A/N: I've noticed that this fanfic does not get as many comments and reviews as my other fanfics. So if engagement does not improve, I might actually drop it âđ
And regarding the 1167 spoilers where Shanks joined the Holy Knights. Would yall like Denji to be part of the Holy Knights for a bit with Shanks. I think it would be an interesting Arc
ENJOY THE CHAPTER
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After their amazing time at the bar, Shanks and Benn Beckman eventually headed out into the cold night to find the inn they could stay at. The island air was sharp, the snow soft under their feet, but their spirits were warm from the food, laughter, and the strange little peace this remote village held.
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Later that night, the Traveler Bar was more alive than before, buzzing with chatter and clinking glasses. Shanks pushed open the doors and paused, mildly surprised by how many people had gathered. The warmth of the room washed over him, along with the familiar smell of roasted meat.
His eyes landed on Noelle behind the counter. She was laughing about something with a young man sitting at the bar, a metal pole strapped across the boy's back. They looked like they were having fun.
Shanks decided to join.
Noelle spotted him immediately.
"Shanks-san! You came back."
Shanks smiled and walked up to the counter.
"Noelle-chan, I wanted to confirm for myself whether the bar is truly full when it gets later."
Noelle smirked with a smug little tilt of her head.
"I told you so."
Shanks took a seat beside the young man and extended a hand.
"Hi. My name is Shanks."
The young man studied him for a moment before shaking his hand.
"My name is Yami."
Shanks blinked in surprise.
"Yami?"
Noelle nodded eagerly.
"This is the Yami I told you about. If we're talking about second strongest in the village, it would either be him or Bellé-mer."
Yami chuckled proudly.
"Don't compare me to Bellé-mer. I'm much stronger than her. The only problems for me in this village right now would be Denji⊠and probably this Shanks guy next to me."
Shanks smiled.
"Oh? And why do you say that?"
Yami sat up straighter, confidence clear in his tone.
"Denji is sort of my master. He taught me Observation Haki. I haven't mastered it to his level, but I know your Haki is stupidly strong. Even stronger than Denji himself."
Shanks laughed.
"Is that so? But I think Denji could surpass me."
"You two are the same age," Yami replied. "But you're already so ahead of him. It makes me look at myself and think⊠when am I going to get to such a level?"
Before Shanks could respond, Noelle cut in politely.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Shanks-san, will you be buying anything?"
"Ohâyes," Shanks said. "I'll have the same as the morning."
"Okay." Noelle smiled, then turned her head. "Granny! One order of meat and beer, please!"
From the kitchen came the familiar shout.
"I've told you time and time again not to shout at me, you brat!"
The bar erupted in light laughter. Shanks chuckled.
"Noelle-chan," he said, "you and Granny Chiyo are quite the duo."
Noelle sighed.
"She gives me so much trouble."
Yami stifled a laugh.
"I think it's deserved."
Noelle squinted at him, raising her tiny fist threateningly.
"Just because you got a little stronger doesn't mean I can't still plow you, you know."
Yami stiffened in fear.
"S-SorryâŠ"
Memories of being pummeled by her when they were younger flashed through his mind, and Shanks had to fight back more laughter.
"Yami," Shanks asked with curiosity, "are you the only student of Denji?"
"It's just me and Bellé-mer," Yami answered.
"Oh?" Shanks tilted his head. "Is there a reason he keeps it to just you two?"
Yami nodded.
"Denji actually didn't want to train us. He said it was a pain in the ass. At the start, it was a lot of us. This was before even BellĂ©-mer got here. Then Denji said he would train anyone who could touch him in a one-on-one battle. Of course he would fight back. Everyone besides me failedâand that's how I got trained. And BellĂ©-mer went through the same thing."
Shanks smiled, impressed.
"I see. That's quite smart. Touching someone with Observation Haki wouldn't be easy at all." He then added, "Yami-kun, was it? You also have a lot of potential. I like people like you."
Yami grinned.
"Don't flatter me, Shanks-kun."
"Trust me," Shanks said, "it's not empty flatter."
Noelle then asked,
"Shanks-san, where is your friend Benn? The one you came with in the morning?"
Shanks sighed lightly.
"Oh, that one? He's long asleep. He's always been an early sleeper."
"I see," Noelle said.
Thenâ
The sound of the wooden doors pushing open echoed.
The crowd quieted slightly.
Everyone turned to see the figure entering.
In came Denji. With his usual nonchalant expression, he scanned the crowd until his eyes finally landed on the person he was looking for. As he walked, several people stopped him just to greet him. Denji's popularity made progress slow, so it took him a moment before he reached the bar counter.
When he got there, Yami immediately stood up with exaggerated enthusiasm and gave a salute. "Sensei!"
Denji paused and sighed. "Yami, I've told you to stop calling me that. It's embarrassing."
"No can do, Sensei," Yami said proudly. "You are my teacher, and until I surpass you, I will continue to address you as such."
Denji stared at him with visible cringe, then turned to Noelle.
Noelle peeked her head around him with a bright smile. "Denji-kun, you came alone today."
Denji smiled back. "Yes. Who would I come with?"
Noelle pouted slightly. "That devil Bellé-mer."
Denji laughed. "Devil really is the best way to describe her."
Noelle laughed with him. Then she asked, "Denji, what do you want to have?"
"Just beer," Denji replied. "If I go home full, Mom will kill me."
"Coming right up," Noelle said, quickly hurrying off to personally prepare his drink.
Denji then turned toward Shanks, his expression shifting to something serious. Shanks smiled back at him and said, "So you are Denji, huh?"
Denji sighed. "Shanks, I'm sure you want to talk somewhere more private. How about that table over there?" He pointed toward a secluded corner.
Yami noticed the serious tone and asked, "Sensei, do you need any help?"
"No, Yami," Denji replied. "I'm good."
Shanks chuckled. "He's a good student."
Denji nodded once. "Let's go."
The two moved away from the bar and headed to the corner table.
A moment later, Noelle returned with two jugs of beer, smiling, only for her smile to vanish when she found the spot empty. Yami noticed her reaction.
"Relax," he said. "There. they're sitting at that corner table." He pointed.
Noelle followed his finger, saw the two seated, and her smile returned. She walked over to them.
Shanks and Denji had just settled in when Noelle arrived with the beers. She placed each jug in front of its owner, Shanks and Denji respectively.
"Why did you two move away from the bar?" Noelle asked.
"Don't worry, Noelle," Denji said. "We just have something to discuss. Then we'll come back."
"Okay then," she replied with a smile. "I won't disturb you two."
Once she left, Denji took a sip of his beer, set it down, and looked at Shanks.
"Well then, Shanks⊠what is it do you want with me?"
Shanks took a sip of his own beer before answering casually, "Oh, it's simple, really. I want you to join my crew."
Denji froze and all that could come out of his mouth was. "Huh!?"