That being said, back then...
That is, when Jinbe decided to go hunting.
After all, everyone has Observation Haki. Even if there are some differences in their Observation Haki, apart from a few freaks... (pointing to a laugh), everyone else's Observation Haki is generally similar.
Therefore, when Shiryu mentioned that suckling pig that was over eighty meters long, Jinbe already knew his goal.
But he never expected...
When he carried the enormous wild boar back to the camp, back to where Gawain and the others had been resting...
Not only could he not see Gawain and Shanks, but the rest of the people were also completely fighting right before his eyes!
For a moment, Jinbe was unsure whether he should put down the boar and instead focus his energy on the Red Hair Pirates' officers...
Nearby, amidst the chaos, as Jinbe returned carrying a suckling pig that was over eighty meters long and thirty meters tall on his enormous body...
Ben Beckman immediately raised his right hand to Akainu!
"Hey, Sakazuki, if it's just about sparring and getting to know each other, isn't this enough for now?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Benn Beckman took a deep breath.
"The way you look right now makes it hard for me to tell if you're sparring or if you really want to kill me!"
When you're sparring, do you aim for my temples? Why don't you just be bold and kill me outright?!
Ben Beckman's veins were bulging.
"Everyone else is just playing for fun, but you and I are having a life-or-death battle!"
Sakazuki, do you really want to settle this with a fight to the death?!
As soon as he finished speaking, Benn Beckman ran to Jinbe's side without hesitation, and only after escaping Sakazuki's pursuit did he finally feel relieved.
And Sakazuki...
Looking at Jinbe, who was completely bewildered but still carrying the giant suckling pig, he shook his head regretfully.
He could have killed Benn Beckman on the spot in just a few hours!
Why couldn't this Fish-Man's hunting skills be any worse?!
This is why Sakazuki didn't understand Jinbe's fishing techniques; otherwise, he would have definitely turned Jinbe's hunt into a fishing activity...
That way, I'll have enough time to kill him!
Just as Sakazuki was filled with regret, Gawain and Shanks returned to the forest where everyone was.
When Gawain arrived, everyone had already stopped what they were doing.
Sakazuki stood proudly with his arms crossed, Benn Beckman rolled his eyes wearily, Lucky Roux and Rayleigh sat drinking with their arms around each other, while Hancock rested and cleaned the blood-stained soles of her high heels.
Seeing that everyone was in harmony, Gawain and Shanks exchanged a glance, and then Shanks gently patted his sword sheath.
"This has really been a troublesome journey!"
He said.
"I originally just came back to see my daughter, but I accidentally ended up losing all the protection money we'd be collecting from the New World territory for the next few years!"
Why..."
With a soft sigh, Shanks looked at Jinbe, who was holding a giant piglet in his hands, looking Jinbe.
Seeing Jinbe almost invisible as he was crushed by the over 80-meter-long piglet, Shanks waved to his companions.
"The Grand Line is definitely not our territory. Let them stay here and enjoy their feast; our future lies in the New World!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Shanks waved his right hand and then took the lead, walking out of the forest.
Meanwhile, the members of the Red Hair Pirates followed their captains toward the distant coastline, which had just cooled down and turned into lava.
As he watched them leave, Gawain sat down on the fallen tree trunk.
He waved to the crowd.
"Gentlemen, eating is more important than the Red Hair Pirates. We don't need to miss them!"
As he spoke, Gawain flicked his right hand lightly, and instantly, a bolt of Inazuma struck a tree not far away.
With the intense heat brought by the Inazuma, the tree burst into flames, while Gawain waved to Shiryu.
"Shiryu, let's get some kindling and start a fire! It's been so long since we've had roast suckling pig!"
"Haha, yes, sir!"
Shiryu laughed as he drew his sword, and then, filled with anguish, the Famous Sword Raiu transformed into a wood-chopping knife.
As one giant tree after another was felled, the bonfire gradually took shape, and finally, the giant suckling pig, its eyes wide open in death, was placed in its rightful place.
With the aroma of roasted suckling pig filling his nostrils, Gawain looked towards Jaya, which was gradually stabilizing in the distance.
"Shouldn't the laughter be over by now?"
At this point, Gawain lightly snapped his fingers, and at the same time, a bolt of Inazuma suddenly descended from the sky beside Yixiao, who was gradually stabilizing Jaya.
Feeling the thunderous roar left by the Inazuma, he smiled knowingly and nodded. Then, he floated towards the forest and quickly appeared beside Gawain.
As soon as she landed, she smiled and gave Gawain a slight bow.
"My lord, we have fulfilled our mission; Jaya has been secured."
"Good job, buddy. I've made the decision; the first cut on this pig is yours!"
Gawain made a sarcastic remark, then looked towards the distant beach.
