Morning sunlight filtered through the forests surrounding Mount Colubo.
Dewdrops across the grass reflected golden light like scattered diamonds.
High atop the largest stone cliff— Kahn sat shirtless beneath the sun.
His breathing remained slow and controlled.
Each inhale seemed to greedily absorb the warmth permeating the air itself.
Within his body, golden solar energy continuously flowed through every cell like an awakening dragon.
Far behind Mount Colubo, the corpse of Higuma had already been discarded into one of the deep forest pits by the local village militia.
That self-proclaimed Mountain Bandit King who bragged about murdering fifty-six people died without ever understanding what kind of monster he had provoked.
Down below the cliffs— Monkey D.
Luffy still practiced his “Gum-Gum Pistol” near the stream obsessively.
Or rather— He kept smacking himself in the face.
Stretch— Smack!!
“Owwww!!” His rubber arm swung wildly like a loose ribbon before rebounding directly into his own forehead again.
Nearby, Portgas D.
Ace and Sabo exchanged blows repeatedly using steel pipes.
Clang!
Clang!
The sound of metal collisions echoed sharply throughout the forest.
The two had clearly become more serious after their humiliating defeat inside the inn.
Good.
Pain remained the fastest catalyst for growth.
Kahn rolled lazily onto his back atop the heated stone.
The warmth spreading across his skin felt intoxicating.
At his current growth rate— Within several years, he genuinely might possess enough raw strength to split entire seas apart barehanded.
Then— Footsteps approached from below the cliff.
Relaxed.
Unhurried.
Carrying the faint smell of alcohol and ocean wind.
Kahn didn’t even bother turning around.
He already recognized the presence.
Shanks climbed onto the grassy hill while grinning casually.
His faded white shirt fluttered slightly beneath the sea breeze.
At his waist rested Gryphon.
“The view from up here’s pretty good.” Shanks casually dropped himself into the grass nearby before biting down on a blade of grass lazily.
“Not bad.” Kahn opened his eyes before leaping downward from the stone.
He landed soundlessly upon the grass.
Not even the blades beneath his feet bent noticeably.
That absurd gravitational control immediately caused Shanks’s eyes to sharpen slightly again.
The Red-Haired Pirates had remained in Foosha Village for nearly a week already.
During that time, they replenished supplies, repaired Makino’s tavern, and drank enough alcohol to bankrupt smaller villages.
Naturally— It was time for them to leave.
The New World remained their true battlefield.
“You’re setting sail?” Kahn dusted his hands casually.
His tone sounded no different from asking whether someone planned eating lunch.
“Yeah.” Shanks stretched lazily.
“We stayed longer than expected.” “The idiots back in the New World are probably already causing trouble without me.” Then he pulled a freshly printed newspaper from his pocket.
Several new pirate bounty posters filled the front page.
Chaos across the Grand Line never truly stopped.
Shanks quietly glanced toward Kahn afterward.
“You seriously won’t come with us?” This time— His invitation sounded far more serious than before.
“I’ve met monsters before.” “In the New World, there are legends stronger than ordinary humans can imagine.” Shanks paused briefly.
Then smiled faintly.
“But you’re different.” “You don’t feel like something born from this sea.” Kahn laughed quietly.
Naturally.
This world produced pirates.
Meanwhile— He was something else entirely.
A being nourished directly by the sun itself.
“I already told you.” “I get seasick.” Kahn pointed casually toward the massive pirate ship anchored beside the harbor below.
Red Force.
“Besides…” “That tiny ship can’t carry my ambitions.” His words sounded arrogant.
But strangely— Shanks didn’t find them ridiculous at all.
Because Kahn truly possessed the aura of someone destined to stand above the world itself someday.
After all— Once Kahn fully matured, even the ocean would become meaningless to him.
The sea that trapped Devil Fruit users forever?
To Kahn, it would merely resemble a bathtub.
Shanks sighed dramatically.
“What a shame.” “Beckman bet me someone with your personality would definitely become a disaster in the New World.” Kahn looked toward the distant horizon quietly.
