Chapter 220 — The Red-Haired Strangers at the Port
S.C. 1512 — Late Afternoon
Foosha Village — Portside
The waves were calm when the lookouts on the small fishing dock suddenly froze.
A ship appeared.
Not a Marine ship.
Not a merchant ship.
Not a fishing boat.
A pirate ship.
And not the usual pathetic, patchwork rafts that sometimes drifted near the Goa coastline.
This one was sturdy, clean, with red trimmings and a flag fluttering high.
A skull wearing a straw-like, jagged red mane behind it.
Villagers muttered nervously.
"Who are they?"
"Pirates… here?"
"They don't look like small-time raiders…"
Ren stepped out of Makino's bar with Zemo at his heel, eyes narrowing. This wasn't an ordinary crew. He felt it immediately—the aura, the calm confidence radiating from them.
Zemo growled lightly but stayed close.
At the front of the group, walking off the ship with unhurried steps, was a tall, broad-shouldered man with bright red hair tied loosely and a grin that carried zero hostility.
Shanks.
Though the villagers didn't know the name yet.
But Ren recognized the presence.
This was a pirate captain far above East Blue standards.
---
The Crew Arrives
Behind Shanks stepped:
Benn Beckman, calm and analytical
Yasopp, grinning already
Lucky Roux, chewing something happily
A few young deckhands joking around
They looked dangerous only in strength—
Not in intent.
Shanks waved cheerfully toward the stunned villagers.
"Hello! Sorry for dropping in unannounced—mind if we dock here for a few days?"
Silence.
Then someone gulped and said,
"U-Um… you're pirates, right?"
Shanks put his hands on his hips.
"Aye! But we're here for drinks, not trouble!"
His voice boomed with laughter.
Makino, standing beside Ren, whispered,
"Drinks…? Oh no…"
Ren simply replied,
"The bar is about to be loud."
---
Luffy Breaks the Tension
A tiny blur shot from the far side of the village.
"PIRATES?!?!?"
Luffy skidded to a stop right in front of Shanks, eyes shining like lanterns.
"ARE YOU STRONG?! ARE YOU REAL PIRATES?! DO YOU HAVE ADVENTURES?!"
The villagers tensed.
The crew blinked.
Shanks laughed—loud, warm, surprised.
"Wow! This kid's full of fire!"
Luffy puffed out his chest proudly.
"I'M GONNA BE A PIRATE TOO!"
Ren facepalmed quietly in the background.
Makino sighed.
"Luffy, don't say such reckless things…"
Shanks grinned at Luffy, kneeling eye-level with him.
"Well, kid… if you're gonna be a pirate someday—make sure you eat properly and grow big first."
Luffy nodded seriously.
"Yep!"
---
Makino's Bar — First Contact
Minutes later, the bar was full.
Completely full.
Laughing pirates.
A flustered Makino.
A delighted Luffy sitting beside Yasopp.
The villagers cautiously peeking in.
Ren stood near the back wall, observing quietly.
Beckman noticed him first.
"A quiet kid. Sharp eyes."
Shanks followed Beckman's glance.
He saw Ren—calm, composed, watching them with a strange depth for someone so young.
Shanks raised an eyebrow.
"That one feels… different."
Beckman nodded silently.
"He's measuring us."
Shanks laughed softly.
"Kids in this village sure are interesting."
Ren ignored the comments and kept analyzing.
Every movement.
Every breath pattern.
Every power signature.
These weren't East Blue fighters.
Their doriki, even at casual rest, surpassed anything he'd measured so far.
Yasopp alone radiated more power than Bram at full output.
Shanks was… deeper than that. Much deeper.
---
A Small Exchange
Makino, trying to keep the bar orderly, passed a tray toward Ren.
"Can you take this to the corner table?"
Ren nodded and delivered the drinks.
Shanks smiled at him.
"Thanks, kid."
Ren didn't flinch.
"You're stronger than anyone who's come through East Blue."
Shanks blinked, then laughed.
"Is that so? Got a sharp eye, don't you?"
Ren didn't answer.
Zemo growled softly again—reading the strength instinctively.
Shanks crouched and scratched Zemo behind the ears.
"Good boy."
Zemo froze… then leaned in, reluctantly accepting.
Ren's eyes narrowed again.
He tamed Zemo's hostility instantly. Interesting.
---
Nightfall — A New Presence Settles In
The party continued.
Laughter echoed through the village.
Luffy was already following Yasopp like a duckling.
Makino was exhausted but smiling.
Ren stepped outside with Zemo to breathe the cool evening air.
The Red Hair Pirates were strong.
Very strong.
And they were here for the first time.
He looked at the horizon.
This wasn't an attack.
Not a threat.
Just the beginning of something new.
Footsteps approached.
Shanks stood beside Ren, holding a mug of juice (Makino refused to give him more alcohol).
"You've got a sharp mind for a kid your age," Shanks said casually.
Ren didn't reply.
Shanks looked toward the sea.
"Peaceful little village… we'll stay a while. Don't worry—we won't cause trouble."
Ren finally spoke.
"Your presence alone changes things."
Shanks grinned.
"Maybe. But sometimes change is good."
Then he walked back inside.
Ren watched him go.
Zemo leaned against Ren's leg.
The quiet night felt heavier—not dangerous, not dark—
just filled with possibility.
The Red Hair Pirates had arrived in Foosha Village.
And nothing would remain the same.
---
End of Chapter 220