On an island engulfed in flames, laughter echoed across the night sky.
"I heard Shirogai has already fought with the other Four Emperors?"
"He's unbelievable! Hahaha, Captain, are you planning to get beaten up by him again?"
"Hehe, Captain, do you want to offer yourself up as a sacrifice to Shirogai this time?"
The air was thick with the aroma of roasted meat. Laughter, singing, dancing, and the sound of cups clinking blended into the joyous chaos of the Red Hair Pirates' banquet.
"Hahaha, drink up! Don't mind those idiots, Shirogai!"
A man with three scars over his left eye, his flushed face glowing in the firelight, threw his only arm around Shirogai's shoulder and laughed loudly.
"How about it? Our crew's alcohol isn't bad, right? Even Hawkeye and Whitebeard praised it!"
A burly man in green clothes, chewing on a large piece of roasted meat, smirked and exposed his Captain's bluff.
"Pfft! Captain, stop bragging! Hawkeye said your booze was too bland!"
"That wild boar doesn't know what good alcohol tastes like! It's not bland at all!"
The red-haired man glared at him indignantly, his drunken face twisted with mock anger.
"Pfft, hahahaha!"
Benn Beckman, cigarette hanging from his lips, the cross-shaped scar on his forehead faintly visible in the firelight, chuckled as he tossed a cup of alcohol to his Captain.
"Captain, try the one Shirogai brought."
"Hmm? What's so special about it?"
Without a second thought, the red-haired man gulped it down in one go.
"..."
A second later, steam practically burst from his nostrils.
"Pfft!"
He doubled over, coughing and fanning his mouth. His face turned red as he wheezed, "It's so spicy! What the hell is this?!"
"Pfft, hahahahaha!"
"Captain, your face! You look hilarious!"
The entire crew roared with laughter, some pounding the ground as they wheezed.
They didn't care that this man was Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors feared across the seas.
"Heh, the Red Hair Pirates really know how to enjoy themselves," Shirogai said, smiling as he raised his glass. "Now I understand why Luffy loves holding banquets so much. This must be what he inherited."
"Shirogai! What kind of alcohol did you bring?!"
Shanks downed a bowl of water before turning to him with wide eyes.
"The one you just drank?" Shirogai asked with a teasing grin.
"That's raw shochu. You're supposed to mix it with other drinks first. If you drink it straight, it could ignite. I told Benn Beckman to handle it carefully—so why'd he hand it to you raw?"
Shanks froze. His eyes darted toward his snickering crewmates.
"You bastards! You gave me raw shochu just to mess with me?!"
"Captain, don't be mad! We just wanted to have a little fun!"
"You call this fun? Using your Captain for entertainment?! You're all dead!"
"Captain, wait! We still have a guest!"
"You remembered that now?! I'll teach you all a lesson!"
"Hahahahaha! Run! The Captain's gone berserk again!"
"Come back here!"
Their laughter and chaos filled the night, radiating a warmth that made Shirogai's lips curl into a nostalgic smile.
So this is the man who shaped Luffy's carefree spirit, he thought as he watched Shanks chase his men with Gryphon in hand.
Though all Four Emperors stood as equals, their crews couldn't be more different.
Big Mom's crew was filled with smiles that hid deceit and manipulation.
Kaido's Beasts Pirates ran like a military machine, bound by absolute obedience.
Whitebeard's ship was like a massive family—loose, but bound by loyalty stronger than steel.
But the Red Hair Pirates? They were different. They were pure adventurers, free and genuine, laughing without hierarchy or fear. Even the weakest among them could tease their Captain openly.
"I swear, these idiots! They tricked their own Captain!"
Panting, Shanks returned and dropped Gryphon beside him, leaning lazily against a stump. His face was flushed with drink as he turned to Shirogai.
"Shirogai, how's Luffy been lately?"
Shirogai smiled faintly. "Still eating everything he sees. If that's any sign, I'd say he's doing fine."
"Hahahaha, that's good to hear!"
Shanks laughed heartily, clearly seeing Shirogai as Luffy's trusted right hand.
"You're a good guy! Coming all the way here on behalf of your Captain—no wonder Luffy depends on you so much!"
Shirogai smiled. "Honestly, I didn't plan to come. I thought showing up might put you in a tough position."
"Hahahaha! Don't worry about that," Shanks said, waving him off. "No one here would dare lay a hand on you!"
Shirogai raised a brow, his grin sharp. "Including you?"
The laughter faded from Shanks's face. His smile softened into something more serious.
"Shirogai… you know something, don't you?"
"Just a little," Shirogai said quietly, taking a sip from his cup. "But I came anyway. I trust that the man Luffy admires would never harm me."
Shanks's grin slowly returned. "You're right. Even if someone ordered me to, I'd never raise a hand against you."
"That's good to know," Shirogai replied, finishing his drink in one go. "Otherwise, I'd have to worry about hurting you. Luffy wouldn't forgive me for that."
Shanks burst into uncontrollable laughter, wiping away tears.
"Hahahahaha! As expected of Luffy's Vice Captain! You've got guts, Shirogai!"
...
On the Red Hair Pirates' ship anchored nearby, a Den Den Mushi stared, its eyes narrowed.
After a long silence, a cold, irritated voice spoke through the line.
"What is Red Hair doing? Why hasn't he killed that man yet?"