On the coast, Shanks and a boatload of people, Magino and the village chief, and Bit with two little girls were all watching quietly.

They were looking at the bandit leader in the middle of the sea who was carrying Luffy and driving a boat to drift forward with the breaking waves.

This distance is not too short, but it is not too long. If the bandit leader wanted to do something, Shanks and they could stop him in time.

Shanks is watching Luffy. This time the timing was simply perfect: in the case of Luffy facing the threat of death, first give Luffy hope, and then make him despair.

Luffy, who is only seven years old, is too perfect. The bandit kept saying that he would kill him, but he didn't even cry bitterly.

It's just that I've been staring at the bandit angrily, saying that you are not allowed to scold Shanks or something. This kid can't even scold.

Shanks watched Luffy from the shore, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became. This kid is the same as him. This kind of awareness, this kind of character, and even add the talent of ignoring his domineering color.

Suddenly, Shanks' complexion changed. In his perception of what he saw, there was a sea king rushing towards Luffy and the bandits.

"Mr. Bit, guys, don't do it, I'll take care of it. Shanks said eagerly, and then jumped into the sea.

The next moment, a king of the near sea broke through the water, and in an instant, he gnawed the small boat and ate the bandit leader into his mouth by the way.

In the next moment, the King of the Offshore Sea pounced on Luffy, who was powerless in the water, and couldn't even struggle, and it was not enough for him to stuff his teeth. And the only thing Luffy can do is Zhengda, his eyes staring at the sea king in front of him. There is still some dignity to die like this.

The next moment, a black shadow flashed in front of Luffy's eyes, and Luffy had to close his eyes with the strong wind blowing.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw Shanks holding her in his arms, and the King of the Sea who was scared away by Shanks's "mix-up".

"Incense...... Shanks ...... You...... Your arm. Luffy, who was stopped in Shanks' arms, stammered at Shanks and said.

In front of him, Shanks was holding him, and his left arm was broken.

"Ah, nothing, Luffy. It's just an arm. Shanks smiled and comforted Luffy. This time, though, Shanks couldn't spare his hand to touch his head.

"Ah!! Shanks!!" Luffy grabbed Shanks by the collar and screamed loudly with tears on his face, tilting his head and tearing his heart......

……

Night. In Magino's tavern. Bit and Shanks, who had only one arm, sat and drank together.

Bit who served the wine suddenly chuckled and said, "Fortunately, your arm was gnawed off by the King of the Sea." ”

"What a blessing is this, Mr. Bit. It's not a loss of arms. Shanks said after a few laughs.

"It really doesn't make a difference to you. But if this arm of yours is cut off artificially, the East China Sea will probably be in chaos for a while. ”

Shanks nodded in silence. He also agrees with Bit's statement. After all, Bucky and Mihawk are not bad now.

They also have a good relationship with Shanks. It's the kind of pirate league that doesn't sign a pirate alliance. If only they knew that Shanks had lost an arm in the East China Sea......

"Tell me what you thought at the time. An arm just says no, don't want it. As Bit sat at the bar, sipping from his glass, he changed the subject.

Shanks, who was sitting next to him, was slightly silent. He lowered his head slightly, hiding his entire face in the shadow of the straw hat.

"You know what, Mr. Bit. I'll never forget the night Robin left alone. ”

Now Shanks, the voice is low and terrible. "At that time, I hated my weakness and my previous rejection and laziness in my practice. ”

The cup in Shanks' hand was already creaking. It was evident that Shanks was trying to calm himself down.

"Luffy is so young that he can resist the intimidation of my overlord color. His talent is really good. However, probably because of the grandfather who wanted to pull him into the navy anyway, he was extremely reluctant to train. ”

"I see a shadow of myself in him, whether it's talent or whatever. ”

At this point, Shanks' face was full of determination.

"People only grow when they feel pain. I want Luffy to thrive and know that he can be a pirate on his own. ”

"You are so optimistic about him that you don't hesitate to gamble your arm. Bit took a sip of the wine in the glass and sighed.

"That's right. I'm willing to bet my arm on Luffy. Bet he can start a new era like Captain Roger!"

Shanks pressed his left shoulder, his face full of appreciation, trust, and anticipation for Luffy. He really had great expectations for Luffy.

Bit sighed softly and turned to lean back against the bar. "It's already happened anyway. It's too late for you to regret it. So be it. ”

"I won't regret it, Mr. Bit. Shanks stood up and pressed the straw hat on his head with his right arm.

"It's so late, I'll go first. ”

Bit yawned slightly, waved his hand, and did not speak.

Shanks, who had walked to the door, suddenly stopped, he turned to look at Bit and said, "By the way, Mr. Bit." I'm going to give this straw hat to Luffy, are you okay?"

Bit's hand holding the glass stopped in mid-air. He sighed slightly: "Roger has already given you the hat, then he is your thing." It's up to you to do whatever you want. ”

Shanks nodded, then turned and strode out of the tavern. He's going back to rest. I just broke my arm, and I still need some time to recuperate.

After Bit quietly drank all the remaining wine, he also left the tavern. By the way, the door was locked. Magino had gone back to rest a long time ago. This tavern is the door reserved for Bit and Shanks.

……

Two days later, on the shores of the village of windmills. Shanks was standing on the shore watching his companions come and go carrying supplies to the ship.

They have been in the East China Sea for almost three months. It's time to return to the New World. After all, they are also the most famous pirates in the New World. If you always carry it in a place like the East China Sea, even the navy will not be at ease.

"You're leaving, Shanks. Luffy stood on the stone steps next to the harbor and said as he looked at Shanks who was about to board the ship in front of him.

Shanks stopped when he heard this, and he turned around and stood in front of Luffy. "yes, we're leaving. Is there anything you want to say? Okay, I'm not going to take you on board. ”

"I'm not going to get on your ship either, Shanks. Luffy looked at Shanks, confidence and determination written on his face.

"I'll find a group of companions who are not weaker than you, and then get the biggest secret treasure on this sea!

"Oh. You want to surpass us. Shanks looked at Luffy and said. He had a gentle smile on his face, like he was coaxing a child.

Luffy pouted and looked up at Shanks. "Hey, what's that tone! I've found a good navigator! I'll soon find a companion even better than you!"

However, after listening to Luffy's words, the expression on Shanks' face still didn't change much. He had always looked so gentle today, completely different from his usual appearance.

"Well, good luck. As he spoke, Shanks took off the straw hat on his head and buckled it to Luffy's head.

The big straw hat was buttoned on the little one's head, and this straw hat even covered most of Luffy's face.

"This is something more important than my life, and it is temporarily deposited with you. When you become a pirate on your own, don't forget to pay me back. ”

With that, Shanks stopped and turned and strode onto his pirate ship.

"Guys, sail!"