It felt as if I had been whisked away in an instant. One moment, I was savoring a warm bowl of soup, and the next, I found myself standing directly in front of the man who had so unexpectedly invaded my thoughts. The anime had barely scratched the surface of his striking presence. He possessed a chiseled, handsome face that seemed to be sculpted by the gods themselves, with sharp cheekbones and a confident smirk that hinted at untold stories. His body was absurdly perfect, every muscle defined, and my eyes were inevitably drawn to the glimpse of his washboard abs that peeked out from beneath a partially unbuttoned shirt, adding a daring allure to his already captivating figure.
A few vivid details lingered in my mind—he still wore that iconic hat perched atop his head, a trademark of his adventurous spirit, and remarkably, both of his strong arms were intact. Suddenly, realization struck me like a bolt of lightning: Shanks hadn't crossed paths with Luffy yet. The weight of that revelation brought me into a wave of uncertainty.
"Age?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I gazed intently at Shanks. In that moment, I found myself unconsciously inching closer, my hand lifted and reaching out, drawn to the distinctive scar that ran across his left eye like a bold testament to his past battles. Just as my fingers were about to trace the rough edge of that mark, I felt a sudden jolt—a firm grip encircled my wrist, yanking me from my reverie and pulling me back into the present.
"Why, hello there!" Shanks chuckled, a warm sparkle in his eyes as he gently grasped my wrist. His grip was firm yet reassuring, instantly putting me at ease. "Why don't we take a moment to introduce ourselves first, sweetheart?" His playful tone and charming smile made the moment feel light-hearted and welcoming.
"Oh, Kouya," I said, using my free hand to point at myself. "Age?" I asked, pointing to him.
"Hello, Kouya. I'm Shanks, 25 years old," he said, his voice smooth and inviting as he gently released my wrist, realizing he had been the only thing holding my arm aloft. The warmth of his hand lingered for a moment, dissipating into the cool air between us. I felt a strange mix of curiosity and nostalgia wash over me. How old was Shanks supposed to be when he met Luffy? The details eluded me, and as I pondered, a slight frown tugged at the corners of my lips, casting a shadow over my features.
"I can't remember…" I murmured, the words barely escaping my lips as a dizzying wave of vertigo surged through me, threatening to wrench my balance away. It felt as though the very ground beneath my feet was shifting, and in that moment, I could feel my strength draining. I scarcely had time to register the sensation of falling before darkness clouded my vision, enveloping me in a shroud of shadows for a fleeting moment. Just as I began to succumb to the depths of unconsciousness, warm, firm arms wrapped around me, pulling me back from the brink and holding me securely in a comforting embrace.
"Easy there, sunshine," a voice said soothingly.
"Nnn." A soft whimper slipped through my lips as I focused on the comforting warmth enveloping me, grounding me firmly in the present moment. There was an unsettling sensation stirring within me, an instinctive awareness that something was amiss.
"You're okay, Buttercup. Just breathe," the voice continued. It was calming, almost lulling me to sleep.
"I can't remember…" I mumbled.
"It's okay, just breathe first," the soothing voice murmured, enveloping me like a soft blanket. "Deep breath in. Deep breath out." The warm embrace that had cocooned me began to retreat, but the firm grip of his hands kept me anchored to the moment, helping me sit up and regain my sense of reality. I gently closed my eyes, focusing on the rhythmic flow of my breath to regain my composure. When I finally opened them, I was met with the striking, familiar silhouette of Shanks. A wave of realization washed over me, and I quickly glanced away, suddenly acutely aware of the relatively large number of unfamiliar faces in the room, their curious eyes watching me, creating an unexpected sense of vulnerability.
"Hi," I said, waving awkwardly to the others around me. A chorus of soft laughter floated through the air, lightening the atmosphere. As the arms that had once steadied me slowly retreated, I turned my gaze to Shanks. Instead of remaining comfortably perched in his chair, he had chosen to join me on the floor, settling beside me with an easy familiarity.
