"I have a proposition for you."

Shanks eyed Blankface cautiously. "Let my friend go and then we can talk about deals. Unless you'd rather do things the messy way." To demonstrate his point, Shanks unleashed his haki like a tidal wave, forcing many of the other captain's men unconscious. Behind him, Benn and Yasopp kept their guns aimed at Blankface's chest. "I'm finding it hard to be generous at the moment."

Blankface Claymore, true to his epithet, hardly reacted. His expression remained calm and he rested a foot on Luffy's back. "You might change your mind if you listen, Red-Haired. I know you're no fool. The fact that you're here is proof that my men have made quick work of spreading word about this pup. As we speak, I have subordinates informing the four Blues and Grandline of the lad's worth. Even if you ended me here, there would be plenty of pirates who would have no qualms about using him to their advantage."

"They wouldn't get the chance," Shanks growled.

"Wouldn't they? Consider how much your enemies despise you. It doesn't matter where you hide him. They will hunt him down to the ends of the earth, just to watch you suffer. However..." Blankface leaned down and ripped the strawhat out of Luffy's grasp, taking a step closer to Shanks. "If you were to let me turn you in to the marines, they'd have no reason to capture him. He'd be just another loud-mouthed runt with overzealous dreams."

Shanks' eyes narrowed. "Watch what you say, Claymore. I already told you I won't play games. Release him, now!"

"Oh? If you want him so bad, why haven't you simply taken him back? Face it Red-Hair, you've run out of choices. It's either your downfall or the end of his peaceful days." Blankface turned the hat in his hand, examining it closely. "You've proudly worn this old relic for over a decade. I can only imagine the battles and storms it's endured in that time." Just then, he threw the hat to the ground and smashed his boot down, flattening the straw.

"Hey!" Luffy struggled to prop himself up. "Stop it! Give it back!"

"Quiet ya brat!" Another pirate kicked him back down.

Blankface paid no attention to Luffy's protests, instead pressing his foot harder. "Your era is coming to a close, Emperor. Everything this hat stands for, all of the foolish ideals you preach, they all died alongside Gold Roger twelve years ago. It's time for his followers to step down and let a new generation of sailors rule these waters. The Pirate King's age is gone and I will wipe out all of his pointless legacy!"

Time suddenly froze for Shanks as the events played out in slow motion. Claymore stepped off the damaged hat and drew his sword. From behind him, there was a desperate cry as something leaped forward. As the sharp blade came down, the cry morphed into a piercing scream of pain, one Shanks had heard before. The red that spilled across the path took him back to a small boy standing atop his ship's figurehead, dagger in hand ready to prove his strength.

Even Claymore seemed startled by the interference. He stared down at Luffy's huddled form, which shielded the hat from further abuse. The boy's shirt was torn apart, quickly becoming stained from the blood his wound shed. Luffy's breathing was ragged and though Shanks couldn't see his face, he was sure Luffy's teeth were grit together tightly.

The shock dissipated and the air around them became heavy. Wood from the surrounding buildings groaned as it splintered and cracked from an unseen force. Claymore's heart raced. His breath felt trapped in his throat. The menacing aura constricted around his torso like a snake. Looking into the face of his enemy, he swore he could see the devil himself in Shanks.

"You're right. There've been plenty of storms to face, but I have a feeling I'll enjoy this one." A cold smile crept across Shanks. "You, on the other hand, won't be seeing the calm waters again."

"C-captain?" Blankface's remaining men were horrified.

Shanks raised his sword. "Chris," he called, staring straight ahead. From behind him, the crew's doctor bolted forward, instantly understanding the unspoken order. His movement did nothing to ease the tension, but from the other side of the road, the mayor stumbled towards them.

"L-Luffy!" he choked out. "How...how bad is it? Will he be alright?"

Chris knelt down beside Luffy and pressed a clean cloth from his bag onto the boy's injury. Luffy whimpered, but didn't squirm. "I'll have to examine it closer on the ship. For now, we need to get him out of here." Chris looked up at Shanks again. Shanks walked past him, an expression of deadly calm on his face.

"Get going," Benn interjected. "We'll catch up with you."

Nodding, Chris carefully lifted Luffy into his arms, cradling him to his chest. Woop Slap shuddered when he caught sight of the boy's face. The color had drained from his usually bright cheeks and his eyes were glazed over, giving him a listless stare. It felt out of place to see such an energetic boy unresponsive.

"Don't panic," Chris reminded him. "He passed out from blood loss. Grab his hat. We're leaving."

"Right!"

As Woop Slap ducked down to grab the straw hat, one of Blankface's men snapped out of his petrified stupor and lunged at the older man. "Hold it! You're not going any-"

Bang!

A gunshot knocked him back, hitting the bridge of his nose with startling accuracy and killing him in an instant. "Don't move, bastards," Yasopp growled.

Before the mayor could marvel at the swift defense, Chris pulled the collar of his shirt, ushering him away from the pirate's corpse. He half-dragged him back the way they'd come until the men were out of view. It only took a moment for the gunfire to start once again and Woop Slap could only imagine the carnage as the Blankface crew's screams echoed behind him.

The sounds persisted as the two came to the docks. The ship's ladder still hung off the side and Chris climbed up, having no issues balancing Luffy as he hauled himself to the deck. Woop Slap wondered if the doctor had done this before with his own crewmates. He glanced across the street, ensuring that no one had followed them, but the pier was empty. Even Makino was absent and he prayed that she had heeded his warning and fled to the woods.

Taking a deep breath, he buried his worries and focused on the task at hand. His joints stung and creaked as he scaled the ladder, but he made it up without problems and found that Chris had left the hatch to the ship open. Woop Slap raced down the flight of stairs, anxious to check on the boy's well-being. It was his responsibility! Like the hatch, the infirmary's door was kept open and already the doctor was gathering supplies. Luffy lay flat on his stomach, his shirt cut away from the cut.

"What can I do?" the mayor asked.

Chris didn't answer immediately as he examined Luffy's back. "For the time being, nothing. I have what I need to begin. Stay here though. I may need you to hand me things while I'm working." He briefly pointed to a sink in the far corner. "Set the hat there and wash your hands."

The town square was quiet as Shanks looked out at the damage they had caused. He and his crew stood alone, pools of blood marking where their enemies lay still. Benn stepped over the mauled captain's coat, coming to Shanks' side. "Need us to finish things here? I know you want to head back."

The breeze kicked up and Shanks' cape billowed behind him. While the smoke was starting to clear, the winds of rage had yet to settle. Shanks shook his head. "I'll stay and help. I'd rather the villagers don't see this." He met Benn's eyes. "Has anyone gone to the cliffs?"

The first mate leaned his gun against his shoulder. "Roux's taking care of it. He'll take what he can and burn the rest."

"Good work."