When Being a Pirate Means Gramps Will Chase Me for Life?!!

The sea breeze swept past.

It carried a damp chill, yet it could not dispel the oppressive tension in the air.

Rock's gaze slowly swept across the members of the Red Hair Pirates.

At last, his eyes settled on Shanks.

"Shanks."

His tone was calm, yet there was a faint trace of... displeasure in it.

"Do you really not know—"

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze deepening.

"Or are you pretending not to know?"

—The air tightened.

Everyone instinctively held their breath. Even the sound of the waves seemed to fade for a moment.

Shanks glanced at Rock.

There was no hostility in that look, yet it was more dangerous than hostility.

Then his gaze slowly shifted to Luffy beside him.

Those eyes were clean and pure, almost without a trace of impurity.

Filled with stubbornness.

Filled with longing.

And filled with—an innocence that had no idea how cruel this world truly was.

At that moment, an image suddenly exploded in his mind.

Garp's eyes were wide with fury, his fist wrapped in Conqueror's Haki.

The ground shattered beneath his feet, and the sea was overturned.

"Red-Hair—!!!"

"Give me back my grandson!!!"

"If I don't beat you to death today, I'm not a Monkey!!!"

Shanks's body trembled almost imperceptibly, a chill creeping down his back.

He fell silent for a moment.

Then he let out a soft sigh and looked at Luffy. His face, usually so full of smiles, now carried a hint of bitterness.

"Luffy."

His voice lowered.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have encouraged you."

He paused, his gaze gentle yet serious.

"Being a pirate..."

He slowly shook his head.

"Really doesn't suit you."

Luffy froze, as if someone had pressed a pause button on him.

The next second—

"Huh?!"

He instantly blew up!!!

He crossed his arms,