Chapter 20: The Legendary Scene Arrives
Once Robin made up her mind, everything else became simple—just pick a departure date.
Luo Lin hadn't decided their long-term route yet, but he already knew the first stop: Foosha Village.
He'd spent ten years in the East Blue and become pretty close with the "Child of Destiny," Luffy. Since they might not return for who-knows-how-long, it was only polite to say goodbye.
More importantly—Luffy was seven now. This year was his turning point.
Shanks was currently docked in Foosha Village (he stayed over a year in the original story). And soon the legendary moments would unfold: the liquor bottle smashing a future Yonko, the bandit king Higuma stepping on the future Pirate King… Just thinking about it made Luo Lin vibrate with excitement.
He explained the rough plan to Robin. She had zero objections—whatever Luo Lin wanted was fine.
She only asked when they'd leave.
"Sooner the better. Say proper goodbyes to Nami and the others, then we're off."
The two got to work preparing. There wasn't much to do—just a ship and supplies.
Luo Lin had standards this time. When he traveled alone, any random dinghy worked. But now he was bringing Robin—he wasn't letting his wife sleep under the stars. The ship had to be at least Merry-class.
That afternoon he hit the town. In the past he either bought cheap boats or stole pirate ones. This time he wanted a custom home for their journey.
After asking around, he found the local shipyard. The manager welcomed him warmly when he explained what he wanted.
A three-masted sailing ship roughly the size of the Going Merry, one requirement: the absolute best materials available.
Luo Lin paid a 5-million-Berry deposit. The manager promised delivery in two weeks, with a launching ceremony included.
Two weeks? No big deal.
(Quick note on the Devil Fruits: Bell-mere ate the Air-Air Fruit and had already mastered it. Her casual air cannons could actually hurt Luo Lin now (and his defense was monstrous—after years of system buffs, his raw physical stats rivaled the giants). Nojiko ate the Zoan Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Cougar a year ago. She grew cute cat ears, tail, fangs, and claws when transformed. Luo Lin was mildly disappointed—it wasn't the cat-girl fantasy he'd hoped for. P.S. Don't ask why One Piece has cougars when it has Chinese dragons too ٩(๐ᗨ๐)۶)
…
Two weeks later – Cocoyasi Village coast
Luo Lin, Robin, Bell-mere, the girls—everyone was there for the launching ceremony of the "Demon".
Luo Lin originally wanted "Robin Goddess", but Robin vetoed it instantly—too embarrassing.
After much debate, they settled on Demon—one was the "Devil's Child," the other the "Devil's Guard." They'd reappear on the Navy's radar soon anyway, so why not own it?
Thanks to Luo Lin's terrifying wealth, every material except Treasure Tree Adam was top-tier. The hull was made of millennium-pine that supposedly never rots in seawater.
Luo Lin grabbed a bottle of sake, wound up, and hurled it at the bow.
CRASH!
The bottle shattered perfectly.
Fireworks exploded (One Piece tradition: if the bottle doesn't break or falls in the sea, the ship is cursed).
Ceremony complete. Luo Lin threw a massive feast—mountains of food, fresh sea beast meat he hunted himself.
"Cheers!"
Luo Lin, as always, raised juice.
After the party, he had pre-prepared supplies loaded onto the ship.
Then he took Robin to Bell-mere's house.
The moment Bell-mere saw them, she knew: time to say goodbye.
She made tea and sat across from them.
"Leaving tomorrow?"
"Yep."
"When are you coming back?"
"No idea. Until then, please look after the house."
"Leave it to me!"
Bell-mere waved grandly.
Nami (8) and Nojiko (11) were confused. Nojiko had a feeling this goodbye would be a long one. Nami just thought "Luo Lin goes out to sea all the time—what's different?"
Luo Lin left Bell-mere a huge stack of cash. She refused at first, but he sweet-talked her into accepting it as "house-sitting fees." They wouldn't be back for at least 12 years anyway.
…
Next morning
Luo Lin and Robin boarded the Demon and slowly sailed away from Cocoyasi Village.
Bell-mere's family waved from the shore.
"Come back soon, Luo Lin!"
Poor Nami—no idea it would be ten years, and that he'd already dug her a massive plot hole.
On board, Luo Lin helmed while Robin studied seriously—she wanted to learn navigation too. Only two crew members, after all.
After a short lesson, she took the wheel herself and picked it up terrifyingly fast.
As expected of the girl who passed the history PhD exam at age eight.
They took turns steering, anchored at night, and soon reached the waters near Foosha Village.
"Luo Lin! Sea King!"
Robin cried out.
Luo Lin glanced over—oh, just the Lord of the Coast.
The giant snake took one look at him and bolted.
"Why did it run?"
Robin was startled. She'd only read about Sea Kings in books.
"Beat it up a few times on previous trips. It recognizes me now. Don't worry!"
"Hehe, no wonder!"
They docked openly—no pirate flag, no need to hide.
Shanks' crew kept their ship elsewhere to avoid Grandpa Garp dropping in (current Shanks vs Garp = free food).
Luo Lin led Robin straight to Makino's bar.
Inside was pure chaos—Shanks' crew + Luffy, full party mode.
Shanks was mercilessly teasing 7-year-old Luffy, who was raging helplessly.
The door swung open. Everyone turned.
Luo Lin was a regular, but—who was the stunning beauty behind him?
"Yo! Having a party without me?"
