Luffy: I Want to Become the Pirate King

No one understood their captain's strength better than the Red Hair Pirates, so everyone's first reaction was disbelief.

But the facts were right before their eyes, leaving them no choice but to believe it. They immediately began blaming Shanks.

The harsher their tone and the uglier their words, the deeper their concern.

What the hell was this guy trying to do?

Benn Beckman stared at Shanks's still-bleeding left shoulder, silently smoking without saying a word.

He had already felt that Shanks's actions were somewhat strange, but out of trust and respect, he had not questioned him in public.

Now that things had turned out like this, his doubts only deepened. He hesitated over whether to ask Shanks privately.

"Sorry! I made everyone worry!" Shanks laughed carelessly. "It's just a minor problem. It won't affect my ability to keep leading everyone on adventures!"

He had deliberately sacrificed an arm not only to strengthen Luffy's resolve to set sail, but also to sever his connection with Imu.

It was a contract he had been forced to sign during his return to the Holy Land. Once he got close to Imu, the other party could determine whether he lived or died.

Even without today's accident, he would eventually have cut off his own arm to completely remove the danger lurking in his body.

Now that he had a fairly reasonable explanation for his crewmates, not only was he not upset, he was actually in a very good mood.

"Is this your arm?"

A pale arm was suddenly held high. Everyone instinctively looked over and discovered that it was the man who had dismantled the Lord of the Coast earlier.

"Van?" Makino called out in confusion.

"He's Van?"

"Quick! Shanks, let's go over there. He can reattach your arm."

Luffy craned his neck for a look, then impatiently grabbed Shanks's hand, wanting to take him over for Van to examine.

Hearing that the arm could be reattached, the Red Hair Pirates were overjoyed and quickly made way.

However, the moment Shanks saw the arm clearly, his gaze sharpened, and uncertainty flashed across his face.

"This isn't the original arm?"

There should have been a brand on the severed arm. Like the Celestial Dragon's Hoof carved onto slaves, it was a mark embedded deep into flesh and bone, impossible to remove by ordinary means.

It was proof of God's Claws, as well as the bridge through which Imu controlled him at close range.

Now, the brand on his arm had disappeared. Van had clearly done something to it.

"As long as it's your arm, that's enough. I cleaned it up, and now I can reattach it for you."

"After you rest and recover for a while, it'll return to normal and be just like before."

Van smiled and continued, "I can guarantee there won't be any hidden dangers."

"You aren't planning to perform surgery on me here, are you?" Shanks asked meaningfully.

"Of course we need to find somewhere quiet."

Van turned sideways and made an inviting gesture before walking straight toward the ship.

"Shanks..."

Benn Beckman pulled Shanks away from the crowd and whispered in his ear, too quietly for anyone else to hear.

"That guy seems to know me very well. I was just worrying about how to start a conversation with him, but now that won't be a problem."

Shanks grinned broadly, waved to reassure his other crewmates, and only then boarded the ship at an unhurried pace.

"Your ability has something to do with medicine, right? The newspaper said you stole the World Nobles' treasure. Was it a Devil Fruit?"

Faced with Shanks's question, which practically exposed the truth, Van did not deny it. He raised a hand and activated his ability.

ROOM!

The Operation Room spread out. Aside from Blue Moon and Baby-5, who had difficulty moving around, everyone else was teleported onto the shore.

The sound was cut off. The people on shore could only watch Van and Shanks enter the cabin, with no idea what would happen next.

Though young, Luffy was sharp. He looked around, then suddenly suggested, "Shanks will definitely be fine. How about we hold a celebration feast? A feast like pirates have."

"Throwing a feast means buying lots of things," Benn Beckman teased. "Luffy, do you have any money?"

"Why should I be the one paying?" Luffy replied righteously. "Isn't there meat right here?"

"That's someone else's loot. We don't get to decide what to do with it." Benn Beckman shook his head.

"Luffy, meat alone isn't enough. We need alcohol too."

"We've spent almost all our money. We don't have any extra to buy alcohol now."

"You can't eat and drink for free. You need to contribute something..."

The Red Hair Pirates laughed and joked, all of them teasing Luffy.

At that moment, Qiangbalu suddenly stepped forward and relayed Van's arrangements.

"The captain said earlier that this meat was meant for a feast. If you don't mind, you can join us."

Naturally, the Red Hair Pirates would not turn down such a good offer.

"Since we're celebrating together, we can't be rude."

"Yasopp, take a few people to buy alcohol and other supplies. Lucky Roux, you'll be in charge of grilling the meat later..."

Benn Beckman began issuing orders, and none of the Red Hair Pirates objected.

Because when Shanks was around, things often went this way. They were all used to it.

"You can go to the bar and bring over the cooking utensils, ingredients, and drinks," Makino suggested. "No charge. Consider it our thanks for saving Luffy."

"That's right!" the village chief nodded in agreement. "When that old fellow comes back, have him reimburse you."

"Great!"

Luffy jumped up in excitement.

Everyone immediately got moving and began preparing for the feast. Once many villagers heard the news, they also rushed over carrying things from their homes.

By the time Van and Shanks emerged from the cabin, long tables had already been set up in the open space beside the dock, covered with alcohol and all kinds of ingredients.

Lucky Roux was leading everyone in grilling meat. Fat dripped onto the charcoal with a sizzling crackle, and the fragrance made everyone's mouths water.

"Looks like everyone's getting along quite well."

Shanks raised a bottle with his newly reattached left arm and laughed. "The feast officially begins! A toast to friendship!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone forgot their identities and worries, enthusiastically clinking cups with the people beside them.

Before they knew it, night fell, but the bonfire only burned brighter.

Everyone ate and drank their fill without feeling the slightest fatigue, then began singing and dancing again.

When sunlight once more shone over Foosha Village, the laughter still had not stopped.

"I'm planning to leave this place. Do you want to come with us and adventure on the Grand Line?"

Shanks suddenly extended the invitation. The surroundings instantly fell much quieter, and every gaze turned toward Van.

"Then I wish you smooth sailing." Van shook his head in refusal. "I have responsibilities that I must shoulder, and my own path to walk."

"I knew it. A man like you would never be willing to trail behind others."

Shanks first threw back his head and laughed, then turned serious. "Then I'll wait for you on the Grand Line!"

"Sure." Van smiled. "It won't be long!"

"And me... I want to become a pirate too!"

"One day, I'll find companions who won't lose to people like you, and I'll find the greatest treasure in the world!"

"I'm definitely going to become the Pirate King!"

Luffy appeared from somewhere and stood in the middle of the crowd, openly declaring his dream.

"You want to surpass us?"

Shanks stepped forward and placed the Straw Hat he had treasured for years onto Luffy's head.

"Then I'll entrust this hat to you. It's my most precious hat, so take good care of it!"