July, 28, 2020
READ THE WHOLE STORY AGAIN! This story had been majorly revised, all the past chapters (six) had sections in them that were changed or rewritten. With the recent chapters (last ch 985) a lot of new things had been revealed in the manga. Thus, I had to make a decision either to ignore all the new information and go on with what I had previously planned OR make some big revisions to the story and the plots that I had planned. As you understood, I chose the latter. Special thanks to Black' Victor Cachat for his enormous help with reversion. I wouldn't have made it without his insight and encouragement.
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This chapter was beta'd by the wonderful Gerbilfriend and Black' Victor Cachat who both helped me a lot with grammar, paraphrasing, ideas and especially with their endless encouragement :D (*Ace's deep bow*)
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Warnings:
English is my fourth language. Warning may change in the future.
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Ame
Thank you for your review! Happy to hear it was exciting. What do you think about the new development? XD
Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.
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Guest
Thank you! Happy to hear you enjoyed yourself! Yes, Whitebeard is a Wise-man but reckless too (he is a pirate too). "temporal detective" LOL, is one of the reason that I am taking my time with plots. Hope you enjoy yourself, look forward to your thoughts. Please use a name to review :)
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Midnight
Thank you for all your wonderful reviews!
Happy to hear you enjoyed yourself!
I thought so too "too bad" is the way to go. :)
I look forward to what you think at what I intend to do to Teach, it will not be soon, but it will come.
Hope you find this new chapter as fantastic as the last two. ;)
Let me know what you thought about his explanation.
Whitebeard does have a lot of luck, but this wasn't one of them (telling Shanks and believing him), it was one move he made, there more to come.
" Now all he's gotta do is kill Teach, save Ace, and stop a war!" .. oh, boy things are not that easy.
:D
Hope you enjoy the new chapter, let me know what you think.
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Tentaclechan
Thank you for your review! Happy to hear you think it is great!
Hope you enjoy the new chapter, let me know what you think.
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Please read the notes in the end.
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Shanks tucked his cloak tighter around him, making sure to hide his hair (having a unique hair was a real troublesome issue when you wanted to stay hidden. But that was nothing to the number of questions he was asked by people oblivious to his true identity (mostly women, well, all of them were women) about his hair, if it was natural? What kinds of shampoo and conditioner did he use to keep it so silky... it made him consider going bald, but then Benny would clear his throat reminding him about the crew's name) and face as he moved quietly down the road looking for his target.
It was weird being back on Sabaody Archipelago so soon, he usually set foot on this place once every few years if he was lucky, now less than four months after the last time he had set foot on the Sabaody, he was back.
His crew and especially Benny looked at him like he had lost the last of his marbles when he told them to sail immediately to Sabaody Archipelago after getting back from Whitebeard's ship without giving any explanation.
Lucky Roo had gone in actual circles around him, checking him physically, and asking worriedly if he was okay, even going as far as offering him the huge chunk of meat in his hand. A chunk of meat that was untouched. Not a bite was taken. Shanks was sincerely touched by the magnanimous offer.
They had all been shaken when what was supposed to have been a friendly visit broke into a battle, which the crew had described as being like the sea and heavens were at war with one another. They were not sure what they should do. Attacking a Yo…Sanko wasn't in the game plan right now. They were wary enough when they heard about the visit itself. Benny had taken control of the situation, as expected from his first mate, he hurriedly made the appropriate preparation for a full-scale battle, while also making sure everyone held their position and did nothing until their captain gave them a signal.
When they insisted on being told what on the Grand Line had happened, he replied a bit snappily that no they were not going back to Paradise or the Blues for another long voyage (Lucky Roo was really disappointed, he thought they were going to surprise Luffy and for few seconds Shanks entertained the idea with a wistful heart, if he should 'kidnap' Luffy and his brother and the hell with everything else, they would be both safer with him… but shit it was complicated like Fuck….), and went on to tell them it was only a very short visit to Paradise and to stop having their knickers in a twist (that distracted them alright, they had several chosen words to tell their dear captain. Many chosen words. Loud chosen words, said repeatedly).
Benny even took him aside and demanded to be given the facts, his first mate was quite observant and couldn't be distracted so easily. He had already made the connection that it was somehow related to what happened on Whitebeard's ship. That had been demonstrated by Benny's repeated questions about what had occurred there and what had exactly happened for him to lose his temper and release his Haki. It was supposed to be a friendly visit after all.
