On the other hand, Gawain and Shanks walked side by side in the forest, initially in a state of silence.
But as I walked along, somehow...
Suddenly, the sounds of gunfire and swords erupted behind them!
Upon hearing the commotion, Gawain and Shanks turned around simultaneously.
Looking behind him, Shanks said with a smile.
"It's rare to see them so obedient. It seems my companions have become familiar with your people."
"Let them get to know each other first, just like you and me, we need to get to know each other first too!"
At this point, Gawain smiled at Shanks.
"I haven't introduced myself to you yet, but even if I didn't, you should know a lot about my family, right?"
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Shanks muttered something to himself.
"Have the Five Elders told you about my situation?"
That makes sense, really. Right now, you're almost certainly the most likely of the new generation of Celestial Dragon to join the Five Elders.
So even if they all told you, it's not unreasonable."
As he finished speaking, Shanks gently patted the Gryphon at his waist.
"Respectfully, Shanks, the worthless son of the Figarland Family."
"Respectfully presented by Gao Wen, the current patriarch of the Gawain Family."
Gawain nodded to Shanks, and neither of them seemed to consider the current situation a big deal, easily dismissing the issue of their identities.
As they walked, Shanks continued speaking.
"Gawain seems to share some dissatisfaction with Mary Geoise, so we might have a lot in common."
"Not necessarily. While I may not like Mary Geoise, I dislike thieves even more."
But it seems you're thriving in this role.
As soon as Gawain finished speaking, Shanks let out a soft breath.
"Yes, it's more than just thriving; I'm already one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, aren't I?"
Hearing Shanks's question, Gawain smiled and shook his head.
"You're already one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, but you don't seem satisfied at all."
Or rather, even if the location of the Pirate King seems to be only a little distance away from you, you won't feel the excitement of getting closer to your goal.
So, Pirate King is definitely not your goal. Then I want to know, what do you really want?
Just then, Gawain emerged from the forest and stood majestically on the edge of the shore, Gawain hands clasped behind his back, looking out at the beach and the boundless blue sea.
Meanwhile, Shanks stood beside Gawain, his right hand resting on Gryphon, gazing thoughtfully at the sea.
The sea breeze swept past them, ruffling their coats, and as the hems fluttered, Shanks sighed.
"What I really want is to bring a new force to the whole world."
Just like my ship, I named it Red Force.
I am Red-Haired Shanks, and this is my power.
I eagerly anticipate that I can bring about a complete transformation to this ocean!
Even if I cannot become that force itself, I will do my best to sort out and influence this world until I achieve my ultimate goal: to eliminate the existing and ever-present oversights and corruption!
As he spoke, Shanks looked at Gawain and gently raised his right hand.
"Do you mind my rudeness, Gawain?"
"Haha, we're all children who have left home, is etiquette even necessary?"
Gawain smiled and shook his head, so Shanks gently placed his hand on Gawain's shoulder.
"Gawain, don't you think this world has been immersed in stability for too long?"
Of course, I'm not saying the world has always been so stable. After all, the world is full of countless Affiliated Nation and non- Affiliated Nation, and their wars with each other have never stopped.
But as far as the world is concerned, the world has not changed for far too long.
The existence of World Government should not actually be a bad thing. No matter how free the world is, it needs a government to maintain basic education, culture, and security.
But this government shouldn't be controlled by the Celestial Dragon forever.
I never consider how this world came to be, nor do I care how it will disappear someday in the future.
All I know is that a situation where the ruling class never changes is definitely not a good thing for the world!
Because our world has such a severe problem of class stratification!
As soon as he finished speaking, Shanks gently shook his head.
"Look at our world, Gawain. If both parents are Celestial Dragon, then their children will always be Celestial Dragon."
Apart from the Celestial Dragon, the children of nobles are still born nobles.
A merchant's child will always be a merchant, a soldier's child will always be a soldier, and a farmer's child will most likely be a farmer for life.
This may seem like a regular pattern, but it is absolutely unfair to every newborn life.
You might say that a farmer's child can join the army, or even become a thief.
But look at the seas now, how many of the big names in the navy and among pirates actually came from humble farming families?
