"So the brat has Conquerors." Mihawk said as he took a sip of his wine.

Shanks chugged his saki. "The kid has never even heard of haki. He's declared war on the world government, faced 4 warlords and led a prison break and has no knowledge of haki. I'm going to kill Garp."

"Think of what the brat could do once he's trained." Came a jovial tone from behind them. They turned to see Rayleigh leaning in the doorway. "I still need to talk to you Red."

Shanks looked at his empty glass before shrugging and just grabbing the bottle. Mihawk rolled his eyes with a muttered 'heathen' but didn't bother protesting. "What do you want Pa?"

Rayleigh narrowed his eyes slightly and Shanks lowered the bottle he was chugging. "I was coming to tell you that I have located a couple of your boys crew."

"You have?" Shanks said relieved. "Please tell me they're nearby."

"Unfortunately no. But they are safe for the time being. My contact in the revs informed me that Nico Robin was found in a work camp and was freed during a rescue mission for one of their members. She was offered a position with them but declined saying she needed to get to her captain. The rev's were going to bring her to a populated island but I've asked them to hold off for now. And then Shakky came across an ad for a new attraction - apparently some enterprising men have found a living skeleton who has been causing some shockwaves with his musical talents."

Shanks stared blankly at his pa. "A living skeleton? That's new."

"Hmm, apparently your boy picked him up in the Florian Triangle. I met him on Sabaody and I can't imagine there is another living skeleton around."

Shanks beamed. "Anchor will be thrilled to hear about them. But why did you tell them to keep Robin?"

"I need to talk to their captain. They aren't ready for the New World and you know it."

"Well obviously. They flew through Paradise. But I can protect them in the New World. We will keep them with us and train them up." Shanks replied.

"Thats one option but I don't think it's the best choice. He is your weakness and being associated with you further will put him in danger. The marines will target him and your position makes it impossible to disappear."

"Hey! I can protect him." Shanks protested.

"In an outright attack of course. But you can't be everywhere. They'll watch and wait til your guard is down and the kid wanders off on an adventure. Red, Luffy doesn't want to be associated with an emperor or babied. You love that kid and you'll coddle him. Training works best with danger and risk. Will you be able to push him as hard as he needs?"

There was a moment of silence where Shanks fought with himself. "You're right. But I haven't seen him in 10 years. I don't want to leave him again. It's not fair."

"No one is saying you have to leave right away. The boy is injured and will need time to heal before we get started but it appears the crew has been separated and sent to places they can grow in."

"You don't even know where half of them have been sent!" Shanks argued.

"The swordsman sent to the current holder of the greatest swordsman title, the archeologist, researcher sent to the revolutionaries."

"Yeah and the musician being treated as a side show." Shanks interrupted.

"The musician has begun to build his skill and reputation. He's going to travel and gain a following." Rayleigh continued, ignoring the interruption. "And you've just put a big target on your crew. You don't have time to take care of a bunch of rookies and they need to have solitude to train."

Shanks grumbled and collapsed in his chair. "You'll need to convince Luffy and I'm staying with him til he's completely healed."

"Of course kid."

"I don't believe I agreed to have any of you stay with me for an extended time, let alone to take on training an insolent brat." Mihawk snapped from his perch across the room.

Shanks snorted. "Hawky, you've already bonded with the boy."

"I can assure you I have not."

"Right… you just carried him out of the woods after he snuck out of his room and got injured. And you scolded him while doing it." Shanks laughed loudly.

Mihawk flushed and glared at his loud mouthed friend. "Oh shut up. The brat has the worst sense of direction. He would have gotten lost again."

"Yes and you care." Shanks stuck out his tongue. Mihawk threw a book at the cackling man and Rayleigh sighed as the two began a rough game of dodgeball.

Finally the men settled down to discuss the events of Marineford and Impel Down. Shanks sighed, surprised to hear that Luffy had met and fought Moria and Kuma before. "Sorry forget what I said earlier… he's faced 6 warlords with no knowledge of haki."

"Hmm, and made 4 of them his allies. Or if you consider Kuma's actions to be intentional aid, 5 allies. Straw Hats true power seems to be gaining powerful friends."

"Dahahaha. You just called yourself his ally Hawky." Shanks laughed, grabbing another bottle of saki.

Mihawk went to reply when there was a knock at the door and Benn stepped through. "Cap, we just received a call from Jailbird."

Shanks instantly dropped his carefree attitude and followed his friend out to an empty room. "Jailbird? I was thinking the worst had happened." He said answering the Den Den.

"Apologies boss. There were some unexpected events and I've been unable to contact you."

"Care to explain why I wasn't told immediately when my anch- when Straw Hat Luffy broke in?" He growled.

"Sir. I was made aware that Buggy had snuck out of his cell and was attempting an escape. The guards were after him and I was working to ensure they failed or that he wasn't badly injured if he got recaptured. I was with the group when we found him with Straw Hat. Before I could take action, Straw Hat proceeded to incapacitate my team and I was rendered unconscious. When I came to, the prison was in chaos and all guards were ordered to help maintain order. I was assigned to Hannyabal's group. We were guarding the stairs between level 4 and 3. When Straw Hat appeared, I was going to protect him from Hannyabal but he successfully defeated him on his own. Then Blackbeard appeared and I was going to break my cover to help him but a darkness engulfed us and I was lost. I believe you arrived shortly after as a wave of haki took out everyone in the prison. When we came to, Akainu and his men were present and we've all been in lockdown for debriefing."

Shanks clenched his teeth - ok make that 7 warlords. "You mean to say Teach was there with Straw Hat?"

The Den Den shook slightly but Jailbird continued. "Yes sir. They were talking. I heard Blackbeard say he was originally going after him before Ace interceded. Unfortunately I was unable to get more than that before being taken out."

"Teach is dead when I see him next." Snarled Shanks.

Haki rattled the walls and Benn carefully took the Den Den from Shanks hands. "Jailbird what's happening with the prison now?"

"Apparently it took a day to actually clear a path to the lower levels where we were found. There were no survivors on the first 2 levels and the prisoners from those either escaped or were killed. We have several big name pirates missing from the lower levels including Crocodile and Jinbe, as well as the Revolutionaries that had been missing from our cells but seen during the escape. It took several hours to determine who has gone and to regain control of the lower levels. Unfortunately, despite being trapped down here, Blackbeard and his crew managed to escape using his devil fruit powers but we believe he failed in whatever his plans were. Though the warden did release Shiryu to help stop him and he has now joined the Blackbeard Pirates."

"Is Akainu still at Impel Down?" Benn asked.

"No. Hannyabal has been promoted to Warden and we've been assigned more marines to help restore order but the Admiral left 2 days ago. The marines have been put on high alert and are patrolling the Red Line looking for any escapees. We've been informed a group of 10 has been recovered and are being questioned."

"That is bad news but expected." Benn ran a hand through his hair roughly. "Jailbird, do you feel safe to continue your work? If there is a chance your cover has been ruined, we understand cutting your ties."

"I am good to continue. I owe you both for my life and I feel like I failed when it mattered most."

Shanks took back the Den Den. "You owe us nothing Jailbird but your mission reports will be vital in the upcoming time so thank you. And you did not fail. Both Buggy and my - Straw Hat are free and in one piece."

"I'm glad to hear that sir but it was in no part due to my actions. Straw Hat was unstoppable. He took down our strongest guards with out hesitation. I've got to go sir but I will contact you with updates when I can."

Shanks dropped his head on Benn's shoulder. "How do we feel about getting a leash?"

Benn snorted. "No one would be able to untangle the ensuing knot."