Shanks, Dead?

However, before Shanks could finish speaking, Luffy interrupted him with a laugh.

"Don't worry, Shanks. Kong can decipher ancient writing, and I've already obtained the other three Road Poneglyphs. All that's left is your final one."

Shanks's expression froze completely, and then his mouth slowly fell open in shock...

"Whaaat???!!!"

The next moment, Shanks, who had just been lying on the ground pretending to be dead and looking utterly exhausted, shot straight in front of Luffy. Grabbing Luffy by the shoulders with both hands, he demanded,

"What's going on? Didn't you just arrive in the New World waters? Why do you have the other three Poneglyphs? And what's the deal with this Kong? He can decipher ancient writing?"

"Rurururu..."

Luffy was already nearly at his limit. After Shanks shook him so violently, he almost lost consciousness completely, and bubbles began spilling from his mouth.

Seeing this, Shanks hurriedly slapped the unconscious Luffy from both sides.

"Hey, hey, hey, Luffy, don't pass out! Wake up..."

"Stop hitting him. Luffy doesn't know much. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them."

Just then, a calm voice sounded from behind Shanks. The somewhat familiar voice made Shanks's eyes widen abruptly.

Shanks quickly turned around, instinctively tightening his grip on the Meito Gryphon. With a solemn expression, he stared at the man before him—a bespectacled man who looked gentle and righteous, dressed in a white robe.

The Hero of the Marines—Teffimoe Yaen!

"You're not supposed to be alive! Could this be a plot by the Marines?" Shanks said in shock.

However, Yaen gave the answer that left Shanks utterly stunned without making any attempt to conceal it.

"No. Marine Headquarters truly believes that I'm dead."

At that moment, Shanks instantly connected many things and pieced together all the matters that had