"So, you're saying Red-Haired Shanks didn't manage to get even a scrap of face out of it!?"
Fishman Island, Dragon Palace.
Naruto listened with great interest as Suigetsu Hōzuki recounted the events—he hadn't joined the Marineford war, but had watched the broadcast from start to finish.
"Hahahaha…" Whitebeard roared with laughter, pouring himself a massive drink and downing it with gusto.
"That brat Shanks, always saying 'give me some face, give me some face'—this time he lost it all!"
Rayleigh couldn't help but chuckle, sipping his own drink.
"Guess he learned it from the captain, but the timing was all wrong this time."
Shiki said bluntly:
"No kidding. He picked the worst time—right after the Navy had been humiliated, everyone burning with fury. The only reason they didn't keep him there was because Marineford was already about to collapse."
Barrett laughed uproariously:
"That red-haired brat, I bet Sengoku and the Admirals nearly exploded with rage! Hahaha, no wonder he used to be just an apprentice on our ship…"
The gathered pirates burst out laughing.
They could already imagine the look on the Marines' faces.
First they let the pirates walk away, and the next moment another pack of pirates shows up—if Sengoku and the others didn't die of anger, it was only because of their patience.
If their tempers had been any worse, they might have fought the Red-Hair Pirates on the spot. With both sides' strength, it would've been a bloodbath.
If not for Shanks running fast, he might've ended up skinned even if he survived.
"Oi…"
From outside Dragon Palace came a helpless voice, dragging something heavy as it moved closer.
"Rayleigh, Barrett… I was your crewmate once, do you have to tease me this much?"
Everyone turned to see a man in a red coat, one arm missing, a sword at his hip, carrying a huge jug of sake—Red-Haired Shanks.
Behind him followed the crew of the Red-Hair Pirates, their faces dark after hearing the laughter inside.
"So this is Red-Haired Shanks?"
Naruto lifted his massive sake bowl, studying the mysterious Yonko with curiosity.
Though the most "normal-looking" of the four Emperors, the explosive power within him was undeniable. It rivaled any Marine Admiral Naruto had seen, and faintly could even be compared to Whitebeard's monstrous might.
As Naruto scrutinized him, Shanks sized them up in return, secretly astonished.
Here, in the obscure Dragon Palace, gathered so many monsters of the old era, each with terrifying strength.
He had also glimpsed the beasts freed from Impel Down outside… and the next generation of pirates now at large.
And all of this—accomplished by a single man.
Shanks' gaze settled on Naruto, eyes narrowing.
"The Child of the Devil… Uzumaki Naruto, huh?"
Invading the Holy Land and fighting the Admirals could still be hand-waved as a freak incident.
But Marineford proved this blond youth's power was real—enough to stand on equal footing with a Yonko.
With the monsters freed from Impel Down under his banner, his forces had become formidable.
One Fishman Island alone would never contain him. Would he march on the New World next?
Shanks pondered with a trace of heaviness.
Rayleigh broke into laughter, raising his cup.
"Shanks, long time no see! I half-expected we'd meet at Marineford instead."
Barrett bellowed:
"Red-haired brat, you were too late! Should've shown up earlier for something like that!"
Shanks gave a wry smile.
"Couldn't be helped. Kaido attacked Whitebeard's territory. I had to stop him, and it delayed me."
Even as he spoke, regret shadowed his face.
Wars like Marineford came once in centuries. Missing it over such matters was a pirate's greatest regret.
Naruto chuckled:
"So, you didn't end up clashing with the Marines? I bet they were ready to eat you alive."
Shanks' mouth twitched.
Behind him, his crew looked like they'd swallowed bitter medicine.
They had sailed nonstop from the New World, without even meals along the way, desperate to arrive in time.
Only to be shut out.
When they finally reached Marineford, the Marines' eyes were blood-red with fury. Akainu looked ready to bite their throats out.
Even Garp, usually on decent terms, had seemed ready to throw a few punches at them.
Three Admirals, Hero Garp, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, countless Vice Admirals and future Admirals…
If Shanks hadn't turned tail, they'd have been surrounded for sure.
"Gurararara…"
Whitebeard laughed again, signaling a female pirate to pour more sake, then handing a massive red bowl to Shanks.
"Red-haired brat, I'm in a good mood today. Drink this hometown sake with me!"
Shanks smiled and gulped it down without hesitation.
The pirates roared with laughter, devouring food and drink, draping arms around each other's shoulders.
Especially Whitebeard, Shiki, Rayleigh, and Barrett, who drank and roared like the old monsters they were.
"A victory banquet, huh? That's just like pirates."
Naruto laughed, raising his own bowl to clink against Shanks'.
The banquet stretched on for three days and nights.
On the fourth morning, Naruto stirred awake, rubbing his temples. He smacked Tsunade's backside, who was curled against him.
"Oi, cow tits, don't just lie there—fetch me some clothes."
Tsunade blinked awake, face flushing scarlet, but obediently rose to do as told.
After washing, Naruto glanced at the pirates ready to depart.
"Leaving already?"
Whitebeard bellowed with laughter:
"Of course! My sons are rescued—we're heading back to the New World!"
Barrett smirked:
"I'll keep training. One day I'll be the strongest in the world."
Rayleigh ruffled Ace's hair with a sigh.
"No choice. You dragged this kid into my care, so this old man has to play babysitter."
Ace's face turned bright red, hurriedly insisting he didn't need Rayleigh watching him.
Shiki laughed loud and sharp:
"Roger's brat, you think without Rayleigh, the World Government's trash will just let you walk free?"
(End of Chapter)
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