Blackstone City, the largest tavern.
In the dim evening light, the shutters were suddenly pushed open.
"Hey! Boss! Bring out all the wine from your cellar—I'm hosting guests tonight. And remember, I mean all of it!"
Amid hearty laughter, Shanks strode familiarly toward the counter and slapped a thick stack of Berries onto the bar, startling the Boss and drawing the attention of every patron in the tavern.
"It's Lord Shanks!" the Boss exclaimed, grinning as he collected the money. "Didn't you and your crew say you were leaving today? What brings you back?"
"Well…" Shanks scratched his head. "We ran into some important guests. We planned to host a feast on the ship, but the rain's coming down hard, so we figured we'd just come here instead…"
Important guests?
The pirates in the tavern exchanged glances. Who could possibly be important enough to warrant such attention from Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors?
Just then, the shutters creaked open again.
A cold wind carrying rain swept in as a tall, imposing figure in black stepped inside. His dark hair, damp from the rain, clung messily to his forehead, but it did nothing to dull the sharpness of his blade-like eyes. With a single calm sweep of his gaze, the entire tavern fell silent.
"Yo, Xiano!" Shanks waved enthusiastically. "Over here!"
Xiano gave a slight nod and strode forward. Behind him, the members of the Curtain Closer crew filed in one by one, followed by the officers of the Red Hair Pirates.
As the scene grew lively, hushed whispers finally broke out among the pirates.
"That really is Xiano, the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
"What the hell? Why are these two together, and why do they seem so friendly?"
"Are they teaming up to take on the other Emperors?"
"The New World… is about to change!"
Such was the way of the world.
A single casual gesture, a chance meeting between great figures—once noticed, it would be endlessly magnified, scrutinized, and dissected by those desperate to decipher its meaning.
"Enough of that!" warned a seasoned pirate in a low voice. "The Red Hair Pirates are one thing, but don't you know how the Curtain Closer operates?"
"This isn't a place for us anymore. Let's get out of here!"
The others snapped back to their senses.
Rumors had it that the World's Greatest Swordsman didn't much care for the title of pirate and had little patience for his fellow buccaneers.
So… it was best not to overstay their welcome.
Many pirates quietly slipped out, though neither Shanks nor Xiano paid any mind to the murmurs. The two took their seats at the bar, where Shanks cheerfully cracked open a barrel of ale and poured two large mugs—one for himself and one for Xiano.
"To our meeting!" Shanks grinned, raising his mug and clinking it forcefully against Xiano's, sending golden droplets flying.
"To our meeting," Xiano echoed with a laugh before downing the entire mug in one go.
After several rounds, the atmosphere grew lively.
The officers of the Red Hair Pirates and the male crew members from the Curtain Closer's side seemed to have already hit it off, exchanging amusing tales from their voyages.
The girls, however, disdainful of the fact that Red Hair's ship was full of old men, formed their own table. Nami pounded the table, loudly demanding beer, only to be knocked out by Nojiko's punch and left sprawled asleep on the table.
Yet, regardless of which side they were from, everyone instinctively kept a respectful distance from the bar, leaving ample space for the two Captains.
"Hey, Xiano."
Shanks' face was already slightly flushed as he leaned in and whispered, "You must have noticed too, right? Even though today was a chance encounter... hic... I've actually had some things I've been meaning to ask you for a long time..."
"Funny."
Xiano set down his glass. "Red Hair, I had some questions for you too."
"Me first!"
"Me first!"
They locked eyes.
"You go first!"
"You go first!"
"Stop!" Shanks rubbed his temples in exasperation. "Come on, I'm paying for this. Give me the privilege of going first..."
After a moment's thought, he spoke:
"Unlike the other Four Emperors—those arrogant old fools who barely know you—I've actually gathered intel on you. I've heard some of the things you've said. To Rayleigh in Sabaody, and in Loguetown, the parts the World Government tried to cover up..."
"Normally, even among Pirates, we know not to speak too deeply with casual acquaintances. I should've kept this doubt buried."
"But today... after personally feeling the weight of your Conqueror's Haki, I just couldn't hold back anymore. I had to ask."
Xiano remained expressionless as he refilled his glass.
"Xiano, what exactly are you trying to do? What's your real goal?"
Shanks stared intently into his eyes. "You spout grandiose claims about ending the Great Pirate Era, but we both know better, don't we? The true root of this chaotic era lies elsewhere... I've seen it in your actions, Xiano! Tell me! The curtain you truly want to close isn't this era—it's that place called the Heavenly Holy Land, isn't it? That gateway to hell itself?!"
