Meanwhile with the leader of the Humandrills

"Jeez, this guy is strong," huffed out Shanks, "What the hell is Mihawk feeding him? Mihawk better give me the good liquor after this."

"Oi, Captain, enough yapping and more slashing. I don't feel our other crew members. Let's wrap this up and find them" Benn replied, jumping around the huge beast, using his rifle as a club and infusing it with haki to injure the leader.

"Ah, you're right Benn. Fineee, time to get serious Mihawk 2.0," whined Shanks.

Shanks jumped back and readied his sword. He raised his sword and swung it down quickly letting a haki fueled slash hurl through the air yet when met with the leader's sword the slash broke into smaller ones instead sending the leader flying back a few feet from the force.

"Dhahaha, that one always gives Mihawk a bit of trouble," laughed Shanks. He sent a couple more grand slashes to seal the deal, the leader of the humandrills, battered, being hit fully with the attacks. Benn followed up with a few haki fueled punches and kicks breaking the leader's ribs.

Shanks and Benn walked back towards the ship, leaving the leader of the humandrill laid out among some crushed trees, bleeding from several deep wounds. The leader of the humandrill hadn't felt this bad since his last spar with Mihawk. This foe was formidable thought the leader.

They arrived quickly at their ship, having passed by many different battle scenes, trees blown away or cut, huge craters in the ground. Shanks was grim as he approached the nearest crewmember.

"Oi, where is everyone? What happened? We passed by some worrisome scenes, back there, everyone ok?" asked the Captain.

Rockstar came running from the hall, one of the first to wake up as Yassop and Lucky Roo's group was still sleeping.

"Oh Captain, there were so many ghosts, they exploded, and this little ghost boy used two swords to cut us. It was horrible Captain" cried out Rockstar, still traumatized from the ghosts.

Another pirate chimed in, who had stayed on the ship, "Cap, from what we can piece together from his ramblings - there is a young woman with a devil fruit power that can create ghosts she can either explode or use to lower your morale and will to live. There is also a small boy who uses wooden swords and is very skilled. And if that was enough, monkeys dressed for war, skilled in swordsmanship, hahahaha" finished the coherent member.

"Thanks Winnie(random oc, not important), the monkeys I believe, but Rockstar please get it together, you're wearing garlic now, hoping to see vampires, eh?" asked Shanks.

"Almost all are minor injuries, just one with a broken arm, that bastard, I just finished healing his leg. Mostly had to heal some burns and sew up several cuts. You both look like you need attention as well" remarked the ship's doctor, having arrived on the deck after being alerted of Shank's arrival.

"Well, we encountered a peculiar sight, a huge ape, with a bigger sword, that bared a striking resemblance to Yoru, Dracule Mihawk's famed sword. As for my wounds, they are mostly superficial. Benn as well. I do appreciate the concern though, Doc" responded Shanks.

"Bah. Cut the crap. Ah, I also forgot to mention why everyone is sleeping! Hahaha, I knew I was forgetting something. Yes, everyone was hit with sleeping gas. Yassop and Lucky Roo and the rest should be waking up in a few hours, better they wake naturally, they used some strong stuff, expensive, but if maybe you were say, a warlord, then this is nothing. Make of that what you will" the forgetful doctor added.

"Horo-horo-horo-horo-horo! We were merciful today, leave and never come back and you will get to live another day" intoned Perona appearing behind Shanks.

"Oi, Ghost Girl, catch!" Shanks yelled throwing an apple, it went right through Perona, Shanks, jaw dropped, began running around the deck, "Ahhh, ghostttttt!," while pointing at her.

"Cap, I told you ghosts were real!" shouted Rockstar, also running around.

"You idiots, I ate a devil fruit!" shrilled Perona.

"Ah. Ok." said Shanks and stopped running. "That's it?" said Perona. She shook her head and thought 'what an idiot.'

"Oi, is this Mihawk's island? We fought an ape that used his techniques and wielded a similar sword, it was almost like fighting him" asked Shanks.

'Damn', thought Perona, 'what to do, it seems they know about Mihawk, maybe even fought him,hmm.'

"Well, it seems you know then. You fought the leader of the Humandrills, they are a group of very intelligent monkeys, who regularly spar with Mihawk. Your men have no chance against them and only fought a fraction of their forces. Even now, they are ready for battle while your men sleep" Perona told Shanks.

"Well,these humandrills hurt my men, so I'll just have to wait for Mihawk himself to kick me out ," responded Shanks.

"Hmph, have it your way," Perona retorted as she produced several hollows and attached them to several parts of the ship. She smirked and said, "Boom!" as Shanks uselessly tried to cut her down, he even tried with haki but she still floated there in the air. Benn had the idea to use seastone bullets on the ghosts and shot a few before they went off. But the damage was done, the ship was built using Adam Wood so it wasn't devastating but it would cost the crew another couple days of repair. Shanks was furious to say the least.

"Horo-horo-horo-horo-horo! Bye, Bye!" laughed Perona as she floated away and out of sight into the dense fog.

Shanks let out a wave of haki, he couldn't believe that woman damaged the Red Force. He was amused at first, but the longer he stayed on the island the less amused he became and his fury increased. Sure, he sparred with Mihawk but did he really know him? There were rumors he had a child but he met the man and no way. They sparred several times over the years and Mihawk never gave any indication of being a father, he was quite cold and only slightly loosened up with good quality wine and even then he gave the impression of just wandering in his coffin boat. Could this truly be his island, these monkeys his army, and the boy, perhaps his son and the woman, a guard, for no way a cold, serious man like that could ever woo a woman, which made the child a big if ? These were some of the questions that simmered in Shanks' head.

