Disclaimer I no own One Piece. I do own Manami.

I listened to the first episode with Shanks to right the dialogue and actions. Some are from the manga.

"Manami!" a red haired man called to the black haired little girl, playing by the shore.

The man was tall and lean. His face was marred by three angry red scars that crossed over his left eye. A five o'clock shadow was the only other feature on his face that somehow added to how youthful he looked. He had hair of a vibrant red color that his unusual straw hat sat upon. He wore a white, button down shirt with the buttons undone, tucked into brown pants with gold buttons going up the side and a red sash that held his sword in place. His pants stopped just below the knees and left an area of his legs uncovered until his feet, where he wore floppy, brown sandals. A black cape across his shoulders topped off the outfit and gave him an ominous look. A smile adorned his face as he watched his daughter play. His name was Shanks.

"Come inside! We're going to eat dinner with Luffy and Makino down at Party's Bar!" he called to the little girl down by the sea again.

"Coming Daddy," she called as she ran up to her father. "I want to play with Luffy," she commented as she took her father's large hand in her smaller one.

The little girl looked about six and she had long black hair that went to her waist and vibrant green eyes that shined like emeralds. Her face had the same round, cherubic look of most young children and her lips curved into a light pink smile.

"I wanna talk to you about something sweetie. We've been here a while longer than I planned. I like this village, so we're going to set sail soon. Maybe another trip, but probably not."

Manami looked kind of down about leaving her best friend and the village. She liked being around someone her own age.

"Okay Daddy," she replied, sadly.

"I already talked to Makino. She said Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp is going to be here in a few months to bring Luffy to his new home," he continued. He looked down at his little girl. He had found her adrift in a life boat when she was a year old. He had taken one look at her and decided to adopt her. His crew had been a little skeptical at first, but they had grown to love the girl.

But seeing her with Luffy, Shanks began to realize that what she craved was someone her own age.

"I love you, Manami," he told her. "But I'm leaving you here when the crew leaves for good. Luffy's grandfather will bring you with Luffy when he takes him away." By now he had gotten down to his daughter's level and was looking her in the eyes. Black eyes connected with green and Shanks' heart broke at the sight of his daughter's tears.

"But why Daddy? Why can't I go with you?" she asked.

"Because sweetie. Here you have friends and kids your age that you can play with. You'll be happier."

"But I want you Daddy," she cried as she clung to her father. "I don't want you to leave! Or Benn, or Lucky, or Yassop!"

"I'll see you again. When you and Luffy are older, and have your own pirate crew. That's when all see you two again. Out on the sea."

"Okay. Daddy, why wasn't Luffy at the docks to meet us?" she suddenly asked. "And Party's Bar was empty."

"I don't know Manami. He's usually there waiting for us."

They were walking to town square when they saw a huge crowd around the well in the middle of the village. A mountain bandit, Higuma the Bear, had Luffy on the ground and his foot was on Luffy's head. He looked like he was preparing to kill him. Shanks, Manami, and the senior members of the crew came to a stop behind Makino and the mayor.

"I was wondering why the bar was empty on such a fine day," Shanks said as he took a step next to Makino, with a hand on the hilt of his sword. "So, it's the mountain bandits again." He had a smile on his face as he tilted his face to look at them.

"Captain Shanks!" Makino said, thankful that someone was there to handle the situation.

"Hmph!" Higuma said. "You pirates are still here? Taking a break from your cleaning duties?"

"Luffy! I thought your punch was as powerful as a pistil."

"….! Not now Cap'n!" Luffy managed to get out.

"Listen, I don't know what you're thinking of doing. But you might wanna leave. We wouldn't want anything bad to happen. And I have just the man to deliver this message," Higuma answered.

"I'll blow your head off if I have to," a random bandit said. "That's up to you my friend."

"Would you risk your life?" Shanks asked, keeping his head down.

"Huh?" the random bandit asked.

"Now that you've drawn your pistol, are you willing to use it?

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm saying that guns aren't for threats, they're for actions," Shanks said as he finally looked up at the bandit.

A gun shot rang through the town as Lucky Roo stepped up to the plate and shot the bandit. He bit a piece of meat as he did so. Like it was just an everyday occurrence.

"YOU! You're a dead man!"

"These guys fight dirty."

"Dirty?" Yassop questioned as if he had never hear the word before.

"Who did you think you were dealing with? We never claimed to be Saints or anything," Benn said in agreement.

"You fellas are staring down a crew of pirates," Shanks said as if it was one of the most obvious things ever.

"Shut up!" a bandit called. "We just want the boy. Not you."

"Listen up bandits," Shanks said in a change of tone. "Whether I'm sprayed with alcohol or being doused with food. Hell, even if I'm spit on, most of the time I'll just laugh it off and forget about it." Shanks abruptly looked up with an angry expression on his face. "But if you hurt a friend of mine, you'll pay for it regardless of your reason.

"Hahahahaha," Higuma said. "We're gonna pay?" He started glaring at Shanks. "Lousy pirates, kill them all men!"

"I'll take care of this," Benn said as the men started to run toward them so they could attack.

"Be careful Benn!" Manami called to the man who had been like her uncle.

