Pirate: I'm about to do something big!

That night, on the coast of Windmill Village.

When Alyosha quietly revealed the reason why Shanks had stayed in Windmill Village for so long, at least part of it was because Garp had left Ace there.

Shanks' demeanor changed.

The Conqueror's Haki, which is said to be possessed only by those with the potential to become kings, was released from Shanks and spread throughout the entire camp.

The first to be affected was Alyosha, who sat in front of Shanks with a gentle smile and a wine bowl in hand.

Next came Smoker and his officers, the junior marines, the lower-ranking marines, even the mayor of Windmill Village, Makino, and Shanks' own crew, all affected by Shanks' indiscriminate Conqueror's Haki.

People like Smoker, who are quite strong, could guess that Alyosha and Shanks had encountered a problem even though they had never witnessed the power of Conqueror's Haki. However, since their current strength was not enough to resist Conqueror's Haki, they could only collapse unconscious with resentment on their faces.

"Damn it..." Smoker managed to utter these words of resentment, barely maintaining a sliver of consciousness. But before he lost consciousness, he saw Shanks' crew members swaying precariously.

Smoker: ? What, you guys too...?

"Beckman, why didn't the captain even say hello this time?"

"Shanks, you bastard, we're in real trouble this time..."

First mate Ben Beckman ignored the crew's complaints. He looked at the tent where Alyosha and Shanks were. From his perspective, he could only see Shanks' back and Alyosha's smiling face.

Having served as the first mate for so many years, this wasn't the first time he had witnessed Shanks' Conqueror's Haki. The other man had long been able to control the range of Conqueror's Haki release, making it unlikely that he would encounter a situation where it indiscriminately affected friend or foe.

This is out of control!

But what he couldn't be sure of was the reason for this loss of control: was it because Alyosha, like Shanks, was also an awakened user of Conqueror's Haki, or something else?

Either way, they are both in trouble.

"What a terrifying expression, Mr. Shanks. Is this the Conqueror's Haki that only those with the potential to become king possess? Very interesting. So what are you implying to me? Do you see the former captain, the only bloodline of the former Pirate King, as a threat to your domination of the seas?"

Alyosha's words were piercing, but Shanks remained unmoved.

He observed Alyosha's composure after he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, and the fact that his own crew was also affected.

There are only two explanations for this situation. One is that Alyosha, like him, possesses the aptitude to awaken Conqueror's Haki. When Alyosha actively released Conqueror's Haki, Alyosha's Conqueror's Haki was stimulated, causing him to passively exhale and spread its influence.

Secondly, Alyosha is very strong, strong enough to ignore the effects of Conqueror's Haki, and even disrupt the effects of his own Conqueror's Haki.

If that's the case, then perhaps I can get through Alyosha...

Shanks thought of something related to him and touched his left hand, which was covered by a long sleeve, once again.

He then composed himself and glanced at the silent, unconscious camp and his own crew.

He downed the wine in the bowl in one gulp, put it down, and then resumed the expression he had when chatting with Alyosha.

"Hey, Mr. Garp, why did you tell you even this?"

"No, Mr. Garp just hinted that I should come to Windmill Village to see if I could teach two promising kids. I just deduced it based on the information I had. After all, I am the only brigadier general in headquarters who was exceptionally nominated to run for the rank of admiral."

I was present when Gol D. Roger was publicly executed in Loguetown, and I also went to Marine Headquarters. So I know what the Marines did after Roger's death.

Alyosha couldn't very well tell Shanks that he was a time traveler, but his explanation did have some merit.

Who knows how many people were watching when Roger was publicly executed in Loguetown?

The known ones include Dragon, Shanks, Bucky the Joker, Hawkeye, and Smoker.

The classic scene of Lao Luo being publicly executed is comparable to Shirou practicing high jump on the set of Fate.

After Alyosha said that, Shanks actually believed him.

Upon hearing this, Shanks could only helplessly rub his forehead and give an awkward laugh.

"Mr. Garp, sending you here really gave me a headache. Indeed, I came to Windmill Village because I learned from Mr. Garp that Captain Roger's son was still alive. It's a miracle that he survived the Navy's intense search efforts. I suppose it's because Captain Roger asked Mr. Garp for help. Captain Roger and Mr. Garp are indeed very good friends."

