Straw Hat, A Promise

Under the azure sky, a falcon soared, and at the edge of the giant's village, on a large tree by the cliff, stood a massive ruin.

An iron chain suspension bridge, extending from the underworld, reached this point. The ground was covered in green moss and vines, with weeds growing between the cracked, worn stone bricks.

This was the Orlst Castle Ruins, once the dwelling of the Giant King. It had been abandoned after a battle between the cursed prince Loki and the previous king.

Even for giants, this architectural ruin was incredibly grand and spectacular. The moment Luffy and his crew stepped off the suspension bridge and entered, they were deeply awestruck by the sight before them.

"What did you mean by 'cursed prince' just now? Is the king no longer here?"

Usopp questioned Gaban, immensely interested in the customs and traditions of Elbaf he had heard from the man who called himself 'Uncle Ashan' along the way.

Gaban gazed at the dilapidated castle ruins before him, his expression filled with emotion, as if lost in memories of the past. After a moment, he smiled and said:

"That's a long story. Have you heard of the cursed prince Loki? A battle erupted within the giant tribe back then. He killed King Harald. Later, it took the combined efforts of all the giant warriors and the Red-Hairs to suppress him. He's currently imprisoned in the underworld below."

"Huh? Shanks?"

Hearing the keywords, Luffy turned his head, "Is that guy that strong? He needed the giant uncles and them to team up to defeat him?"

"Ah, Loki wasn't just powerful himself; he also ate a legendary Devil Fruit passed down through generations of giants. Before the Red-Hairs appeared, almost no one could stop him," Gaban explained to him.

"Prince Loki? Wait a minute, I think I've heard that name before," Usopp said, seemingly recalling something, and quickly pressed on, "Is it the same Prince Loki who was supposed to marry Big Mom's daughter, Lola, but then ran away from the wedding?"

"You've heard of this too? Hahaha, that's him, alright," Gaban nodded with a laugh.

As for the battle that broke out in the castle that year, he hadn't actually witnessed it himself. At that time, Shanks had coincidentally arrived in Elbaf, and they were soaking in a hot spring, chatting, when they suddenly heard commotion from the castle.

Things happened too suddenly. By the time they rushed over, the situation was beyond salvaging.

Fallen guards, a dying King Harald, and Elder Yaruru, his head pierced by a sword.

The truth was shrouded in mystery. The only certainty was that Loki was undoubtedly the one who stole the royal treasure, the legendary Devil Fruit.

Later, a berserk Loki, with his immense power, resisted the entire giant warrior force of Elbaf. Shanks stepped in to help suppress Loki, and finally, they captured him and imprisoned him beneath the Adam Tree.

"On the way up earlier, I did feel a powerful aura in the forest. It must have been that Loki," Luffy said, taking a bite out of a bone-in piece of meat, chewing as he spoke.

Looking back at the ruins before them, everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. They never expected that such a shocking event had occurred within this nation, hailed as the world's greatest.

"Luffy--!"

At this moment, a familiar voice from the sky drew their attention.

A falcon was diving down rapidly, with Nami riding on it, waving at them. Liner, Sanji, and the others were all there too.

"Hey--! Over here, over here!"

Luffy laughed and waved, running towards them.

After the falcon landed, Liner and the others jumped off. Nami immediately grabbed Luffy's ear as he ran up, saying with annoyance, "What's going on?! Isn't Shanks someone you've always admired? I thought you guys were close, but why does he look like he wants to fight you!"

"Eh!"

Chopper was stunned by this and immediately looked at Luffy.

However, Luffy didn't seem surprised at all, wearing an expression as if he had expected this.

"Hee hee hee, it's because I made a deal with Shanks back then, when he entrusted this hat to me for safekeeping," Luffy said with a nonchalant grin, taking off the Straw Hat hanging on his back. His drifting thoughts inevitably returned to the port of Foosha Village years ago.

At that time, the Red-Haired Pirates were loading goods, preparing to set sail.

"I'm going out to sea! Someday!!"

"I'm going to gather a crew no less than yours! Find the world's greatest treasure, and I will definitely become the Pirate King!!"

Luffy, with his still childish face, clenched his fists and shouted his goal at everyone with all his might.

