One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

On the distant sea, the setting sun has begun to sink below the horizon.

The sky gradually transitioned from golden red to deep purple, and the first star began to shine faintly on the eastern horizon.

The Red Fosse was anchored in the harbor, its lights already on, the warm yellow glow reflected on the calm sea, swaying gently with the ripples.

The Red-Haired Pirates' doctor gave Shanks emergency first aid on the beach.

The white bandages were wrapped layer upon layer, and the blood quickly seeped through the innermost layers, but the bleeding finally began to decrease.

Shanks' face was still pale, but he was in good spirits. While the ship's doctor bandaged him up, he was joking with Yasopp about "we can only play rock-paper-scissors with one hand from now on."

Luffy stayed by Shanks' side, never leaving him.

The brim of his straw hat was deformed from being gripped so tightly during the oath-taking ceremony, but he refused to take it off and just wore it, so large that it covered most of his face.

Shanks would occasionally reach out and tap his straw hat, and Luffy would mutter something like, "I'll come back when I get stronger," under the brim.

Rouge and Makino brought in clean water and towels and helped out.

Ace squatted down next to Luffy, unusually refraining from scolding him, but occasionally reaching out to help Luffy put his straw hat back on after it slipped down.

Uta sat on a rock not far away, holding her guitar and softly playing a gentle tune.

The melody and the sound of the waves blended together, like a lullaby for today's wounds.

Roy remained standing at the edge of the beach, leaning against the crooked coconut tree, arms crossed, watching everything unfold.

He watched it from beginning to end, from Shanks having his arm bitten off to Luffy crying and making a vow, and now to everyone on the beach who are busy.

He didn't interfere or say anything; he just watched quietly.

But no one noticed that the smile on his lips never disappeared from beginning to end.

That wasn't a cold laugh; it was a laugh that came from waiting for the day to finally end.

.................................. ............................

three days later.

The Red Fosse had completed all resupply and repairs, and the sails on its mast billowed in a full arc in the morning breeze.

The Red-Haired Pirates' flag fluttered in the wind at the stern, the skull and crossbones flag embroidered with three scars appearing and disappearing in the sea fog.

Shanks stood on the dock, his left shoulder bandage covered by his coat, making it impossible to tell from his appearance that he had lost his entire arm just three days earlier.

His face was still a little pale, but his spirits had recovered to about 70-80%. At this moment, Luffy was holding him tightly around the waist, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull him off.

"Luffy, let go. I'm leaving."

"No! Stay a few more days! Just a few more days!"

Luffy buried his face in Shanks' coat, his voice muffled and trembling with a hint of tears.

He clutched the straw hat tightly in his other hand, as if afraid it would fly away if he let go.

"Stop acting cute."

Shanks pulled Luffy off his waist, lifted him in front of him, and tapped the straw hat with his only remaining right hand.

"Don't grab your hat like that, what if you ruin it?"

"Is the hat more important than me?!" Luffy protested.

"you guess."

"Shanks—!!!"

Ace stood to the side, unusually refraining from making any violent comments about Luffy's whining behavior.

He looked at Shanks and bowed deeply.

"Brother Shanks, have a safe journey. I'll keep an eye on Luffy, don't worry."

Shanks reached out and ruffled Ace's hair, a little less forceful than usual.

"You're really starting to look like a big brother."

Keep a close eye on that idiot, don't let him fall into the sea and drown.

"I know."

Rouge, holding Luffy's hand, waved to Shanks with a gentle smile on her face.

"Shanks, take care of your injuries."

Next time you come, I'll make your favorite stewed sea bream.

"Then I'll definitely keep an eye on it." Shanks grinned.

Beckman, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, casually waved to the people on the dock.

Raki Lo stood at the top of the gangway, gnawing on what looked like umpteenth of a meat bone.

Yasopp slung his sniper rifle over his shoulder, while Uta stood at the stern of the boat, holding his guitar, waving goodbye to Guina.

"Kuina! Next time we meet, let's play a duet together!"

Guina stood on the dock and nodded to Uta.

Although the two girls' friendship was short-lived, the three days they spent chatting, practicing the piano, and watching the sunset together on the beach were enough to make them a special place in each other's hearts.

It's a deal.

The Red Fox's mooring lines were released, and the ship slowly left the dock.

The sea breeze billowed the sails, and the dragon head statue gleamed with a dark golden luster in the morning light.

Shanks stood at the stern, his straw hat resting on Luffy's head. His hair was slightly disheveled by the sea breeze, but his smile remained as bright as ever.

"Luffy! Ace! Rouge! Take care, everyone!"

"Shanks—!!!"

Luffy stood at the edge of the dock, cupping his hands to his mouth, and shouted at the top of his lungs towards the receding Red Fox.

"I will definitely become the Pirate King! I will definitely return your straw hat to you! I swear! You wait for me!!!"

Shanks didn't answer, but simply raised his remaining right hand and waved it toward the dock.

The movement was casual and light, as if he were simply saying goodbye, but everyone on the dock could see the smile on his face—

It is belief.

He believed the six-year-old's vow. It wasn't that the adults were just placating the child; it was that one person believed in another.

The Red Fosse gradually shrank into a black dot on the horizon and eventually disappeared into the sea fog.

Luffy stood on the dock for a long time until the skull and crossbones flag was no longer visible. Only then did he lower his head, press his hands tightly against his straw hat, and tremble slightly on his shoulders.

Ace surprisingly didn't scold him.

He simply walked up to Luffy and placed his hand on Luffy's shoulder.

"Let's go back, you idiot."

"Um."

Luffy's voice still trembled with tears, but when he looked up, the expression on his face was no longer entirely one of sadness.

Roy jumped down from the wooden crates behind the dock and patted off imaginary dust from his pants.

He walked up to Rouge, his tone returning to its usual casualness, but with a hint of seriousness.

"Rou, we're leaving too."

Rouge nodded.

She had known this moment would come. During these three days, Roy hadn't mentioned leaving, and she hadn't asked him either.

Now that Shanks is gone, she knows Roy should leave too.

"Captain Roy, thank you for taking care of me all these years."

Rouge bowed slightly, her eyes slightly reddening as she straightened up, but her smile remained gentle.

"Without you, I could not have lived here peacefully for so many years."

Ace couldn't possibly grow up peacefully either.

I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life.

"Don't talk about gratitude or anything like that, it's too formal."

Rouge turned around and called Ace over.

"Ace, Brother Roy is leaving. Come and see him off."