The shrill howl from the sky immediately drew Shanks and the others' attention.
Shanks stared intently for a long while, his expression quickly turning grim as he cried out in alarm.
"Ju—"
"Boom!!!"
Very quickly, the white "meteor" in the sky came crashing down. Accompanied by a deafening roar, it slammed straight into the stream beside the ancient tree.
The violent shockwave sent countless splashes spraying in every direction. Fragments of stone struck the trunks of the trees in the forest, producing a rapid series of tapping sounds.
A mist of water filled the air, immediately obscuring everyone's vision.
"What happened?"
Sabo quickly crouched down, struggling to keep his balance against the shockwave. He pressed down the brim of his hat with one hand, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked toward the stream.
Ace also immediately lowered himself, his little face full of tension. After watching for a moment, he glanced at Shanks in the distance and quickly tugged at Sabo's clothes.
"Go!"
Taking advantage of the sudden disturbance distracting Shanks, Ace wanted to take Sabo and leave first.
Though he was reluctant to give up so much treasure, his life was still more valuable than riches.
As long as they survived, they could slowly accumulate wealth again.
"Long time no see, Shanks."
"I never thought I'd run into you in East Blue!"
A clear voice suddenly emerged from the dense mist, and a dark figure flashed through the vapor.
"Rustle... rustle..."
Shortly afterward, as footsteps sounded near them, a gust of wind swept out from the mist and scattered the thin white fog.
At the same time, a red-haired young man wearing a Marine coat and carrying a long sword at his waist appeared before them. A flame-shaped Demon Slayer Mark rested on his forehead, lending an air of