23 Chapter 23

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"Shanks and his crew are not cowards, you despicable bandits, apologize right now!"

In the restaurant, Zyhark and a sleepy Aqua had just finished breakfast when Luffy's unmistakably loud voice came from the tavern diagonally across.

Following that, there was a commotion of overturning tables and chairs, along with the bandits' unbridled laughter.

'So, the original story happens today...'

Hearing the noise, Zyhark slowly put down his cup of soy milk he had finished drinking.

After mastering the basic Observation Haki and Armament Haki, the aura he exuded was much more stable and skilled than before.

Yesterday evening, unable to withstand Aqua's crying, Zyhark reluctantly took her to Makino's tavern for a drink, coincidentally learning from the proprietress Makino that the Red-Haired Pirates would complete their voyage and return to Windmill Village today.

It seemed she and Shanks were communicating via Den Den Mushi, indicating their relationship was quite special.

Therefore, guessing something would happen today, Zyhark woke up Aqua, who was drooling in her dream, early in the morning and silently waited in the store.

"Is that Luffy's voice? How did he get into an argument with the bandits?!"

Aqua, munching on deep-fried dough sticks half asleep, instantly perked up.

During their time together, as the Goddess of Water, she had already accepted Luffy, a small devotee with a rubber body, showing a hint of worry on her flawless face.

"Zyhark, should we go out and see? Those bandits don't seem like the type to forgive just because the other party is a child," Aqua stood up.

"Let's go, but remember not to act rashly. There's something I really want to find out."

Afraid that Aqua would impulsively mess things up, Zyhark seriously instructed, "Follow my lead."

To Zyhark, now proficient in both types of Haki and boosted by Aqua, the bandit leader was hardly a threat.

However, dealing with the well-equipped bandit group would still be challenging.

He wanted to see if the Red-Haired Pirates would indeed appear and if the original storyline would deviate. He also wanted to wait for the best moment to catch the leader alone, like a snake lurking in the shadows.

Indeed, he had been eyeing the leader's head all this time.

After all, this was no small matter worth just a couple of hundred thousand!

"Although I don't know what you're planning, don't worry, I always know my limits!" Aqua assured, her rare serious expression making her pause, then confidently patting her chest.

Ideally, it would be best to keep Aqua inside the restaurant, but considering her unparalleled ability to cause trouble, Zyhark hesitantly decided to bring her along.

Only by keeping her within his sight could he feel truly at ease.

Stepping out of the restaurant, they saw the bandit leader, wearing a reddish-brown coat, dragging the struggling Luffy out of Makino's tavern.

Surrounded by bandits, they moved to the open street.

The villagers, drawn by the commotion, stood far away in fear, watching anxiously.

"Damn it, I'm not afraid of you, let me go if you dare!"

Held mid-air, Luffy continuously swung his fists at the leader, but being just a weak child, his soft punches had no effect on the leader.

"His body can stretch like rubber, what a strange brat."

The leader looked disdainful, casually stretching Luffy's cheeks and limbs.

Perhaps annoyed by the ceaseless shouting, the bored leader forcefully squeezed Luffy's head and slammed him hard onto the ground!

Bang!

The dull sound tightened the villagers' fists, unable to stop themselves from clenching.

Knowing Luffy's rubber body wouldn't be harmed, Zyhark remained expressionless, while Aqua was furious, stomping her feet.

If not stopped by Zyhark, she would have already rushed forward with her divine fire punch!

"Please spare Luffy, he's just a child. If he has offended you in any way, I am willing to apologize on his behalf and offer compensation," pleaded the village chief, kneeling before the bandits, with Makino beside him, fists clenched, tears welling up in her worried eyes.

In front of these fierce bandits, all the powerless villagers could do was beg for mercy, foolishly betting on the bandits' momentary kindness in a world ruled by the Celestial Dragons.

"Village chief, you old fool, at least you know some manners."

"But unfortunately, this brat came running over, shouting and screaming, making me very uncomfortable."

The leader stepped on the struggling Luffy, drawing his long sword with a sinister look, "So, your apology is rejected!"

As the leader slowly raised his blade, Aqua was about to take action when a group of imposing figures suddenly appeared at the dusty street's end.

The person leading, wearing a straw hat and a black cloak, with three striking scars over his left eye, exuded an overwhelming presence.

It was Shanks, the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates!

The cold sea breeze blew, making the pirates' cloaks flutter loudly.

"Oh? Isn't this the pirate captain who was trembling in fear at the tavern?"

The leader recognized Shanks immediately, tilting his head with a mocking smile, "What, you haven't left the village yet? Have you grown fond of cleaning up trash?"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

The bandits laughed uproariously, not taking the seemingly cowardly and weak pirates seriously.

Facing the bandits' unabashed mockery, Shanks lowered his head silently, advancing towards Luffy and the leader.

Click.

As he passed a bandit, the sound of a gun being cocked was heard.

The cold, black muzzle was pressed against his forehead.

Shanks stopped, raising his head to reveal his scars, smiling at the gun pointed at him, "This thing isn't meant to scare people."

"Since guns are drawn, let's stake our lives!"

The bandit holding the gun was confused by this unexpected defiance: this seemingly cowardly man wasn't begging for mercy?

Bang!

Just as the bandit was puzzled, an unexpected gunshot broke the silence.

Amidst the rolling smoke, blood splattered as the Red-Haired Pirates' cook, Lucky Roo, appeared out of nowhere, meat leg in mouth, gun in hand, shooting the arrogant bandit dead on the spot!

Everyone, including Aqua next to Zyhark, was shocked by this sudden turn of events.

"Damn it! You despicable fellows, how dare you attack without a warning?!"

The bandits, regaining their senses, drew their swords, ready to fight.

"Despicable? Standing before you are not ordinary villagers who follow rules; we are pirates!"

Compared to the panicked bandits, the Red-Haired Pirates were much calmer.

"Listen up, bandits, whether you hit me with a bottle or spit on me, I can laugh it off, but..."

Shanks continued forward, his gaze on the leader calm yet his aura as sharp as a sword's edge.

"I will never forgive those who dare to harm my friends!"

Hearing this, the young Luffy, pinned under the leader's foot, had his pupils shake with shock, vaguely understanding something profound.

"Shanks..."

(End of Chapter)