Shanks Returns to the Holy Land
Holy Land Mary Geoise Room of Authority
Inside the magnificent hall, the atmosphere was almost tangible.
Shanks stood alone before the Five Elders, his Red-Hair falling down to cover half his face, the coldness in his eyes seemingly swallowed by shadows.
The Five Elders gazed at the former "Four Emperors," their eyes filled with a mixture of doubt, wariness, and deep thought.
The air seemed compressed to its limit, with only the sound of heartbeats echoing in the hall.
Finally, the newly appointed Warrior God of Science and Defense — Figarland Saint Garling— spoke, his voice icy:
"Shanks, why did Roy let you go? He never does anything pointless."
They didn't doubt that Shanks could escape from Roy.
With that person's terrifying strength, no one in the world could survive his pursuit.
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Shanks raised his head, his gaze falling on his mother's killer and his own father, the source of his bloodline, and a cold smile slowly curled at the corner of his lips.
He said... he didn't want to completely break ties with the World Government.
"Not killing Celestial Dragons was a bottom line he personally drew."
As soon as the words were spoken, a clear light appeared in the eyes of Saint Nusjuro, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, Saint Warcury, Saint Mars.
They had not personally witnessed the apocalyptic scene of the "Paramount War" battle between Buddha and demon, and their understanding of Roy's true terror remained only in hearsay.
Even the death of Saint Saturn was attributed to his disobedience to the adults.
Hearing "Roy doesn't intend to completely break ties" at this moment, I felt a sense of relief and self-comfort.
However, Saint Garling's reaction was quite different.
"Lie!!"
The jade table shattered instantly under his palm, cracks spreading and dust flying everywhere.
He stood up abruptly, his eyes sharp as blades, his voice echoing through the hall. "How could someone like Roy possibly compromise?! What exactly is he plotting?!"
Shanks slightly raised his eyes. "I don't know."
He took a deep breath, his voice heavy. "But he slaughtered my comrades, crushed my dreams... This hatred is irreconcilable!!"
His Red-Hair rose slightly, and he took a step forward, unleashing Haki that pressed down on the entire hall like a raging tide.
The air vibrated violently, even the hanging curtains Hunting Roar.
"You still dare to take in someone like me, the 'mortal enemy of death'?!"
The Five Elders looked at each other, speechless.
They knew all too well that the blood feud between Roy and Shanks was irreconcilable.
A moment later, Shanks gave a cold, self-deprecating smile:
"Don't worry... I won't be foolish enough to throw my life away before I obtain absolute power."
Saint Garling narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "Then how are we supposed to trust you?"
In the hall's light and shadow, Shanks' expression was more solemn than ever before as he slowly uttered the words that sent a jolt through the hearts of the Five Elders:
"I will... reclaim the power of 'that person'."
The Five Elders' expressions changed instantly, and their hearts were filled with shock.
Several days later, Sabaody Archipelago
Morning light streamed through the thin mist, illuminating the Concert venue that was under renovation.
Uta had taken off her glamorous songstress costume and was now standing quietly at the edge of the stage, wearing only a pure white dress.
She held a notice in her hand. "One-year hiatus to pursue music studies."
Suddenly, familiar footsteps sounded behind me.
Uta was startled and turned around abruptly.
That splash of red still shines as brightly as a flame.
Shanks stood in the morning light, his left arm intact, and he was much more composed than usual.
Those eyes, once free and unrestrained, gazing at the sea with a smile, now hold a weight as deep as the ocean.
"Father... your arm?!"
Uta rushed forward, his hands trembling as he grasped the left arm he had lost and then regained.
The touch was warm and real, and she instantly burst into tears.
Shanks opened his arms and hugged his daughter tightly. "I went to Mary Geoise... and made a deal."
Uta shuddered, her eyes red with tears. "Is it because of me?! Is it because I summoned Tot Musica... that you went to beg those Celestial Dragons?!"
"No."
Shanks cupped her face, wiped away her tears, and burned an inextinguishable flame in his eyes. "It's to end an era."
He turned to Gordon, who was waiting quietly not far away, and solemnly placed Uta's hand in his old friend's palm. "Take her to Marineford."
"The Staff Officer Tsuru will teach her how to use her singing to heal this wounded world."
Uta wept uncontrollably, clutching the corner of her father's cloak tightly, her voice hoarse from trembling:
"And what about you?... Will you come back? Are you going to leave me all alone again?!"
Shanks' gaze softened instantly.
He slowly bent down and gently kissed his daughter's forehead, his smile carrying a long-lost carefree tenderness, "Of course I'll come back..."
"I will never leave you alone again."
As he finished speaking, he slowly turned around, his silhouette stretching long in the morning sun.
Her Red-Hair fluttered in the wind, like an unyielding flag, heading towards a deeper storm.
Uta watched her father's receding figure, tears welling up in her eyes, but she finally held them back.
She took a deep breath, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and gave Gordon a firm smile:
"Teacher... let's go."
Her voice held an unprecedented resolve. "I will become a daughter worthy of my father's pride... until he returns."
Shanks' figure gradually disappeared into the dawn light.
His steps were firm, yet a silent sigh escaped his lips, "Uta... forgive me. As your father, I owe you so much."
"Only by bearing this darkness can I bring you a new dawn."
"I will definitely come back when it's all over..."
He didn't turn around.
The Hunting Roar in the wind, as if silently conveying his concern for his daughter, a concern he didn't want her to know.
Marineford
The Marine Headquarters was bustling with activity, as if it were a festive occasion.
Colorful flags hung on the dock, and soldiers bustled about, but the air was not filled with the tense atmosphere of military discipline; instead, it was brimming with irrepressible excitement.
"Ha ha!!"
Sengoku crossed his arms and laughed heartily, his cheerful laughter echoing through the hall. "You brat, you're actually this flustered? That's quite a sight!"
Luo Jingjing stood beside Sengoku, her gaze falling on the restless Roy, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
He had never seen Roy with such an "ordinary" side.
Roy raised a hand to rub his temples, a wry smile playing on his lips, "Old man Garp just left without a word, insisting on bringing my Dad and Mom to Marine Headquarters, saying he wanted to see where their son works."
He paused slightly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. "And now they won't even let me pick it up!"
"He insisted, 'What are you afraid of, kid? There are two old men here...' Honestly."
"What?!!"
Upon hearing the news, Ace and Luffy shouted almost simultaneously, their eyes widening, their excitement overflowing.
"Grandpa Rock and Grandma Airin are coming to see us?!"
The next instant, the two brothers became flustered as if they had been set on fire.
They hurriedly ran back and pulled out the navy uniform they had almost never worn, then hastily put it on.
"Luffy, you idiot Luffy! Don't button your shirt wrong!"
"Ace! You're so slow! Grandpa and Grandma are almost here!"
The two sized each other up, their expressions extremely serious, as if afraid that any detail might not be neat enough and that they wouldn't be able to show their elders their most "heroic" appearance.
Nami and Nojiko stood to the side, watching the usually carefree brothers now solemnly straightening their clothes, and couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle.
Loud laughter and cheers rose and fell, as if even the sea breeze was tinged with joy.
At this moment, the entire Marineford was filled with a long-lost warmth and ease.