Chapter 52

[The Azure Demon Pirates destroyed a Buster Call!]

I smiled.

'This is a big slap in the face for that Celestial Bastard and the Navy.'

I looked through the bounty posters, but we didn't get any new ones.

"What is making you smile so much?" asked Sabo

I threw him the newspaper. He started reading it.

"Hahaha, the World Government is going to pissed! Hahahaha!"

Urouge and Van Augur looked over Sabo's shoulder. They had surprised looks on their faces.

"I don't know what a buster call is, but it sounds impressive." said Urouge

"It is impressive. It's normally sent to destroy entire islands." said Van Augur

"Wow! You guys are something else."

"It was all Ken's doing anyway." said Ace

"I couldn't have done it without Robert."

After Mikita fed the bird, it flew away.

"Captain, there is a marine ship coming our way!" said Laffitte

We looked at the marine ship, and it suddenly turned around and sailed away at max speed.

"Hahaha, Captains presence scared them away." said Laffitte

"If someone is going to scare them away, it's you, Laffitte."

"Hahaha, I don't understand why you would say that."

"Haha, well, enough playing around. Get us to Water 7."

"Right away, Captain!"

The ship started sailing toward Water 7.

'I can't wait to meet those two big guys again. And also to get a shipwright. I'm sure that there are a hundred spies hiding there, just waiting for me to come there. They must have been spying on Brogy and Dorry the whole time. And know that that navy ship has spotted us, they know that we are coming.'

[2 days later]

"Captain! There is a pirate ship heading our way!" screamed Robert

I looked at where Robert was pointing.

'Isn't that!'

"Pull up the sails and stop next to them!"

"Who are they?" asked Ace

"Do you remember that guy, Luffy couldn't stop talking about?"

"Is that Shanks ship!?" asked Sabo

I nodded.

Shanks crew also pulled up the sails. We stopped next to each other.

I stood on the railing of my ship.

"Yo, Shanks. Long time no see."

"Good to see you again, Ken. The last time we met, we didn't get a chance to talk."

"Hahaha, yeah. I was kinda in a hurry."

"Hahaha, it's all good."

"So, what are you doing in Paradise?"

"We're just here on some business."

"Oh yeah, congratulations on becoming a Yonko."

"Hahaha, thank you."

I could feel everyone except Ace and Sabo, becoming tense.

I looked back at them.

"Calm down, guys. Shanks is my little brother's friend. He won't hurt you guys. Right, Shanks?"

He smiled at us.

"Of course not."

"Ey Shanks, how about you guys come over to our ship and celebrate you becoming a Yonko."

"I can't say no to a party!"

"YEAH!"

Everyone started cheering.

We started partying. It was 10 am when we started, and it's 3 am now. Everyone passed out drunk except Shanks and I.

We were sitting on the railing with Sake in our hands.

"It's impressive what you have done in such a short amount of time. Including the crewmates you have gathered." said Shanks

"It's nothing compared to your crew. At least not yet."

"Are you challenging me?"

"No, defeating you is Luffy's goal, not mine."

"Isn't your dream to also become the Pirate King? If you want to achieve that goal, you'll have to beat me and my crew."

I smiled.

"Who cares about a stupid title or position. I just want to live a life of freedom with my family."

"But going against the World Government isn't the best way to get to freedom. I heard that you wanted to become a marine. Why did you change your mind?"

I took a big gulp of Sake.

"I just went with Garp to become stronger. But I have to say, I almost changed my mind and decided to stay. I wanted to work my way up so that I could have no one boss me around."

"What changed your mind?"

"Do you really have to ask? There is no way that there wouldn't be someone above me in the end. And I don't like the bastards that are at the top."

He took a big gulp of his Sake.

"Let's talk about something less depressing. How is Luffy doing?"

'Is there a reason that he changed the subject?'

"That little brat is as good as ever. But now that I pissed off Garp, he's been using Luffy as a punching bag."

I have the number of Dadan, the Mayor, and Makino. So Ace, Sabo, and I are able to talk to Luffy whenever we want.

"Hahaha, poor Luffy." said Shanks

He looked out onto the sea.

"This is such a big world with many opportunities and dangers. You could die at any moment, and it would be your own fault. The only thing that counts in this world is strength. Strength is something everyone wants, but not everyone wants to work for it." said Shanks

"What are you getting at?"

*WOOSH*

He suddenly aimed his sword at my neck.

*WOOSH* x10

My crew appeared around him, ready to attack.

"Calm down, guys. There is nothing going on."

They didn't back down till Shanks put his sword back.

"I don't know what you're planning, but I know that there is a high chance of you dying."

"Hahaha!"

I stood up.

And looked him in the eyes.

"If I'm not ready to risk my life for my dream, then I would never be able to achieve it. I started this journey knowing full well that I have a high chance of dying."

"But is your crew also ready to sacrifice their life for your dreams?"

"Uh, they…"

I didn't know what to say.

"I don't know about the rest, but I have no problem with laying down my life for the people I care about. Ken is the reason I came this far, so I will follow him to hell and beyond. We are brothers after all." said Sabo

"Well said, Sabo. Something like death is to be expected when you travel through the sea. I followed Ken, knowing full well what I'm going to get myself involved with. He has always been an ambitious guy." said Ace

"Don't underestimate our resolve for our Captain. Everyone one of us would follow him to battle, even if it's a lost cause. Even Urouge and Van Auger, who joined us a week ago, are already loyal to the Captain." said Laffitte

I quickly wiped away a tear.

"Did you hear that, Shanks? This is the family I want to achieve my dream with."

"Hahaha, I underestimated you guys. I'm sorry for doubting you."

He stood up.

Arms suddenly sprouted from his body and bound him.

"Uh Ken, what's going on?"

Zala aimed her finger at Shanks's throat, and she used her Devil Fruit to turn her finger into a spike and held it against his throat.

"Ey, calm down. He was just trying to teach me something. There is no need to go so far."

"Stand back, Ken. We need to make an example out of him." said Deuce

Shanks crew woke up, and they almost couldn't hold in their laugh.

"Ey guys, why don't you guys stand up for me like Ken's crew. Help me out, please!"

"Sorry, Captain, We're still drunk. We wouldn't be able to fight like this." said Lucky Roux

"Please help!" screamed Shanks

*BAM*

*BAM*

*BAM*

My crew started beating him up. I was drinking some Sake with Shanks's crew and enjoying the show.

"Hahaha, you have an awesome crew." said Lucky Roux

"I do take pride in being their Captain."

We kept watching the show until everyone got tired and fell asleep.

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[It's just comedy. There is no way that they could actually beat Shanks.]

(Damn, I'm excited to write the Marineford Arc. And don't worry. I won't use any BS to make it happen.)

One Piece Quotes:

"Listen carefully, Usopp. For Nami's sake, you can be sacrificed if necessary."

― Sanji

"If There Are More People Stronger Out There On The Ocean.... I Need To Get Stronger ….. To Protect My Namaka.....Who I Want To Be With! If I Don't Get Stronger Than Everyone, I Will Lose Them All."

― Monkey D. Luffy

"I Decided To Be Pirate King. I Don't Care If I Die For It."

― Monkey D. Luffy