Benn Beckman paused where he stood, one brow lifting as he turned toward Shanks.
"Wait," he said calmly, though there was a clear edge of disbelief beneath it. "Shanks… did you just say you recruited a new crewmember?"
Shanks answered by flashing a wide grin and lifting his thumb proudly. "Yep. That's exactly what I said."
Giovanni, still sprawled on the bed with fresh bandages wrapped tightly around his torso, let out a long sigh. He stared up at the wooden ceiling for a moment before turning his head toward Shanks.
"Should it really be that easy to recruit someone?" Giovanni asked. "Can you even trust him?"
Shanks waved the concern away without a second thought. "Don't worry. It's fine. He's a nice guy."
Benn exhaled slowly, then shook his head, a faint chuckle escaping him despite himself. "I don't know why I'm surprised," he said. "I should've expected this. This is exactly the kind of thing Shanks would do, just acting on a whim."
Giovanni glanced at Beckman, his expression tinged with genuine concern. "Is that really okay though?" he asked. "Shouldn't a captain be more cautious?"
Beckman looked at Shanks again, studying him for a brief moment before answering. "No," he said. "I like him that way." Then, more quietly, he added, "I'll be wary on his behalf."
Giovanni broke into a grin. "Man," he said, letting out a laugh, "I love this crew."
Benn turned his attention back to Shanks, his tone shifting into something firmer. "So then," he said, "where is this new crewmember?" His gaze sharpened slightly. "I'll say this now, Shanks. If I decide he's not safe for the crew, he doesn't join. I trust your judgment as captain but as the eldest among us, it's my responsibility to make sure this crew stays intact."
Shanks laughed loudly, utterly unbothered. "You're way too serious, Benn. Relax. I promise, you'll love him."
Before Beckman could respond, Giovanni suddenly swung his legs off the bed and sprang down onto the floor.
The movement was abrupt enough to make Beckman's eyes widen. "Gio," he snapped, "don't move around so much. You're going to reopen your wounds."
Giovanni straightened up, ignoring the protest, a confident smile plastered across his face. "It's fine, Beckman," he said. "I can't let my new comrade see me in such a sorry state. I've got to preserve my dignity as his senior."
Beckman stared at him for a moment, then pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm really going to age faster than I should because of you two," he muttered. "Taking care of teenagers is difficult work."
Shanks clapped his hands together, eyes sparkling with excitement. "So," he said brightly, "are you ready to meet our new comrade?"
Giovanni's eyes lit up immediately, practically sparkling as he nodded. "Yes."
Beckman said nothing, merely crossing his arms as he watched.
Shanks stepped aside and swept one arm toward the doorway. "Everyone," he announced, voice full of drama, "meet our new navigator."
He shifted fully out of the way.
A tall man stepped into the room, his presence immediately noticeable. Two swords hung at his waist, their sheaths knocking softly against one another as he moved. He was broad-shouldered and unmistakably taller than anyone else present with a snake tattoo on the right side of his body.
Shanks grinned even wider. "Building Snake."
The man let out a tired breath. "Shanks," he said, "was there really a need for such a dramatic introduction?"
Giovanni, however, had frozen in place. His eyes traveled upward, following the length of the newcomer's frame.
"…Shit," he blurted out. "He's taller than me. And what's with that name?"
The outburst startled Building Snake, who stiffened slightly.
Benn Beckman didn't react outwardly. His eyes narrowed subtly as he observed the man, taking in every detail with a practiced, assessing gaze.
Shanks, completely oblivious or perhaps deliberately ignoring the tension beamed. "Well?" he asked. "What do you think?"
Giovanni, still shirtless and wrapped in bandages, began walking toward Building Snake. Each step brought him closer until he finally stopped right in front of him.
He had to look up.
Building Snake glanced down at Giovanni, visibly unsure of himself. "Uh… hello," he said awkwardly. "I'm Building Snake. It's nice to meet you."
Giovanni didn't respond right away. Instead, he hummed quietly and began circling him.
Building Snake's eyes followed Giovanni as he moved, his posture stiff, clearly uncertain whether he should stand still or turn to keep facing him. The room was quiet save for the soft creak of the ship and the faint rustle of fabric as Giovanni paced.
Finally, Giovanni stopped directly in front of him again.
"Now listen up, Building Snake," Giovanni said, looking up at him with a serious expression. "Just because you're tall doesn't change the dynamics between us. There's a clear hierarchy here."
He jabbed a thumb toward his own chest.
"I'm the senior. You're the junior. That doesn't change. Is that clear?"
Building Snake looked down at Giovanni, his expression calm, almost thoughtful.
I think I understand his personality from the get-go, he thought. Years on the seas had taught him how to read people quickly, and Giovanni's was the type he had encountered before. Proud and loud, but not malicious. There was only one way to deal with someone like this without clashing head-on.
Just agree to anything they say.
A small, polite smile formed on Building Snake's face as he inclined his head slightly.
"Of course," he said evenly. "I will offer you the respect that comes with being my senior. I am capable of at least that much."
The words hit Giovanni like a cannon blast.
"Seriously?" Giovanni blurted out, eyes wide.
Building Snake's smile didn't waver. "Of course."
For a moment, Giovanni was speechless. His mind immediately drifted to a very specific memory. Yasopp, that damned man, who had stubbornly refused to show Giovanni the respect he clearly deserved as a senior. No matter how many times Giovanni had insisted, Yasopp had always brushed it off with a laugh.
And now here was this tall swordsman, agreeing without hesitation.
What an honorable guy, Giovanni thought, his ego swelling like a sail catching a strong wind.
A loud laugh burst from his chest as he stepped forward and slapped Building Snake on the back hard repeatedly. The sound echoed through the room.
"You're a good guy!" Giovanni said brightly. "My name's Giovanni, by the way. Gio for short."
Building Snake felt the impact reverberate through his spine, the slap carrying far more force than it had any right to. He winced internally but kept his composure, turning his head slightly toward Giovanni.
"Nice to meet you, Gio-san," he replied.
Giovanni waved a dismissive hand, still laughing. "No, no. We're friends and comrades now. There's no need for the '-san.' Drop it."
Building Snake paused for half a second, then nodded.
"Oh. Okay then… Gio."
Giovanni grinned. "That's the spirit."
Off to the side, Shanks watched the exchange unfold with clear amusement. He laughed openly, arms crossed loosely over his chest.
"You two are friends already," he said. "I knew you'd get along."
Benn Beckman, still seated beside the bed, let out a long sigh. He rubbed his temple slowly, eyes half-lidded in resignation.
"Why did I even trust Gio to help me veto the guy," he muttered. "You befriended him way too easily."
Giovanni turned toward him with an easy smile. "Come on, Beckman. He's a nice guy. I think he should be allowed to join the crew."
Beckman lowered his hand and looked at Giovanni steadily. "Life isn't so simple," he said. "Of course I can tell he's a good person. But I can't just accept him based on that alone."
He then shifted his gaze to Shanks.
"Shanks," Beckman said calmly, "tell me again how you and Building Snake here met."
Shanks' grin widened instantly, as if he'd been waiting for that exact question.
"Oh," he said cheerfully, "it's the funniest thing ever."