"Do you know where you are?" Shanks asked. I nodded. One of Shanks's eyebrows rose slightly. "Where?" he asked me.
"Ship," I replied with dead seriousness.
"Yes, the Red Force," Shanks confirmed. "Let's take it slow. What do you remember?"
"Everything… Nothing…" I tried to explain, but for some reason, it felt like there was a disconnect between me and the outside world.
"Anything specific?" Shanks asked, trying to dig deeper.
"Yes. Yonko. Future." I pointed at him.
"Oh? Will I become a Yonko in the future?" Shanks asked.
"Arm. Hat. Gone," I struggled to say.
"I lose an arm and my hat?" Shanks frowned as he processed my words.
"Sea King. Kid."
"I lose my arm to a Sea King and my hat to a Kid? Why would I lose my hat to a kid?" Shanks's frown deepened.
"Dream."
"You mean you had a dream?" he asked. I shook my head. "The kid's dream?" I wasn't sure how to respond.
"Pass," I tried to explain by pointing to the hat.
"I pass the dream to the kid," Shanks guessed. "Damn, that kid must have really rubbed off on me if I gave him my treasure."
"King," I whispered.
"I see," Shanks said, appearing to piece things together. "In the future, I will become a Yonko after losing my arm and hat to a Sea King and a Kid who supposedly will inherit the dream of becoming the Pirate King." He summarized.
"Yes," I exclaimed with newfound energy, nodding my head almost comically.
"Okay, instead of dwelling on the future, can you recall why you found yourself on that island and how you arrived there?" Shanks inquired softly, his voice a soothing balm against the confusion swirling inside me. It was a tumultuous storm, contrasting sharply with the vibrant image of him etched in my memories. Back then, he was the epitome of a carefree spirit, laughter dancing in his eyes as he never took himself too seriously. Yet now, he stood before me with an intensity that pierced through my thoughts; his gaze was steady, gentle yet sharp, carrying a weight that felt both severe and protective, as if he could see straight into the depths of my soul.
"No," I muttered.
"Do you have a place to go?" he spoke softly, his voice a gentle whisper that wrapped around me like a warm blanket. A delightful, fuzzy feeling danced in my ears, igniting a spark of comfort and safety just from the sound of his words.
"Alone," I stated, shaking my head. "I am alone." Somehow, I managed to form a complete sentence.
"There are two options," Shanks said, his voice calm yet firm, as he leaned slightly forward. "We can take you to a peaceful village where you can settle down and find some tranquility." I felt a frown tug at my lips, my gaze dropping to my lap as I absently twirled my fingers, feeling the weight of uncertainty in the air. After a thoughtful pause, Shanks continued, "Or you can join my crew." My head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief. Was he serious? His unwavering gaze locked onto mine, an intensity in his expression that sent my heart racing, making the world around us fade into the background.
"Really?" I asked, my voice so soft it would have been almost impossible to hear without observation haki.
"Yes, Kouya, join my crew." Shanks extended his weathered hand toward me, his smile warm and inviting under the backdrop of the open sea. A whirlwind of emotions churned within me, twisting like the waves crashing against the ship's hull. Was it truly that straightforward to step into the world of a Yonko? Did I possess anything worthy enough to earn such an extraordinary offer?
My instincts whispered that joining a crew like his held profound significance. To Shanks, this was more than just an alliance; it was an invitation into a family that thrived on camaraderie and bonds forged through trials and triumphs. That realization settled over me, heavy yet comforting. He was offering me more than just a position on a ship—he was asking me to be part of his family, to find a place where I truly belonged.
"Yes," I responded, the word escaping my lips before I could fully grasp the spontaneity of it. I felt a warmth radiate from his palm as my hand found its way into his, a perfect fit. A stunning smirk blossomed across Shanks's face, his eyes twinkling with a mix of gentleness and playful mischief, as if he held the secrets of the universe and was inviting me to share in them.
"You hear that? We've got a new crewmate! Let's celebrate!"
"YEAHHH!"