Beyond East Blue.
Beyond the Grand Line.
Beyond the endless ocean itself.
“I will go eventually.” “But not now.” “And definitely not beneath someone else’s flag.” Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
“The day I set sail…” “…the entire world will fall silent just to hear my voice.” Those words carried absolute confidence.
No hesitation.
No self-doubt.
Shanks suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Hahahaha!” “What terrifying ambition!” Then he casually slapped Kahn’s shoulder.
The instant his palm touched Kahn’s skin— Shanks’s expression shifted subtly.
Even his hardened Busoshoku Haki sensed heat radiating beneath Kahn’s flesh.
Not ordinary body warmth.
Something denser.
More dangerous.
This kid’s body genuinely resembled a walking sun.
By afternoon— Foosha Village’s harbor had become crowded.
Villagers gathered quietly along the docks while the Red-Haired Pirates prepared for departure.
Makino stood near the front holding a bag filled with freshly baked bread.
Her eyes looked slightly red.
Meanwhile, Woop Slap angrily leaned upon his cane nearby.
Although he constantly complained about pirates— Even he admitted the Red-Haired crew had never truly harmed the village.
If anything, they helped eliminate Higuma’s bandits entirely.
At the very front of the dock— Luffy bounced up and down desperately.
“SHANKS!!” “PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU!!” “I’VE GOTTEN STRONGER NOW!” Luffy flexed his tiny nonexistent biceps proudly.
His face turned completely red from effort.
Aboard the Red Force, Shanks rested both hands on his hips while laughing helplessly.
“No.” Same answer as always.
“Luffy.” “You’re still just a rubber brat.” “You can’t even swim anymore.” Nearby, Yasopp grinned mischievously.
“Yeah!” “At least grow as tall as Kahn first!” The comparison instantly deflated Luffy briefly.
But only briefly.
Then his eyes reignited stubbornly.
“I’LL SURPASS HIM SOMEDAY!!” “I’LL FIND CREWMATES BETTER THAN YOURS TOO!” “I’LL FIND THE GREATEST TREASURE IN THE WORLD!” Luffy inhaled deeply afterward.
Then shouted the words destined to define his entire life.
“I’LL BECOME THE PIRATE KING!!” Silence.
The harbor froze completely.
The villagers stared blankly.
Some nearly dropped what they held.
Only the Red-Haired Pirates remained serious.
No laughter appeared this time.
The playful expression gradually disappeared from Shanks’s face.
Instead— Something solemn surfaced.
He slowly turned his gaze toward Kahn.
Kahn stood quietly beneath the shadow of a large tree near the shore with folded arms.
A faint smile rested on his lips.
Like someone watching a play whose ending he already knew.
Throughout the week, Shanks observed both brothers countless times.
Kahn resembled a perfectly forged divine weapon.
Overwhelming.
Flawless.
Unstoppable.
If Kahn desired it, he could someday crush the rules governing this era entirely.
Yet strangely— Shanks always felt something missing.
An instinctive feeling.
The same irrational spark Roger possessed.
The ability to draw people toward him naturally.
That impossible sense of romance.
Kahn felt too perfect.
Too detached.
Almost godlike.
And gods rarely needed companions.
Meanwhile— Luffy remained completely opposite.
Clumsy.
Loud.
Idiotic.
Yet the light within his eyes resembled Roger perfectly.
Shanks slowly stepped back onto the shore.
Then walked directly toward Luffy.
Luffy’s chest still heaved heavily from shouting.
Without a word— Shanks removed the straw hat resting atop his own head.
The legendary straw hat once belonging to Gol D.
Roger himself.
Carefully preserved despite countless voyages.
“This hat…” “…is my greatest treasure.” The sea breeze rustled softly.
Then Shanks gently placed the straw hat onto Luffy’s head.
Luffy froze completely.
The oversized brim covered half his face.
Only his wide-open mouth remained visible beneath it.
Shanks lowered the brim slightly.
His voice sounded calm.
Yet incredibly firm.
“I’m entrusting it to you.” “Return it someday…” “…after you become a great pirate.”