Red-Haired Pirates

The next day, Yake left Thunder God Island without stopping for a moment.

The residents of Thunder God Island bid Yake farewell through tears and planted the Ark Pirates' flag at the island's entrance. Blue lightning ran through the massive ship—that was the Ark Pirates' emblem, somewhat different from the usual pirate flag.

Yake flew over the sea, blue-violet lightning streaking across the waters. Since absorbing Thunder God Island's lightning, the electricity he released had turned blue-violet. Its power had not changed much, but it looked cooler, and Yake was very satisfied with that.

"Is that... the Red Force?" Yake spotted the ship ahead and immediately recognized the pirate flag with a red mark running through the skull's left eye. It was definitely Red-Haired Shanks's ship. Six years ago, Red-Hair had come to the Sabaody Archipelago and found Old Man Rayleigh. By then, he had already lost his left arm and his signature Straw Hat.

"I haven't seen Uncle Shanks in a long time. I'll go have some fun with him." Yake grinned. He had challenged Shanks when he was fourteen, only to get thoroughly beaten up. It was time to win back some face.

"Captain, someone's coming after us," Benn Beckman said without looking up, polishing his beloved gun.

"Oh~ Let me see. That lightning looks awfully familiar. Is that brat Yake?" Shanks recalled the little kid who had challenged him years ago.

"Uncle Shanks, long time no see." Yake flashed onto the Red Force's deck and spoke with a smile.

"Hahahaha, so it really is you, brat! You've changed so much! Your tattoos look pretty damn cool!" Shanks burst into laughter. He had not seen Yake in six years and had not expected the kid to become even more handsome. The once fair and clean-looking boy had gotten himself covered in tattoos, though they seemed oddly familiar.

"Hahaha, they're all right. Uncle Beckman, Uncle Yasopp, Uncle Lucky Roux, did you miss me?" Yake waggled his brows at them.

"Hey, you little punk! I still haven't settled the score over you secretly shocking me back then!" Lucky Roux said angrily as he charged toward Yake, looking menacing.

Sure enough, Lucky Roux was only putting on an act. His hefty body wrapped Yake in a hug as he laughed heartily.

"Captain, shouldn't we throw a party now that Yake is here?" Lucky Roux punched Yake's solid chest muscles, then turned to Shanks.

"Of course! Brothers, party time! Let's welcome our little brother Yake!!!"

Shanks excitedly raised and waved his right hand, and everyone cheered in unison. The ship instantly became a sea of joy.

When the Red-Haired Pirates said they were throwing a party, they threw a party. There was absolutely no hesitation as they immediately switched into party mode.

"Hahaha, Yake, what have you been up to these past two years? When you killed a Celestial Dragon, you gave us one hell of a scare!" Shanks drained his drink in one gulp and put an arm around Yake.

"I founded my own country, up in Skypiea. You've been there too, Uncle Shanks!"

"Skypiea? That brings back memories. Back then, I was just a child." Shanks recalled the days when he had adventured with Roger, as well as his beloved best friend and rival, Buggy.

"I became Skypiea's new god. Skypiea has now been renamed the Sky God Kingdom, and it will officially open today," Yake said casually.

"Hahaha, that really suits your personality. But even if it opens, it won't be easy to get up there!"

Shanks knew that anyone wanting to reach Skypiea had to ride the Knock Up Stream or sail all the way from the Top of the Western Sky.

"I built a massive Heaven's Ladder. Skypiea can now be entered and exited freely. Otherwise, why would I bother founding a country?"

"Yake, why aren't you watching over your country as Skypiea's new god? Why have you come to the New World instead?" Benn Beckman asked doubtfully.

"My crew will protect Skypiea. As for me, I've come to challenge the Four Emperors and use that to announce to the world that the Sky God Kingdom is my private territory," Yake said unconcernedly.

"That makes sense. So who are you planning to challenge?" Shanks asked curiously.

"Far away in the sky, close before my eyes."

"Huh~ So it's me? Hahaha!"

"That's right, Shanks. I lost terribly six years ago. This time, I'll definitely win back my honor. But let's talk about it tomorrow. Today, let's drink ourselves silly first!" Yake raised his cup and drained it in huge gulps.

"You brat, you really are still holding a grudge. Oh dear, looks like I'm doomed tomorrow!" Shanks said theatrically, as though he were destined for a truly miserable fate.

"Idiot Captain, Yake's power must be much stronger than before. You're dead for sure. I'm backing Yake!" Lucky Roux tore into a chunk of meat, making it clear he was betting everything on Yake.

"By the way, Yake, how is Uncle Rayleigh doing?" Shanks asked. Six years ago, when he met Rayleigh, he learned that Rayleigh had a son. Though adopted, it had still surprised him greatly.

"How else could he be? Coating ships, selling himself into slavery to make money so he can support the family, that sort of thing." Yake had not spoken with his dad much on the phone, but his mom often called to urge him and Hancock to have a child soon, which embarrassed him immensely. Still, with his dad's strength, there were not many people who could beat him.

"Hahaha, Uncle Rayleigh really hasn't changed at all!"

"Shanks, that kid you entrusted your hopes to has already set sail, right?" Seeing Yake reminded Yasopp of the little kid in the East Blue who was the same age as his own son.

"Yeah. Luffy will definitely keep our promise." Shanks suddenly became serious and unconsciously touched his empty left arm.

"Luffy? Who's that?" Yake pretended not to know who Luffy was.

He casually picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth, then refilled his cup.

"Luffy. I gave my hat to that kid and promised to meet him again on the sea someday. When that time comes, he'll return the hat to me. And he is the future I bet my left arm on!" Shanks said earnestly.

"Looks like Uncle Shanks thinks very highly of him. Does he want to become One Piece?"

"That's right. That's what he said."

"Then that might be a little difficult. Robin, who can read the Poneglyphs, is my crewmate..." Yake said rather proudly. After the Ohara Incident, people who could read the Poneglyphs were as rare as hen's teeth, and the only known one was aboard his ship.

"Hahaha, Ohara's survivor? That's great! Oh, right. If you run into Luffy out at sea, don't hit him too hard! I'm counting on you..."

Shanks knew that as long as they were on the sea, Luffy and Yake would meet someday. What he really meant was that no matter what happened if Yake encountered Luffy, he should at least leave him alive.

"Don't worry, Uncle Shanks. That's the man you think so highly of!"

On these seas, the only person with a stronger backing than Yake was Luffy.