Shanks wasn't surprised that the man recognized him.
Honestly, he had already guessed his own strength. No matter how talented he was, he couldn't be some once-in-a-lifetime genius, right?
And considering his age, he wasn't exactly a kid anymore, so he must have spent some time roaming the seas.
As for his previous training—rather than calling it training, it was more like regaining his former strength.
"But even a pirate like this knows me. As for that guy, well… he's part of a specialized assassination unit, so it makes sense if he's not familiar with bounty amounts."
Shanks didn't think too much about it. If they recognized him, so be it. He had no intention of hiding, and they were pirates too—so even if they knew who he was, it didn't really matter.
As for this group of pirates, Shanks had no interest in them. They were so weak that their bounties were probably worthless.
Meanwhile, on the merchant ship, everyone was stunned.
Sandayu's glasses had fallen to the ground, Yukie was frozen in shock, and the elderly director, his hair already turning white, glanced at the cameraman beside him, barely able to contain his excitement.
"D-Did you get that on film?"
The director's voice trembled. No matter how calm he tried to be, what he had just witnessed had left him completely dumbfounded.
"Y-Yeah, I got it," the cameraman nodded.
"But… just photos."
The cameraman quickly added.
"…What?"
"Director, didn't you say still images were enough for the shot?"
As the conversation between the director and the cameraman continued, the others finally snapped out of their daze.
"Looks like we're saved."
"At least he's not an enemy."
Sandayu regained his composure. When he saw Shanks rush past them and charge straight toward the pirates, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The rest of the crew, realizing they had barely escaped death, also let out sighs of relief. If Shanks hadn't appeared, they might all be dead by now.
Before long, the merchant ship docked alongside the pirate ship.
Though they weren't warriors, the film crew had traveled through the Shinobi World for years. They might not be strong, but they understood how to navigate social situations—especially when it came to showing gratitude to someone powerful.
"Samurai-sama, thank you for saving us!"
"Thank you! If it weren't for you, we would've died here!"
Shanks scratched his head awkwardly as he listened to their thanks.
"I'm not a samurai. I'm a pirate too."
"....."
The moment Shanks said that, everyone froze.
The first to react was the elderly director.
Before anyone could even blink, the old man had already dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry, I'm blind! I didn't see your face! I don't know your name! Please don't kill me!"
"Oh, my name's Shanks."
Shanks reached out his hand with a straightforward introduction.
The director, just as smoothly, got up and shook his hand, introducing himself in return.
"I'm Director Sandayu."
"..."
Deep inside, Sandayu had already given up all hope.
Damn it. This sneaky pirate saw right through his disguise with such a simple trick. It's over. Looks like he's going to die at the hands of this infamous pirate today.
He never should have come to a place like this. The Land of Water was a mess, the Land of Waves was even worse. He had finally escaped, only to run into a pirate crew.
Chased all the way here, only to end up meeting an even more terrifying pirate.
Silence. A deathly quiet. The stillness lasted all the way until nightfall.
As the night set in, a bonfire was lit on the beach. The director sat alone in a corner, while the others laughed and celebrated. This was their moment of joy—he had nothing.
He had surrendered too quickly during the day, and now he was stuck in this awkward position.
By the fire, Shanks was in tears.
"Mm! Mmm! So good!"
"This is amazing!"
Crispy roasted meat, covered in fragrant spices, with two large barrels of alcohol on the side.
The sound of the sizzling meat over the flames filled the air. Shanks had never felt so happy. The rich, smoky aroma of the meat blended with the spices, rising into the night sky with the heat of the fire.
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
This—this was the life a pirate should have!
He had been training hard in this place for months. Finally, finally, he could enjoy a proper meal.
Even if he was about to set sail, he had to enjoy a few good feasts before that.
"Director, why aren't you eating?"
Sandayu was happily munching away. Nothing felt better than a feast after surviving a near-death experience.
Even Yukie, who usually didn't smile much, had a look of pure happiness on her face.
"I'm not hungry."
The director quietly shrank back into the shadows.
"Shanks! Drink! Come on, have a drink! Hahaha!"
"Man, Shanks, I really have to thank you today. I never thought you'd be such a strong pirate!"
"*Hic!*"
The other crew members were already getting along with Shanks, one by one getting drunk.
They didn't know much about pirates, but after talking to Shanks, they started to understand—some pirates weren't just thieves or criminals. Some were chasing treasure, chasing their dreams.
And they understood what Shanks was saying. After all, their director was also a man chasing his dreams.
No matter the industry, there would always be dreamers like that.
And Shanks—he was the one who swore to become the freest pirate on the sea.
"Speaking of which, Shanks, weren't you planning to set sail? You could come with us, of course. And you can leave whenever you want."
"Oh yeah, Shanks, but there are a lot of pirates in this area lately. We could rest here for a month before heading out."
"A month? So that means… a month-long feast?"
Shanks looked at the pile of supplies not far away. They had taken everything from the pirates they defeated.
Now that he thought about it, there was more than enough to throw a month-long party.
At that moment, Shanks was overwhelmed with emotion.
It was like a poor kid suddenly becoming rich and buying an entire fridge full of iced tea—that kind of happiness.
"Having a feast for a whole month? That sounds amazing."
"Hic!"
The merchant ship's captain, half-drunk, mumbled a response after hearing Shanks' words.
The other crew members, excited by the good news, raised their cups.
"A feast!!"
"A whole month of partying!"
The bonfire on the shore crackled as laughter filled the air.
Shanks finally understood why he loved having feasts so much—it was because the past few months of training had been exhausting.
Was this karma? As Shanks, there was no escaping the fate of hosting a month-long celebration.
"But this is what being a pirate is all about!"
Shanks grinned, raising his cup high. The joy of the feast reflected in his drink, ripples spreading outward as the shadows of his crewmates blurred in the liquid.
Meanwhile, in Otogakure.
Orochimaru watched as the murky liquid slowly solidified, twisting into a fruit covered in strange patterns.
He lowered his head, his bloodshot eyes filled with excitement.
"Finally... it's finally done. So this is what Shanks called a Devil Fruit?"
"Hahaha!! I did it!!"
His crazed laughter echoed through the dark, damp laboratory.
The Devil Fruit had appeared!!
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