"Hahaha, I came aboard to throw down a gauntlet, and I was the one put in my place."
"Whitebeard, I've never seen a kid like this."
Shanks looked at Satan with a grave expression. Conqueror's Haki was a king's innate force. Did this mean there was now another king on Whitebeard's ship? By the looks of him, he was about the same age as Luffy. If Luffy met Satan, wouldn't he be flattened? Would this guy become a roadblock for Luffy? The thought flashed through Shanks's mind.
"Kurararara, Satan even gave a fright to a dignified Yonko. Looks like you've taken a step back, brat."
Whitebeard laughed heartily. Every time Shanks came, he swept Conqueror's Haki over the deck and knocked sailors out cold. Whitebeard never minded his manners, but to say he felt no irritation would be a lie. Satan's sudden rise had given him plenty of face, and made him value the boy even more. In a little over a month, someone who had been weak as a chick now wielded all three colors of Haki. His future was limitless. A pity such talent could not be put to use here.
"Oh, so your name is Satan. Want to come aboard my ship?"
Shanks extended an invitation.
"I turned down Whitebeard. All the more reason to turn down a mere Red-Hair."
Satan refused without hesitation.
"Satan's arrogance mode has appeared," Marco cried.
Aboard the Red-Haired ship:
"The kid isn't one of Whitebeard's crew?" Yasopp shifted the long rifle on his back and eyed Satan with interest. Not a member, yet allowed to stay aboard Whitebeard's ship. Not simple.
"Tsk, what a terrifying youngster. He refused Whitebeard and refused our captain. Two Yonkos extended invitations."
Benn Beckman looked genuinely surprised.
"You're missing the point. A mere Red-Hair. The captain's been looked down on," Lucky Roux said around a huge drumstick. He had roamed the sea for nearly twenty years, but only one person had ever called Shanks a "mere" anything: this Satan in front of them.
"What an overweening brat. Who does he think he is?" the trainee Rockstar fumed, glaring at Satan. If not for the fact that the kid was on Whitebeard's deck, he would have rushed over and pounded him.
"Conqueror's Haki is a king's aptitude. He has the capital to be proud, or how would he possess it?" Benn Beckman smiled.
"So what if he has Conqueror's. If he runs into me, I'll lay him out," Rockstar huffed, head turned in disdain.
On Whitebeard's deck:
"An arrogant kid with strong presence." Shanks smiled slightly, then finally turned his gaze to Whitebeard. He wasn't here to marvel at Satan's gifts. He had come for something.
"Every time I see your face, my mood sours, Red-Hair," Whitebeard rumbled, authority rolling off him.
"That's why I brought water of life to soothe it. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to discuss one matter."
Shanks laughed.
"Doesn't sound like the swaggering man you are," Whitebeard laughed back, then waved the commanders away. He wanted to sit with Shanks alone. As Satan started to leave, Whitebeard called out, "Satan, stay for a cup."
"Oh? So this is the newcomer you've taken a shine to," Shanks said, surprised. Whitebeard had dismissed every commander, yet kept Satan behind.
"He's my son," Whitebeard boomed with laughter.
"I never called you Pops," Satan rolled his eyes. How much did Whitebeard love collecting sons?
"On my ship, you're my son," Whitebeard barked.
"In that case I'll be disembarking today. Red-Hair, will your ship give me a lift later?" Satan asked.
"Of course, or you could join my crew," Shanks said with a faint smile.
"I said no already. I'm going to be the man who stands at the very top."
Satan refused again. An invitation from a Yonko didn't even stir him. One day he would surpass the Yonkos.
"Frightening ambition. So you're aiming to be Pirate King?" Shanks's expression turned serious.
"Pirate King?" Satan grinned and gave no answer. Was Pirate King truly the peak?
On the deck, Shanks poured clear liquor for Whitebeard and Satan. Whitebeard sniffed the jug and said, "Wine from the West Blue. Good stock."
"I've gone across the world's seas. There isn't a drink better crafted anywhere. It's from my homeland. Try it."
Shanks smiled.
Whitebeard took a pull and nodded. "Not bad. Roger, Garp, Sengoku, Golden Lion. Not many of the old crowd are left."
"It's been twenty-two years," Shanks said, taking a sip.
"And they've all made their name. Back in the day there was a ridiculous red-nosed deckhand on Roger's ship. Even he's made a name now. So, this time, what did you want to discuss?"
Whitebeard missed the past, but he cared more about the present. What had Shanks come to do?
— Seeking flowers, monthly tickets, comments, and tips —
The opening isn't grand and noble, and power-leveling arcs don't seem popular. The numbers are miserable and it probably won't go on shelves. If you like it, please lend some support. As for who receives the Seven Deadly Sins or gets invited as crew, it may not follow the synopsis and will be adjusted. The Ten Commandments will appear bit by bit.