The members of the Red-Haired Pirates stopped what they were doing, standing stunned, watching the seven-year-old boy before them. His voice was so firm.

"Is that so? You want to surpass us," Shanks slowly walked forward, a smile full of expectation on his face. He took off his own Straw Hat and looked at the nervous Luffy before him.

"Then, I'll temporarily lend you this Straw Hat. This is my most precious possession."

Shanks gently placed the hat on Luffy's head and said softly with a warm tone, "Keep it safe for me. When that day comes, you can return it to me yourself."

"This day has finally come, Shanks," Luffy's lips curved slightly as he looked at the Straw Hat in his hand, a hint of emotion appearing in his eyes.

A gentle breeze softly blew across the moss-covered stone floor. Tree roots, struggling to emerge from the cracks between the stones, intertwined and twisted. Green leaves swayed gently in the breeze.

At the end of the stone path, the figures of a group of pirates appeared and disappeared, their powerful aura almost impossible to contain.

"They're here."

Luffy pulled his Straw Hat back behind him, slowly raised his head, and looked into the distance.

Swish—!

Suddenly, a gust of wind rose from the ground! Leaves rustled violently in the wind, and in an instant, the sky changed. The clear sky from a moment ago suddenly turned dim and gloomy.

"This is...!"

"Such terrifying Conqueror's Haki, this is way too exaggerated."

The incoming impact whipped their hair wildly, making Nami and the others frown deeply, their eyes filled with apprehension.

This powerful oppressive feeling was suffocating, like being stared at face-to-face by a ferocious beast. Only five people could remain composed under this pressure.

"As expected, still so formidable. Truly worthy of Shanks."

Luffy's lips curled up, his eyes gradually becoming fiery.

Zoro placed his right hand on his sword hilt and took a step forward, his eyes as cold as a sword, piercing through space and landing directly on the opposing crowd.

Sensing his gaze, Hawk Eyes looked up, his sharp eyes revealing their edge. The two instantly met eyes.

Sanji also stepped forward, standing on either side of Luffy like Zoro. He took out a lighter, lowered his head, and silently lit a cigarette.

"By the way, who is this old man? He's quite skilled."

After lighting his cigarette, Sanji looked up and couldn't help but glance at Gaban beside him.

To be able to remain so calm in the face of such Conqueror's Haki, this old man was definitely no simple character.

"I'm just an old man past his prime. I'm just here to watch the fun; I don't plan on interfering in your young folks' affairs," Gaban said with a chuckle.

Lina stood behind them, also exuding a powerful aura, blocking almost all of the incoming Conqueror's Haki impact in front of him.

Even Vice Admirals would faint under the Red-Haired Pirates' Conqueror's Haki. The concentrated Haki could even suppress a Marine Admiral. If he didn't shield them, the people behind him would probably have trouble standing.

Luffy strode forward against the impact, his pupils suddenly narrowing, and his own Conqueror's Haki surged out!

Rumble!!!

Thunder roared deafeningly. As the two top-tier Conqueror's Haki, which reigned over the seas, fiercely collided, countless black lightning bolts flashed out from the center!

Boom!! Boom!! Boom!!

Black lightning exploded on the ground, wildly destroying the surrounding buildings, and hurricane-like winds swept everything away!

Dark clouds churned madly, and the thick cloud layer split open into a giant abyss, dividing the gloomy sky into two halves. Even the entire sea area near Elbaf became turbulent.

"Captain! Look at the sky!"

"Is this because of the clash of Conqueror's Haki?!"

"It's like the end of the world...!"

The chaotic sea currents stirred up huge waves. The Victoria, which had just sailed away from the island, bobbed on the crest of the waves.

Standing on the violently shaking deck and gazing at the apocalyptic scene in the sky, Kid and his crew's expressions grew increasingly grim.

This was their true power. Compared to this, everything before had been like a warm-up.

"Damn it!"

Kid gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, filled with unwillingness.

Elbaf, Yang Realm, Orlst Castle Ruins.

The fierce collision of the two Conqueror's Haki stalemated, pushing against each other, refusing to yield, until they had almost reduced the surrounding buildings to flat ground.

