He had gotten cocky, that was the only reason the stinking so-called bandit had managed to grab Makino before taking off into the woods. As a Yonko he had known there was nothing to fear from such a nobody, but he had forgotten about the villagers and that had directly lead to Makino being kidnapped because of something Shanks had done.
That was shameful, but that wasn't what had his heart feeling like it was going to beat out of his chest. Hell, he knew Makino well enough by now to know she would be able to fend for herself until he got there. Or she would be, if the goddamn 'bandit' hadn't hightailed it right into the jungle with her. The jungle filled with giant freaking wolves that had killed people for trespassing!
The moment he had realized where the fool went he had gone racing after him, leaving his crew to deal with those that remained in the village. Shanks only hoped he wasn't too late as he listened to the sounds of large bodies passing through the thick undergrowth on either side of him, hemming him in. It was a race to see if he could reach Makino before the wolves attacked anyone.
Shanks thought he was too late for a moment when he nearly crashed headlong into a wolf that came up to his shoulders. It had been facing away from him, intent on something, before spinning out of his way with a snapping snarl that had him drawing his sword. Instead of using it to hold the wolf at bay like he had expected at first he turned to point it at what the wolf had been distracted by.
"Let go of Makino." He ordered, anger rolling in his gut at the sight of a gun that was quickly pointed at her head.
"Shanks!"
"Are you alright, Makino?"
She offered a shaky smile from where the bandit held her close to his chest like a shield. "I've been better."
"Call off the beast and I'll let her go!" The kidnapper shouted.
"Call it off? But I thought you were a mountain bandit. Surely you know that this mountain belongs to the wolves." Shanks taunted, knowing full well he couldn't stop the wolf without putting Makino in greater danger. Not when they were surrounded.
The bandit's expression turned murderous as he swung his gun first at Shanks. The pirate easily dodged the bullet, allowing it to hit the tree behind him and was already moving when the gun swung to fire at the wolf who had charged forward. He knew if the fool hurt the wolf it would be a bloodbath. Shanks knew the moment he dashed forward that he was going to be too late to save the beast, though. If he could get to Makino, he should be able to get her out of the way. Maybe.
So it came as a surprise when the bandit yelled in pain, shot going wide as he stumbled away from the bush he had been backed up against. "Why you!" The gun went off one last time as Shanks grabbed Makino, fired into the brush and eliciting a sharp yelp.
Shanks shoved Makino down into the dirt as he threw himself on top of her just as another wolf broke cover, diving over the pair to slam into the bandit with bone shattering force. The man had no time to react as the beast dragged him past the bushes by his gun arm while he screamed.
Snarls and growls couldn't drown out the screaming and Shanks wondered if the idiot had forgotten he had a sword. Not that it would have done any good against an enraged pack of wolves.
Taking advantage of what he hoped was enough of a distraction for the pack he pulled Makino to her feet, planning on running. "Shanks, wait!"
"Like hell!"
She yanked back, "No, Shanks! Please, don't move…" she pleaded, looking into the trees and not him.
Turning his head he saw what she had been looking at. His mouth fell open at the sight of a wolf, easily larger than a horse, that was watching them intently. "Holy- is that your wolf god?" Because he could see where they got that. The wolf exuded confidence as it stood there. It's grey-flecked muzzle and scar over its eye making the beast seem almost regal.
"No," she whispered back.
"No?!" Because damn if the wolf wasn't ticking his haki.
"No, that's Mama-" she pointed to a large shrub a little to the left. "That's the god."
"By the sea…" it wasn't a shrub.
The monstrous wolf was the largest Shanks had ever seen on any island. It was easily a third again bigger than the other giant beast. When it finally looked at them, he saw the intelligence behind those gold eyes. Felt the weight of conqueror's haki as it judged him. This wasn't some beast he could easily subdue and he knew it.
The wolf knew it, too.
Still Shanks put himself between it and Makino as the wolf stood. He'd kill the damn thing if it hurt her. Instead of coming at him like he had expected the wolf nosed the smaller one who had been here when Shanks had arrived. The small wolf licked at it's leader's chin before edging around Shanks and Makino to disappear into the bush behind them.
"Oh! It's the den site!" Makino gasped as small yelps and yips sounded from the bush. "I hope the babies are alright-"
Shanks just hoped they weren't about to be fed to the babies. "I'm sure they'll be fine." He replied, keeping his eyes locked on the wolf-god, sword at the ready.
The wolf sneezed without breaking eye contact, tongue lulling. It was the one Makino called 'Mama' that stopped the staring contest, standing broadside between the two. Her expression seemed amused. The two wolves looked at each other and Shanks wondered exactly what the beasts were discussing. Because it was obvious they were. After a moment Mama turned back to them, padding to stand just out of reach of his sword. Almost like a dare.
Makino put her much smaller hand over his, urging the sword to lower. "It's alright. She won't hurt you."
"You don't know that." He hissed back, lowering the sword anyway. The wolf huffed before stretching out her neck and sniffed him before looking at Makino. It… grinned… at the woman before standing and moving back to the lead wolf. She nipped his shoulder before the two turned and melted back into the trees. "What just happened?"
Turning to look at Makino he couldn't help but notice the blush creeping up her face. "N-nothing! Ma- uh. I guess they like you?"
Shanks got the feeling she wasn't exactly telling him the truth but decided to let it go for now. Instead he tugged on her hand, leading her back to the trail he had followed to get here. "Right. Sure...guess I won't be needing this." He said, sheathing his sword. Glancing down to help Makino over a branch his eyes were drawn to the mess of tracks in the ground.
It wasn't until they'd returned safely to the village he realized why he had noticed them. It wasn't the size of the wolf tracks, or the distinctive tread of his sandals and the deeper impressions from the bandit's boots. It was the barefoot human tracks he could have sworn were mixed in. A glance down showed Makino still had both of her shoes, though.
So where had the other tracks come from?