But Shanks stubbornly refused to answer, and ordered them to set sail. Benny only nodded and obeyed but he clearly wasn't happy, and by the looks he was giving him, Shanks could see clearly several private confrontations in his own near future; Shanks really wasn't looking forward to them. He didn't usually keep secrets from his first mate (too much work, why bother?).
He should have asked Whitebeard permission to tell Benny at least, but dammit his brain was not working as it should have been. Time travel, who would have thought? And it was all Captain's Roger fault. Even in the afterlife, he needed things to go his way, Dahahahahaha!
The way Whitebeard spoke about Captain Roger and their meeting, he didn't seem to be happy, no, he seemed downright pissed bordering on murderous.
Shanks had to use all his willpower to hold in his amused laughter, and not show too much enjoyment at the Sanko's plight.
Good thing Captain Roger was smart enough to send Whitebeard (assuming he could control the 'sending', or else he was sooooo unimaginably lucky...) to a time when he was already dead. If he had sent Whitebeard to a time where Captain Roger was still alive, things would have been quite entertaining. Captain Roger and them (his lucky crew, or maybe unlucky, he could imagine Buggy yelling WHY ME?) would have to deal with enraged Emperor that was after his head with single-minded pursuit fueled with an overwhelming need for vengeance (basically wanting to beat the shit out of him constantly).
Shanks would have to ask Whitebeard permission to tell Benny the next time they spoke for sure, shit ...he needed to speak with someone about all of this. Several people.
He did understand the need for secrecy. No, not really. Most people wouldn't believe them if they screamed it for the whole world to hear. No, he was still having a hard time believing it himself… The only thing he didn't find hard to believe was Luffy, hearing that the now seven, or was he eight right now? had grown to be an excellent pirate, so great as to impress both Whitebeard and Rayleigh. No, even Captain Roger himself. Shit! It was awesome, breathtaking and very thrilling to hear that!
Whitebeard had divulged how Luffy had invaded Enies' Lobby at one point to save one of his Nakama, burning it down in the process. Luffy doesn't do things halfway. Shanks couldn't say he wouldn't do the same if someone went after one of his friends or crew. While Whitebeard had given him the information that he had remembered reading in the newspaper about the accident, Shanks could see it all go down in his mind's eyes. It felt real, especially since it was a Sanko giving credit to a 'snot-nosed punk that was only seven' and not to himself.
Even now he was still trying to wrap his head around the idea that Luffy had broken into -or more accurately will break into- Impel Down. Impel Down, the Great Underwater Prison, to save his brother. More than that, when he failed, he would escape with others and would sail to Marineford to fight in a war against the strongest of the marines. He basically visited the Three Gates of Justice. They had failed and his big brother died, even if they had freed him and were almost about to escape. He had still died.
Whitebeard had looked so heartbroken when he told him that part.
The look on his face when he mentioned Akainu's name... Well, let's say Shanks really doesn't want to be in Mr. Volcano's place. No, he doesn't want to be in the same sea when Akainu met Whitebeard. Tsunamis had a wide range.
Whitebeard didn't know for sure if Luffy had survived the war, as the old Sanko had died without seeing if some Fishman named Jinbe got him away safely. According to him, Luffy had been in shock, and utterly exhausted. He bet Luffy was gravely injured on top of it.
Luffy had broken into the prison, escaped from said prison and then fought in a war against monsters. A war so dangerous that he had used Conqueror's Haki unconsciously. That move alone would have drained quite a bit of his power. The fact that he needed to use it, especially involuntary, painted a grim, dark and bloody picture of the war.
So little Luffy had the 'disposition of a King,' as a few had called those that possess this power. Only one in several million people are born with this ability, and Luffy had it. At first, he was feeling unbalanced. But now, it felt natural to hear that Luffy possessed Conqueror's Haki. Of course, he had it. His desperation to save his brother had manifested at that moment when he unleashed it. Yet, it was in vain. His big brother died saving him instead. Oh, Luffy.
At least Whitebeard believed that Luffy's companions and his sons made sure Luffy left the place alive. Even if it had yet to happen, he wished it was true. Shanks hoped he was of some help to Luffy in the future. Either future. Maybe he had helped in saving him from the war, even if not directly. Maybe even just by providing comfort with a silent confirmation of how their promise still lay between them.
Losing someone this precious was unbelievably hard. There were no words to describe it, or to truly lessen the pain. But that was all they had.
