Shanks

The coasts of Elbaf loomed imposingly before the Red Force, a landscape of rugged cliffs and giant pine forests. The roar of the sea and the cawing of seagulls were the only sounds breaking the tranquility of the dawn.

On the ship's deck, Shanks' crew was unusually silent, each absorbed in reading the World Economy News that a messenger bird had dropped moments before.

"Imu?!" exclaimed Rockstar, his voice filled with incredulity. "A secret king ruling the world from the shadows? This is crazy!"

Benn Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke from his cigar, his face serious and thoughtful. "It's not crazy, boy. It's the truth that the World Government has been hiding for centuries."

Lucky Roux, the chubby cook, dropped his meat, his appetite suddenly disappearing. "And this Hashirama... the Ninja God of Wano? Has he come back from the dead? This is terrible for Luffy! If this guy finds out they defeated Kaido, he'll want to go after Luffy!"

Yasopp moved the newspaper away from his face, his eyes reflecting deep concern. "Not just Luffy... What about Usopp? If this Hashirama is as powerful as they say, the whole world could be in danger."

"This is exciting!" exclaimed Bonk Punch, the musician, with a grin from ear to ear. "Looks like a great battle is coming!"

"Not so fast, Bonk," said Building Snake, the navigator, his voice hissing. "Hashirama is a formidable enemy. We mustn't underestimate him. Luffy and Usopp could be in danger."

Howling Gab, the lion-like man, nodded. "Snake is right. If he managed to destroy Marineford, he must be incredibly powerful. And if he's after them..."

Shanks, who had remained silent until then, looked up from the newspaper, his face pale and a grimace of pain contorting his features. A sharp pain took hold of his head, an echo of a distant and terrifying memory.

"Hashirama...", murmured Shanks, his voice laden with an unknown weight and an ominous foreboding. "So he's back..."

The other crew members exchanged worried looks. They knew Shanks had a history with Hashirama, a story that went back to the God Valley incident.

"Luffy is no longer a child," said Shanks, his voice firm despite the pain. "He'll know what to do when the time comes. I trust him. And I'm sure Usopp will also rise to the challenge."

Although he reassured his crew, a shadow of doubt loomed over Shanks. Hashirama's resurrection was a bad omen, a reminder of a dark past that threatened to repeat itself.

---

The silence on the Thousand Sunny was palpable. Luffy, his eyes fixed on the newspaper, clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. "No... It can't be...", he murmured, shaking his head.

Nami, pale, brought her hands to her mouth. "Sabo... an assassin? It's impossible! He wouldn't do something like that!"

Zoro, frowning, struck the ship's railing in frustration. "Damn it! What the hell is going on?"

Sanji, with a cigarette trembling between his lips, lit a match, but the flame wavered and went out. "Merde... This can't be happening! Vivi... Sabo...!"

Chopper, hugging Usopp, sobbed uncontrollably. "I don't want to believe it! Sabo is good! He wouldn't kill anyone!"

Franky, with teary eyes, pounded his metal chest. "Super damn it! This is a nightmare! Wake up, Franky, wake up!"

Brook, with a somber expression on his skeletal face, played a melancholic tune on his violin. "Yohohoho... What sad news! The world is becoming darker and darker!"

Robin, watching her crewmates with concern, bit her lip. "It's hard to believe, but we must stay calm. There's something that doesn't add up in all this..."

Jinbe, with his arms crossed and his gaze lost on the horizon, spoke in a grave voice. "Whatever is happening, it seems this year's Levely was a very disastrous one."

Luffy, lifting his head with determination, raised his arms suddenly. "No matter what the newspapers say! I trust Sabo! And we're going to find Vivi, no matter what!"

Robin's voice, usually serene, cut through the tension in the air like a knife. "Wait a moment," she said, with a barely perceptible tremor in her tone. "You should read this before continuing to argue."

She pulled out a bundle of newspapers and handed them over. "Other important things are happening in the world, and Wano could be in grave danger."

Her words fell like a bomb. The crew, moments ago on the verge of a fight, fell silent. Expressions of disbelief were drawn on their faces.

"What? How is that possible?" exclaimed Nami, snatching one of the newspapers.

"But the Beasts Pirates were defeated! And the Marines fled!" protested Usopp, his eyes wide.

"Yamato is strong, she can protect Wano!" added Chopper, clinging to hope.

Robin slowly shook her head, her gaze filled with concern. "It's not that simple. Read the newspapers..."

One by one, the Straw Hats took the newspapers and began to read. As they progressed through the news, their faces hardened, their eyes widened, and their jaws tightened.

________

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