Xiano downed his drink in one go.
"Damn good booze..."
He smacked his lips appreciatively, a grin spreading across his face. "Tch. Saw right through me, huh?"
Just as I thought!
Shanks kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, it was as if a weight had lifted. A sigh of relief.
A potential ally in the future!
But...
So impulsive. So young. So brimming with pride—just like he himself had once been.
And right now, that made Xiano someone who absolutely had to be stopped!
"In that case, there are things I can say plainly now. Hear me out, Xiano."
Shanks took a deep breath:
"At our core, we're the same. But the absurdity and horror of this world far surpass your imagination. Many things aren't as simple as they appear on the surface."
"I can feel your fighting spirit, but... the time isn't right! At least, not yet!"
"In the coming years, you'll have great opportunities in the New World. I won't interfere with anything else, but please don't disrupt the hard-won stability, and absolutely don't recklessly challenge enemies you can't possibly defeat... absolutely not! Before the right time comes, that would just be like a moth flying into flames. Understand?"
His voice grew urgent toward the end, though he was clearly trying to restrain his emotions.
It seemed he didn't want to spell out certain forbidden matters, yet feared Xiano might misunderstand his meaning.
However.
Unexpectedly, Xiano's expression remained as calm as ever, even breaking into a cheerful laugh.
"Why so tense all of a sudden?"
Xiano grinned as he poured Shanks another drink:
"Your reaction actually makes me trust your stance a bit more now. Enough to dismiss those dark rumors about you... Truth be told, I've wondered about it before."
"Wondered what?"
Shanks blinked in surprise.
"Why someone like you would willingly become a guardian of order?"
"With the strongest Conqueror's Haki and enough strength to change the world, yet you keep stopping others from challenging this rotten era—even becoming one of its symbols yourself..."
"Waiting for the right time? Or are you building a stage... waiting for someone? Someone who, like me, comes from East Blue but isn't named Xiano?"
He tilted his head slightly, speaking as if joking. "Hey, Red Hair, is that what Roger thought too... back at Laugh Tale?"
Shanks' pupils contracted sharply, his grip on the glass nearly slipping.
He stared fixedly at Xiano, the drunken haze in his eyes clearing instantly.
"..." Shanks spoke with difficulty. "How do you know these things?"
"Oh, that's a long story. Back in East Blue, I had a friend—or more like a little brother—named Monkey D. Luffy."
Xiano shrugged. "That guy's undoubtedly an idiot with no brains, yet he's absolutely convinced he'll become the Pirate King. He told me once how someone saved his life but lost an arm doing it. That's why he's so hellbent on keeping his promise."
"A crew member of the Roger Pirates, one of the world's most powerful figures... yet lost an arm to a puny Sea King even my little sister Nami could easily defeat."
Xiano clicked his tongue. "Hey, Shanks, doesn't that sound ridiculous to you... Shanks? Shanks?!"
No response.
The tavern's noise seemed to freeze in that moment, the crew's chatter fading into another world, leaving only the sound of raindrops tapping against the windows.
"..."
Shanks' hand clenched around his glass, his breathing ragged, beads of sweat forming at his temples.
"Guess you think it's too absurd too, huh?"
Xiano laughed heartily, patting his stiff shoulder:
"Told you to relax, yet you're getting even more worked up... Fine, I'll tell you something even crazier. Before I met Luffy, I actually ran into that little Sea King myself... Of course, to a kid like I was back then, it was a pretty big deal. But that's not the point!"
"The key point is, it couldn't digest one thing and spat it out in front of me. When I picked it up, I realized it was an arm—and on it was a pattern resembling a pentagram!"
"At the time, I didn't know what that pattern meant."
Xiano paused before continuing, "Until recently, when someone claiming to be the vice-captain of the Godly Knights came looking for me. The pattern on their arms was identical. And the most absurd part? That Celestial Dragon looked exactly like you."
"Really, I've seen it all now."
Leaning against the bar, Xiano sighed deeply. "So… should I keep calling you Red Hair, or should I kneel and address you as Figarland Shanks, the one waiting for Nika's return?"
"..."
Shanks remained silent for a long time before suddenly tilting his head back and downing a large gulp of liquor, the liquid dripping down his chin.
