Shanks stood opposite him, Griffon already back in its sheath. He looked down at his open shirt, then at the Poneglyph Copy in Luffy's hand, and a relieved smile spread across his face. His body swayed. Clearly, he was nearly spent too, barely able to stay on his feet.
"You won, Luffy."
Luffy lowered his head and stared at the Poneglyph Copy in his hand, feeling the warmth coming from it. It was the warmth of something Shanks had kept against his body for over ten years, and the hope Luffy had chased for thirteen. At last, he could no longer hold back his tears. They mingled with the blood on his face and fell onto the Poneglyph Copy, spreading into a small damp patch. He had won. He had finally scaled that high wall he had spent thirteen years chasing, finally seized the red Poneglyph Copy from Shanks, and finally taken another step toward his dream.
"The Poneglyph Copy... is mine..." Luffy's throat tightened, his voice terribly weak, but every word was firm, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
"Yeah, it's yours." Shanks nodded and walked up to Luffy, one step at a time. He reached out his right hand and gently ruffled Luffy's hair, just as he had thirteen years ago in Foosha Village in the East Blue, tender and doting. "Well done, Luffy. You didn't let me down."
"Shanks..." Luffy raised his head and looked at him through blurred, tearful eyes. All the resolve that had kept him going softened in that moment.
"You'll have to find the remaining red Poneglyph Copies yourself," Shanks said, his tone gentle yet solemn, his eyes full of hope. "Once you've gathered all four and set foot on Laugh Tale, you'll know everything-the whole truth of the Void Century, Joy Boy's regret,