Chapter 55
Weeks had passed and so far, no more scandalous appearances had been made in the papers. As they passed Loguetown in a distance Shanks wondered how long it would remain like this.
They set anchor close to the city border since entering the harbour was out of the question. A death trap even for a yonko.
Speaking of death trap... He glanced over to Sirja. He had set himself a very pretty one a while ago. He put an arm around her waist pulling her closer. Since the shore had gotten into view she had not averted her eyes from it; now she did and her face was beaming. It was easy to guess why. No swaying ground and lots of it too.
Chuckling Shanks turned his attention back to the task at hand.
Ace was just as eager to reach the town but for entire different reasons. His father was born and grew up here. Roger had also taken his crew to see it and since he couldn't do the same for Ace, Shanks gladly jumped in to do just that.
The first stop was the house Roger had grown up in. It was kept in good condition. Someone was living there, probably oblivious to the meaning it held. Or maybe not. When they walked around the corner there was a small assimilation of candles and flowers as well as letters.
Ace stepped towards it with shaky knees. Some people still remembered his father in a good way. He wasn't hated by everyone. Ace had been wrong; and never had it felt that liberating.
'You wanna go and get a few things as well, Ace?'
'Yeah... I wanna write a letter, too. Do you know how to do that?'
Shanks laughed and walked up to Ace, taking his hand. 'Of course I do. I'll show you... Something very handy once you wanna woo the girl you like.'
'So you wrote mom many letters?'
Shanks could feel the noose around his neck tighten a bit; he wasn't sure Ace would like that he had had a few girls before Sirja. 'No, it wasn't necessary... But when you are out at sea all the time and your girl is somewhere on land you better know how to write a good love letter.'
Judging by the way Ace grinned to himself Shanks sweat dropped. He had one future womanizer on his hand.
Sirja had thought long and hard what to do with Luffy. All she wanted to do was rest and sleep, but she had to keep an eye on her son.
The one thing she knew would keep him busy and in check was when she would cook for him but that was not an option so she went for the second best option instead.
'Luffy? Do you wanna have a second breakfast? There is bound to be good food around here.'
'REALLY?! But don't you wanna see the town, mommy?' Luffy was torn. Another meal was always something to make him happy, yet he had never been to this place and it was looking like there were a lot of adventures to have here too.
'We'll see the town after lunch? Can't have you starve while we are exploring, can I.' And she really just wanted to sit down. Stretching her legs would have to wait.
They went into the next bigger pub and Sirja paid for a dozen meals beforehand.
'You can order anything you want, Luffy. Mommy will just rest up a bit. Don't get up and leave the building, ok? Promise?'
'OK! Meat, please!' Despite Luffy's yelling she was soon asleep between the growing towers of empty plates.
Ace would be writing the letter tonight since there was so much more to see in the town. Apart from this being the first real big town he's been visiting, this one was even more special.
They were starting to get strange looks from people passing by, so Ace knew time was running out for the day.
'Shanks? Can I get something? Something that'll remind me of father and this place here?'
'Huh?' Ace pulled a face. The man had been off in his thoughts again. Why would he always do that?
'Sure, Ace. Did you have something in mind or do we wanna have another look around?'
Ace stopped in front of a small store.
'I think I want a hat, too. Yours is pretty cool but I want a bigger one! A wild one! One, that people will remember.'
Shanks laughed as they entered. 'Let's hope they remember for the right reasons.'
They continued their way down the main street. Shanks was sure just about everyone would remember this one. It was grand, tall, bright orange and borderline hideous to be honest. But as long as Ace liked it he was fine with the pumpkin-colored monstrosity.
The execution plaza was a little ways ahead when Shanks found the kind of shop he had been looking for.
'Ace, listen up! It's very important you remember this. You can't tell anyone that I went in here. Especially your mom, ok? She can't know.'
Ace was feeling uncomfortable. He frowned when he tried to make sense of the situation. It looked just like any other shop. 'Ok, I won't tell. But why can no one know?'
Shanks winked. 'One day you'll understand.'
They spend quite some time inside and when they stepped out again the street was busier than it had been before.
A commotion further up drew both of their attention away. Shanks took his hand and started running. A bad feeling had settled in his stomach and when he heard a tiny voice yell above the crowd the worst case scenario was pretty much outmatched.
Luffy was standing on top of the execution platform that had never been removed. He was alone, why wasn't Sirja with him? He kept scanning the crowd close to Luffy but couldn't spot her.
Now Shanks was rushing closer. Something had gone wrong. Now he could also make out what the boy was shouting.
'...don't care what you are saying!'
He hurried further; making sure Ace was staying with him. Shanks stopped dead when he saw Luffy's face. The boy was angry at the crowd but gone was his usual cute pout. If glares could kill half the people in front of him would drop.
Two marines were making their way to the top of the platform to stop the boy from upsetting the crowd more. This was the point Shanks decided to step in, playtime was over.
The soldiers reached Luffy first. For the second time within minutes Shanks run came to a sudden stop when the marines dropped to Luffy's feet. His voice rose above the silent crowd.
'Remember this day as the day the future pirate king made his first appearance.'
On a less solemn note the boy added. 'AND STOP CALLING ME SMALL!' After which a few people close to Shanks and Ace dropped too.
When they stepped out to collect the little runaway the crowd was in an uproar again. Luffy was back to his cheerful little self and ran up to them.
'Daddy!' When Shanks smiled and picked him up, the remaining folk would freeze in terror. Ace took his stance, ready to fight anyone getting near his little brother.
Shanks, however, was solely focused on the little boy in his arms. The nostalgia was hitting him hard. With his left hand he reached up to his head, retrieved his straw hat and pushed it on Luffy's head.
'Promise me to return that hat to me when you become pirate king. And you better keep good watch over it too, that is my favorite hat after all.'
Luffy was struck with awe. He had wanted to play with his hat from the first day they had met but while Shanks wouldn't hesitate to give anything else away, his hat had always been the one thing Luffy wasn't allowed to have.
Since it was still a little big for him he put both his hands on either side of the rim, holding it in place.
'One more thing, Luffy. Where is Sirja?' Now that the only remaining people where the ones being knocked out, Shanks was sure something must have happened and the sooner he knew, the higher the chance to fix it.
Luffy looked like he was thinking hard for a moment. Then his face brightened up. 'Oh! She is having tea with Gramps!'