"Luo Lin! Perfect timing! Shanks and the others—mmph!"
Luffy's eyes lit up, ready to tattle, but Shanks shoved meat in his mouth. Complaint forgotten—now eating.
"Come join the party! Who's the lady?"
Before Luo Lin could answer, Shanks waved it off.
"Doesn't matter! Anyone Luo Lin brings is a friend! MEN—PARTY TIME!"
"OHHHH!"
Luo Lin got Robin a coffee, found her a quieter seat, then dove into the chaos.
"Yo yo yo—still drinking juice, Luo Lin? So unmanly! Scared to look bad in front of the lady? Hahaha!"
"Bullshit! Juice is king! And Robin's my future wife—why would I be embarrassed?!"
"You idiot, no way she believes that unless you drink!"
Shanks pulled the ugliest face imaginable.
Luo Lin's forehead veins popped—he wanted to slice this red-haired clown.
Robin watched them argue over alcohol vs juice, eyes curving into happy crescents.
She'd never seen this side of Luo Lin before.
Then she wondered: was this the real him? Had he been holding back all these years just to stay with her?
…She was overthinking. Being with her was when he was happiest.
Near evening, the drunk crew stumbled outside, arms over shoulders.
"So Shanks, when are you guys leaving? We're heading to the Grand Line too."
"Hah? Grand Line? Wanna join my crew? Sorry—no ladies allowed!"
"Nah, just asking."
"Don't know the exact date yet."
"Cool."
"Luo Lin, are you going to the Grand Line to become a pirate?"
Luffy squeezed in, eyes shining—he already had his Pirate King dream.
"I'll go to the Grand Line, but probably not as a pirate. Being captain is too much hassle."
"Oh… Then come join my crew later! I'm gonna set sail one day and become Pirate King!"
"You? A ship? You're like seven!"
"Exactly! Luffy's just a big-talking brat! Ohohohoho!"
Luo Lin and Shanks laughed in unison.
"SHUT UP! I said LATER! I'll gather a crew, find the ultimate treasure, and become Pirate King! You in or not, Luo Lin?!"
"Sure, sure—when you actually set sail, we'll talk."
He agreed casually, but knowing Luffy, the kid would take it dead seriously.
Luffy immediately started gloating at Shanks.
Nobody paid attention…
…
The party broke up. For the next month, Luo Lin and Robin just slept on the ship—no need for a house.
Counting the three months Shanks had already spent at sea mid-story, the Red Hair Pirates had been in Foosha nearly a year.
The legendary scene was finally coming.
That day, Luo Lin was in the bar watching the usual chaos when—
BAM!
The door was kicked open.
Silence.
A gaunt, scruffy man with a massive bounty poster vibe walked in.
Luo Lin trembled with excitement, barely containing himself.
He's here! The Bandit King Higuma! The man who "reduced the number of Yonko from 60 to 4" with a liquor bottle!
Everything unfolded exactly like the manga.
Higuma wanted booze → all bottles were drunk by Shanks' crew → only one left.
Higuma smashed it over Shanks' head, soaking him in sake and glass.
Then the immortal line:
"I'm a criminal worth 8 million Berries!"
He smashed more plates while Shanks picked up glass, insulted him, and left.
Shanks' crew burst out laughing.
Luo Lin suddenly understood why—it was the same reason a mafia boss would laugh if a random thug threatened him.
Higuma was just… that pathetic.
Only one person was furious: Luffy.
"Why didn't you fight back?! Luo Lin, he's your friend too!"
Luo Lin internally: Bro, I'm just here for the popcorn.
Shanks covered for him and tried explaining to Luffy, but the kid wasn't having it—turned away in anger.
Then he spotted the Gum-Gum Fruit…
Luo Lin: Here it comes! Eat it! Eat it!
Exactly like canon:
Luffy ate the fruit → Shanks panicked and tried to make him spit it out → stretched Luffy like taffy instead.
After explaining he'd never swim again, Luffy ran out in shock.
Luo Lin was dying trying not to laugh—Shanks and Luffy together were comedy gold.
"Hey! You've been giggling this whole time! Rude!"
"Hahaha—didn't laugh out loud!"
"You think I looked lame too?"
"Nah. Strong men draw swords against the stronger. Weak men draw swords against the weaker. A little spilled booze? Not worth getting mad. You two are just hilarious together!"
"Oh, yeah, the kid's pretty entertaining!"
Shanks laughed again.
They assumed Luffy ran off to process the "no swimming" thing.
They had no idea he went straight to pick a fight with Higuma.
Makino soon rushed in: "Luffy got beat up trying to get revenge!"
Shanks' crew bolted outside.
They crushed Higuma's lackeys, but in the chaos Higuma escaped—with Luffy as hostage.
Shanks dove into the sea alone.
Luo Lin stayed put—he already knew what was coming.
Sure enough, minutes later Shanks returned, cradling a sobbing Luffy.
His left arm… gone.
Luo Lin: …
Seriously, Shanks?
Luffy was already 100% going to sea. Now you added a life-debt plus the arm?
Ten Sea King squads wouldn't stop that kid now.
Luo Lin could feel the monstrous presence inside Shanks—like a sleeping primordial beast.
No way a man like that loses an arm to trash like Higuma unless he let it happen.
The only explanation: Shanks sacrificed the arm on purpose—to light an eternal fire under Luffy.
Classic Shanks move.
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