Boom!!

With the final shockwave of wind, the two Conqueror's Haki impacts suddenly dissipated, and the surroundings returned to peace as if nothing had happened.

Shanks and his crew finally appeared before them.

"Long time no see, Luffy."

Shanks' lips carried a faint smile, his eyes showing a hint of relief.

"You've indeed grown a lot, and you've gotten taller too."

"Hee hee hee, I finally get to see you, Shanks."

Luffy grinned and looked at Shanks.

After eleven years, the joy and excitement in his heart made him almost unable to suppress the urge to rush forward.

Usopp's gaze urgently scanned the crowd opposite them, finally landing on a man with a headband and dreadlocks.

"Dad!!"

The moment he saw Yasopp, Usopp couldn't help but shout excitedly, his eyes glistening as if tears were about to well up.

"Hey, hey, brat, what do you think you're doing?"

Yasopp's thick lips curled up, and he said with a playful tone:

"I know you've had a tough journey, but if you dare to cry, I'll be the first one to beat you up, you brat."

"Hahaha, aren't you being a bit too harsh, Yasopp? You're not usually like this when you talk about your son."

Lucky Roo tore off a piece of meat from what he was holding, laughing heartily as he chewed and swallowed. He then raised his hand and waved vigorously at Luffy across from him, shouting, "Hey—! Long time no see, Luffy!"

"Alright, Luffy, let's put aside these heartwarming moments for now. Before that, don't forget we still have one thing to do."

Shanks said softly as he walked forward. From a distance of over ten meters, he addressed Luffy:

"Luffy, do you remember our promise?"

"Ah, of course."

Luffy smiled and nodded, but his eyes were incredibly serious.

"That's good. If you can't surpass us, then the promise won't be fulfilled."

As he spoke, Shanks' hand rested on Gryphon at his waist. Without looking back, he said to the people behind him, "Are you all ready? Don't think they'll go easy on you. Underestimating the younger generation will cost you."

"Don't worry, boss. I'll take care of my own brat."

Yasopp said with a playful smile, his gun resting on his shoulder, his gaze fixed on Usopp.

From Buggy's side, next to the Red-Haired Pirates, Hawk Eyes emerged, drawing Black Blade Night from his back and pointing it directly at Zoro, his tone cold:

"Follow me, Roronoa."

"That's exactly what I intended."

Zoro's lips curled into a cold smile. He turned his head and nodded at Luffy before leaping into the ruins with Hawk Eyes.

"Wahaha! Do you remember me, Straw Hat Kid!"

With a sharp laugh, Buggy flew out from the crowd, his clown makeup contorting his face as he yelled with his arms flailing, "That's right! It's me, the one who almost executed you in Loguetown!"

"Who is this red nose guy?"

Before Buggy could finish, Luffy tilted his head in confusion, blankly picking his nose.

"I don't remember you at all!!"

Buggy clutched his head and screamed in disbelief.

"How dare you mock my nose! This is outrageous! All my brothers, attack!"

Buggy waved his large hand in anger, commanding his followers behind him to charge!

"Charge!"

"Let's show this scoundrel who dared to insult Lord Buggy!"

Fierce-looking pirates drew their swords and raised their guns, surging forward like a swarm of bees.

"Who gave you permission to stand in front of me and give orders?"

Crocodile's icy voice sounded from behind, startling Buggy, who broke out in a cold sweat. He stiffly turned his head backward.

"No, listen to me..."

"I don't have time for you now. We'll settle this next time."

BANG!!

Crocodile kicked the back of Buggy's head. His lower body turned to sand, and he moved past the charging pirates. Biting a cigar, he looked down at Lina with a dismissive gaze and said in a deep voice, "Black Snake! You haven't forgotten the old debt for this arm, have you!"

"Didn't you tear it off yourself? Is it really fair to blame me for that?"

Lina raised his hand, creating a void rift and summoning the undead warden Magellan, charging directly at Crocodile.

"We're ready to go too, everyone!"

Luffy crouched down with his legs spread, his fists hitting the ground. His gaze locked onto Shanks. They shared a knowing smile and moved simultaneously, instantly vanishing from their positions!