"But Benn! I don't wanna!" Shanks whined as his first mate pulled him up onto his feet.
"I don't care. It's been two days since you left this room and that was after taking part in several battles. A wet cloth is not sufficient, you need a proper wash."
"But Anchor." Shanks said putting on his best begging look.
"Anchor isn't going anywhere and me and Ace will stand watch until you return. But captain, we are reaching Water 7 in a couple of hours and your smell alone will draw the marines to us."
"Yeah well you look funny." Shanks said sticking out his tongue. Benn went to raise an eyebrow before catching himself and snarling in annoyance. Shanks laughed out loud but let his friend shove him out the door.
He blinked as he stepped into the sun and took in the sight of the crowded deck. It was the first time he'd really taken a second to look at the men that he'd helped his kid bear away from hell. God damn it there were a lot of people. He felt a flicker of guilt for leaving his crew to deal with the chaos but it was washed away by the pride of knowing his kid and brother had saved so many.
"How is Strawboy?" Came a singsong voice from beside him and he turned to look at the man who had made himself comfortable by the doorway.
"Ah you were the ally who almost stayed behind." Shanks recalled. "Luffy is still unconscious but we've got one of the best doctors around looking after him."
"Ah Strawboy! I am here for you!" Cheered the man loudly while Shanks tried to shush him.
"Hey, we don't want to wake him up yet. Hongo says he's healing right now which is important." Shanks looked at the man curiously before sliding down and sitting next to him. "You're close to Luffy then… can you tell me more of what happened?"
Bon Clay looked at the man next to him before jumping to his feet. "A private performance! Of course, I could never turn down a fan!" He said pirouetting gracefully and Shanks had a strong feeling that he was going to regret this.
"It was a normal day and I was doing an inspiring rendition of 'Oh Come my Way' with my cell mates. Here let me show you." Bon Clay said preparing to jump into his dance recital.
"Oh that's really not necessary. I mean we only have a bit of time to get through the whole story and I wouldn't want to spoil your show with a time limit." Shanks said desperately.
"Right you are. Well I was putting on a show to stop all shows when I saw my good friend Mr. 3 with the clown! We reunited and they mentioned that Strawboy was in the prison and looking for his brother. Well I knew I had to help my good friend so I got them to release me so I could save my friend!"
"Wait you already knew Anchor? How did you meet him?" Shanks questioned surprised.
"Why the first time we met, he was pulling me out of the ocean and I instantly became best friends with his crew. We danced and sang and I showed them my amazing powers. Then it turned out we were opponents in the battle at Arabasta."
"Opponents?" Shanks was really confused now.
"Oh yes. I was the glorious Mr. 2 of the Baroque Works and Mr. 0 ordered us to take out strawboy's crew."
"And I guess Mr. 3 was also in Baroque Works and fought the straw hats." Shanks asked exasperated.
"Right and Mr.1 of course."
"Of course." Shanks said. Of course his kid would have the very men he helped imprison, helping him escape.
"They ended up defeating us after a long, beautiful battle and then I saved them from the marines with the power of friendship! That's how I ended up in Impel Down."
Shanks blinked at the man. "They defeated you? But I thought Arabasta was Crocodile against the marines?"
Bon Clay giggled. "Oh no, the marines were there but they mainly did crowd control. It was the Strawhats who fought against us. Why Strawboy went up against Crocodile 3 times before taking him down. It was a shock when he showed up after the first battle as Mr. 0 told us he was dead and buried."
Shanks gaze hardened and he looked across the ship before he located Crocodile standing by the railing. "He tried to kill Luffy?." Bon Clay nodded happily. "Then why the hell is he on my ship?"
The next second Shanks was across the ship and dangling Crocodile over the ocean with a haki coated fist. Crocodile clawed desperately at the arm holding him by the throat but it didn't have any effect.
"I just learned an interesting fact Crocy. Do you know what it was? I heard that in a recent time, my kid was attacked and left for dead. And YOU were the one who left him."
"I didn't know." Crocodile gasped, struggling to breath. "Didn't know who he was to you."
Shanks nodded, humming quietly. "See I want to believe you and I would except for one small thing. I plainly staked my claim. He wears my hat. My hat which I wore for over a decade and is infused with my Haki. The hat that I wore when you first set out as a pirate and we met. So don't think for one second that I will buy that you didn't know exactly who he was."
Crocodile flinched at the haki pressing down on him. "Wait!" He begged.
"Why should I? Why should I allow you one more minute on my ship?" Shanks said darkly. Ignoring how Yasopp had appeared to cover his back, holding a gun on Daz Bonez.
"I helped him survive." Shanks continued to glare. "He's my ally… and he would be upset if you killed me."
Shanks stood furious for a second silently cursing. God damn it! Luffy would be upset. That sweet, forgiving fool had already moved on from the fact that Crocodile would have seen him dead. Damn brat had Shanks wrapped around his finger and he wasn't even awake. "When I have time, you're going to tell me every detail of every second you were near my kid. And if I don't like what I hear, well Luffy is a forgiving kid. Until then, the ship has a lovely empty brig." With that Shanks squeezed tighter before letting go, sending Crocodile plummeting into the sea. He watched the water for a moment before turning and walking away, nodding at Jinbe who slowly stepped up and dove into the water.
Shanks fought himself, desperately wanting to go back and make sure Luffy was alive and as safe as he had left him but knowing Benn would kick his ass if he went in before showering. He compromised by using his observation haki, ignoring his first mate's fond exasperation as he felt Shanks checking. He frowned when he also picked up a wave of panic coming from Buggy and he glanced around to spot him. Buggy was strangely pale and staring at a water logged, coughing Crocodile who was being escorted below deck by a furious Lucky. He quickly moved over to check on him only to freeze when Buggy noticed him, yelped and scattered his body. "Blue?" He asked confused.
"God damn it Red. Don't sneak up on me you flashy fuck." Buggy snapped, pulling himself back together.
"Well excuse me. I thought that you were able to sense me with my 'inability to contain my stupidly over powerful flashy haki' as you like to put it. Seriously Blue, your observation powers have stopped anyone from sneaking up on you since we were 12. Whats wrong?"
Shanks stared down his squirmy brother until Buggy deflated and spoke. "Nothing's wrong Red. Just not used to seeing you be all 'Emperor' and raging."
Shanks flashed a wide grin and smacked Buggy's shoulder. "Ah well that asshole messed with Anchor. Do you remember what Dad and Pa would do when somebody threatened us?" Buggy paled even more and gave a weak chuckle. "Anyways I was just hearing about how you let - uh the old Mr. 2 free to help Luffy."
"Bon Clay." Buggy informed him before swallowing and exclaiming. "Bon Clay! Well actually about that, I need to borrow him for a flashy moment and you, you monster- well you stink more than a decaying sea king. So maybe finish talking later. Right, perfect. Bye!" With that a floating hand started poking him until he let it push him below deck.