shanks must be dreaming. thats the only explanation for why a sea king is trying and failing to board the red force. board is subjective, the thing is barely managing to flop its tail onto the deck.
even more curious is the resemblance it bears to the beast that took his arm, but that would be improbable. he's in the new world, thousands upon thousands of miles away from that port town. but he can't shake the feeling.
benn nudges his from his thoughts, attention caught on the beast's neck, or what one could consider a neck. something was tied around it, he could barely make it out. it was minuscule compared to the rest of the sea king.
he doesnt flinch when it turns its head towards him. he's an emperor of the sea, and this babe of a beast has no hold over him. still. the way benn steps forward tells him he reacted in some way.
his arm aches, and its funny that even with it still attached the pain persists. its a cruel joke to play, he knows. but a little pain is worth the mobility he lost in his previous life.
the beast stills, eyes trained on the red head, tail sliding off the deck of the red force. it ponders. comparing the shoddily drawn poster to what could only be its actual counterpart.
the nose is different. but the red hair is spot on. so this must be who his master sent him for. he squints scrutinizing the scruff on the man's face.
unconsciously, shanks touches his face. he can feel the beast's eyes on him, and his blaring haki tells him its focused on his appearance.
he has never felt chastised before but he has a feeling that is what is happening at the moment.
the beast snorts, both in confirmation and displeasure. his friend could've chosen anyone in the world, the boy raving on about the many people he's met all without uttering a syllable. but here was their ace, the largest card they had in their deck.
the man looked every bit of a drunkard and he held himself as if the world held very little meaning.
but far be it for him to judge, he was sent on a simple task. deliver a package to this unsavory man. this monster in human flesh.
kin rises to his full height, tail crashing into the sea, rocking the ship. he stretches himself, snout to face with the captain.
lips curling at the edge, teeth bared. his best smile.
shanks, not for the first or last time, needs a drink. something strong. or maybe thats the problem. he's had too many tankards and this is the result.
a beast of such low caliber should not even breathe the same air as him, let alone approach the yonko so casually.
shanks focuses back in when the king snorts, teeth no longer bared. eyes narrowed in clear irritation. it nudges its head closer, package swinging with it.
as they say, nothing can be gained without trial. or something of that effect. laying off the booze might clear his head.
shanks grasped the package, making quick work of the knot that secured it to the beast's collar. it was light, weighed nary a thing in his palm.
scrawled across the top, smudged from the water was his name and the impression of a.. lamb.
now who would send this.
judgement is stored in the kin.