39 Approaching Contenders

Shanks Pov: 

I looked at kenny with a smile on my face before i sat down next to him as i asked

" Say, how do you think Levi will react to finding out you were the first to awaken haki?''

While they didn't show it, the twins could get competitive when it comes down to it.

They liked making bets so I was curious as to how he'll react to the news.

" He'll probably pout for while before he gets over it. It'lle probably motivate him to catch up tho."

" Heh ,I can honestly see him doing that, he'll probably try to train in secret too". He snorted at that as he said,

"He'lle probably regret that considering how exhausted he'lle be afterwards. Say, how're you gonna train me to master Tekkai ?" I stood up and walked to the kitchen to grab some rum. I said as i opened the door ,

''Nothing crazy,you'll just have to endure some punches from me while employing the technique"

" Oh come on captain, there has to be another way besides that, right?'

"Nope, now rest up, we'll resume our training tomorrow morning ,i'll cook up something." I heard him groan as he sat up on the wooden left side of the ship, looking at the ocean waves.

I walked into the kitchen as I said that. I opened the lower cabin as I took out the stove and prepared to cook the last bit of sea king meat left in the fridge.

  Kizaru's Pov:

I sighed as I watched the ocean waves continue to sway the ship from left to right. It's been about a day since i started to follow that new troublesome rookie. 

'' Honestly, why did Sengoku have to assign this task to me? Wouldn't it be easier to just have one of the admirals hunt anyways? Sigh, this is so troublesome, I should be relaxing right now, but a simple hunt like this just had to be derailed. All because of one freak of a teen. The next time we clash, I'll make sure to get some payback, even if I can't win in a one on one."

As I finished muttering to myself, I heard my den de mushi ringing. I sighed as I pulled it out of my pocket and accepted the call.

" Vice-admiral Kizaru speaking, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking today?" I heard a lazy voice speak on the other side as somebody answered in an inquiring tone,

" Arara, Kizaru-san, how've you been lately? I heard about the interruption,you okay?"

" Ohhhh, Kuzan, didn't expect you of all people to call me, but I'm doing just fine. By the way, are you part of the reinforcement Sengoku-san mentioned?" i answered in a playful tone

" Yeah, unfortunately. I was just relaxing after enduring one of Vice-admiral Garp's long training sessions. Then out of nowhere, Sengoku lands right in front of me , talking about backing you up to take down a rookie who could pose a risk to the current balance in the new world. "

" Oh , he said that. That's a surprise, I mean the rookie is dangerous for his age, but for Sengoku to say he could threaten the fragile balance of the new world is a surprise."

" Well, to be fair, he did say that you claimed that the rookie could use all advanced forms of the 3 types of haki. That's dangerous enough in my opinion. What seems to have sealed it for Sengoku-san is the fact that he used to be one of the two apprentices In Gold Roger's crew."

" Interesting, truly interesting. This certainly explains his knowledge and monstrous proficiency in haki. Now I can completely understand why he was worried. If he has more time to grow, there's no telling how strong he could become. It's almost guaranteed he will surpass the current yonko, no doubt about it. In fact, I would go as far as to say we could be looking at the next pirate king", i said a dangerous glint passed through my eyes. "Sigh, truly troublesome, how did a simple hunting mission turn into annihilating the potential next pirate king", I muttered to myself. I shifted my attention to the den den mushi as i heard Kuzan speak in a semi-serious tone,

" When you put it like that, Sengoku-san's worries make sense now. Seems like we'll have to go all out when we fight him.We'll have to make sure all the civilians are evacuated.'' 

" Yeah, otherwise ,there will be no survivors left. I assume you'll take care of the evacuation?''

" No.The world government has already sent the king of Rezden island an order to evacuate. After All,they can't have one of their allied kingdoms be wiped out, by a pirate no less." 

"True, so i can safely assume, we'll have to fight on the sea to minimize the damage done to the island?" I asked as I took a tea bag near me and put in the cup of hot water to make some tea.

"Yeah, Sengoku-san said I'll have to freeze as much of the water near the island to create a fighting space far enough from the kingdom." 

"Ah,so we'll be fighting on ice then. That's doable. By the way, who's the other vice-admiral with you?'' I asked as i finished mixing the sugar with the tea and took a sip.

" Oh that, it's Vice-admiral Garp''. 

" Pffffffft" , I spit out the tea, coughing a second later.

" *Cough* *Cough* *Cough*. Hhuu." I regained my bearings as I looked at the blue sky and sighed.

" Seems like Sengoku-san really wants to make sure the rookie doesn't reach his full potential''.

" You're telling me, it honestly feels like overkill at this point.But then again, better we hold nothing back, then have someone like him grow to the heights of the now deceased pirate king''.

" True to that. I was sure he was gonna send Sakazuki with you, but this just sealed the rookies fate if i'm being honest.''