So, Mr. Ran, there's a problem with your reasoning. I never thought about dominating the seas, and I never considered Captain Roger's only son a threat. To me, he was like my younger brother, just as another friend and I were seen as their children by Captain Roger and his crew.

Shanks corrected Alyosha's reasoning, and Alyosha was not surprised by Shanks's words.

It would be questionable if it weren't for the care and personal interests of Roger and his group of powerful figures that the young Buggy and the Joker were able to serve as apprentice crew members on Roger's pirate ship.

Shanks also explained to Alyosha why he had stayed in Windmill Village for so long.

"Just as you thought, Mr. Ran, I was very happy when I learned from Mr. Garp that Captain Roger's son was alive, but Mr. Garp was unwilling to tell me where he had hidden this child named Ace."

Alyosha raised an eyebrow, looking at Shanks, as if to say, "Guess why Garp won't tell you where he hid Ace."

Shanks, with his thick skin, didn't seem bothered by Alyosha's silent mockery.

"So I didn't bother Mr. Garp anymore. I just searched on my own and quickly found out that Mr. Garp had taken Ace back to his hometown and entrusted him to a female bandit named Dadan. Later, he also brought his own grandson Luffy to keep Ace company. That's how I met Luffy, my friend, in Windmill Village."

"Then why don't you go and meet Ace, whom you treat like a younger brother? Your former captain's only child."

This is also the question Alyosha was thinking about while reading the One Piece manga. Judging from all the signs, at least from his conversation with Shanks, he can be sure that Shanks came to Windmill Village for Ace, and that meeting Luffy was indeed an accident.

But if you don't acknowledge Ace as your father and don't take him with you, it's a bit unreasonable not to teach him properly like Roger did when he took you in.

Roger personally taught you, Shanks, how to become stronger, and even taught you his signature technique, "God's Evasion." Is this how you repay Roger's kindness?

If Shanks had taken Ace away, there wouldn't have been the tragedy of Whitebeard taking Ace as his adopted son, causing chaos in Marineford, and ultimately leading to the deaths of both father and son.

Ace, in particular, inherited Roger's bloodline and was born with Conqueror's Haki. However, after eating the Flame-Flame Fruit at sea, he never mastered Conqueror's Haki until his death. His Armament Haki and Observation Haki were also terrible, and he made absolutely no progress.

I really don't know how these veteran maritime powerhouses educate the next generation; they all seem to be failing miserably.

Shanks' expression turned awkward and helpless upon seeing Alyosha's question.

"If I could, I would really like to keep Ace by my side and teach him the way Captain Roger taught me. I would also like to tell him about everything Captain Roger did for him, but I can't."

"Are you afraid? Afraid of what? Afraid of not being able to protect Ace?"

"Yes, not only could I not protect Ace, but I was also worried that I would kill Ace with my own hands, so I dared not acknowledge him, and I haven't even seen Ace yet."

what?

Shanks' answer left Alyosha speechless.

You said Shanks is still in his developmental stage and can't guarantee that he can protect Ace and Thaksin in the New World, where monsters are everywhere.

But killing Ace with your own hands, isn't that a bit horrifying?

With your current strength, Shanks, even if I could defeat you now, I might not be able to kill you. You're not the kind of person who would obey my orders just to save your own life, and you also have all three types of Haki.

There are monsters on this ocean that can defeat or kill you, Shanks, but are there any that can make you, Shanks, obey orders?

Alyosha suspected Shanks was lying, but Shanks' expression suggested otherwise.

He was born with a top-tier and unique Observation Haki, making it easy for him to tell if someone is lying.

The other party wasn't lying; Shanks knew very well that there were indeed monsters on the sea that could command him, and Shanks had experienced this more than once.

Gan!

As expected, this is the downside of transmigrating to an unfinished world. You don't know what kind of ridiculously powerful boss with outrageous mechanics and stats will appear later until the story is finished.

As expected, even knowing part of the plot isn't as simple as one might think when it comes to accomplishing great things in the world of One Piece.

Alyosha cursed inwardly.

Shanks also noticed Alyosha's calmness upon hearing his words.

"Mr. Ran doesn't seem to doubt what I said."

