Chapter 239: Kuraigana Island: Red-Haired Shanks' Suspicion

Takumi was about to walk past Shanks without saying anything, but suddenly, Shanks reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.

Takumi shot him a speechless glance.

With a slight smile, Shanks asked, "This island is nothing but ruins and some baboons in the forest. You've already had your duel with Mihawk, so there's probably nothing else keeping you here, right? So, when are you planning to leave?"

"Is that any of your business?" Takumi replied with a faint smile.

"Hahaha! Still sharp-tongued, as always," Shanks laughed heartily. "Alright, then let me ask you one last question."

He paused for a moment, his expression suddenly turning serious as he asked, "Have you ever considered me a friend?"

Takumi raised an eyebrow, confused. Why was this guy suddenly asking such a strange question?

Without thinking too much, Takumi answered directly, "I guess."

Though Shanks could be annoying at times, he was the first person Takumi had met when he arrived in this pirate world, and they'd spent quite a bit of time together.

Despite Shanks' goofy, unreliable demeanor, he was dependable in critical moments.

And, most importantly, drinking with Shanks was always a good time.

So, all things considered, Takumi did see Shanks as a decent drinking buddy (laughs).

"Couldn't you drop the 'I guess'?" Shanks laughed, releasing his grip on Takumi's arm. "So, what are you going to do next? Don't tell me you're heading off to sleep. You just woke up a few hours ago."

"I'm just going for a walk, clearing my head."

"Pfft, you sure are something," Shanks chuckled. "You know, we've never actually had a proper duel. Who knows when we'll meet again? How about taking this chance to spar with me? Don't worry, I'll go easy on you, hahaha."

Takumi rejected the offer outright, "No."

"Wait, you dueled Mihawk, but you won't fight me? How is that fair?" Shanks protested.

Takumi couldn't be bothered to reply and simply walked away.

If it hadn't been for the system's mission, he wouldn't have bothered challenging Mihawk in the first place.

He could have been relaxing, sipping some sake, reading a book, or going fishing instead.

"Geez, what's with this kid's strange attitude? He doesn't give me any face..." Shanks muttered, shaking his head as he watched Takumi head out through the castle gates.

"Captain, you've been rejected again. That's kinda embarrassing," Lucky Roux teased as he chewed on a piece of meat, grinning.

Shanks shrugged. "Whatever. Lucky, make sure the drunk guys are taken care of. I'm gonna go check on Mihawk."

"Got it, go ahead," Lucky Roux replied cheerfully.

Shanks stood up and, trusting Lucky to handle things, made his way to Mihawk's room.

When he arrived, Beckman and the ship's doctor were just leaving the room.

"How is he?" Shanks asked.

Beckman responded, "We've treated him. He just needs some time to rest and heal."

"Good," Shanks nodded. "Go help Lucky look after the rest of the crew in the hall."

Beckman nodded and led the doctor back toward the main hall.

Shanks didn't linger at the door. He walked into Mihawk's room, and upon seeing the swordsman wrapped in bandages, couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You look ridiculous."

Mihawk shot him a deadpan glare.

Without hesitation, Shanks strolled over and plopped down on the couch across from Mihawk, grinning as he rubbed salt in the wound, "I never thought I'd see the day when the world's greatest swordsman got beaten up by a fifteen-year-old. If word got out, your fans might start hunting Takumi down for revenge."

"My match with that brat wasn't a fight," Mihawk said flatly. "I don't recognize it as a proper battle."

"Pfft, whether you recognize it or not, you still lost," Shanks teased. "You accepted Takumi's challenge, and no matter how he won, a win is a win, and a loss is a loss. I didn't think you were someone who couldn't handle defeat."

"Not recognizing the match doesn't mean I deny the loss," Mihawk replied, his tone still calm. "That brat is growing fast. One day, when he reaches his full potential, I'll take back the victory he owes me."

Shanks raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? Looks like the world's greatest swordsman has found himself a new target."

Mihawk's eyes narrowed sharply. "His abilities are strange."

"I know," Shanks replied.

"When I conceded the fight, his swordsmanship improved."

"Huh?" Shanks cocked an eyebrow. "Just like that? You surrendered, and he instantly got better at swordsmanship?"

Mihawk nodded. "That's right. As absurd as it sounds, I think his strange abilities are tied to his sudden improvement."

Shanks rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment before glancing back at Mihawk. "And what level is his swordsmanship at now?"

After a brief calculation, Mihawk answered, "It's on par with where I was five years ago."

Shanks' eyes widened in surprise. "So, Takumi's swordsmanship at fifteen is on the same level as you were at thirty-one?"

Mihawk nodded again. "I could feel it from the aura his improved swordsmanship gave off."

Hearing that, Shanks was reminded of something similar that had happened back in Alabasta.

At that time, Takumi had inexplicably improved his swordsmanship as well, and as a result, Shanks had taken additional damage from his already painful injury caused by Akainu.

"That kid has too many secrets," Shanks mused aloud, suddenly considering a wild idea. "Even a prodigy wouldn't be able to boost their abilities like that in an instant, more than once. Could Takumi be... some kind of modified human?"

Mihawk shook his head. "I doubt it. I asked him if he'd ever been injured before, and he said yes. No one can lie to me. He was telling the truth."

"Well, if you're saying that, I guess I'm wrong," Shanks said, laughing it off. "Haha! That kid really is something special. It's a shame he won't join my crew."

Mihawk had no interest in continuing the conversation. "I need to rest. Get out."

"You really know how to treat an old friend, huh?" Shanks said with a grin. "Oh, and one more thing."

Mihawk sighed, annoyed. "What now?"

"Well, since you're here all alone, and we're such good pals, why don't you join my crew? That way, we can spar whenever we want. Otherwise, I'll have to hunt you down across the seas whenever I'm itching for a match."

"No," Mihawk rejected the offer without hesitation.

"This island must be cursed," Shanks muttered, scratching his head. "Ever since I set foot on this place, both you and Takumi have been turning me down left and right. I'm starting to think you two planned this to mess with me."

Mihawk: "..."

Shanks waved dismissively. "Alright, fine, I'll let it go. Oh, one last thing—are there any wild Transponder Snails on Kuraigana Island?"

Mihawk shot him a questioning look but didn't press for details. "There's some in the southwestern forest."

"Thanks, I owe you. See you later," Shanks said with a grin as he waved and left Mihawk's room.