The New World — on a remote, uninhabited island.
A massive crimson ship was anchored near the shore, its flag fluttering proudly in the wind. And standing on its deck was someone Malverick knew very well—
Red-Haired Shanks.
At this moment, Shanks was sitting by the beach, the latest issue of the newspaper spread open in his hands.
The headline was blazing across the front page— "Slave Prison Destroyed! Unknown Power Shakes the Navy!"
"Ha! Hahahahaha! Hahahahahaha!"
Shanks suddenly burst into roaring laughter, clapping his hands as he leaned back.
That's right — this was still the two-armed Shanks, long before that certain fateful encounter in the East Blue.
Hearing their captain's laughter, the Red-Haired Pirates quickly gathered around, curious about what had him so amused.
They had been through quite a rough stretch lately, navigating dangerous seas for days without rest. Only after making landfall here had they finally taken a breather—and now the paper had delivered some very interesting news.
"Wait, this is real? All that happened just recently?!" one crewmember exclaimed.
The destruction of the slave prison had sent shockwaves through the entire world. Even the Red-Haired Pirates were dumbfounded.
Shanks smiled, his eyes softening with nostalgia.
"So, it was Rayleigh's son, huh…"
"Malverick…" he murmured, gazing out toward the endless horizon. "Kinda makes me miss those days."
Then he stood up, voice booming with excitement.
"Alright, boys! Bring out the good booze! We're celebrating tonight! Drink 'til you drop!"
A thunderous cheer rose from the crew. Shanks was in high spirits — and deep down, he knew.
It wouldn't be long before Malverick entered the New World.
And when he did… there was a good chance they'd face off one day.
He grinned.
"That'll be something worth looking forward to."
As he thought that, another name popped into his mind.
Buggy.
He hadn't seen him since they parted ways at Loguetown. Word was that Buggy had started his own crew in the East Blue but hadn't yet dared to venture into the Grand Line.
"Haah… Buggy," Shanks chuckled softly. "Wonder when the three of us will finally sit down and share a drink again."
But the Red-Haired Pirates weren't the only ones shaken by the news.
Far across the seas, aboard the world's largest pirate ship — one of the New World's Four Emperors was also reacting to the same headline.
The Whitebeard Pirates.
Their captain, Edward Newgate — Whitebeard, the man who once rivaled the Pirate King himself, Roger.
"Gurarararara!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, lifting his enormous sake bowl and gulping down a mouthful.
"Rayleigh, you old fox… didn't expect your kid to be such a wild one!"
As he spoke, flashes of the past flickered in his mind — a red-haired brat and a snot-nosed clown, both shouting about taking his head… and standing behind them, an even smaller boy watching with wide eyes.
Whitebeard laughed again, shaking his head at the memory. Then he poured himself another drink.
"The seas are getting livelier by the day. Little brat…" he grinned, raising his cup toward the horizon. "I'll be waiting to meet you."
While Whitebeard was in good spirits, not everyone was taking the news so well.
On a dark corner of the same ship's deck, a man sat alone, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared at the crumpled newspaper in his hands.
Marshall D. Teach — Blackbeard.
"Damn it… damn it… damn it!!"
With a snarl, he tore the paper into shreds, the veins in his neck bulging.
"Why?! Why did he get the Yami Yami no Mi?! Why wasn't it me?!"
Teach was the very definition of a schemer — a man whose ambition knew no bounds.
He had waited years — decades, even — for a single opportunity. He had begged Whitebeard to take him in, all just to one day seize that fabled fruit.
He had studied the Encyclopedia of Devil Fruits cover to cover and set his sights on only one: the Dark-Dark Fruit.
But now… someone else had eaten it.
And not just anyone — Malverick, a man already terrifyingly powerful.
That jealousy, that burning envy — it twisted Blackbeard's face into a monstrous snarl.
"That should've been mine!" he hissed through his teeth. "I'll kill you, Malverick… no matter what it takes… the Dark-Dark Fruit will be mine!"
His laughter turned into a low, mad growl as the shredded paper scattered across the deck.
Meanwhile, far away—
Thousand Peaks Island, the place Rayleigh had agreed to meet Shakky.
The uninhabited island was covered in jagged mountain ridges, far from the Sabaody Archipelago.
At dawn, Malverick arrived with Rayleigh — and soon after, they met up with Shakky and Hancock's group.
When Hancock spotted him, she didn't hesitate — she sprinted forward and leapt straight into his arms.
Malverick caught her, sighing softly.
He had planned to leave immediately for the North Blue on his own.
But since Rayleigh needed to be dropped off first, he'd made a small detour.
"Alright, alright, down you go," he said, patting her gently on the back until she loosened her grip around his waist.
After calming Hancock down a bit, Malverick released Susanoo and Xiaobi from his storage.
"These two are my subordinates—Susanoo and Xiaobi."
Their performances in the battle against Garp had been outstanding, something even Rayleigh couldn't ignore.
Rayleigh still thought they were just prisoners Malverick had freed from Impel Down.
"Susanoo, start cooking."
"Yes, Master!"
Aside from his combat power, Susanoo was a culinary master who had mastered over a thousand recipes.
Under the stunned gazes of Rayleigh, Shakky, and Granny Gloriosa, Susanoo moved with lightning speed — and in no time, an entire feast was laid out before them.
Rayleigh: "…"
Shakky: "…"
Granny Gloriosa: "…"
That fast?!
After everyone had eaten their fill, Malverick began preparing to depart.
"Be careful out there," Rayleigh said solemnly. "The North Blue may not have many powerhouses, but you can never be too cautious."
With Malverick's current strength, he could probably walk sideways through the entire sea without fear — but still, Rayleigh worried.
If Garp somehow pursued him all the way there, things could get dangerous.
"Relax, I know," Malverick smiled.
Then he turned toward Hancock.
Rayleigh and Shakky took the hint and quietly led the others away, leaving the two of them alone.
"This time I really have to go," Malverick said softly. "Don't miss me too much, alright?"
He remembered — the "love sickness" that plagued every generation of Amazon Lily's empresses.
Shakky and even Granny Gloriosa had both suffered from it once.
"But… but I'll miss you, Malverick!" Hancock said, eyes shimmering with tears.
Malverick sighed inwardly. He had already prepared for this.
"System, exchange for two smartphones — with global signal, video calls, and solar charging."
[Ding! Two smartphones acquired. Capable of video calls anywhere in the world. Five-minute charge provides two hours of call time. Solar charging supported.]
[Cost: 1,000 Supreme Points deducted.]
"Fine, fine… just take it. Not like I've got much left anyway."
He had originally accumulated 3,200 points.
After buying Hancock a storage ring (1,000 points), and now these phones (another 1,000), his balance had dropped again.
Painful.
Two sleek smartphones materialized in his hands.
"Here, take this. I'll show you how it works."
Ten minutes later, Hancock had learned how to use it and stored it safely in her ring.
After one long, lingering kiss, Malverick finally turned to leave.
But he hadn't even flown far before his phone started vibrating.
He answered—
Hancock's beautiful face filled the screen, her voice soft and sweet.
"Malverick… I already miss you."
Malverick: "…"
~~--------------------------
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