Shanks hopes fervently that the sea can maintain its peace.
It's not because he likes meddling, but because he once followed the footsteps of Pirate King Roger, always believing in the old idea: Before the Grand Treasure of Laugh Tale truly comes to the world, plunging it into war is a destruction on the world.
In the past, Shanks searched for a Freedom Fighter who could rise to the top as Pirate King and liberate the world until he found Monkey D. Luffy over a decade ago, instilling in the young Luffy the will of freedom and entrusting his own arm to Luffy's future;
Since that time, Shanks began waiting, while also striving to maintain the balance of the world's situation, leading the Red Hair Pirates to roam the seas, doing everything possible to prevent major events that could spark wars.
The situation in the New World has been relatively stable.
The only recent trouble is the betrayal of Blackbeard Teach from the Whitebeard Pirates, which might give Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, a reason to move.
Shanks has always worried about Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, who was nearing the end of his life, the old man who greatly valued the juniors on his ship. He might exhaust his remaining life to launch a massive century war to ensure the future peace for the successors of the Whitebeard Pirates.
This is also Shanks' constant concern.
Shanks has always wanted to take time to discuss this with the Whitebeard Pirates.
However, a bigger problem arose on the sea, with a Konoha Pirates emerging in the First Half of the Grand Line, creating a crisis hundreds of times more dangerous than Edward Newgate, Whitebeard.
The Konoha Pirates caused a historical event in Alabasta, wiping the World Government's reputation; then directly breached Mary Geoise, almost erasing the deterrence of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons; followed by the Heavenly Celestial Dragon's hunting game and slave auction, basically simmering the sea's situation into boiling water...
In order to avoid excessive chaos in the world before arriving at Laugh Tale, Shanks only hopes his slight reputation and fighting power could restrain the other side from going overboard...
To be honest...
Before coming to Sky Island, Shanks thought through his strategy.
If the Konoha Pirates were willing to heed his proposal to try and avoid stirring up further major events at sea, he might even consider persuading the Five Elders to make concessions to the Konoha Pirates;
If the Konoha Pirates refuse his proposal and insist on causing chaos in the sea at a time where war should not be incited, Shanks could not help but recall the Valley of the Gods years ago, where he might have to join forces with the World Government and the Navy to eliminate the Konoha Pirates...
Just like during the Valley of the Gods incident years ago when Pirate King Roger joined the Navy to eliminate the then-dreadful Rocks Pirates, it was only the Navy and World Government's news blackout that made people think Vice Admiral Garp did it alone...
Now...
It's like the cycle of many years ago.
Shanks' hand tightly held his Western Sword Gryphon, as he awaited the Konoha Pirates' response, hoping the incident at the Valley of the Gods would not repeat itself on Sky Island.
After all...
The opponent is an exceptionally powerful pirate crew.
Even Shanks has to admire their rise in momentum.
"I admire your strength greatly."
Shanks looked up at the Golden Ark in the sky, softly continuing to persuade: "But now is not the time to ignite greater chaos at sea..."
"What does this have to do with us?"
A mechanical voice echoed on Sky Island, seemingly indifferent to the lives of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons: "We are just killing a bunch of Heavenly Celestial Dragons, and the Heavenly Celestial Dragons on this Sky Island as the prey have no objections, Red-haired Shanks, what do you mean by jumping out here?"
"Stop speaking such blatant lies..."
Shanks felt at a loss for words, his eye twitched. The Heavenly Celestial Dragons on this Sky Island were once almighty gods and have now become prey for others to hunt; how could they have no objections!
"..."
The Vice Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Ben Beckman, felt a little troubled, faintly sensing that their captain might have fallen into someone else's trap, hurriedly stepping forward to remind Shanks.
"Hey, Shanks!"
"Stop talking useless nonsense. Even if they are unreasonable, talking more sense won't help; there are things everybody tacitly understands..."
The most important part is...
The Konoha Pirates have taken the side of the world's majority!
Even if the Konoha Pirates seemed indifferent to the world's peace situation, the world that has suffered from the brutal rule of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons would surely stand with the Konoha Pirates...
Ben Beckman believes in the decision of his partner Red-haired Shanks, yet he cannot deny that their action this time is standing on the opposing side of the world, the more they say, the more wrong they get...
"Now..."
Ben Beckman looked up at the Golden Ark in the sky, lighting a cigarette: "What you need is an answer, and the process of obtaining it must be abbreviated..."
"Got it."
Shanks patted his head, quickly realizing the issue, his eyes became extraordinarily resolute, speaking in a heavy voice: "I want to prevent more chaos, avoiding the situation from worsening to a point beyond repair..."