Red-Hair's Recusal

"Alright, then let's lay bare everything I've been hiding from you."

After Shanks finished speaking, no one on the Red-Hair Ship laughed. Even Yasopp, who usually loved to joke around, lowered his gun. Benn Beckman pushed the flask away to prevent his captain from using drinking as an excuse to get away with it again.

Luffy stood at the exit of Sabaody, his hand resting on the edge of his Straw Hat.

Shanks.

Shanks looked at him.

"Luffy, you can trust me, but you can't get past the witness panel just by trusting me."

Robin whispered, "He's right."

Nami looked at the question.

"This time, the Throne has seized upon his triple identity: his Figarland bloodline, the Straw Hat Index, and the concealment of his Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika."

Usopp scratched his head.

"They all sound like a hassle."

Sanji had a cigarette in his mouth.

"It's better to cause trouble than to leave it to Garling."

The Sky Screen- covered canvas unfolds.

[Independent review by the Pirate Witness Seat]

[Question: Did Shanks lose his qualification Pirate Witness Seat due to his Figarland bloodline, his connection to the Old Days Index, and the concealment of his Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika?]

[A. Disqualified, removed from the Pirate Seat]

[B. Disqualified, the relevant witnesses were taken over by the Figarland Family]

[C. Temporarily disqualified, the Old Days Index is sealed away on the Throne]

[D. Not disqualified, but must disclose conflicts of interest involving the Figarland Family, the Straw Hat Index, or the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, triggering recusal and multi-seat review.]

Garling said coldly, "Option D is reserving seats for traitors again."

Shanks looked at him.

"The fact that you dislike option D so much means it's actually quite useful."

Benn Beckman cautioned, "Boss, stop provoking us."

Shanks sighed.

"Okay, let's get down to business."

He looked up at the Sky Screen.

"I wasn't aware of the complete records of the Figarland bloodline before; it was only after the Sky Screen Curtain was opened that traces of collateral inheritance were confirmed."

[Relationship Disclosure: Shanks has Collateral Branch Inheritance Record the Figarland family]

"The Straw Hat Lining Index —I know it contains clues, but I don't know its full meaning."

[Relationship Revealed: Shanks Hidden Clue About the Straw Hat's Hidden Inner Compartment]

"I know the World Government values Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, but I don't know its full name, and they haven't arranged for Luffy to eat it."

[Relationship Revealed: Shanks concealed the whereabouts of the Devil Fruit, but the claim of him controlling its consumption is unfounded]

Shanks stopped and tapped his finger on the hilt of his sword.

"Remember all of these."

Garling said, "We acknowledge the three pollution issues."

Shanks looked up.

"We acknowledge three relationships, but we do not recognize your right to take over."

Robin continues.

The key is the scope of avoidance.

Garling looked at her.

"Devil Child, are you going to explain for the pirates again?"

Robin opened the record in his hand.

"I'm preventing you from stealing the index."

She looked at the question.

"When Shanks is involved in the trial of the Figarland Family, the proceedings should be made publicly and reviewed by the other seats; similarly, when the Straw Hat Index and the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika are involved, no single court can make a ruling."

Luffy immediately asked, "Can Shanks still talk?"

Robin looked at him.

"They can speak, but they can't make all the decisions on their own."

Luffy thought for a moment.

"That's fine."

Shanks smiled.

"You're quick to accept it."

Luffy held his Straw Hat.

Because the hat is with me now.

Shanks stared at the straw Straw Hat without looking away.

"Yes, so ultimately I don't have the right to keep it."

Garling raised his hand, Chief Adjudication Platform displayed a scene of Shanks handing his Straw Hat to Shanks in the East Blue Luffy.

"He handed the index to the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika user, causing the coordinates of the Gate of Old Days to fall into the hands of uncontrollable pirates. This wasn't a conflict of interest; it was premeditated."

Luffy frowned.

"I am not a coordinate."

Robin said softly, "You are the holder."

