In the central square of the Sorbet Kingdom, the brothers faced each other from ten meters apart.
"Didn't you always long to become a Celestial Dragon?" Shamrock asked, bewilderment in his voice. "Why betray us?"
Shanks smiled. "My foolish brother, did you really fail to see through my act?"
At one side of the square, Yasopp shrugged. "Why does our captain look more like the villain?"
After a moment of silence, Shamrock said, "To be honest, your performance was terrible."
He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade. "The Celestial Dragons' contempt for those below is etched into their bones. That shallow arrogance of yours could never imitate the real thing."
Shanks burst out laughing. "It really was hard to act the part!"
He scratched his head. "Then why didn't you expose me?"
"I simply saw no need." Shamrock's voice suddenly grew low. "No one who has experienced life in the heavens would willingly return to the dust. I thought that, given a few more years, you would become a true Celestial Dragon."
Shanks's smile slowly faded. "I was afraid too-afraid I'd lose my humanity in a place like that. So I ran away."
o
Shamrock raised his longsword. "Whatever the case, let us settle this here, as brothers!"
Two waves of Conqueror's Haki crashed together, shattering the paving stones inch by inch.
A flippant voice suddenly cut in. At some point, Setsuna had appeared atop the square's fountain.
Shamrock smiled bitterly. "Even you're on the other side. It seems the situation has spiraled completely out of control."
"Hey!" Shanks frowned in irritation. "This is a family matter. Stay out of it."
Setsuna waved a hand with a smile. "I'm not interested in brothers fighting each other-"
His gaze fixed on Shamrock's sword. "I'm here for his weapon.