"Great! Then I'll use my future treasure to pay the bill!"
Luffy said this with a proud grin, his small chest puffed out as he sat at the table.
Shanks burst into laughter. "You're lying, kid. What treasure?"
"That's nonsense!" Luffy protested, slamming his spoon and fork against the table. "When I become a pirate, I'll find tons of treasure! Then I'll pay everything back properly!"
Makino smiled warmly as she set down another plate. "I'll be looking forward to that."
"Hehehe!" Luffy rubbed his hands together, eyes glued to the food.
Mid‑meal, Luffy suddenly turned his head.
"Shanks."
"Hm?" Shanks replied lazily while eating.
"How long are you staying in this town?" Luffy asked seriously.
Shanks paused for a moment. "This place has been our base for over a year now. After two or three more voyages… we'll probably head further north."
Luffy froze.
"…Two or three more voyages," he repeated softly, chewing slowly.
Then—
"I'll learn how to swim before you leave!" Luffy shouted, slamming his fist on the table.
Shanks laughed. "That's the spirit."
BOOM.
The tavern door slammed open.
A man walked in arrogantly, flanked by several rough‑looking thugs. The room fell silent.
"Hehehe… so this is what pirates look like?" the man sneered. "You look stupid."
"We're bandits," he continued loudly. "We're not here to rob anyone today. Bring us ten barrels of wine."
Makino stiffened. "I'm very sorry… all the alcohol is sold out today."
"What?" the bandit scoffed. "So what do pirates drink—water?"
"All the drinks we have are already on the tables," Makino said nervously.
"Oh?" Shanks stood up with a relaxed smile, holding a bottle. "Sorry about that. This one's unopened—please take it."
CRASH.
The bandit smashed the bottle out of Shanks' hand.
Wine splashed across the floor.
Luffy jumped down from his chair in shock, the half‑eaten fruit in his hand forgotten.
For a few seconds—
Silence.
"Don't underestimate me, pirate," the bandit growled. "That little bottle isn't even enough to wet my throat."
Shanks glanced down at the mess. "Ah… the floor's wet."
The bandit snarled and held up a bounty poster.
"Take a good look. My head's worth eight million. I've killed fifty‑six fools like you. Remember that if you want to live."
Shanks didn't even look at him.
He crouched down calmly. "Makino, do you have a cloth?"
"I—I can clean it!" Makino said quickly.
Angered by being ignored, the bandit swept mugs off the counter.
"You like cleaning so much? Then clean this too! Cowards!"
The bandits left laughing.
The door slammed shut.
"…Sigh," Shanks said quietly.
Then—
"Hahahaha!"
The Red‑Hair Pirates burst into laughter.
"Boss, you got bullied badly!""That was pathetic!""Hahaha!"
Shanks took off his straw hat and laughed along with them.
Luffy clenched his fists.
"You're disgusting!" he shouted. "Why didn't you fight back?! You call yourselves pirates?!"
Shanks looked at him calmly. "Getting angry over spilled wine isn't worth it."
"I don't want to see you!" Luffy yelled, turning away.
"Wait—Luffy," Shanks said, grabbing his arm.
Everyone froze.
Luffy's arm stretched.
"…It's stretching," Shanks whispered.
"What—?!" Luffy screamed.
"THE FRUIT!" Lucky Roux shouted. "The Devil Fruit is gone!"
Shanks' face turned pale.
"Luffy," he said sharply. "Did you eat a strange fruit?"
"…I thought it was dessert," Luffy said weakly.
Shanks grabbed his face in panic. "You idiot! That was the Rubber Fruit—a Devil Fruit!"
"…Devil… Fruit?"
"You'll never be able to swim again!"
Luffy froze.
Then ran.
Luffy sat on the dock, staring at the sea.
"If I can't swim… I can't be a pirate…"
Shanks sat beside him and gently ruffled his hair.
"I'm sorry for yelling," Shanks said softly.
"…Can I still be a pirate?" Luffy whispered.
"Of course," Shanks smiled. "The sea welcomes everyone."
"…Really?"
"Really."
Luffy smiled through tears.
Elsewhere — Gray Terminal
Ace, Sabo, and Lucas crouched behind a rock, eyes sharp.
"Targets coming," Ace muttered.
Lucas tightened his grip.Sabo smiled faintly.
Their paths were moving forward—
Together.