Shanks refused to dwell too much about his own future right now. Especially given how distracted he had been over it already (Whitebeard had made enough fun of his reaction to becoming a Sa...Yonko to last for a decade or two). If things remained as they are supposed to do though (although there was a definite chance of people learning he fought the old man, which may change some things) then he was to become a fourth Emperor, from Sanko to a Yonko in another five to six years.
Yes, he intended to become an Emperor. What he wanted to achieve and protect, meant he needed that much power. But still, to hear Whitebeard talking about it…so flippantly.
Whitebeard, the one man to truly rival Shanks' Captain where it mattered, seemed to just assume he was an Emperor. That it was such a natural thing, even he did not question it.
The old man refused to give him any more details, no matter how much he had asked or begged. He had claimed that it would ruin the surprise. Shanks was not sure if he was doing it out of spite as revenge against Captain Roger, or if he just didn't remember.
What was downright frightening and upsetting to hear, was about the war itself. This feeling had intensified and grown the further Whitebeard had recounted and disclosed details about what had occurred in the war. Marco and Jozu were down, and hundreds of his sons, from the strongest crews of the New World, were dead or gravely injured. Whitebeard had no idea how many were able to escape after his death.
The World Government might like to delude itself into believing the outcome of such war with the Strongest Man in the World would lead to the end of piracy, yet Shanks knew the truth. What the New World was like, and what kind of people Kaidou, Big Mom, the Celestial Dragons, etc. were all like. Instead of 'peace,' it would be the first step into setting off one bloody war after another, culminating in the greatest of them all to drag everyone down with it!
Instead of ending it, it would set ticking bombs everywhere in the New World.
And all of this had started because someone had purposely released a tiny little snowball down a steep slope. Its momentum translated into speed, and the snowball continued to grow in size as it rolled down. Before long, the tiny snowball had turned massive and it was blazing down the slope, as it grew into such a tremendous avalanche, dragging everyone down with it.
The snowball thrower was none other than one Marshall D. Teach. Just hearing that scum's name made the scars on Shanks's face ache.
Whitebeard refused (was furious when Shanks questioned him about it) to reveal what he had planned for the bastard (there was no mistake he had planned something!), but the look in Whitebeard's eyes and his aura told him whatever it was, it was going to be very (extremely) far from pleasant. He would try asking about it again (this time a bit more subtly) when he spoke with Whitebeard via the snail he planned to get and suggest his help in the matter. Seeing and being involved with a plan to bring the bastard down and seeing him get what he deserved would bring Shanks immense joy.
But first, they needed to find those White Den Den Mushi that they lost during one of their drinking sprees. Although, he was almost sure that they were somewhere in the ship. He couldn't remember the last time he needed to use one (Regular Den Den Mushi worked just fine!). Dammit, how was he going to explain having Whitebeard's number to Benny, especially after that fight. Maybe he should ask….
They definitely needed to somehow get more of those White Den Den Mushi. It was the only way to make sure the marines couldn't listen in. After all, White Den Den Mushi had the ability to neutralize the Black Den Den Mushi's eavesdropping abilities used by the marines, rival pirates, and anybody else shady. Obviously then, they were rare and expensive. Extremely so. Those little things cost a fortune, so he would need to find a really good reason to explain why they were cutting from their 'let's get shitfaced drunk budget' (That was the official name and they had the paperwork to prove it!).
It was the equation for a deadly headache! (and dammit all! He wouldn't have as much sake on hand to cure it!).
He turned the next corner, choosing to use the back alleys, moving quietly as he tried to organize his loud, jumbled thoughts.
Maybe after he spoke to someone about the whole thing he would be able to feel better or be able to put everything in some kind of perspective. Because he didn't even know where to begin to even think about all this.
Now, how was he supposed to explain it to…..hell, he didn't know where to begin, Shanks concluded as he slowed his stride to stop. He had arrived and was staring at the back of Rayleigh's head. He was where Shakky said he would be, by the port in Grove Nine speaking to some people, probably about coating.
Shanks was lost in his thoughts, not sure how to approach him, how to begin this conversation when Rayleigh turned around, spotting Shanks, he moved over to him with a smile accompanied by a raised eyebrow and asked: "Shanks, what brings you back so soon?"
Rayleigh frowned when no answer was forthcoming.
"Everything is okay?"
Shanks opened his mouth still unsure of what to say when he suddenly knew exactly what he needed to say.
"If you had the choice to do your journey again would you take it?" trying to repeat the words, the same way he remembered Captain Roger saying them.