In his eyes, the Red Fosse was passing by the Dark Bird Ship.
Meanwhile, beside the towering gunwales of the Dark Bird Ship, Shirahoshi gently rubbed Uta's head and whispered to Uta.
"Uta, it looks like your father is leaving. Are you really not going to see them one last time?"
"No way!!!"
Upon hearing Shirahoshi's voice, Uta quickly shook his head.
"Don't think I don't know what they're thinking. Maybe they really want to see me one more time, or maybe they want me to leave Gawain's ship."
But they definitely don't want to have me with them!
I can even imagine what they would say!
Uta, our path is too dangerous; it's not suitable for girls!
Uta, our road is covered in blood, it will get your clothes dirty!
Uta, Gawain is no good person! Even Shirahoshi, who's only eleven years old, is that lecherous guy's fiancée!
"Why?!!"
Upon hearing this, Shirahoshi reluctantly began to rub Uta's head.
"What are you saying? This is terrible! How can you talk about these things!"
"Waaaaah, I'm so shy!!!"
"Haha, Shirahoshi, you should gradually get used to these things. You and I will both grow up eventually!"
Uta laughed and dodged Shirahoshi's hand, then continued talking to Shirahoshi.
"In short, my dad and his crew were no different from any other men!"
Like every man who thinks he's doing a great job, they always excel at saying things from their own perspective, claiming they're thinking of me, and they keep telling me things that seem to do me no harm but are actually useless!
But they don't understand, nor do they want to understand, whether I care about those things or not!
Even though being willful and having a wonderful life are always at odds, there will always be a moment when we fantasize about indulging in a little bit of willfulness!
So what if I'm willful?!
As he finished speaking, Uta leaned against the ship's railing, silently listening to the sound of the Red Force gradually fading into the distance.
Only when she could no longer hear the sounds of ships and sailors did she stand up, holding onto Shirahoshi's tail.
But after she got up, Shanks was no longer in the distance. All that remained in Uta's eyes was the faint outline of the pirate flag and the claw-shaped scars on it.
Just as Uta was feeling lost and dejected, lightning suddenly struck beside Shirahoshi and Uta. Gawain appeared and rubbed Shirahoshi's tail and Uta's head.
"Jinbe caught a wild boar and is already roasting it. He's taking you guys with him, otherwise we won't have lunch."
As he spoke, Gawain lifted Uta with his left arm and used his right hand to lift Shirahoshi up completely.
Shirahoshi was much smaller than the suckling pig Jinbe caught; she only weighed a few dozen tons. So, a moment later, the three of them arrived at the barbecue site.
After landing, Uta stared blankly at the burning flames in front of him.
For a moment, Uta couldn't help but reveal a knowing smile.
Meanwhile, aboard the Red Force, Shanks poured wine into the ivory flask he had just acquired, while gazing at the enormous Dark Bird Ship in the distance.
As he was engrossed in watching, Beckman and the others gathered around him.
"So, Shanks, are you really sure you don't want to see Uta again?"
That child has grown up! He's a proper son or daughter of the sea!
As they spoke, Beckman and Lucky Roux each put their arms around Shanks, and the joyful atmosphere among their companions completely dispelled the last vestiges of sadness in Shanks' heart.
He simply picked up the container used to pour the wine and took a full gulp.
Shanks put down the container and said with a loud laugh.
"Uta is no longer a child who needs my care. As her father, all I can do is hope for her!"
From now on, haha, we'll just read the newspapers more often.
"Under Gawain's leadership, they're always in the newspapers!"
Hearing Shanks' words, Beckman nodded thoughtfully.
He said softly.
"So, that Celestial Dragon named Gawain seems to be very interested in public opinion. Is his plan related to public opinion?"
Or is public opinion some kind of condition he needs?
"None of that matters!"
Shanks shook his head, interrupting Beckman.
"I've talked to Gawain, and after that, what he wants to do and what I want to do are no longer important."
At least until a certain point, we won't become a burden to each other. Neither he nor I, as long as things don't reach the point of confrontation, can even be friends who can rely on each other.
If one day we are hunted down to the point of having nowhere to escape, the Dark Bird Ship can even become our safe haven!
Of course, we should treat him the same way. If anyone comes to our ship with the emblem of the Dark Bird Group, please join me in welcoming them with smiles!
Just like how we are constantly facing an unknown future!
At this point, Shanks raised the sake jug high, and in an instant, everyone in the Red Hair Pirates drank the sake in their hands.
Setting down his glass, Beckman gently ran his fingers through his hair.
"Oh my, that's really unbelievable. While we were fighting to the death, you seemed to have reached some important agreement with Gawain!"
But it doesn't matter, we'll listen to you, haha!
So from this moment on, we are Gawain's allies, or rather, they are our allies!!!