"Don't worry, Manami. This shouldn't be a problem." He brought his pistol up and used the hilt of it to take out the oncoming bandits.

You shouldn't get too cocky," he said to a scared Higuma. "If you really wanted to fight us. Seems like a battle ship or something might have been more useful.

"Wow," Luffy said.

"Hold on. Please! It was the kid that attacked us!" Higuma pleaded.

"I thought you were a wanted man," Shanks retorted, his smile making its way back onto his face. Higuma created a smoke screen and ran with Luffy in tow.

"A smoke screen," both Shanks and Manami said, surprised. "Luffy?" They noticed that the little boy was gone.

"Oh no, I let that guy take him!" Shanks said, freaking out. Manami was running around in circles screaming, "what are we gonna do?" The crew sweat dropped and question in their minds whether Manami really was adopted.

"Boss, quit freaking out! We'll find him in no time!" Lucky said.

"What a guy," Benn remarked.

Meanwhile, out on the sea, Higuma was holding Luffy over the edge of a small boat by the scruff of his neck.

"Hahaha," he started laughing. "What a brilliant escape! Nobody would suspect a Mountain Bandit to hide out at sea!

"I brought you along as a hostage, but I no longer have a use for you. I've already killed 56 people who were foolish enough to make me mad, what's one more?"

"You die!" Luffy shouted as he attempted to punch Higuma.

"Tsk tsk," Higuma said as he kicked Luffy into the water.

There was a splash as Luffy landed in the water and Higuma started laughing. Luffy called out for help as he clung to his hopes that he would stay afloat.

Suddenly there was a disturbance in the water behind Higuma and a large shadow loomed overhead. The Seaking rose to the surface of the water and looked down at Higuma. He opened his mouth wide and with a single snap, he swallowed Higuma and a part of the boat. The Seaking noticed Luffy not a second later and Luffy started to panic again.

"Glug, glug, SOMEBODY HELP ME! Glug," Luffy screamed for help. Praying that someone would come and save him or that the Seaking would make it quick.

Just as the Seaking was about to repeat his actions from Higuma on Luffy, the boy felt a strong arm pull him out of the way.

"Shanks!" Luffy cried as he clung to his savior's shirt.

The Seaking was about to attack again when Shanks sent a glare at it. The glare was powerful and it was as if it had some type of hidden power behind it. "Get out of here," he said sternly, with the same force as the glare. The Seaking dove into the water and swam away, fearful for his life for the first time ever.

"Luffy I'm sorry," Shanks said as he patted the boy's head. "Makino told me what happened. You stood up for me. Hey, stop your crying you're a tough guy, remember?"

"B-but Shanks," Luffy stammered with tears running from his eyes. "What about your arm?"

"It's a small price to pay. Just an arm. I'm just glad you're okay."

A few days later Shanks, Manami, and Luffy were all standing by the docks as the crew loaded up the ship with supplies.

"So you won't be coming back to this village after this voyage?" Luffy asked, incredulous.

"That's right. We've been using this harbor as a base of operations for a long time. Maybe too long. Are you sad?" Shanks replied as he looked the village over. Manami was on his back and was clinging to him like a monkey. She knew that this would be the last time she saw her dad for a long time.

"Yeah, I'm sad. But I won't ask you to take me with you. I've decided to become a pirate on my own," Luffy said with determination.

"It wouldn't do you any good. You're still too small," Shanks replied as he stuck his tongue out at Luffy. "There's no way you can become a pirate!"

"Oh yes I will!" Luffy retorted. "And one day I'll have a ship and crew better than yours! And we'll have the biggest hoard of treasure in the world! I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!" he loudly declared for all to hear. Everyone had turned around long enough to give Luffy a smile and then went back to work. Manami even had a small smile for her friend.

"Hmm, you're gonna be better than us, huh?" Shanks contemplated. He had a smile on his face as he thought of all the possibilities for a kid like him. "Well then. Do me a favor… Keep this hat safe for me?" he asked as he put his prized straw hat on Luffy. Shanks had gotten it from the first pirate king during his time sailing under him.

"This hat means a lot to me," he continued. "Promise that you'll give it back to me someday when you've become a great pirate," he said as he let Manami onto the ground and gave her a tight, one-armed hug.

"I'm going to miss you Manami-chan," Shanks told his precious daughter. He swallowed a lump in his throat and tears welled up in his eyes. "You will always be my little Princess of the Sea. In ten or so years, I expect you to come and find me on the Grand Line. I love you with all my heart."

"I'm going to miss you Daddy. I promise I'll come and find you. And no matter what, you will always be the King of the Sea," she said, breaking several times, as she held tight onto her father. Not ever wanting to let him go.

"I have to go now, sweetheart, but I will see you again," he told her as he gave her one last squeeze and a kiss on her forehead before he turned around to walk to the ship.

"Those two are gonna be a bunch of hell-raisers," Benn told his captain as they got on board.

"Yes they are," Shanks replied.

"That kid's gonna make something of himself."

"Yeah, he's just like I was when I was a kid. Weigh the anchor! Raise the sails! We're off with the tide!" Shanks ordered. He turned around and saw the figures of his daughter and her best friend getting smaller and smaller until they finally disappeared.