"Huh, why are you repeating Roger's words so suddenly?"
He knew it! Something was unusual (he refused to use fishy) going on with these words, the whole thing really was fucking strange to say the least.
Maybe he should get in touch with some of his old crewmates discreetly, and try to find if anyone else had heard this question from the captain. He wondered where Buggy was? And where to search for him? He was truly glad to hear that he was still an active pirate in the future. He probably should search the bounties of the Blues? East Blue maybe? Shanks mused. Even if Buggy heard nothing, they could still share drinks, and reminisce about the old days.
He would ask his mentor for his opinion.
"Shanks?" Rayleigh called his name, his face showing clear worry combined with confusion.
"I brought some good sake with me. A lot. Let's go bring it and then we can have our chat."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow in puzzlement about the sudden shift in the conversation.
"We need to be drunk, extremely drunk, to have the coming conversation." Shanks turned and began moving to where his ship was anchored, Rayleigh quietly following him closely. Close enough to hear Shanks muttering.
"Trust me, you want to be as drunk as possible."
….
Shanks had his crew leave them on a deserted island nearby with lots of sake, and ordered them to check on Rayleigh and him after several hours by a Den Den Mushi first, and if they didn't answer, probably because they were completely wasted, to come in person. He handed Rayleigh a bottle before grabbing one for himself, popping the cork, and drinking straight from the bottle.
It took him a half an hour of drinking to be able to begin speaking, and once he began, he couldn't stop. He wasn't sure if he was making any sense, he kept going back and forth in his story. But Rayleigh was listening attentively, his face neutral, not disturbing him or showing anything on his face, only taking gulps of sake every few minutes. He had injected the same thing Shanks had thought about when he had first heard Whitebeard's tale, comparing it to Toki's ability to time travel to the future, but muttering that time travel to the past shouldn't work.
Telling him about the 'promotion' that awaited Shanks in a few years, only earned him a raised eyebrow. Mentioning that Buggy had also been present in the war finally earned him laughter and even a comment "So little Buggy's luck is still bad as it has always been, getting dragged into another war even after our crew disbanded. It sounds from what you are telling me that it was worse than the Edd war and the God Valley as well."
By the time Shanks finished speaking more than half of the sake they brought was gone.
Shanks felt drained, yet clear-headed and relaxed. He was not sure if it was because he shared out loud what was on his mind with someone else, or because he was pleasantly buzzed (extremely drunk).
"Why did you suggest an alliance to him?"
"Why? Do you think it was a mistake?" Shanks asked immediately, he had his issues with this suggestion, but it seemed the best option then, for him to have some kind of way in, some kind of control on the unpredictable moves that Whitebeard was planning, any move by him could shake the Grand Line, no, the whole World, he would be affected; everyone would be.
"No, I think it was the right thing to do under the circumstances, but I am curious, why did you choose that?"
"Whitebeard always had the upper hand," Shanks somberly said.
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow at this announcement as much as the tone the words were voiced in.
"Now, even more." Shanks continued in the same voice.
"Oh?" Rayleigh gave him a look of wonder; he hadn't expected this answer.
Shanks let out a loud laugh, tinged with hysteria.
"No, don't get me wrong, I am actually relieved in a way that it is him."
"That he has the upper hand or that he was the one to come back in time?"
"Both," Shanks answered and paused for a second considering the issue before adding.
"...Kinda, the time travel thing and knowledge about the future still freaks me out," muttered Shanks irritability. It would probably always will. He sighed and took a gulp of the sake.
"It's the Emperor thing?" remarked Rayleigh, clearly amused. He wasn't waiting for an answer, but Shanks gave him one anyway.
"Not only, but yeah. The position of Emperor would give me the power… the leverage that I need. But hearing that I achieved it. I don't know, it just doesn't feel real or possible right now."
"You know it might not happen."
When Shanks looked at him with confusion, Rayleigh added, "the Emperor thing."
"Oh, you mean because the future is already changed by me knowing about it and whatever actions I may have taken to make me a S… Yonko, I may not do them this time because of how I and my actions had already changed... the perceived future. And even if I somehow ended up doing the same thing I did in the ...other future, it may not have the same effect as it did before….in the futu...other...timeline? I am confusing myself now," Shanks muttered as he put the empty bottle on the ground, and rubbed the back of his neck in irritation. Why did the time travel thing have to be soooo confusing?!