Only after draining the glass completely, even licking the last droplets clinging to the rim, did he slowly set it down and fix his gaze on Xiano.
"You," Shanks' voice was unnervingly hoarse. "Shamrock, Luffy, Nika… So you knew everything."
"Yeah, I knew everything. Didn't you know it all too?"
Xiano grinned. "Earlier, you said we're essentially the same kind of people. But I disagree. Want to know why?"
"You hesitate, you fear, you're afraid! All you do is wait, pave the way, and cling to the future you've gambled on!!"
He burst into wild laughter, the liquor in his glass trembling violently, reflecting the boy's ferocious, unrestrained grin.
"And me? I've never believed in bullshit like fate!!!"
Thud!
The glass slammed onto the table as Xiano stood up and strode away from the bar. Without hesitation, the crew of the Curtain Closer rose and followed.
"The liquor was good."
Pausing at the swinging doors, Xiano glanced back and coolly delivered his final words:
"Thanks for the hospitality, Red Hair. Next time we meet, I hope we won't be in this position of trying to dissuade each other."
"Of course, at our level, beliefs aren't something outsiders can sway. Keep playing your far-sighted strategist if you want, but don't interfere with me—and don't even think about stopping me."
"Otherwise, I won't mind taking your other arm."
Bang!
The doors swung violently.
By the time Shanks lifted his head with a complicated expression, the dark night outside was howling with wind and pouring rain—Xiano and his crew had long vanished without a trace.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Beneath the plaque declaring "Absolute Justice," Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face darkened.
"What did you say? Red-Haired Shanks and Xiano crossed paths in Blackstone City?"
"Y-yes, Fleet Admiral!"
The nervous administrative lieutenant stammered, "The surveillance ship from G-14 just sent an urgent report. This afternoon, their ships encountered each other outside the harbor and briefly clashed!"
"What was the outcome?"
"Witnesses say both unleashed a crimson Sword Aura, powerful enough to briefly alter the weather. But they didn't escalate into a full battle—they stopped and talked instead..."
"Crimson Sword Aura?" Tsuru, the Chief of Staff, frowned deeply. "Roger's Divine Departure technique... So Xiano can use it too?"
This was a detail never mentioned in previous intelligence reports.
Had he only recently mastered it?
Noteworthy indeed!
However, compared to the implications behind this event, it paled in significance.
"A Four Emperor and someone infinitely close to that level suddenly meeting in the New World, then shaking hands and making peace..."
Tsuru sighed softly. "Whatever they discussed, it's definitely not good news for the Marines."
"I share your thoughts. Red Hair has always been enigmatic, his actions hard to predict, and Xiano harbors equally grand ambitions..."
Sengoku's brow furrowed as his fingers unconsciously tapped the desk. "The troublesome part is both are still young—completely different from the other three Sea Emperors..."
Could they form an alliance?
Even a temporary cooperation between these two forces...
Wouldn't that mean the New World's power structure was about to undergo an earth-shattering reshuffle?
"Damn it!"
Sengoku slammed his palm on the table, restless and agitated. The intelligence was still too scarce and fragmented!
The Marines' control over the New World was far too weak. Without sufficient intelligence, even he and Tsuru could only speculate blindly.
"Order G-1 Branch to cooperate and dispatch more surveillance ships!"
Sengoku commanded sternly. "Deploy every available surveillance vessel! For the coming period, monitor Red Hair's forces with maximum effort! Report any movement immediately!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
...
Blackstone City, deep into the night.
"Captain."
Beckman, cigarette in mouth, stepped onto the rooftop under the moonlight and sat beside Shanks.
"Beckman..."
Shanks glanced at him, his mood still somewhat somber. "You're the one among the crew who knows most about my plans. Have you ever thought... my choice was wrong?"
Beckman didn't answer immediately. He took a deep drag, exhaling a long smoke ring, the ember flickering in the night.
"Honestly? At first, of course it seemed unreliable."
He gazed at the night sky leisurely. "Entrusting the world's future to some kid... sounded downright bizarre. But that Luffy... he's different. I believe we'll see that day come."
Shanks fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, giving Beckman a firm pat on the shoulder. "...Thanks, old friend."
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, he shifted his gaze to the distant sea and asked casually:
"Xiano's strength speaks for itself—he's earned the right to walk his own path. But what about his crew? After today's interactions, how's the intel gathering going?"
"Strong."
Beckman answered without hesitation, then emphasized each word deliberately: "Exceptionally strong."
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!