A Gift Prepared for Shanks

The Red Hair Pirates.

Shanks and his crew were rushing to Rusukaina at top speed, their sails always fully unfurled.

His mood grew increasingly heavy.

When Rayleigh spoke to him on the phone, it was clear that the God Slayer had already arrived.

And to this day, he has not been able to contact Rayleigh again.

He had just tried to contact Shakky, the former captain of the Kuja Pirates and the previous emperor of Amazon Lily... and asked her to communicate with Amazon, saying that Empress Boa Hancock and others had gone to Rusukaina, but they had lost 'communication'.

At the speed of their ships, it would take them at least a few days to reach Rusukaina, by which time everything would have been settled.

Based on the current 'intelligence' feedback, Rayleigh, Luffy, and Boa Hancock are most likely in trouble.

"What if we go and find nothing there? The God Slayer is just playing us... keeping us adrift at sea?"

Ben Benn Beckman noticed Shanks's emotions and spoke up.

"..."

The Shanks stared intently at the sea, remaining silent.

"Although I don't want to say it, our current situation is tantamount to assuming Rayleigh and the others are dead." Ben Benn Beckman flicked his cigarette ash and continued, "Given Doflamingo's warning to us, I think the wisest thing to do right now is to change course and head to Windmill Village in the East Blue. Otherwise, it might also be attacked by the Hell Pirates... They've already taken the lead, and if we follow the God Slayer's plan, we'll always be one step behind."

"It's not too late to save Windmill Village now."

After speaking, Ben Benn Beckman remained expressionless.

Guan Shanks remained silent, but he understood her intentions.

He turned and left.

For Shanks, whether it's Rayleigh or Luffy... he wouldn't believe it unless he saw it with his own eyes.

Even if the probability of these people surviving is infinitely close to zero.

They... are being led by the nose by the God Slayer.

Unfortunately, due to emotional factors, they were unable to turn the tables and take the initiative.

Shanks is the true captain.

They all have to listen to him.

Time passed slowly, and a few days later...

The Red Hair Pirates' flagship finally approached Rusukaina.

Due to the unique environment of the Calm Belt, and the fact that Shanks were in a hurry to rescue people and wanted to maximize their speed, this trip only gathered the core members of the Red Hair Pirates, namely the executives.

They didn't bring the entire Shanks Grand Fleet; those people were dismissed after leaving Totto Land.

With Ben Benn Beckman and Shanks's intelligence, they could both realize that this was also part of the God Slayer's conspiracy.

What excited Shanks and his crew was that as they approached Rusukaina, they spotted the very conspicuous ship on the shore.

The crimson color was as dazzling as fresh blood, and... a strange, sharp whistling sound carried by the sea breeze as it swept past the ship.

The Blood Pluton! The Hell Pirates... The God Slayer hasn't left!

Shanks realized something, his expression turning cold. He drew his sword, placed one foot on the bow of the ship, and calmly said, "Get ready... for a big fight!"

Upon hearing the commotion, Ben Benn Beckman and the others also picked up their weapons and stood ready for battle.

This wasn't the first time they had clashed with the Hell Pirates.

The Summit War is still vivid in my mind, as if it were yesterday.

On Shanks' side, strictly speaking, the real top combat power is the core executives, which number nine, plus one quasi-executive.

However, there are also some veterans of the One Piece crew on board, all of whom are powerful and core members... There are dozens of them on board now. Moreover, these people all went to Windmill Village in the East Blue with them back then, and they have feelings for that place, including for Luffy... Therefore, everyone is fully prepared for this possible decisive battle with the Hell Pirates.

Their One Piece crew is different from other maritime forces... the crew members are very loyal and devoted, even at the cost of their lives.

Although he knew that the God Slayer had his eye on Luffy for some reason, Shanks still felt a little guilty... which is why he insisted on coming to Rusukaina.

On the island's mainland, Long sat cross-legged under the shade of a tree that resembled a coconut tree, while the other key cadres also took turns enjoying the cool shade in different locations, looking relaxed.

"Captain... they're here."

Dorans was the first to pat the sand off his backside, stand up, shield his eyes from the sun, and grin as he gazed into the distance.

Even from a great distance, they could almost feel the awe-inspiring fighting spirit of the Red Hair Pirates piercing through the sky.

However, none of them were prepared to get up and fight.

He looked relaxed and content.

They seemed unaware of any 'crisis'.

The reason is simple... the participants in the first major event were not any of them.

Rob Lucci stared at the Red Hair Pirates, who arrived at breakneck speed just as Luffy had expected, his gaze unwavering.

The God Slayer's plans are always interconnected. This time, it seems like he's Luffy... but the real catch is Shanks.

No matter what... Shanks will definitely take the bait.

This is what makes Oboro so terrifying... Presumably, the Shanks himself has sensed something amiss, but he is powerless to make any changes.

Only the God Slayer's 'game' can be accepted.

"Let's begin."

Long smiled and gave an instruction.

Upon hearing this, Dorans clapped his hands, making a loud sound.

He shouted towards the throng of heads on the Blood Pluton ashore, "The captain has given the order... kill Shanks!"

"Those who survive this battle will be promoted directly to officer rank! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."

Dorans burst into laughter.

"Oh oh oh oh!"

"Slay the Yonko!"

On the deck, a deafening roar erupted. Facing the Shanks Yonko, the crew showed no sign of backing down.

On the contrary, they were somewhat eager to try.

Why?

Because they've already taken down one of the Yonko... that's Big Mom.

Shanks is Celestial Dragons, and the youngest and shortest-lived Yonko. He seems easier to deal with than Big Mom... Moreover, he has Oboro and Bare backing him up. Naturally, everyone is eager to steal the spotlight.

Their confidence stemmed from the captain, who could kill Charlotte Linlin with lightning speed, so a mere Shanks was naturally no problem for him.

In other words, victory is sure to belong to them.

So... it all depends on their individual performance.

The Battle of Totto Land reduced the number of these temporary crew members by a third... Although they lost some personnel, taking down the Yonko greatly boosted their morale, making them even more arrogant and brimming with confidence.

In terms of manipulating their 'hearts', Oboro's methods are exactly the same as those of the North Blue One Piece who were granted divine power back then.

It has proven effective time and again.

It's very effective.

Immediately afterwards, hundreds of One Piece boarded small boats that had been prepared in advance and took the initiative to meet the Red Hair Pirates who were breaking through the waves.

Long and the others watched the battle from the shore.

As the plan has progressed to this point, these people are no longer of much use to Long.

The sea has no shortage of people, and once the Shanks dies and Gran Tesoro, he can mass-produce grassroots combat forces in an assembly-line manner.

Therefore, he doesn't mind making things a little more difficult for Shanks.

"The best is yet to come..."

Long raised the corners of her mouth and murmured playfully.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a row of crosses on the beach.

This is... a gift for Shanks.