He was clearly too drunk to make sense of whatever was it he was trying to make sense of. In such cases, what he needed was more sake, lots more. Maybe this way it would make SENSE. He grabbed the bottle back and downed it.
"Not only that. Even though that is a good point. But I meant the alliance itself!"
Shanks nodded for him to continue as he grabbed a new bottle, popping the cork and taking a long swig.
"If the alliance was found out, it wouldn't be seen on an equal footing. You are not an Emperor yet. It would be seen as you becoming his subordinate. That he is supporting you, any of your accomplishments would be seen as his. It will be almost impossible to become an Emperor of the Sea when you follow one. If that happens, you better begin getting used to calling him Oyaji."
Shanks winced hard hearing the last bit. Just imagining himself trying to say the word made him cringe and recoil. It was a good thing that at least Whitebeard saw his future self -the Future Yonko- when he looked at him now. Let's hope no such conversation ever has to happen between them.
Shanks forced himself to consider the issue at hand, banishing the awkward image from his mind.
"I did consider this, except not to that depth," Shanks admitted and paused in contemplation. "Still, I don't regret it, even if the alliance were to be found out. Becoming a S…Yonko isn't my end goal, it's merely a path to it. Well, it's an 'ideal' path with lots of perks. Yet I never shied from the hard paths, and I am not going to begin now."
Rayleigh merely nodded his acceptance, but Shanks thought he glimpsed approval and maybe even pride in Rayleigh's eyes. It was probably just his wishful thinking.
"About Whitebeard and his upper hand," prompted Rayleigh, trying to return the conversation back on track from the big detour they had taken.
"Ehh.. yes," Shanks tried to put his disordered thoughts in some kind of order. Busying himself with guzzling more of the sake.
Rayleigh didn't say anything but clear amusement was written on his face.
"We both know that Whitebeard is strong. Him being called the Strongest Man In The World is not for show. I always felt safe somehow that the Gura Gura fruit was with him, and not someone else..." he paused again and added, his voice even more somber and dark.
"...Imagine such power with some other person?" Like the rat Teach? He shuddered thinking about it and took another swig.
"Agreed, things could be disastrous." Rayleigh nodded, mirroring him by taking a long gulp on his own.
"Add to it his knowledge of future events and his resolve to do something about it this time," murmured Shanks, he felt like rubbing his head again, but that meant the bottle of sake had to leave his hand. No way in Hell. Not even if the Emperor's title was to be given to him right at this moment.
Before he suggested the alliance, for a few long seconds, Shanks had considered trying to talk him out of whatever he had planned. Plans which would inevitably lead to Whitebeard declaring war on the World Government. Or, in his mind at least, acknowledging they had already declared war on him, and beating them to the punch. But one look at Whitebeard's face and he knew that was futile. A fight would follow, and unlike the first one, Whitebeard would not hold back, and he would be aiming for his head. The Sanko would not have let Shanks leave there alive.
Now or in the future, the conflict is bound to rise. Having even a tiny chance to steer its direction was something he wasn't willing to let it pass him by.
Rayleigh had a serious look, considering this with a heavy head.
Shanks felt he had to explain more, so he softly carried on. "For a pirate, he's unusually responsible and even sensible. Just so long as people don't come knocking to pick a fight with him. Although I wouldn't be surprised if a part of him likes it when others challenge him. Just not when they hurt those he cares for." He felt like he had to add the last bit, not sure if he was saying it to convince Rayleigh, or himself.
Really, you moronic airheads marines –really, Sengoku, you should be smarter than that—, messing with his family, with a man that had the power to destroy the world with just a bunch of punches, you idiotic morons! You had to make the execution a show. Well, they did want him to come to them for their little trap. Whitebeard's Commander had been the bait, except now the old man knew they were after him, and was planning to hit them first.
The world had been turned on its ear. Or is it time that was turned?
The roles were reversed, as the wary prey became the hunter. Or maybe another way to put it was they had been prodding the hibernating animal, and were going to be surprised they woke up a ferocious beast.
You just had to provoke the guy who wanted to be left alone with his family.
Now armed with knowledge about the future and thirst for revenge…
Well, the words 'Oh Shit' were very appropriate here.
'God or any deity (if you do exist, those morons need you more than ever) have mercy on the unfortunate poor souls', or that what he wanted to say. But the more he thought about it, the more he decided instead that, '…You reap what you sow…' fit better, even if it hadn't happened yet, and probably wouldn't happen in the same way.
