"Yasopp! Yasopp!" shouted his neighbour, rapping on the door, "They're calling for you!"

Yasopp groaned. Honestly, what could be so important that they needed him right now? He had just sat down to have tea with his lovely wife, and he felt quite upset that they were being interrupted! After all, he'd just returned from a long and strenuous hunting journey. He had been looking forward to living peacefully for a few months before setting out again.

"Get your butt out here, Yasopp!" his neighbour called once more. Yasopp turned his head slowly to look at Banchina. His wife smiled softly, and nodded at him to go ahead. How had he been so lucky? Any other woman would've forbid him to even rise from the table..

Yasopp padded over to the door, and wrenched it open.

"What?" he groaned, blinking several times in annoyance.

"Shanks. Red-Haired Shanks is looking for you."

Annoyance dissipated, and gave way to confusion.

"Red-Hair…?" Yasopp muttered, "That rising rookie from Old Roger's crew?"

"What other 'Shanks' is there?!" his neighbour shouted, exasperated.

"What does he want with me?" Yasopp asked.

"How should I know?"

"You know, one day I'm gonna kick your ass, and you'll regret being so rude to me."

"Doubt that. Now get going!"

Yasopp groaned, and retreated into his house to grab his coat.

"What is it, darling?" Banchina asked, walking over to him and placing her hands on his shoulders. Yasopp grimaced.

"Shanks the rookie pirate is looking for me," he spat. Banchina laughed.

"Well? Go meet him then!" she exclaimed, pushing him out the door. Yasopp stood at the doorway, and turned to look at his wife. Banchina grinned at him, and Yasopp held out his hand. Banchina grabbed his gun from the slot near the door, and kissed it before laying it in his palm.

"Have fun," Banchina hummed.

"I will," Yasopp hummed back, kissing his wife's hand before setting out.

Yasopp caught sight of Shanks just as he entered town square. The rookie was tall, and just as his epithet suggested, had a shock of red hair. It was a rarity in the East Blue, and carried many superstitions. Shanks was surrounded by villagers who were all clamoring to pluck a hair from his red mane. It was said that red hair was a symbol of fate and destiny. And it seemed that most in Syrup Village believed it. Shanks was laughing, and humouring the villagers, slicing strand by strand of hair from his head and tossing it into the crowd. Yassop approached the group, pushing his way into the middle.

"Alright folks," he shouted, "that's enough! Stop before the poor man goes bald!"

The Villagers muttered their dissatisfaction, but eventually the crowd thinned until only Shanks and Yasopp were standing.

"You must be Yasopp?" Shanks asked, sheathing his sword.

"Yup," Yasopp chirped.

"Pleasure," Shanks greeted him, bowing.

"A handshake would've done," Yasopp chuckled.

"It's how we did things back home," Shanks smiled, "I suppose I'm just stuck in my ways."

"Aren't we all?" Yasopp laughed.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you here today," Shanks said.

"It's pricking at my mind a bit, yes," Yasopp responded.

"I need a sharpshooter in my crew, and it's to my understanding that you are the best in the East Blue."

"Not really…"

"You're too modest. But that's what you are, correct?"

"Perhaps. There's no real way to judge that."

"Don't be tricky with me now," Shanks frowned. "I know you are the best, and the Pirate King's crew can only be of the best."

"Pirate King?"

"That's my goal."

"Isn't that a bit…"

"Pretentious? Vain? Dishonourable?"

"It's only been 2 years since your Captain's death."

"And I have grieved justly. Look, I want your help to achieve this goal. I am inviting you to join my crew. Come sail the seas with me! We'll see and do wonderful things, and go on fantastic adventures! What do you say?"

Yasopp frowned. Banchina...

"My wife," Yasopp ventured.

"She can come with us," Shanks proposed.

"The life of a pirate does not suit her," Yasopp snapped, thinking of her fragility and tendency to become ill.

"It is your choice in the end," Shanks said, clasping his hands in a pious position.

"Let me talk with her," Yasopp said.

"You have 3 days, after which I must set sail."

"Got it."

Yasopp waved goodbye to Banchina, who was standing on the dock waving her handkerchief about. It'd been a difficult decision, but Yasopp was glad he was leaving. The sea… It was vast. Much of it was unexplored. The idea of discovering something grand was too tempting to let slip away. Yasopp had grabbed onto it, and prayed that it would spare him of regret.

A.N.: I really like this one for reasons that escape me. I feel like I did a good job, as well as it was fun to write. I hope you all enjoyed it ^_^ Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, Birthdays, and Requests are welcomes and much appreciated. See you all tomorrow for Blackbeard and Inazuma!