Even the identities of heroes and villains need to be linked to the Will of D. The world has been like this for far too long; the rigid class system is nauseating!
At this point, Shanks put his Gawain, turned towards the sea, and continued with a smile.
"That's my purpose, Gawain. It doesn't seem as surprising as you think, does it?"
"More or less."
Gawain responded with a smile.
"What I want to do is perhaps more than you think."
What you're thinking of is obviously overthrowing the existing social structure, namely the Celestial Dragon government, which has been in a dominant position for eight hundred years.
In other words, you want to overthrow them to bring new possibilities to the world's class system.
But what you're thinking about is simply overthrowing, while I'm thinking about the rule that follows overthrow. Our priorities are different!
At this point, Gawain smiled and looked at Shanks, continuing, "I see."
"Because you only think about overthrowing, you don't care what harm the process of overthrowing will cause to the world; all you want is a result."
But what I want is the future. I'm more focused on how to sustain and continue the lives of people around the world, and do my best to enable them to live better lives.
Therefore, I don't want to cause too much harm to the world, but rather I'm trying to achieve my goals in a more progressive way.
You just want an answer, but I want an answer for the whole world!
"Ha ha!"
Shanks nodded appreciatively after hearing Gawain's words.
"There's more than I expected. I can roughly imagine the power of your Conqueror's Haki."
But in any case, our dreams complement each other, don't they?
We all have an incredibly powerful enemy: ourselves. Therefore, in crucial moments, we can choose to unite!
"Indeed, but only at crucial moments. Most of the time, it's best if we see each other less often."
Gawain gently shook his head.
Upon hearing this, Shanks nodded, confirming his presence.
"Of course, we don't have many opportunities to meet, but I'll occasionally exchange information with you."
As for the method, it's probably something like stealth, like we see it now.
You might not know this, but I'm extremely good at stealth!
"I understand. After all, you still have to see the Five Elders occasionally, and it would be troublesome if others saw you, wouldn't it?"
Gawain nodded and chuckled, making a lighthearted joke.
Hearing his teasing, Shanks tightened his grip on Gawain's shoulder a little, practically draping his arm over Gawain as Shanks continued talking.
"The Five Elders seem to have talked to you quite a bit, so what's your take on my past plans?"
I couldn't overturn everything in the past on my own. Fortunately, Roger's appearance created a great era of pirates, which, although evil and dangerous, could be considered a form of resistance.
Therefore, what I need to think about is simply to prevent the loss of the high-end forces of the current resistance!
At the same time, I will make the most of the strength of those who resist!
As for how to borrow it?
See, when all the rebels in the world feel they need a Joy Boy, all we need to do is make Joy Boy and send it to them!
As for what I need to give up, it's nothing more than a Nika Fruit with its name hidden. What's truly powerful is never the Devil Fruit, but ourselves, isn't it?
At this point, Shanks looked on expectantly at Gawain.
Gawain let out a long sigh of relief; the Five Elders hadn't said this much to him.
However, since they had already gotten to this point, Gawain naturally wanted to take the conversation a step further.
He nodded, then shook his head and laughed.
"This plan is rather naive, Shanks. If Roger hadn't started the Great Pirate Era and focused the world's attention on pirates..."
Then your so-called plan has simply become waiting for fate to smile upon you.
Fortunately, the collapse of Rocks brought in too many great pirates, Morgans established the World Economic Journal, and then Roger sacrificed his life to usher in the era of the Great Treasure.
Only then will what you expect have fertile ground to grow.
"That's enough!"
Shanks nodded firmly.
"For a seed to germinate, all it needs is soil and water."
When children grow up, all they need are their parents and a home.
Even with my utmost strength, it would be difficult to change the Celestial Dragon' dominant position at the top of the world.
But what conditions are needed to change the world?
Changing the world only requires countless people who are eager to make a change, and one hero to support and lead them.
Once I figured that out, what I needed to do was simple: choose someone whose background and personality were good enough to be anticipated by the whole world.
This guy's background must be good enough that he won't die unless he takes the very last step!
Originally, I had four options: Roger's son, myself, and my daughter!
As for the last one... he's the one I chose!
At this point, Shanks burst into laughter, and as he laughed, he clamped Gawain's head between his arms.
