,
"You might think you're in the right place, but believe me—you're in the worst possible place for you."
It was the most dangerous member of the Akatsuki—Itachi.
With cold precision, Itachi leapt toward Shanks and said,
"Tell me—why are you searching for the One Piece?"
"And what does that have to do with you?" Shanks replied.
A heavy silence followed. Benn Beckman stepped back. Dust rose, and the wind shifted unnaturally. Everything pointed to an imminent battle.
But Itachi said,
"I came to confirm something, and now I have my answer, Shanks. Next time, our interests will clash—that is fate. Prepare yourself. We will meet again soon."
He vanished instantly.
Shanks closed his eyes for a moment, then sighed.
"A storm is coming… they seek to claim this world."
Benn Beckman asked,
"How could that even happen?"
Shanks fell silent for a moment, as if seeing the world splitting apart.
"There are three different types of Devil Fruits. Among them is the unique Fruit of Immortality. The Akatsuki joining this race makes things far more exciting… hahaha. A new war is inevitable."
Benn Beckman said,
"Didn't you say you were going to get a sword?"
Shanks laughed,
"When did I say that? Hahaha… yes, yes, I did. But certain people must be prevented from obtaining that fruit. We have to get it before anyone else. If we fail, it will become a deadly weapon in the wrong hands."
He fell silent again, thinking deeply.
Why would the Akatsuki be interested in this treasure—or even the fruit? It didn't make sense. There was something else. Someone was pulling the Akatsuki's strings from the shadows.
Who?
One possibility was the World Government—perhaps they had recruited them to ensure no one would obtain the One Piece.
But at that moment, Shanks felt it clearly—things were about to become far more serious. The Akatsuki's speed was unmatched. They only needed to know the destination.
Meanwhile, Shanks needed a way to hide his movements.
But that… seemed almost impossible.
The events grow more complex, the paths begin to converge, and the danger is greater than expected… so who will emerge in the race for the One Piece?