"Hey,Shanks, we get it. We're angry too but loosen up on the haki" Benn said,interrupting Shanks inner monologue.

"Ok, sorry I didn't mean to overdo it. I was amused with the monkey imitating Mihawk. Perhaps we should have rested more before leaving as these monkeys, I have no doubt, would give us trouble, but we could pull through in the end. Today was a fluke, we were lucky these humandrills weren't aiming to kill and just maim. Today should be a lesson. "

"Wow, Captain, that was pretty serious for you, do you have a fever, oi, Doc, check Shanks out, will ya?" said Benn.

"Hey," Shanks exclaimed shoving Benn, "I'm the Captain of course I gotta be serious sometimes but let's drink, I'm tired. Tomorrow we WILL be going to that damned castle on the hill" Shanks finished.

Inside the Castle

"Damn, haki attacks may not affect my ghost body but the backlash still hurts," groaned Perona.

"What happened?" exclaimed Luffy, I saw your body jerk around a few times.

"One of them, the first mate I think,used seastone bullets on the ghosts and the Captain attacked me using haki. I'm ok, my body is mostly sore, I'll probably have some bruises" Perona responded.

"Damn those bastards, I should go out there right now and cut them," Luffy retorted.

"Hush. It's late and they are a strong pirate crew, Luffy, you alone won't win against them, not even with the humandrills I reckon." Perona said.

"You just don't believe in me, you and Mihawk don't trust me" Luffy grumpily responded, his arms crossed, pouting.

"Lu, you have to recognize your own strength and know when to fight. You can't just fight all the time" Perona tried explaining.

"I'm strong, I don't need to talk" Luffy huffed out.

"Ah, Lu, well, anyways we can sleep tonight, the humandrills will keep watch. The Captain was angry when I left, you felt his haki as well, right? He also beat up the leader pretty good. Tomorrow we will plan what to do, but I used my powers a lot today and I need to rest if we want to drive the pirates away tomorrow."

Once again, Perona forgot to call Mihawk to tell him what was happening.

The Next Day

Luffy was the first one up for breakfast because he was eager to get back at those pirates, especially the Captain who hurt Perona. He was taught how to cook by Mihawk since all good swordsmen provided for themselves. The rule at the house was whoever was up first cooked breakfast. Most of the time it was Mihawk, but Perona was also an early riser. Luffy only got up early for some occasions like a trip or sparring match.

Luffy cooked breakfast and ate quickly. Perona was making her way downstairs when he shouted, "I'm going to make sure the pirates leave, breakfast is on the table."

"Luffy D. Hawkkkkkkk, you little shit, come back here" Perona yelled, her arms raised shaking furiously. Little Luffy had picked the last name Hawk last year since he said Mihawk's name was one of a kind as everyone called him by his family name and he didn't want people to think he was sailing under Mihawk's flag or aiming to overtake his title as "World's Strongest Swordsman." He wanted to make his own name but still recognize Dracule as his dad so he settled with "Hawk."

Outside

"Oi, guys, let's go, it's time to show those pirates who owns this island,"Lu shouted at the humandrills who were either lounging, farming, or sharpening weapons. The leader of the group came to scoop up little Lu and shouted happily at seeing him. Luffy was also happy and gave him a hug. He gave the leader a D. shaped smiled, "Shishishi, let's have some fun leader!" shouted Luffy.

Meanwhile, Shanks and crew were nursing a hangover. When the rest of the crew woke up from the sleeping drugs, they recounted their version of events and promptly started drinking.

Some were eating in the galley, where Shanks was lamenting drinking yet again. He was eating when a crew member came running, "Captain, there's an army of humandrills and a little boy sitting atop the big one.

"Aww, man, it's too early for a fight, what happened to pirate etiquette," moaned Shanks. Benn deadpanned, " Pirates don't have manners so there is no such thing as pirate etiquette."

Shanks got up, and slowly made his way to the deck.

"I am here to challenge Red-Hair Shanks to a duel. You trespassed on these lands and hurt my friends (He's keeping Perona's weakness a secret)" yelled Luffy.

"Dhahahaha, how can a boy like you challenge me?" merrily replied Shanks.

"Hey, I'm a man!" exclaimed Luffy

"Eh, really? Let's have a drinking contest!" responded Shanks.

"Ok! But I can only drink juice, my dad says I'm too young for alcohol," replied Lu.

"Dhahahaha, see, still a kid,men don't have juice drinking contests!" laughed Shanks

"Hey!" angrily yelled out Lu.

"What's your name kid? Asked Shanks still chuckling.

"My name Lucky D. Hawk, I'm gonna be a pirate one day!" Luffy retorted.

"Hawk? Hmm, your dad Dracule Mihawk by any chance?" asked Shanks

"What of it? I'm my own man. One day I'll sail out to sea, gather a crew and our names will be known worldwide, each for our individual strengths, no one will ask if Mihawk's my dad" passionately answered Lu.

"Dhahahaha, I like you kid." smiled Shanks.

Just before they could continue, another ship sailed onto shore. This one not as friendly as the Red-Hair Pirates and thirsting for revenge after being defeated by Mihawk. Luffy would learn a valuable lesson that day and gain a lifelong friend to look up to.

Author's Note: Another long chapter in the books. I spent some time brainstorming how Lu and Shanks would meet, hopefully you like this version of events :) I honestly did not expect to write this much for this arc but we will see more of Luffy and Shanks next chapter. I'm sorry I basically gave y'all just a tease at the end here lol Stay tuned and let me know how you think the story is progressing so far.