A/N: The name of MC has changed from Denji to Sterling. Also I'll be accepting Last Name suggestions. Norwell D. Sterling just doesn't sound intimidating 😂.
NOW ENJOY THE CHAPTER :)
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Shanks said calmly, "Exactly what I said."
Sterling leaned back slightly, absorbing the words. "I see," he replied thoughtfully.
Shanks smiled. "So, what do you say?" he asked.
Sterling sighed lightly. "Sorry. I refuse."
"Huh? Why?" Shanks asked, genuinely confused.
Sterling looked away for a moment then answered. "Why would I want to leave my warm and comfy village to go out to sea and become a criminal chased by Marines all over the sea?"
Shanks rested an elbow on the table and grinned. "For adventure and freedom. Isn't that what it's about?"
Sterling let out a chuckle. "You know Shanks, I met a Marine named Kuzan when I was about eleven or twelve years old. The strength that Marine was emanating was scary. I never want to meet him as an enemy ever."
Shanks laughed confidently. "Don't worry, I'm quite strong myself you know. Besides, I believe you can probably get stronger than whoever that is, but thats only if you go out to sea."
Sterling shook his head and said. "Look, Shanks… I appreciate you asking me. It makes me happy, honestly. But I don't think I'm who you're looking for."
Shanks leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Sterling. You have the Conqueror's Spirit. That alone shows you have ambition. You can't contain that ambition in this village."
Sterling froze. He had not expected such a scenario. Joining the Red-Haired Pirates… he would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted. But there were things, important things that were keeping him here.
Shanks smiled knowingly. "I can see you're tempted Sterling. Don't fight it. You were born to be free Sterling." He paused, then added, "I need you as my left-hand man. There's so much I have planned, and I need someone capable at my side. That someone is you."
Sterling stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. "Look, I'll at least think about it."
Shanks leaned back with a satisfied grin. "That's all I need from you. Take all the time you need."
Sterling chuckled. "You're quite persuasive, aren't you?"
"Only about things I genuinely believe in," Shanks answered. Then he stood. "Come on, let's rejoin Noelle-chan and Yami."
Sterling nodded. "Let's go."
The two stood and made their way back to the bar. Noelle spotted them approaching and smiled warmly.
As they reached the counter, she asked, "What were you two talking about?"
Sterling waved it off. "It's nothing. Let's get more drinks. Shanks is paying."
Shanks turned to him with wide eyes in shock, the tried to salvage himself. "Sterling-san, I'm really not that rich, you see—"
Sterling ignored the complaint and said, "Noelle-chan, get us like seven beers and a ton of meat."
Shanks forced an awkward smile as he opened his pouch to count his money. A cold sweat broke across his forehead.
Noelle burst into laughter at his expression. "Coming right up!"
While Shanks and Noelle began arguing and haggling over prices, Yami approached Sterling and whispered, "Sensei, are you alright?"
Sterling smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'm alright. Just in thought."
Yami nodded in relief and returned to his seat.
The four of them spent the rest of the night drinking and eating together, laughter filling the cozy bar until late.
---
Later that night.
Back at Sterling's residence, he and his mother, Kushina, were having dinner. Kushina was diligently eating, but she kept glancing at Sterling, who hadn't touched his food. He only pushed it around with his fork, his mind clearly elsewhere. Eventually, she ran out of patience. She placed her utensils down and said, "Sterling, why are you not eating? Is something bothering you?"
Sterling snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his mother. "Oh, it's nothing, Mom. I just ate a lot of food at Noelle's bar."
Kushina frowned. "But Sterling, you are a big eater. You always have been. Eating mountains of food in a day is normal for you."
"That's true," Sterling admitted, "but tonight I'm really full. I'm sorry."
Kushina watched him quietly for a few seconds, thinking. Then she said, "Sterling… is something bothering you?"
Sterling paused, then answered, "Really, Mom, it's nothing. If you want me to eat so bad, then fine, I'll do it."
He began cutting into his food. Kushina continued staring at him, then sighed deeply.
"Sterling, I'm your mother. If anyone can tell something is bothering you, it's me. Please just talk to me."
Sterling looked up at her, sighing before finally saying, "Okay, Mom. I have a question for you."
Kushina immediately perked up, adjusting her posture. "Alright. Shoot."
Sterling set his utensils down. "When Dad wanted to go back to being a pirate, you smiled and said you supported him fully am I correct."
Kushina's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected question, but she still maintained a soft smile. "Yes. And I still support him to this day."
Sterling then looked directly into her eyes. "How did you really feel about that?"
Kushina's smile wavered. "What do you mean? You already know how I felt."
Sterling shook his head. "Mom, you're the one who wanted me to talk to you. So please don't lie to me."
Kushina faltered, her gaze shifting. After a moment, she exhaled. "I… didn't want him to go. I wanted him to stay with us so we could be a family." Her voice softened. "But I also didn't want to stop his dreams."
Sterling nodded slowly. "I see."
Kushina smiled carefully. "Well, are you going to tell me what was the question for?"
Sterling returned the smile, though faintly then said, "Don't worry mom. I got the answer I wanted." He then resumed eating.
Kushina watched him for a moment, her smile fading. Why does it feel like my answer did more damage than good? she thought to herself. What exactly is going on in my son's head? Even so, she picked up her utensils again and continued eating.
---
Meanwhile, at an inn in the village, Benn Beckman lay on one of the two beds in their room. Shanks had just finished bathing and was preparing to sleep when Benn spoke.
"So, Shanks… how did it go?"
Shanks smiled. "Well, it's clear Sterling wants to be a pirate. It was obvious in his eyes. But there's something holding him back. We need to figure out what it is if we're going to recruit him."
Benn nodded. "At least he's shown interest. That means tomorrow is all about information gathering."
Shanks chuckled. "I won't even need to go that far. I have a very chatty information source at a little bar in this village."
Benn smirked. "You mean Noelle?"
Shanks laughed. "Of course. Who else would it be? Tomorrow, we need to get this done. We can't stay here forever."
"Agreed," Benn said.