Gulls cawed as they hovered above the harbor of Windmill Village. The sky was a pale blue, fringed with pink as the sun rose across the sea, but it provided plenty of light for the pirates. They worked quickly and in hushed voices, careful not to wake the exhausted citizens.

On the steps, Makino smiled warmly at the boy in front of her, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I promise when I come back, I'll have tons of treasure for you!" Luffy grinned widely. "I'll be able to pay my tab ten times! Just you wait!"

She wiped at her eyes. "I'm sure you will, Luffy." Kneeling down, Makino adjusted the straw hat on his head and brushed a bit of hair off to the side. "Listen to Captain Shanks. Be good for him and his men, alright? Remember, you're part of the crew now."

Luffy nodded, wincing slightly. "I promise, Makino. Shanks told me it can be dangerous. I bet we're gonna find a bunch of cool adventures!"

Makino hugged him softly, avoiding his injury. "You'll be a wonderful pirate."

Pulling away, Luffy turned to Shanks, who stood beside the pair. "Shanks, what can I do first? I wanna help set sail!"

Shanks smirked. "Well, you can start by calling me 'Captain'. Go up onto the deck for now. Once we leave port, I want you to go rest in my cabin."

"But can't I-"

"Captain's orders," Shanks said firmly. Normally, the command would have made Luffy pout indignantly, but the title caused his eyes to widen and gleam with anticipation. "Yes Captain!" he chirped.

Makino couldn't help but chuckle as Luffy trotted up the ship's temporary ramp. He poked his head over the railing and waved. "Bye Makino! Put my wanted poster on the wall of the bar! I want everyone to see it!"

Shanks sighed. "We should get going. Luffy's probably already woken up half of the East Blue." He took Makino's hand. "Will you be alright?"

She nodded. "It won't be long until the town is back on its feet. Things certainly will be duller though." Emotion clamped around her throat like a snake. "Take care of yourselves, both of you."

"I'll protect him with my life." They stayed like that for a minute more before Shanks climbed aboard, joining his new apprentice at the rail. "Raise the anchor!" Shanks called. "We're heading out!"

The waves splashed as the anchor was pulled up, the chain giving a groan. The ship's sails caught the breeze and the Red Haired Pirates waved a final time as they were carried past the harbor and into the vast ocean.

Luffy watched Makino and his hometown gradually become smaller until they faded past his sight. He could feel Shanks' own gaze on him, waiting for a reaction. "Captain Shanks," he asked suddenly, "what about our promise?"

Shanks tilted his head. "What do you mean? What about it?"

"Did I break it? You had to come rescue me again."

Shanks pushed the hat further over Luffy's eyes. "If I remember, I told you to bring the hat back to me when you become a great pirate. You're not king yet, so you'll just have to hold on to it for a while longer."

"Right! I'm gonna be the best pirate you've ever seen!"

Shanks ushered him away from the rail, leading him to the hatch. "No doubt, but even the strongest need to heal first. Go back to sleep. I'll get you once breakfast is ready."

The crew would find no interference as they worked, but the world was turning all eyes on them. Dreaded rumors and confused reports of the attack from neighboring villages reached the desks of reporters, who rushed to print the story. By mid-afternoon, the papers had been distributed across the seas.

(Elsewhere in the East Blue)

Mihawk scowled. Rereading the headline, he was floored by the reckless behavior Shanks was claimed to have. It was in Shanks' nature to fight the attackers. He was fiercely loyal to his friends. Yet there was the other half that baffled Mihawk.

He knew quite well how the government liked to embellish and twist news, so the supposed kidnapping was out of the question. Still, he remembered the message he had relayed to Shanks and wondered if his rival would really be desperate enough to take a child on his ship.

"Hawkeye, would you like some tea?"

Mihawk turned his attention to the younger man sitting down next to him. "Yes. I'll take some." He set the paper aside and admired the flowering trees. "Your hospitality is appreciated."

The man smiled politely. "We're honored to have you with us. Our dojo doesn't get visitors often."

Taking one of the steaming cups offered, Mihawk sipped, choosing to watch the students train. In his peripheral vision, he caught a boy with a white sheathed sword wandering off, as he had earlier that morning. Mihawk cleared his throat. "My sympathies for your daughter."

"She was a talented swordswoman, even at her young age," the man said fondly. "Her spirit lives on."

(Navy Headquarters)

"That damn red-haired bastard! He's gone too far this time!"

Garp stormed around his office, haphazardly throwing things into a trunk as he ranted. "It was bad enough when he started getting chummy with him, but now he has the gall to snatch Luffy away on that pirate ship of his! I'll kick his damn ass so hard that his own crew won't recognize him. Bogard, get my ship ready. I'm leaving within the hour! Where's my dog mask?"

Bogard held out the mask. "Here it is, sir."

Sitting at Garp's desk, Sengoku rubbed his temples, which had started greying over the past year. "And what do you plan to do when you find Shanks? Do you really believe it'll be that easy to take the boy away? Don't be a fool, Garp! At least wait for a fleet to formed."

"That'll take too long. Every minute is another minute of my grandson being influenced by pirate scum. I'm going!" With Bogard close behind, Garp stomped out.

Sengoku groaned. "I feel another headache coming."

(Somewhere in the Grandline)

"Heehaw! This isn't like Red at all. I wonder what he's up to...Hm? What's got your feathers ruffled?" Doors slammed open, allowing a strong gust of wind to rustle the room. "My, someone's in a foul mood today."

(Shanks' ship)

That night, the crew were buzzing, talking and joking about the biased story. While everyone was distracted, Yasopp slipped out of the sleeping quarters. From the hallway, he could see a light underneath the captain's cabin door, meaning Shanks was still up. Yasopp knocked softly. "Boss?"

"Come in."

Yasopp stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. Shanks was stretched out on his bed with a lantern on the nightstand. On his chest, Luffy lay snoring. "Isn't he a bit big for that?" Yasopp asked.

Shanks shrugged as best he could. "Keeps him off his back. I was telling him about the time we fought that school of barracuda sharks." He rose a brow. "So what was it you needed?"

Clenching his fists, Yasopp stared at the floor and took a deep breath. "Captain," he looked up, "I want to go home."