Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

As Shanks' first mate, Ben Beckman was already used to his temperament and reluctantly but indulgently ordered the crew to pack their things.

Uchiha Shiraha and the other two exchanged a smile and did not refuse. After all, the red-haired man was not bad, so they followed Shanks and his group toward the dock.

The sea shimmered under the night sky, and the Red-Haired Pirates' ship was quietly moored on the shore. The red skull flag on the sails fluttered gently in the evening breeze. The deck was already brightly lit, and the crew was busy preparing a banquet. The aroma of roasted meat wafted in on the sea breeze, creating a lively and warm atmosphere.

For the Red-Haired Pirates, a boring sea voyage always needs a banquet to liven things up.

As soon as they stepped onto the deck, crew members warmly greeted them, offering fresh fruit and drinks. Shanks pulled Shiraha along and headed straight for the long table in the center of the deck.

Soon the table was filled with a sumptuous feast: sizzling whole roasted lamb, plump roasted lobster, tender roasted fish, and various exquisite desserts and fruits and vegetables. A barrel of wine poured out amber-colored liquor, its aroma rich and lingering.

Seeing this, the happiest person was Matsumoto Rangiku. Ever since she started drinking, this woman had become a complete alcoholic.

"Please sit down, please sit down!"

Shanks shoved Shiraha into a seat, then made Rangiku and Robin sit down. He picked up the sake barrel and took a huge gulp, the sake dripping down his chin, but he didn't care. He wiped his mouth and laughed heartily, "This Binks sake is one of my most treasured possessions. Even Beckman wouldn't let me drink much of it!"

Beckman was somewhat speechless. He picked up his glass and took a small sip, but a smile was hidden in his eyes. The other crew members also gathered around, raising their glasses and chatting, making the atmosphere on the deck even more lively.

Matsumoto Rangiku raised her glass, clinked it with the crew member beside her, and took a big gulp. The richness and spiciness of Binks' liquor spread on her tongue, and she couldn't help but squint her eyes, a joyful smile spreading across her face.

"This liquor is really strong, much better than what you get at bars!"

Robin picked up a piece of grilled fish and savored it. The fish was tender and juicy, bursting with flavor. She murmured in admiration, "The cooking is superb, even better than the restaurants in Sicily."

Bai Yu held his wine glass, lightly clinked it with Shanks's, took a small sip, and glanced at the cheerful crew members on the deck. Although these people were all pirates, they had no trace of ferocity. They got along very well with tacit understanding and friendship.

Shanks leaned closer to him and asked curiously, "Hey buddy, where are you planning to go next? Are you going on a sea adventure?"

Shanks turned his gaze to Uchiha Shiraha.

Bai Yu nodded and slowly said, "I plan to cross the Western Sea to see a wider sea area, see different scenery, and if I meet compatible companions, we can set sail together."

At this moment, Shanks suddenly became serious: "But taking Nico Robin with you is a very dangerous thing. Once the World Government and the Navy find out that Nico Robin is with you, you will be in danger."

At this moment, Matsumoto Rangiku also stopped drinking and looked at Shanks.

"Don't worry, I have no interest in Nico Robin. I was a member of the Pirate King Roger's crew, and I've read all the Poneglyphs, so you don't need to worry about me harming you."

Shanks then turned his gaze to Uchiha Shiraha.

"I'm not worried because she's my companion."

"So you're doing something dangerous, just like we did back then."

Robin added, "Our main goal is to find ancient ruins, decipher lost texts, and uncover the truth of history."

Matsumoto Rangiku chuckled and chimed in, "And while you're at it, sample the local delicacies and drink the world's finest sake—that's what adventure should be like!"

Shanks' eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, "Well said! That's what makes adventure so fun!"

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something: "Well, Nico Robin, I've read the Poneglyphs. Do you need me to tell you what they contain?"

Nico Robin's fingers gently traced the rim of her wine glass, the moonlight casting dappled silver light into her deep brown eyes.

She had been hiding for ten years, and this was the first time she had the opportunity to fully understand the contents of the historical text.

Then, Nico Robin looked up with a calm smile on her lips: "Thank you for your kindness, Shanks-san, but the meaning of this journey lies in the process of uncovering the mystery together with my companions."

Matsumoto Rangiku, who was stuffing grilled squid tentacles into her mouth, mumbled in agreement, "Exactly! It's no fun knowing the answer beforehand."

The oil stains on her new dress went unnoticed; she was only focused on giving the chef who brought the food a thumbs up: "Your sauce is amazing!"

Shanks paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

His slapping of his knees made the ice cubes in his glass clink: "An interesting answer!"

The waves gently lapped against the ship's hull, and the campfire on the deck illuminated the smiling faces.

Shanks raised his glass, the golden liquid shimmering in the firelight: "Cheers to our new friend!"

"Cheers!!"

"Have more opinions and drinks!"

Amidst laughter, the atmosphere of the banquet became increasingly harmonious, and Bai Yu would occasionally discuss swordsmanship and the cultivation of Haki with Shanks.

Shanks shared his knowledge and stories of the New World without holding back, Rangiku competed with the crew in drinking, and Robin patiently answered the crew's questions about history and geography. The three people from different worlds got along very well with the Red-Haired Pirates without any barriers.

As night deepened, buckets of alcohol were drunk and waves of barbecue were eaten, and the laughter on the deck never stopped.

Shanks looked at the three people in front of him, Bai Yu, with admiration in his eyes. Bai Yu was calm and reserved, and his words revealed that he was skilled in swordsmanship and valued loyalty.

Matsumoto Rangiku is cheerful and straightforward; she may appear drunk and smelly, but she is kind at heart.

Nicole Robin is gentle, intelligent, knowledgeable, calm, and reliable. These three are exactly the kind of companions he wants to get along with.

He put down the barrel of sake he was holding, his playful expression fading as his serious demeanor became unusually earnest. His gaze slowly swept over the three of them, and he said sincerely, "Shiraha, Rangiku, Robin, I've truly enjoyed the few hours I've spent with you. I admire your personalities, your strength, and your passion for adventure. My crew has reliable companions like Beckman and Lucky Roux, but I always felt that having more companions like you would make the adventure even more interesting. Therefore, I formally invite you to join my Red-Haired Pirates and sail with us to witness the magnificent New World. What do you say?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the deck fell silent for a moment. The crew members all looked at Bai Yu and his two companions with anticipation in their eyes. Beckman nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Shanks' invitation. After all, no one would refuse such an excellent companion.