Nami looked at Shanks.

"You really didn't expect him to turn out like this?"

Shanks paused for a moment.

I imagined him going to sea, I imagined him causing trouble, I imagined him turning the ocean upside down.

Luffy's eyes lit up.

Shanks added a sentence.

I never imagined he would put me on the interrogation bench too.

Luffy immediately deflated.

Usopp whispered, "That's what they call an elder bringing up old grievances."

Shanks said seriously, "I gave the hat to Luffy because he's like a captain, and also because I trust he wouldn't mistake someone else for a key."

Garling said, "Trust cannot replace rules."

Shanks nodded.

Therefore, I choose D.

Sky Screen Recording.

[Shanks' own opinion: Accepts recusal and review]

Garling's eyes darkened.

You have no right to choose your own limitations.

Akainu opened his mouth.

"Navy Review Seat, D. Red-Hair may not make a sole ruling on the matters concerning the Index and Figarland."

Ryudo: "The Revolutionary Army, D, retains its Pirate Seat, but is subject to an avoidance clause."

Lumi asked Mia, "Will Uncle Shanks be watched too?"

Mia said, "Yes."

Lumi nodded.

"I choose D. It's better to be watched than to be taken away by Garling."

Upon hearing this, Shanks touched the bridge of his nose.

That's a pretty harsh comment.

Makino confirmed.

"Civilian Witness Seat, D."

Lin Qi looked at Shanks.

And you?

Shanks presses D.

"The Red Hair Pirates, D."

Benn Beckman added, "The Red Hair Pirates agree that, when it comes to the Straw Hat Index, the captain's opinion alone cannot constitute a conclusion."

Shanks looked at him.

"You wrote really harshly."

Benn Beckman said, "To save us the trouble of reviewing it again later."

The vote has been cast.

[Answer: D]

[Shanks does not automatically lose his qualification Pirate Witness Seat due to bloodline, index connection, or concealment of his Devil Fruit.]

[The avoidance rule applies: When the Figarland Family, the Straw Hat Index, or the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika are involved, Shanks must disclose his stance, which will be reviewed by the other seats.]

[The Straw Hat Index will continue to be held by its current holder, protected by multiple witnesses]

Garling's fingers pressed on the Chief Adjudication Platform. Black Pattern was pushed back by option D, but he did not immediately move on to the next question. Instead, he looked at Shanks.

"You think you can wash away betrayal by avoiding it?"

Shanks pushed the sword out of its sheath a little, then pushed it back in.

"Whether I betray someone or not depends on who I originally belonged to."

Garling's expression darkened further.

"You belong to Figarland."

Shanks shook his head.

"I belong to the person who picked me out of the box, and I also belong to my own boat."

On the Red-Hair ship, the crew members all looked up at the same time.

Luffy grinned.

"That's a good sentence."

Nami whispered, "Don't learn this, it'll make you in debt."

The Sky Screen gave everyone no chance to relax; the fourth layer of Contamination Review had already been raised, and black lines circled around the image of the Revolutionary Army.

[The Throne is attempting to corrupt the World Witness Seat]

[Target: Revolutionary Army Interrogation Board - Monkey D. Dragon]

The Revolutionary Army Headquarters screen lit up, with Dragon standing in front of a map, behind him marked the routes of uprisings in various places. The Sky Screen unfolded his past records of attacking World Government strongholds, instigating kingdoms to rebel, and cutting off the transport of Heavenly Tribute.

[Throne's Accusation: Dragon's aim is to overthrow the World Government; its Jurisdiction is inherently hostile and lacks neutrality.]

Garling looked at the dragon.

"A rebel leader has no right to determine world stability."

Long closed the map and looked up at the question.

"The Holy Land has worn the mask of neutrality for eight hundred years."

Sabo stood at the entrance to the Old Wing of the Holy Land, the flame receding between his fingers.

"Leader."

Long raised his hand to stop him.

"I'll answer this question."