"Whitebeard never sought more power, he is all about his precious family," Rayleigh muttered, his thoughts in agreement.
"Yes, exactly." Thank goodness for that too…. or maybe not.
Messing with his family (in the future, which you did, you moron marines) was going to bring a whole lot of unnecessary destruction and a lot of future bloodsheds… much sooner this time.
"The Marines are going to challenge him either way, he is old, he doesn't pick fights if you don't come asking for one. They think he's past his prime and would want to take him out before age or someone else does.… They would try to make a show of it; or WILL make a show of it. It'll be inevitable," Rayleigh muttered.
Let's attack him first before someone else steals the glory of taking down the Strongest Man in the World, and by that cementing their place as the Top Dog around. Even Kaido had wanted to be the one to take the old man out at the last minute, which only highlighted how tempting of a prospect it was. The Marines wanted it to be just like Captain Roger's execution. Those dumbass marines.
In the future and now they had a huge surprise waiting for them.
'Whitebeard was old and weak, the songs calling him the Devil were merely old grannies tales', they said. Those imbecilic dolts.
Despite being the younger and future Emperor in the making, and Whitebeard still being disoriented from the time travel thingy (a real minor thingy, not even worth mentioning), Shanks still needed to use every drop of concentration and power to fight him on equal footing, and if he had slipped up for one millisecond he would have been a goner, Shanks thought, remembering their fight with vivid clarity (the quantity of sake in him not blurring those memories, but making them sharper).
Whitebeard was not even using his Devil Fruit ability (and to be truthful Shanks had not gone all out with his Haki either).
"He didn't tell me everything…" There were a lot of instances that Shanks felt that he was getting half the picture, especially about the war.
Rayleigh snorted as if telling him: what were you expecting?
"But … I could tell he was already scheming … I would not be surprised if by the time I found you, he's already put several plans in motion." Which worried him immensely. Especially because he was yet to communicate with Whitebeard since their meeting. Those blasted White Den Den Mushi, he should ask Rayleigh about purchasing some for them (he should enjoy his sake while he could, he took a long gulp). Rayleigh most likely still had several sources from when he was their first mate, a captain like Roger didn't take notice of the logistic stuff.
"And by telling you he sucked you right in, it could've been another scheme of his," Rayleigh remarked, pointing it out for him.
"Of course," nodded Shanks, "Whitebeard thought of me as an ally, or at least trustworthy. Because of Captain Roger, even though he would never admit it, and with the fact that I interfered in the future and stopped Kaido from delaying his arrival to the war. Plus, I care about Luffy, and he has the hat, and the fact we have a common enemy," Shanks stressed the last word, his irritation evident.
Whitebeard was very tight-lipped on the subject. He had only said that the whole mess began with Teach killing one of the Commanders and stealing a Devil Fruit. He refused to divulge which Fruit or give any further info. The first thing Shanks did after ordering the crew to sail to Sabaody Archipelago, was to search for Devil Fruit Encyclopedia. Luckily they had few, some more up to date than others, and he went over them with a fine-tooth comb. He had marked few that seemed very dangerous, or he thought that someone like Teach would be after. Maybe he should focus on the less known fruit, the one that didn't have any illustrations. Whatever it was, there had to be enough information available for Teach to risk betraying the Strongest Man in the World over. He would go over them again after they left here. He would also continue to try to extract more info from Whitebeard, even if indirectly. When he was able to call him that is.
"Teach, huh" muttered Rayleigh soberly, "I want to say that I was surprised to discover that treachery was his true colors, but I can't."
Shanks nodded, he knew. When he first met him after a skirmish between Roger and Whitebeard (that lasted four days), he was still a young apprentice and in his naivety, he envied Teach for his inability to sleep, thinking Teach could enjoy the world twice as much. Now, whenever he even heard his name, he could feel in his bones the foul aura emitting from him. He would never understand how Whitebeard had failed to see it.
Resignedly, Shanks took a gulp of sake, shaking himself from his dark thoughts and continued explaining his choice by saying. "So if I am going to be sucked into it anyway, either by trying to stop it or joining it directly or otherwise..." Shanks paused looking for the right words. "That's why I prefer to be in the decision-making process as an ally. I am not that naive. I know that Whitebeard won't tell me everything or discuss everything with me beforehand. But if there is even a slight chance that I can influence his decisions or put a stop to something or if just my presence can tip the balance, then I had to take it."