"Because I am as special as you. You possess Conqueror's Haki, which is one in ten thousand and has the potential to become a king. As for me, from the moment I came into this world, I have a very special, top-level Observation Haki. I can't tell you what makes it special, but I have no problem discerning whether a person is sincere or lying. What you said is true."

That is indeed very special.

"So, to put it another way, you've been in Windmill Village for almost a year, but you haven't actually met Ace yet, and he might not even know you exist?"

"He should know, because Luffy always goes to the junkyard in the Goa Kingdom to find Ace. As Luffy's friend, this kid should be happy to share my story with Ace."

As Alyosha spoke of these things, he also noticed the dejection on Shanks' face and a hint of guilt in his eyes.

It was obvious how insecure he was when he said that.

Alyosha could only laugh at this.

You actually expect Luffy, such a carefree guy who acts solely on instinct, to relay your message?

No wonder you have a scar on your left eye.

At that moment, a rustling sound came from the camp.

Alyosha and Shanks looked in the direction of the sound and saw Luffy's small figure carrying large and small bags of food from the camp, as well as gold wallets from some of the marines and crew.

With his small frame, hardened by years of wilderness survival experience, he struggled to carry the large package.

He even glanced guiltily at the tent where Alyosha and Shanks were.

The two of them cooperated perfectly, leaning back with their wine bowls in their hands, and snoring loudly.

Obviously, Luffy's brain simply couldn't comprehend why everyone in the camp, who had just been eating and drinking, suddenly collapsed.

But that didn't stop him from packing up some of the food and valuables from the camp to use to fund the three brothers' plan to raise money to buy a boat and go to sea.

Seeing Luffy carrying the large bag away, leaving a footprint on the beach, Alyosha and Shanks finally got up.

"It seems our little Luffy isn't just a brat who keeps clamoring to go to sea and become a pirate, Mr. Shanks. Surprised?"

"This is truly worthy of being Mr. Garp's grandson."

Alyosha turned around and saw the surprised expression on Shanks' face.

The only reason why Luffy can ignore the effects of his Conqueror's Haki at such a young age is that he also possesses Conqueror's Haki.

Shanks never expected that Luffy, whom he met by chance, would bring him so many surprises during this time.

Just then, he saw Alyosha following Luffy's footprints into the distance and called out to him.

"Mr. Ran, what's going on?"

"I have to go and see what kind of kid the former Pirate King Roger's son, whom Mr. Garp was willing to risk his life to protect, is like. Mr. Shanks, shall we come together? You've been in Windmill Village for almost a year, and you don't even have the courage to see your brother, whom you've never met before?"

If you're afraid you might do something to hurt Ace, I can stop you. Although we haven't officially fought yet, I'm confident I can.

"And aren't you afraid I might do something drastic? After all, I'm a Marine, and this kid named Ace is Roger's son."

The reasonable explanation left Shanks with no choice but to accept it.

Moreover, part of the reason he came to Windmill Village was to see Ace, the brother he considered his brother.

He glanced back at the crew members who were fast asleep in the camp with a group of marines.

Oh, my crew, please forgive your captain for being so capricious this time. It's not the first time I've done this.

Shanks thought to himself, and unleashed another burst of Conqueror's Haki, further improving the sleep quality of everyone in the camp.

Only then did he catch up with Alyosha.

Following the footprints left by Luffy, the two used their Observation Haki to firmly lock onto Luffy's location, hanging there at a distance from which Luffy could not see them.

After leaving Windmill Village with Luffy, they soon arrived at the outskirts of the Goa Kingdom.

It was a junkyard known as a place where the poor and criminals lived.

It was a desolate and barren place, with poor mountains and bad waters.

It must be said that children who grow up healthily in this environment are indeed much stronger physically than their peers.

No wonder Luffy can always do sit-ups repeatedly against opponents who are far stronger than him, eventually wearing them down to death.

When you encounter a tank like Luffy, if you don't have a noble percentage-based damage mechanism, even if you deal true damage, it's useless.

"A calm sea cannot produce excellent sailors."

"Mr. Ran, what did you say? This is land."

"It's the same principle, you see, we've arrived."

As they were talking, Alyosha and Shanks saw Luffy arrive at a wooden hut in the junkyard with large bags and small packages.