A/N: So I've changed the MCs name again š, but this time I swear it's for a reason. I just thought about a future plotline that needed the name change.
Let's see if anyone can guess what the significance of the name means. Not the names meaning itself, but why I named him that. Hint, it has Italian inspiration.
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The small boat rocked gently atop the calm sea, its wooden hull creaking softly as waves lapped against its sides. Shanks, Benn Beckman, and Giovanni stood aboard, the sails loose for now, the morning sun glinting off the water.
On the shore, Branchina crossed her arms, trying, and failing to hide the tightness in her chest. She raised her voice so it would carry across the water.
"You three better not become strangers, okay?"
Shanks laughed openly, resting his hands behind his head. "There's no way we would. Syrup Village won't get rid of us that easily."
It had been an entire week since Shanks and his crew had arrived at Syrup Village, and now, at last, it was time for them to leave.
Shanks turned his attention to Yasopp, who stood beside Branchina, one hand loosely resting at her side. "Well then, Yasopp," Shanks said with an easy grin, "when you feel ready to join, your spot will always be open."
Yasopp chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Don't worry. It won't be long."
After his conversation with Branchina, Yasopp had made his decision. He would join Shanks and his crew, but not immediately. He had only just married Branchina, and he wanted to spend time with her first, to enjoy the life they had just begun together.
Officially, at least, Yasopp was already the fifth member of the crew.
He would simply join them later.
Giovanni leaned over the side of the boat, grinning brightly. "Yasopp, I'll keep working on my sniping. When you finally join us, we'll have a rematch. And next time, I'll definitely beat you."
Yasopp laughed heartily. "I welcome the challenge."
Benn Beckman moved toward the mast and unfurled the sails with practiced efficiency. The fabric caught the wind, snapping once before settling, and the boat slowly began to drift away from the shore.
Yasopp and Branchina raised their hands, waving as the distance between them and the crew steadily grew. Shanks waved back enthusiastically, Giovanni swinging his arm wide, while Benn offered a more subdued nod.
As Syrup Village grew smaller behind them, Giovanni let out a satisfied breath.
"Man," he said, stretching his arms, "that was fun."
Shanks nodded, smiling. "Right? Such nice people."
Giovanni glanced around the small boat. "Okay, so where are we going now?"
Shanks answered without hesitation. "First stop is Kumate Island. That's where we left our ship."
Giovanni's eyes lit up. "The ship, huh? I can't wait to see it."
He was certain it wasn't the Red Force. Shanks had only built that ship after meeting Luffy. This had to be whatever vessel he'd been using before then, and that alone made Giovanni curious.
Shanks beamed proudly. "It's really awesome. And way more spacious than this tiny boat."
Giovanni tilted his head. "Then why'd you leave it behind in the first place?"
Benn Beckman answered this time, eyes forward as he adjusted a rope. "It's too imposing and draws too much attention. People fear pirates. Bringing that ship into a village would just make everyone lock themselves inside."
Giovanni nodded slowly. "I see. That makes a lot of sense. Has that actually happened before?"
Shanks chuckled. "Yeah. On some island in the Grand Line."
Giovanni's gaze sharpened. "The Grand Line, huhā¦ what's it like?"
Shanks hummed, thinking. "Mmā¦ how do I explain it."
Benn spoke calmly. "It's dangerous. The four Blue Seas are the safest places in the world. Once you step into the Grand Line, safety is no longer guaranteed."
Giovanni's smile widened, anticipation flickering in his eyes. "Soā¦ there are some really strong people there, right?"
Shanks laughed. "Your battle-junkie instincts are kicking in again, Gio."
Giovanni laughed along. "I can't help it. I want to get strong. Stronger than even Rocks himself. And the only way to do that is by fighting stronger opponents."
Shanks looked at him with quiet interest, then smiled. "I see. In that case, you won't have a shortage of opponents in the Grand Line."
He paused, gaze drifting toward the endless horizon ahead.
"But the place where the really strong people areā¦" Shanks continued, voice steady, "ā¦that's the New World."
Giovanni tilted his head slightly, eyes gleaming with interest.
"The New World, huh?" he said. "It soundsā¦ sinister. How different is it from the Grand Line?"
Shanks leaned against the side of the boat, one hand resting casually on the railing as the sea breeze tugged at his red hair. He hummed for a moment, clearly thinking about how to explain it.
"It's like the Grand Line," he said at last, "but on a completely different scale. On the Grand Line, you'll meet strong people, dangerous storms, and islands that don't make sense. But in the New Worldā¦" He chuckled softly. "Everything is turned up to eleven."
Giovanni listened intently.
"There are stronger opponents," Shanks continued, eyes drifting toward the horizon, "but also crazier landscapes. Islands that feel like they're alive. Seas that don't follow any rules at all. It's hard to put into words." He glanced at Giovanni and smiled. "It's more of a you'll understand when you see it kind of thing."
Giovanni let out a quiet laugh, excitement clear in his voice.
"I think I'm really going to like being a Pirate."
Shanks laughed in response, clearly pleased.
About an hour later, the silhouette of an island came into view. The small boat drifted closer, the sound of waves gently slapping against the hull as the docks of Kumate Island appeared ahead of them.
As they pulled in, Giovanni's eyes widened.
Docked at the pier was a pirate ship. Sleek, well-crafted, and unmistakably impressive. Its hull gleamed under the sunlight, the mast standing tall and proud. It wasn't massive like a warship, but it had presence. The kind that demanded attention without needing to scream for it.
Benn Beckman stepped onto the dock first and glanced back.
"We've arrived."
Giovanni climbed off the boat slowly, staring openly now.
"ā¦It's beautiful," he said honestly.
Shanks grinned.
"I know, right?" He spread his arms slightly, as if presenting it. "That right there is the beginning of the Red-Haired Pirates."
Before Giovanni could respond, heavy footsteps approached. A fat, burly man emerged from nearby, sweat on his brow and the widest smile plastered across his face.
"Mr. Shanks!" the man called out enthusiastically. "I kept watch of the ship the entire time, just like you instructed."
Shanks turned to him and smiled warmly.
"Thank you. I appreciate it. I'll make sure you're rewarded."
The man waved his hands frantically.
"Oh no, no! You're too kind, Mr. Shanks. I was just lending a helping hand."
Shanks nodded in acknowledgment, then turned toward Giovanni, his grin returning.
"Come on, Gio. Let me show you inside."
Giovanni nodded eagerly, taking a step forward, still clearly in awe of the ship.
Benn Beckman adjusted his pistol and spoke up.
"I'll head to the shopping district and stock up on supplies."
Shanks and Giovanni both turned to him at the same time.
They exchanged a look, then smiled sharply in perfect unison.
"We're counting on you."
Benn Beckman froze for a split second, then sighed heavily.
"ā¦Why does it feel like I'm slowly becoming the slave of this crew?"