The New World.
To this day, the Government still had not released the news of Alucard's departure for the East Blue. Aside from fearing unnecessary panic, it was also to maintain control over the situation within a manageable scope.
During this time, the Red-Haired Pirates had declared war on the Beasts Pirates, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that, as many of the Red-Haired Pirates crew members had suggested before, when Shanks first entered the New World and was preparing to visit the Yonko one by one, Big Mom and Whitebeard were relatively unbothered, but Alucard and Kaido were provoked.
Shanks defeated Jack the Drought, one of Kaido's Three Calamities, while Alucard used the combined power of the Black Light Virus-infected beasts researched by Dr. Indigo and the power of the Sea God Poseidon, Shirahoshi, to inflict heavy damage on the Red-Haired Pirates, costing them a quarter of their forces.
The Red-Haired Pirates had formed a deep grudge with both the Immortal Pirates and the Beasts Pirates. If Shanks was going to challenge anyone, it would inevitably be these two.
However, Shanks was not confident enough to clash with Alucard right now, so, at Ben Beckman's suggestion, he temporarily took over a territory under Kaido.
The priority was to establish their own base first.
After a grueling half-month of fierce siege and defense, Shanks and his crew finally managed to bite off a piece of Kaido's territory, specifically, they seized a rich island.
Kaido couldn't defeat Shanks in a short time, and after some consideration, he temporarily relinquished the small island, but this was only temporary.
How could a freak like him, who always sought revenge (or created trouble when there was none), tolerate that boy Shanks taking a leak on his territory? Given the slightest opportunity, he would launch a massive attack, not only to reclaim the territory but also to shred Shanks to pieces!
At this moment, the twilight sun had just set, and the moon was halfway up, marking the full arrival of night.
The Red-Haired Pirates were celebrating with song and dance, throwing a grand banquet. A group of people, led by Lucky Roux, had their arms around each other's shoulders, dancing a strange jig around the bonfire.
"Dahahaha!"
Shanks laughed heartily and downed nearly another liter of sake. Today was a day worth celebrating: the Red-Haired Pirates had finally hoisted their flag in the New World.
Furthermore, they had taken the land from the hands of the Beasts Pirates. Wasn't that reason enough to be happy?
"Shanks, you all shouldn't drink so much. If Kaido decides to launch a sneak attack right now, look at the state of all of you. Can you defend yourselves?"
Ben Beckman sat on a rock nearby, smoking a cigarette. He hadn't drunk much. As he said, if Kaido attacked now, how could a bunch of drunkards fight back?
"Dahahahaha! Beckman, you're no fun!"
Shanks laughed and waved his hand. "Not a chance with that brain of Kaido's. Impossible, impossible."
Thinking of Kaido's muscle-filled brain, Beckman's mouth also curved upward, but he still refused to drink. Even if the possibility was one in ten thousand, he had to ensure their safety. What choice did he have when he followed a Captain like this?
Pere pere pere pere pere~
Hearing the sound of a Den Den Mushi, Shanks's drunkenness cleared slightly. He turned his head and asked, "Huh? Where is that Den Den Mushi sound coming from?"
Soon, a junior member of the Red-Haired Pirates with two scars on his face ran over with a Den Den Mushi. "Boss, this... this Den Den Mushi has been ringing in your room. I... we just brought it out."
"..."
Shanks picked up the receiver. As the Den Den Mushi opened its eyes, it immediately took on a tearful face. A woman's voice came through. "W-wuwuwu~ Shanks, where are you right now?"
It took Shanks a moment to register the voice. He stammered, "You... is, is that Makino?"
The Red-Haired Pirates crew members who had been dancing and drinking involuntarily stopped what they were doing and focused their attention.
If Shanks's drunkenness had only cleared a little earlier, he was now mostly sober.
Shanks had indeed left a Den Den Mushi with Makino two years ago, but she had never called. Her sudden tearful call today must mean something serious had happened.
"Actually, it's..."
Makino briefly explained the entire sequence of events to Shanks.
After understanding the situation, Shanks was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Don't worry, Makino, I'll find a way."
"O-okay... Please do," Makino replied, sobbing, and then hung up the phone.
Lucky Roux lost the appetite for his drumstick. He walked over and said, "Man... why would Alucard go after Luffy?"
"Who knows? I can't think of a reason. Those two have absolutely no connection, right?" Shanks scratched his hair furiously, nearly going crazy with anxiety.
"That's right, Beckman, do you have any idea?" Shanks turned to his First Mate. "An idea... You mean to save Luffy?" Beckman said, chewing on a toothpick.
"Of course! Are we supposed to just let him die?" Shanks replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
The other members of the Red-Haired Pirates shared Shanks's sentiment. Although some of the newer pirates didn't know Luffy, among the veteran executives, Luffy was very well known.
"Of course, I want to save him, but we are deep in the New World. Even if we attempt to force our way through the Calm Belt, it would take at least two months to get back. There's no time."
Beckman lit a cigarette. "That said, I also completely fail to understand why Alucard is looking for Luffy..."
Midway through smoking his cigarette, Beckman suddenly said, "Perhaps there is one way that might work."
"Then what are you waiting for? Say it!" Shanks pressed impatiently.
"But this method could lead to the possible complete annihilation of our crew. Are you really willing to do it?" Beckman's expression was more serious than ever before.
In an instant, the entire atmosphere fell into a deathly silence.
Are they really willing to risk everything they have now for one boy, Luffy?