Shanks sighed, taking a long gulp of sake, he added. "Captain Roger sent him back for a reason, as his former crewmate I have to take more active action … and the new era is coming closer ... Luffy is going to bring it, I have no doubt of it, so I owe him to make the stage ready for him… " this time. Not safe, but ready.
Piracy was never about safety but about wild unstoppable freedom, at least in his eyes.
"Apparently Roger and I approve of him, which is making me even more curious," Rayleigh said, stroking his beard.
"Yes, and so is Whitebeard. You had to see him speaking about Luffy," Shanks told him, laughing a bit, and added, "He has Conqueror's Haki, you know!"
"So you have said," Rayleigh reminded him good-naturally.
It was clear that Luffy had left a lasting impression on the old Sanko. Shanks wished he had seen the confrontation between them. Oh Luffy, only you could yell that you would rescue your brother without any help and you would be the one to become the Pirate King in the middle of a WAR. He really wanted to see it. The image brought a joyous smile to his lips which disappeared when he heard Rayleigh's next words.
"We know that when the One Piece is revealed, there will be a massive upheaval in the world. It's inevitable... and it's why we decided the world was yet to be ready."
'One Piece,' the name the world gave to the 'treasure' they found in Laugh Tale. It seemed fitting then, given what they knew, Rayleigh pondered.
After his long adventure with Roger, building the crew, sailing to the end of the world, meeting different people and creatures on the way. He had thought, naively, that he experienced all that life had to offer. All there to be heard, seen and done; and that's why he had understood and appreciated the magnitude of the 'One Piece'.
With years passing, to consider and ponder and think about that day, he had wondered if Joy Boy had purposely left clues scattered all over the world, to force whoever was seeking the 'truth' or the treasure to explore and see the world before he reached his goal. To prepare the seekers for what awaited them at Laugh Tale.
Twelve years had passed since Roger's death, his life monotonous and dull compared to before, yet he noticed his thoughts and prescriptive were shifting a bit from his first conclusion about One Piece. He wondered if Shanks and Whitebeard were right about the young D's future. If, WHEN, the young man reached Laugh Tale, what would be his thoughts on the One Piece? Would Luffy reach the same conclusions as them?
When the One Piece was revealed…
They exchanged looks with each other that conveyed a shared knowingness and excruciating wariness. Their shoulders hunched a bit as if they were bearing the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Shanks could only remember his tears as his tiny hands clung to Captain Roger's coat desperately after he had heard the answers to his questions about the last island. The One Piece. He hadn't seen it in his own eyes, unlike Rayleigh, yet maybe that was for the best. The island that no one had stepped on for more than 800 years until they had arrived.
It would be chaos. The world thought that Roger by becoming the King of Pirates and conquering the Grand Line had rocked the boat. Shanks snorted, oh, you just wait and see the Fucking blowing storm that the One Piece would bring, throwing the boat several times upside down, sideways, and for the finale of an almost never-ending roller coaster.
The truth about the Void Century, Ancient Weapons and meaning of the D. name.
The world government knew, at least some of it. Unsurprisingly, given what Shanks knew of their role in all of it, yet a part of him wondered how much they had forgotten in turn. Regardless, it was no wonder that they called him Gold Roger after becoming the Pirate King, instead of the Gol D. Roger. It was deliberate. They wanted any mention of any D to disappear forever.
The world would never be ready, but it didn't matter, the truth would surface someday. He might even be alive to see it. Someone, a D, challenging the whole world to a fight.
The two pirates had a solemn face, remembering the gravity of what they knew, and had to bear the burdens of knowing. Meanwhile, others continued to live their mundane lives, worrying about stupid daily things, thinking that those were the gravest things they would ever face...
"Beginning to prepare now, with the information we know about what to come would be the sensible thing to do," Shanks finally said, he didn't sound sure to his own ears, this matter was one of the few things he was unsure about, he always felt out of his depth when thinking about Laugh Tale.
"True, the child of the prophecy should have been born four years ago, the mermaid princess. Poseidon. The weapon to destroy the world. Things are happening that can't be stopped. However, with the stunt that Roger pulled, I can't even begin to predict how the world would turn and how things would change." Rayleigh paused, unsure how to continue, and for a brief moment his eyes glossed over, and just as fast his eyes cleared up. His gaze sharpened as he looked at Shanks.
