Chapter 248: The Whereabouts of the Two Ancient Weapons

Chapter 248: Chapter 248: The Whereabouts of the Two Ancient Weapons

......

In the light screen, Shanks’ ship turned around.

That ship, the Red Force, which struck fear into countless pirates, had its flag on the main mast flapping loudly in the sea breeze. The bow cut through the waves, drawing an elegant arc as it turned back.

Just moments ago, that Conqueror’s Haki that descended from the heavens, like divine pressure, had forced Green Bull to reveal his "true form" and flee in panic.

However, what no one expected was that Shanks and his crew did not land in Wano Country. They did not take advantage of the situation, nor did they do any of the things the "conspiracy theorists" had guessed they would do.

They came quietly and left quietly.

The people outside the light screen guessed that since Oden had once left the Whitebeard Pirates and stayed with the Roger Pirates for a period of time, Shanks had come purely to help Momonosuke. Moreover, since Luffy and the others were also here, Shanks would naturally choose to lend a hand out of both reason and sentiment!

After all, Momonosuke was Oden’s son, and Luffy was the "successor" Shanks had chosen!

...

On the deck, Shanks sheathed Gryphon and slowly turned his gaze away from the direction of Wano Country.

His red hair swayed gently in the wind as he looked at the surging sea waves around him with deep eyes...

Vice-Captain Ben Beckman was still sitting there reading the newspaper. He had a cigarette in his mouth, and the smoke quickly dispersed in the sea breeze.

"You’re just leaving like that?"

Beckman asked, his tone flat, making it impossible to tell if he was teasing or serious.

He exhaled a puff of smoke: "That kid just finished a tough battle. Don’t you want to see with your own eyes what he looks like now?"

Hearing his partner’s words, Shanks smiled.

That smile contained relief, release, and a trace of subtle pride.

"That child no longer needs my protection..."

Beckman was silent for a moment. The glow of the cigarette flickered between his fingers.

Ten years ago, in Foosha Village, Shanks had lost an arm to save that rubbery brat who kept shouting about becoming the Pirate King.

Back then, Luffy was weak, innocent, and ignorant of the world, yet he possessed a stubbornness that Shanks couldn’t look away from.

And now, that brat had defeated Kaido!

"Yeah..."

Beckman finally spoke, his tone carrying a trace of emotion: "He’s grown up."

Shanks didn’t speak. He simply stood quietly as the sea breeze blew past, lifting his cloak.

"What’s next?" Beckman asked.

Shanks was silent for a moment. Then his gaze became firm and burning hot.

He looked toward the distance, toward that unknown sea, toward the ultimate goal that all pirates were chasing.

The era that Captain Roger had opened with his life. The legend that countless people had pursued one after another but had never been able to touch.

"It’s time for us to set sail as well," Shanks’ voice was soft, yet it struck like thunder.

"To fight for..."

He paused. The corner of his mouth slowly curved upward into a faint smile.

"The One Piece!"

Beckman’s brow twitched slightly. The cigarette smoke gathered in front of him.

But soon, the corner of his mouth also curved upward slightly. Even this man, who was usually calm to the point of being cold, now had a flash of light in his eyes.

He stood up and stood shoulder to shoulder with Shanks. The two men stood at the bow of the ship.

Behind them were the crew of the Red Hair Pirates. Lucky Roux was gnawing on a chicken leg, Yasopp was cleaning his sniper rifle, and ship doctor Hongo was yawning...

Everyone looked the same as usual, but in each of their eyes was a long-suppressed fighting spirit.

Ahead lay the tide of the new era and the endless sea.

It was that ultimate legend!

The Red Force cut through the waves, sailing toward the distance, toward that sea which was destined to stir up massive storms!

Several days after this great battle.

Wano Country.

On the streets of the Flower Capital, laughter and joy never ceased. Reconstruction work after the war was in full swing, and the faces of the citizens were filled with long-awaited smiles.

Kuri Beach.

The Thousand Sunny quietly anchored on the sea. Sunlight fell on the lion figurehead, coating it with a warm golden edge.

Luffy and the others had already finished restocking their supplies.

Everything was perfect. But when Robin told Luffy and the others about Pluton being in Wano Country...

One person had been left out.

No, not left out!

He had been ignored...

Caribou, that wretched-looking man who resembled Wang Zhi, was currently hiding in a dark corner.

A strange smile hung on his face, and his eyes flickered with an unsettling light.

He had heard everything!

Luffy and the others discussing Ancient Weapons and Pluton!

He had heard every single word.

"Hehehe..." His laughter was so low it was almost inaudible, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

"The whereabouts of two Ancient Weapons... Poseidon... Pluton..."

Caribou licked his lips. His dry tongue slid across his chapped lips.

No one noticed him.

No one knew that a dangerous seed was quietly taking root.

...