November 11, 1516.
On the Worlinderge Island, dark clouds loomed overhead, and blizzards relentlessly lashed the island's rocky landscape—just days ago it was a raging storm, and today it was a blizzard...
However, underground, the Red-Hair Pirates were having a wild party.
Not only did Sig wake up safely a month ago, but the cadres who went out to "establish their authority" have also returned one after another during this month.
When the WEC introduced the concept of the "Four Emperors," many Great Pirate harbored resentment, especially towards the Red-Hair Pirates!
Of the four Yonko crews, only Red-Hair' crew is the easiest to "mess with".
After all, the Red-Hair Pirates have no interest in territory or vassalage; they basically fight when facing strong opponents and rarely take action against weak ones.
This has brought many challenges to the Red-Hair Pirates over the past few months.
For the other three Yonko-level pirate crews, these past few months have been a time to "encircle and suppress" any dissenting pirate crews, but for the Red-Hair Pirates, it's a time to establish their authority...
However, Shanks didn't personally take action; his subordinates simply launched attacks from all sides, chasing away the provocative Great Pirate and maximizing their authority.
Now everyone is gathered under the walls of Dego, enjoying roasted meat and drinks, with Sig singing...
But today was a little different. After Sig finished singing, he stopped, and the other cadres around him also fell silent!
That's right, the officers, and even some of the combatants, have already noticed... that someone has entered the underground passage, and more than one person.
In fact, Sig and the others had already spotted each other halfway through the song, but they felt there was no need to interrupt the pirate song, so they waited until the song was finished before becoming wary.
Because Worlinderge Island lacks a magnetic field, finding it wouldn't be easy. And even if it were found, no one would be eager to cause trouble for the Red-Hair Pirates these days, right?
"It seems we have guests. Let's go see them," Shanks said kindly.
Sig followed Shanks, heading in the direction from which the footsteps were coming...
Halfway there, Sig realized that Shanks seemed to have already guessed who the visitor was.
Soon Shanks and his group saw the newcomers. The leader was wearing a cowboy hat and a cloak—it was so cold in Dego that the man's clothing made him difficult to identify.
But...
The freckles on his cheeks and the obvious aura of Logia Devil Fruit allowed Sig to guess the identity of the newcomer— Portgas D. Ace!
Thinking back to when I saw the news about Ace becoming famous in the East Blue and entering the Grand Line, it was only half a year ago. I can't believe he's already in the New World?
Sig knew that Shanks had secretly visited Ace when he was in the Kingdom of Goa, but he hadn't shown himself.
Although Ace was Roger's biological son, Shanks paid more attention to Luffy because... in Shanks' eyes, Ace only inherited Roger's bloodline, while Luffy inherited Roger's spirit!
For "pirates," the latter is clearly a more worthy "successor."
At this point, Ace was unaware that Shanks knew his identity. When the Captain and officers of the Red-Hair Pirates actually came to greet him, Ace's crew members were visibly nervous.
However, Ace himself remained calm and composed, and even introduced himself openly.
"I see. So you're the rising rookie pirate who's been making waves lately, wanting to 'greet' me?" Shanks said, giving Griffin's sword guard a push with his thumb.
Aren't the "greetings" between pirates usually before a challenge occurs?
Especially since Ace seemed to have come on purpose...
Given Ace's current strength and status, Shanks wouldn't actually need to intervene personally. However... since he is the old Captain's son, Shanks decided to give him a chance!
However, Ace immediately said, "No, no, Captain Shanks, that's not what I meant... I heard about you from my brother, so I came here specifically to thank you!"
"Brother?" Shanks was taken aback.
When the Red-Hair Pirates left Foosha Village, Luffy didn't know Ace yet. It was only later, when Garp discovered that his grandson had been kidnapped, that he abandoned Luffy with Dadan as well.
"Well, I have a younger brother... named Luffy. He's always saying he wants to be the One Piece..." Ace explained.
Upon hearing this, Shanks immediately perked up and dragged Ace's Spade Pirates to join the banquet.
The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated, and the banquet was held a second time.
Ace also told Shanks about how Luffy and he "trained" together after he left.
Shanks then asked Ace about his own goals...
To Shanks' delight, Ace was now also "clamoring" that he could become the One Piece!
Back in Foosha Village, when Shanks was secretly observing Ace, he discovered that Ace was extremely resistant to the title of "One Piece" and to his own biological father.
As expected of Luffy — Shanks immediately identified the root cause of this change.
Of course, even so, Shanks still considers Luffy to be Captain Roger's successor!
However, out of concern, I also asked Ace what he planned to do next— the New World is not a place where one can focus solely on adventure and treasure hunting.
For ordinary pirates, the New World is already a complete hell.
Apart from the Four Emperors, no pirate has any room to remain untainted!
Shanks didn't mention the matter of Ace flying his pirate flag, because he knew... it was tantamount to an insult.
"The Four Emperors? Of course I know... But first, I just need to let this New World know my strength!" Ace said confidently.
"How do we do it?" Shanks asked.
"Then let me take the head of the World's Strongest Man first!" Ace had already decided to slide tackle Whitebeard.
Shanks:...
"Ambitious! Hahaha, cheers!" Lucky Roo and Ace clinked glasses.
Ace also started shouting.
Sig probably thinks... Whitebeard would be very happy to know this—the debt Roger owed him for poaching his players back then is finally going to be paid back.
"In that case, Sig ... why don't you come along too?" Beckman suddenly said.
"Huh? Why would I go looking for Whitebeard? Don't worry, I've already met with Whitey Bay and William Jr." Sig hadn't expected Beckman to be so kind as to inquire about his personal life.
"Besides, we're all pirates, no need to be so pretentious. You won't find a female pirate like this..." Sig was about to chat with Beckman, this old virgin, about the relationships between pirates, but Beckman had already jumped up and down and slapped away Sig's hand that was hooking his shoulder.