"It's already changing by Whitebeard's mere presence here out of time, by him telling you and you telling me… the world timeline had become unrecognizable…" the Dark King said decisively, his expression unreadable, the tone of his voice was somewhat calm, yet sharp. Except, there was magnetism in his presence that held Shanks's attention as if he was spellbound.
"I said the same to Whitebeard."
Messing with time and not expecting it to go pear-shaped on you was stupid and naive. Well, it was very appropriate to Captain Roger not to care.
"Oh?"
"He said having the same voyage would be boring, and that Captain Roger wished him a wild ride." Shanks recited the words with a sad smile. Whitebeard does not seem to care either, both of them (Whitebeard and Captain Roger) were too much alike, he thought privately amused. He should probably never mention that to Whitebeard (he could imagine his reaction, it wouldn't be pretty).
"That's so Roger," laughed Rayleigh merrily, and then stopped, composing himself, he asked.
"So, let's get to the important point, shall we? Why did you tell me?"
"I want you to meet Whitebeard," Shanks announced, his face solemn and he paused dramatically before adding.
"I want you to join our alliance."
Whitebeard was not convinced, but he agreed in the end for him to tell Rayleigh and to arrange a meeting with him. It was probably just to shut him up, Whitebeard was rubbing his head, in the end, an awful lot.
Rayleigh had an unreadable expression on his face which changed swiftly to amusement.
"So, you were sucked in and now you want me to be sucked in with you?" Asked Rayleigh, amusement clearly written all over his face.
Shanks shrugged, not bothering to deny any of it and while drinking, he added conversationally. "As my first mate's motto was back when I was a wet-behind-the-ears apprentice, 'If I am going down, so are you'."
His said ex-first mate choked in his drink, laughing hard.
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Shanks asked quietly so that only Rayleigh could hear, before climbing onto his ship, minding his watching, waiting crew.
"When did he ask you about it?"
It was the first thing he wanted to ask but it slipped his mind with everything going on.
When Shanks was able to think clearly about Time Travel to the past, and how it was possible? How could Captain Roger do it? If not a Devil Fruit with the opposite power to big sis Toki's fruit, then maybe it was because of what the Captain and the others found on the last island, Laugh Tale. But the timing of when Captain Roger had asked Shanks the question didn't fit. It was well before they reached the island.
Shanks realized his question was vague after he uttered it and was about to explain what he had meant. Captain Roger's question.
When Rayleigh answered, with a thoughtful look crossing his face, "Hmmm ….He asked me the question three times. The last one was before he officially disbanded the crew. In turn, I asked Roger then what about you? Did he have any regrets?"
Shanks waited, holding his breath to hear...
"Roger told me no, he couldn't think of anything that he could have done differently to make our journey more perfect."
Shanks smiled there were so many conflicting emotions rising inside of him, awe and sadness among the most prominent ones.
"The other two times were before we arrived at Laugh Tale?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I see."
"Hmmm… you thought that the ability to Time Travel to the past is somehow connected to that island," Rayleigh stated and not waiting for prompting, he added. "Probably not, but then again, Roger called it Laugh Tale for a reason."
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He failed, no, he was not even given the chance to even try.
Dammit,
Dammit.
He knew he might not be able to do anything.
But it still hurt.
It hurt so much, his heart felt like it was going to burst.
He felt like he was suffocating, drowning in his own misery and failure and began gasping for air, trying all the while to stay quiet as not to wake the sleeping figure beside him.
Dammit.
Dammit, why? Why, he had the worst luck.
He was not sure anymore if he could do it.
If he could continue moving forward.
If he could protect…
If he could care for them as he should, no better than that, and …
Shit.
He failed him.
Again.
Shit, dammit, Fuck.
He took a long breath and then another, looking at the peacefully sleeping face beside him, slumbering peacefully unaware of the turmoil and torment his wide-awake companion was experiencing.
He felt his heart slowing down.
And he shouldn't know. Never.
Another deep breath then another, he clutched his hands together, almost drawing blood.
He would try.
He had promised.
A tiny hope blooming inside him.
With those thoughts, he put his own head near his companion's head and engulfed him in a protective embrace before the tiredness got the best of him and sleep claimed him.
He would not fail him again.
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So, what are your thoughts about this new development? :) and what do you think the last part was about?
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Thank you all for your reviews and motivation. Guests reviewers your answers are above.
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From your last reviews, I get the impression that you think this story is going to be short and "uncomplicated", well I am happy to shatter any of your illusions ;), things are going to get more complicated and interesting the longer we go.
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Keep the motivation rollin' :D leave a review.