Luffy has eaten the Gum-Gum Fruit, and Shanks ' mission is almost complete. All that's left is to set a goal for Luffy!
Thus, a pirate with strength approaching that of Four Emperors ) was allowed to escape by a bandit with a bounty of only 8 million Beli!
Then, a small fry who could kill with a single glance bit off his arm. After all that was done, the historic moment of delivering the Straw Hat and making the promise arrived!
So after doing all that, Shanks immediately left Foosha Village and the East Blue to avoid that troublesome Hero of the Marines coming after him!
Upon hearing Shanks ' call, Luffy unleashed his power, sending all the surrounding enemies flying. With a leap, he arrived in front of Shanks. His opponents didn't pursue him further, but instead watched from a distance!
" Shanks! I've wanted to return this straw Straw Hat to you for so long, but we've always missed each other. Today, we can finally fulfill our promise!"
Luffy has already heard Shanks's approval, so there's no need for him to ask Shanks whether he's an excellent pirate or whether his crew is as good as Shanks's!
Luffy took off his weathered Straw Hat from his back, held it up with both hands, and presented it to Shanks, intending to fulfill their final promise right there!
Luffy believes he is already an excellent pirate, and his crewmates are all very capable. He feels he has already achieved Shanks ' goal and can fulfill his promise to Shanks to return the Straw Hat!
However, Shanks sets very high standards for excellence and outstandingness. Luffy must become the new Pirate King to be considered an outstanding pirate by Shanks, and therefore his crewmates must also be the most outstanding!
Their standards were different, so it was impossible for them to meet. Now that Luffy has finally become the Pirate King and gained Shanks's approval, they have finally met at the top!
Shanks took the Straw Hat from Luffy and stroked it with a nostalgic expression, as if lost in some kind of memory!
This straw Straw Hat was given to him by Captain Roger when he was very young. He always wore it on his head and cherished it, but he never received a nickname related to the Straw Hat.
He gave his Straw Hat to Luffy when he was in his thirties. Not long after Luffy, he quickly earned the nickname "Straw Hat Boy," and it became increasingly well-known!
This shows that Luffy is a better match for this straw Straw Hat, and he is merely a transitional figure and a successor!
" Luffy! I now accept this straw Straw Hat, which means our promise has been fulfilled, and I acknowledge you and your crew!"
But you and your pirate crew are already deeply bound to this Straw Hat, and I can't break that bond. So I'm giving the Straw Hat to you, Straw Hat Luffy, the Pirate King!
Although he felt a pang of nostalgia and reluctance, Shanks, after reminiscing, solemnly returned the Straw Hat to Luffy!
This straw Straw Hat has been deeply etched with Luffy's mark, and he has achieved his goal. Luffy has become the new Pirate King through his hard work!
This straw Straw Hat has become a symbol, a symbol associated with Luffy. There's no need for him to take it back; returning it to Luffy after fulfilling the promise is the best option!
" Shanks! You really gave it to me? Is it really okay?"
Luffy is also reluctant to part with the Straw Hat hat that has been with him for over twenty years. In terms of age, the straw Straw Hat has been with Shanks for about the same amount of time as him, but the bond between him and the straw Straw Hat is much deeper!
Whether it's the naming of his pirate crew, the design of his pirate flag, or his nickname "Straw Hat Boy," everything is deeply intertwined with this straw Straw Hat; it's become an inseparable part of him!
Whether he had grown accustomed to the Straw Hat or considered it his trademark, he couldn't bear to Straw Hat with it!
But it was agreed back then that Shanks had left the straw Straw Hat with him and that it had to be returned. He wasn't one to break his word, so he didn't hesitate and returned the Straw Hat to Shanks!
But there must have been some reluctance in their hearts. Now that Shanks is back, what reason is there to refuse?
"Of course, only you deserve this straw Straw Hat now, because Straw Hat was given to me by the previous Pirate King. Now that you've become the Pirate King, isn't it a perfect ending for me to give it to you?"
Shanks asserted that the straw Straw Hat had fulfilled its purpose and was now most suitable to be worn on the head of Luffy, the Pirate King!
This straw Straw Hat has been given a new meaning: a vow and a promise. A beautiful melody about promises is written on the Straw Hat!
Accompanied by the music, this straw Straw Hat will transcend into history, become a topic of conversation, and be remembered forever!
"Hahaha! Shanks, thank you!"
Luffy laughed heartily; the straw Straw Hat was finally his! He took the Straw Hat, put it on his head, turned around, and waved to his crewmates!
Shanks! Do you remember who your father is?
Seeing that Shanks and Luffy had finally finished, the Five Elders Garling, couldn't wait to question them.
Although they had a significant advantage after Imu arrived, their advantage diminished considerably once the entire Thunder God Pirates was present!
With Garp's insane hunting tactics added to the mix, they no longer have any advantage!
Now Loki has arrived with the Giant Race warriors, and upon arrival he immediately smashed a retired Five Elders and sent Imu. He can't possibly be here to help them!
At this moment, Shanks also arrived with a large group of people. If they continued to stand on the opposite side, what was the point of fighting? Even if they were immortal, they couldn't withstand it!
Therefore, Garling must win Shanks over to their side; this is a unanimous decision among the Five Elders!
Moreover, it's not without hope. Even though everyone knows that the Celestial Dragons are descendants of aliens and have seized control of this planet, there are still quite a few people who want to join them!
Leaving aside the previous group of Marines, 90% of the remaining members of the Cipher Pol are on their side, along with many royal families from Affiliated Nation. Not everyone wants to overthrow the Celestial Dragons ' rule!
Moreover, Shanks is his son, possessing the blood of the Celestial Dragons, which is something they cannot give up. Shanks ' interests are aligned with those of the Celestial Dragons!
The saying "Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts" is not just an empty phrase. Even though Shanks stood on the opposite side of the Celestial Dragons and successfully overthrew their rule, wasn't he really worried about being purged?
Furthermore, Shanks was once a Celestial Dragons, and even served as God's Knights for a period of time, enjoying the privileges afforded to Celestial Dragons!
These are indelible stains on his history. Can Shanks really escape the final purge? These are questions that need to be considered!
Therefore, Garling and the others felt that there was still a chance to bring Shanks to their side. Moreover, Shanks had brothers and a father, and this blood tie was more trustworthy and reliable than other relationships!