Let's call it a draw, Austin!

After the war, In an unknown sea of the New World, aboard the slightly worn Oro Jackson.

The sky was exceptionally clear after the rain. As the weather turned for the better, Roger began to call for another feast.

The reason? Just pick one.

Let's celebrate escaping Garp's pursuit once again!

"Feast time!!!"

"Ooooh oh oh oh!!!!!!"

As the captain raised his cup high, the rest of the crew members responded with hearty laughter, filling the deck with a lively and unrestrained atmosphere.

"Clang--"

Amidst this lively atmosphere, a violent door slam was hardly noticeable. No one even paid attention as a red-haired kid with a large bump on the back of his head gritted his teeth and scanned his surroundings.

The straw hat on the kid's head was tilted askew by the bump, looking rather comical. Nearby crew members who spotted him couldn't help but mock him.

"Did your head get injured in the previous sea battle? Shanks."

Roger, holding a wine bottle and in high spirits, saw him. He, who had high hopes for this promising talent of the New Era, walked over, patted his head, and asked with a smile, "No... Where's Austin?"

Shanks seemed unwilling to mention the bump on his head and awkwardly changed the subject.

After he woke up, he had grabbed Buggy to ask about the bump on his head. Buggy, being disloyal, quickly sold Austin out to divert the conflict.

Admittedly, Shanks considered himself a very easygoing person, but being ambushed by a companion, and that ambush knocked him out and gave him a big bump, he felt his pride was wounded.

Who didn't know that besides his companions, Shanks valued his pride the most?

In his nine years since debuting, this was the first time he had encountered someone so disrespectful.

Thus, the usually smooth-sailing young Shanks's face turned red.

He wanted to prove himself, or rather, avenge this bump.

Weaving through the lively banquet, Shanks continuously scanned his surroundings, searching for Austin's whereabouts.

Finally, he found him amidst a group of strongmen.

The guy was eating grilled meat.

He was devouring large bones one after another, chugging drinks. He looked so relaxed and stress-free, he could have been a top mukbang streamer in his previous world.

"Oh? Shanks, why are you glaring at me? Do you want some grilled meat too?"

"Why are you holding a knife? This is already cut. There's meat all over the bone."

"What? A battle between men? I'm too hungry right now, wait until I'm full. You don't want to win unfairly, do you?"

"I ate too much, you can understand that, right? I need to digest for a while."

"...Wait a minute, I've digested, but I just ate too much, and now I need to poop. Do you want to come along?"

"Are you done yet? You have to wait outside the door even to poop. Do you really want a duel?"

"Fine, watch me use a mop dipped in poop!"

Shanks knew about Austin's Innate Monster Strength and his perverted Observation Haki, so facing this weapon with "magic damage," he wisely chose to retreat temporarily.

There was no other way. He wasn't afraid of a real fight with real weapons. Even if he lost, it didn't matter. At worst, he'd wrap himself in bandages and lie there for a few days.

But a mop dipped in poop? He was truly terrified!

However, because of this incident, Shanks kept staring at Austin for the next few days, making him very uncomfortable.

Forget it, a kid is just a kid. A fight is a fight.

Austin shook his head, took a regular Longsword from the storage room, and tossed it to the still-sulking Shanks.

He caught it in a flustered manner. Austin beckoned him with his index finger, a cynical, wicked smile playing on his lips.

"You bastard!"

Shanks was a little excited because he could tell that Austin was finally willing to fight him. He immediately gripped his sword with one hand, ready to attack. Seeing Austin standing still, he decided not to hold back anymore.

"Are you going to use the gun on your back? I won't give you a chance to fire."

He admitted that Austin's Marksmanship was indeed formidable, but he wasn't afraid of him in close combat.

Seeing Austin like this, Shanks felt a little unconvinced. He pushed off with his feet and slashed towards Austin.

His Swordsmanship, inherited from Rayleigh and Roger, was undoubtedly brilliant and powerful.

But taught by the same master, it clearly couldn't break through Austin's moves.

"Whoosh--"

"Whoosh--"

"Whoosh--"

Austin closed his eyes, not making a move, just constantly turning his head, spinning, and tucking his abdomen...

"You bastard, Austin! Are you just going to keep dodging like this?!"

Shanks's face turned red. He felt like he was being toyed with.

"...Since you want me to use a weapon, fine."

Austin opened his eyes. He had originally wanted to practice Observation Haki more, but he had no choice but to take out a small knife he'd "borrowed" from Buggy.

"Sorry, I don't have a smaller knife than this."

"Are you kidding me!"

The reality was that peers with Haki and those without were completely unequal in strength, even if that person was Red-Haired Shanks.

Although he was only nine years old, he could only constantly use his Swordsmanship to parry with Austin. However, every strike was blocked by Austin with a playful, precise flick of his small knife.

Sword Flick × N

And those full-power slashes clearly couldn't shake Austin's monstrous strength, forcing Shanks to retreat repeatedly.

"Shanks is completely suppressed by Austin."

Quite a few crew members were watching the show, including Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban. Seeing the situation, Rayleigh shook his head and sighed.

Although to them it looked like a fight between weaklings, Austin was currently firmly holding the upper hand against Shanks with his Observation Haki and monstrous strength.

And such born monsters, in their experience, would almost invariably possess the qualifications of a king.

"With these kids around, the future era will surely be very exciting!" Roger laughed heartily.

Besides the three of them, the rest were some lively guys who loved to watch the fun. After all, they were pirates, and they loved watching a good show the most.

Austin's master, Bitam, even took the opportunity to set up a betting pool for the odds.

Austin: 1 to 1

Shanks: 1 to 10

Draw: 1 to 5

This move even attracted Roger, who excitedly took out his treasure to bet.

"Austin, well done! Go for the win in one go!"

"Hey! Shanks, don't give up easily!"

"Huh??? What are you talking about? No matter how you look at it, Shanks can't win."

"What if he does? That's 1 to 10."

"Gamblers die a horrible death!"

The surrounding crew members were arguing heatedly. Roger had also placed a bet, and had been cheering for Shanks, whom hardly anyone supported.

Although he could tell Shanks had almost no chance of winning, he still had to support the cub he'd raised since he was young.

Anyway, the treasures used for betting were snatched not too long ago, and he himself had no use for them.

Just as everyone was excitedly cheering for the battle, Austin's Observation Haki suddenly seemed to sense something, a strange feeling, and then a voice sounded in his ear.

"It's a draw, Austin."

"Uncle Bitam?"

(This kind of Observation Haki usage appeared in the movie Red, where Yasopp and Usopp, in different dimensions, could communicate and listen via Observation Haki.)