The trip aboard The Red Force had been mercifully smooth sailing by the time they reached the first islands of the New World. Fishman Island was now under the flag of Big Mom, so they had steered clear of the area. Shanks was not in the mood to deal with what he called 'that woman's extensive brood', so they had continued. According to Lucky Roo, the Red Force made it from a battle with Kaido in the New World to Marineford in less than a day, but it was hard work and they tended to take it easy unless the situation required it.

The brunette had consulted with the navigators and the helmsmen regarding destination, and after another short phone call from Bepo, it was decided that the submarine would meet them at one of Shanks' favourite hangout spots, Yukiryu Island, which was close to where the Heart Pirates were.

The phone call had been interesting. Shachi and Penguin had nearly passed out when Katya had casually said that the crew bringing her to the New World was the Red Hair Pirates, but that there was no danger to them or Law. Bepo had been slightly distressed too, but Katya had spoken calmly and he trusted her judgement.

After a few days of travel, as well as more booze than Katya had ever had in such a short space of time, they arrived at Yukiryu Island. Katya had foregone her Amazon Lily gear and borrowed a warm coat from a member of Shanks' crew. The winter island was beautiful, and the crew seemed cheerful when they arrived.

"Hey, Katya-chan, your necklace is caught in your coat." Yasopp commented as they made their way to a cave slightly inland where it was dry.

"Oh, thank you." Katya readjusted it and smiled at Yasopp gratefully.

"I've never seen you without that necklace," the older man mused as they walked together with Shanks and Lucky Roo.

"I don't really take it off." Katya admitted, her feet trudging through the snow. "It was given to me by someone..." she paused. "Important to me."

"Ooooooh~" Yasopp teased. "A boyfriend, perhaps?"

"BOYFRIEND?!" Shanks cried out in horror, before stopping and grabbing Katya's arms. "Katya-chan, you don't have a boyfriend, do you?!"

"Shut up! No!" Katya said defensively, her face flushed. "My Captain gave it to me."

"Trafalgar..." Shanks' face darkened, before he gave out a mournful wail. "Don't let him taint you, my sweet Katya-chan!"

"Boss, you need to stop being so protective of her." Lucky Roo took a mouthful of meat and pulled Shanks away from the freckled woman.

"Agreed. Besides, it's a bit late for that. We've had sex already." Katya replied bluntly and carried on walking forward with Yasopp, who was beginning to laugh.

"AHHH! THAT BASTARD, I'LL KILL HIM!"

"Boss! Calm down!"

Shanks had pouted grumpily half the time the crew had been hanging out on the island.

"Boss, lighten up. It's not like you had a chance anyway." One of men snickered.

"Shut up! You know it's not like that!" He hissed back.

Katya had grown tired whilst they were walking and had fallen asleep next to Shanks by the fire, her head resting on Shanks' coat. Her brown hair was spread out around her and she was snoozing silently, somehow activating her Devil Fruit as she slept.

"She's got that same bright spirit, though, Boss." Yasopp commented. "Does it remind you of anyone?"

Shanks nodded and smiled nostalgically. "She's like him. Full of life. It gives me hope for the young ones."

"I'm glad her and Luffy met." Benn said, leaning against the wall of the cave. "They share that same eternal optimism for sure."

Shanks nodded and took another swig of his drink. "It's something the world seems to be missing a lot of these days."

The young woman next to him curled slightly tighter in on herself as she unconsciously snuggled herself into the coat.

"So cute~!" Half of the crew cooed, but then most of them suddenly went on alert.

"Boss, do you feel that?"

"Ah."

Footsteps approached the cave and several of the crew stood up, swords raised.

It was not the pirates that Katya had described at all. There was no large bear mink or two men in hats. Instead, there was a tall spiky haired man with a large amount of metal attached to him.

"Red-Hair Shanks..." Eustass Kid stepped into the light. "I'm here to take your head."

"Can this wait twenty minutes?" Shanks yawned slightly. "We were having a nice camp out and I don't think I could forgive you if our fight wakes this sleeping beauty."

Kid craned his head. "Oi, what the hell is that bitch doing with you?!"

The crew around Shanks winced slightly. "Right, guys," Yasopp got to his feet. "This is going to be an ugly one, so let's put the booze in a safer place."

"You should think twice about calling my daughter a bitch."

Kid sweatdropped as the crew all cried out "Boss, she's not your daughter! Stop being so overprotective."

"Tch. Well, whatever. I'm not here for her. I'm here to slay a Yonkou."

"Kid, let's at least move her away from here." Killer said from behind him. "If you're going all out, you'd get mad at yourself if you hurt her."

"No, I won't."

"Kid."

"Fine."

Katya stirred and her eyes fluttered open. "Mmm...what time is it?" She lifted her head sleepily and blinked. "Shanks-san?"

"Ah, it's not quite sunset. But we have company. I'm sorry this bastard woke you."

"Oi!" Kid shouted.

"Huh? Why is Kid here?" Katya sat up with a shot, nearly hitting her head on Shanks' knee from where he was sat.

"How do you know her?" Shanks looked at Kid with an annoyed expression.

"Don't answer that if you want to keep your head." Katya shot back immediately in response.

"We fucked once." Kid responded.

"10,000 Beri that Boss won't leave him alive." Lucky Roo said to Yasopp.

"20,000 says he castrates him." Yasopp replied, and the two looked to Benn.

Beckman sighed. "I'll log it in the bet book. May I remind you that you two owe me a good 300,000 Beri between you whilst we're here?"

Katya sighed. "Kid, you can't win against him." She crossed her arms and picked up a bottle of drink. "Shanks-san, if you're going to fight him, do you mind if I take my things to the shore and wait for the sub?"

"Of course. Don't be a stranger, Katya. You're always welcome to party with us." Shanks beamed at her.

"Oh, and please don't kill Eustass. He's an asshole but I know my Captain wants to kick his butt himself, so leave some of him, will you?"

"Stop presuming I'm going to lose, woman!" Kid snapped at her.

"I'm not presuming. I know you'll lose. Just don't beat yourself up too much." She turned to Killer. "I trust you to look after him. We'll meet again, so take care, all of you!" She waved happily to both crews before beginning to walk out of the cave.

"She is a pain, but damn do I like watching her go." Kid muttered appreciatively at Katya's figure as she strode out of the cave.

"Change in bet. I say he loses at least a limb or two by the look on Boss's face." Yasopp grinned to Lucky Roo, before they moved out of the way so their Captain could battle the Supernova.