"Young clan leader, do you know why I deliberately sneaked back? It's because as I discovered you were taking things more and more seriously, I started to worry about the future I've chosen!"
You are one of the Nineteen Family Heads, you must know the secret of the Nika Fruit. If I hadn't told you beforehand, I'm afraid you would have killed him without hesitation after seeing him!
So, just like I told the Five Elders, give me some room to maneuver!
Let my plans grow alongside that child for a while!
The world is already bad enough, and there's hardly any room for it to get any worse, so why not look forward to the power and change I can bring?
Well, Gawain, considering I've come all this way back, don't harm that child who ate the Nika Fruit unless absolutely necessary!
I can even tell you his identity. Anyway, knowing his personality, it'll get to the point where everyone knows sooner or later, haha!
He is none other than Monkey D. Luffy, Sun Tzu of naval Garp the Hero and son of revolutionary Dragon!
Shanks remained silent, awaiting Gawain's reply.
So, Gawain gently turned his neck.
"If you don't let go of me right now, my next step is to rush over and kill him. I mean it!"
"Ha ha!!!"
Upon hearing this, Shanks chuckled and released Gawain, then casually sat down on the beach.
Shanks casually pulled out two gourds of liquor, tossed one to Gawain, and then uncorked it and took a sip.
After taking a sip of wine, Shanks let out a long sigh.
"If I hadn't left Mary Geoise, it wouldn't have been so bad, but the moment I left, when I discovered that every look in the world was filled with disgust and fear."
I knew it! The world needed to change!
"So, you're the Mary Geoise that left in God Valley that year?"
As Gawain asked the question, he sat down next to Shanks.
Upon hearing this, Shanks nodded slightly.
"Yes, that year two children boarded Roger's ship because they had both lost their parents."
However, the difference is that one is the child of Celestial Dragon, and the other is the child of a slave.
And so, one loved money, the other disregarded power; they occasionally hated each other, but they were always inseparable.
Haha, although I haven't heard from Buggy in a long time, I always feel that he will eventually reach the same level as me.
It might sound a little ridiculous, but I have this feeling that I can see that kind of future!
At this point, Shanks pointed to his head.
"At my level, I often have an unwavering belief in premonitions, because people of our strength can even dream that your Observation Haki is sending you some kind of message."
Just like when I got the Nika Fruit but didn't want to eat it, just like when I met Luffy and felt that the kid represented some kind of future, and even though I knew that Buggy was a good-for-nothing and his strength was not even as good as a pirate with a bounty of thirty or forty million.
But I have this feeling that one day he will stand opposite me, or stand beside me and keep pace with me.
Even just now, when I first saw you.
Chief Gawain exuded Haki, "I seem to see the day you succeed!"
"Hehe..."
Gawain shook his head leisurely as he listened to Shanks' words.
"Then you must be mistaken, because I will never succeed."
After all, what I want is not just unification, but also the progress and development that unification will bring to the world.
But no matter how perfect the world may be, contradictions will always arise, because we are all human, and desire is our instinct.
What drives our progress and development is our desire; what motivates us to improve our living standards is also desire; and even what ensures the continuation of human relationships is desire.
Desire is part of instinct; it shouldn't be labeled with any special connotations.
But the funny thing is, people can never distinguish between desire and greed.
At this point, Gawain downed the rest of the wine in the gourd in one gulp, then looked at the gourd in his hand.
"This gourd is getting more and more beautiful the more I look at it. How many did you bring? Can I have them all?"
"Sure, but we have to exchange them. You brought a few ivory wine jars, how about we trade?"
I brought three.
"Coincidentally, I also have three!"
Gawain and Shanks immediately handed each other their wine containers, and at the same time, they silently made some kind of agreement.
After making the agreement, Gawain took a sip of his drink and finally gave Shanks a cold look.
Suddenly, he spoke coldly to Shanks.
"Now, Shanks, it's time to talk about something crucial!"
Just like I promised you that I wouldn't erase Joy Boy from my life before he grows up.
I also need a promise from you!
A promise you are absolutely capable of fulfilling, and you will do your utmost to keep!
As he finished speaking, Gawain's gaze towards Shanks deepened.
Who has the most imaginative mind, and who is the most cunning?