Amidst laughter, Beckman raised his glass.
"A salute to the ubiquitous battles and the allies scattered across the world, a salute to our long-lost children, and to the readily attainable honors and achievements!"
Finally, a toast to the sea that has carried every sailor!
I also wish that in our old age we can be as strong and vigorous as Mr. Rayleigh!
No kidding, that old man's fists were really heavy!
As the Red Force sailed further away, a fire burned in the Southern Forest of Jaya.
Uta had a burst of inspiration while watching Jinbe roast the piglets until they were evenly cooked.
She hummed a catchy rhythm softly, which started off intermittently and then gradually became more coherent.
Finally, a series of light, nursery rhymes filled the air above Uta.
No matter how Gawain listened to it, the rhythm of this new music felt almost the same as "Three Bears Living Together"...
Listening to the music brought to him by Uta, Gawain took the plate and fork that Hancock handed him, which had just been cut from fresh wood.
Gawain placed the cutlery on his lap, patted Hancock's hand in thanks, and then waved to Akainu, who was sitting upright in the distance.
"Sakazuki, sit closer!"
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing this, Sakazuki nodded and went to sit opposite Gawain. He sat down on the ground and stared intently at Gawain.
Seeing Akainu's expectant expression, Gawain pondered for a moment and said softly.
"Before you, Kuzan had met me more than once, and we talked a lot, especially about his disagreements with you."
"Bullshit!!!"
Suddenly, Sakazuki interrupted Gawain with a harsh voice.
"I knew this guy wouldn't just go to Sabaody Archipelago to watch the fun!"
Saint Gawain, you must not be influenced by his extremely narrow-minded way of thinking!
We, the Navy, are well aware of what you did in Mock Town, and so are all those with ambition throughout the world!
This is the real...
"Cough cough!"
Gawain coughed softly, interrupting Akainu's words!
After Akainu quieted down, Gawain waved to Akainu.
"The World Economic Journal is a responsible news media outlet, and I admire their pursuit of timeliness and accuracy in news reporting."
Therefore, there's no need to deliberately overturn the results of their investigation!
At this point, Gawain clapped his hands at Akainu, who was rolling his Byakugan.
"As for Kuzan, don't worry, I have my own judgment and plans regarding the conflict between you."
To be honest, from different perspectives, none of you are any decent good people!
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Akainu showed a thoughtful expression. Seeing Akainu's pensive look, Gawain remained silent for a moment before continuing his story.
"From a soldier's perspective, Kuzan may not actually be a good enough soldier."
Kindness is indeed a quality everyone should possess, but war often has no room for kindness, and kindness in war often only creates more troublesome and dangerous outcomes!
At this point, Gawain couldn't help but think of the original storyline of Pirate King.
There's something interesting in this comic book.
Back then, when Spandam's Pops, Spandine, discovered that Ohara was researching the Poneglyph, which were explicitly forbidden by the World Government, he pressed the Buster Call button.
On that occasion, the team that carried out the Buster Call on Ohara was led by Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji, who were then temporarily ranked as Vice Admiral and Admiral candidates.
Faced with the Navy's Buster Call, the people of Ohara fled in panic. Countless civilians boarded small boats, trying to escape the island destined to be wiped out before the cannon fire began.
Faced with civilians scrambling to travel by boat, Akainu in the manga reveals his dangerous side for the first time.
He then gave orders to his men to sink all the small boats that were trying to escape and kill everyone on board!
Such an order clearly drew the ire of most of the navy, including Aokiji and others.
Faced with questions from his naval colleagues, Akainu responded coldly.
"If even one scholar were to blend in with those civilians, this Buster Call would be a complete waste. Do you want more Buster Call to appear in the world?!"
And so, Akainu ultimately sank all those civilians into the boundless sea.
Therefore, Akainu was regarded by almost everyone who knew about this as a heartless dog of the Celestial Dragon!
At the same time, in this incident, Aokiji made a completely different decision from Akainu. After experiencing a lot, Aokiji kindly let Nico Robin, who was still a child at the time, go.
Because of this act of kindness, Aokiji has gained countless fans all over the world.
But decades later...
Something funny happened!
Nico Robin's existence has indeed triggered a new Buster Call!
Akainu's words from back then have come true!
As for Nico Robin at that time, if it weren't for the protagonist's halo...
The act of Aokiji letting her go back then, after the massacre of hundreds of thousands on Ohara, indeed brought about the fate of another hundreds of thousands of people facing slaughter...
I attended a wedding ceremony today and had a few drinks with my brothers whom I hadn't seen in a long time...
So the update is a little late, please forgive me.
There will be another chapter later, two 10,000-word chapters every day without fail.
I'll definitely post it before midnight. Love you all.
Tickets, please!