I Will Become Hokage in One Piece - Chapter 211

Chapter 211: Shanks’ Ship

Shaki’s Shakky Pub
Rayleigh emptied the cup of sake, opened the door, and saw the Marines gathered below. He smiled and said, “Quite the commotion you’ve got here. Are you planning to arrest this old man?”

“Our main objective is Nico Robin and Rodney! We know they’re here. Hand them over, or your retirement life might be in jeopardy,” Kuzan said, hands in his pockets, exuding a chilling aura. Facing the right-hand man of the Pirate King required full readiness; they couldn’t afford to underestimate him.

Rayleigh shook his head and said, “You’re a step late. That young man, Rodney, has already taken Miss Robin away. Right now, it’s just an old man and a young, pretty bar owner. Care to come in for a drink?”

Kuzan activated his Kenbunshoku Haki, covering Shakky’s Shakky Pub. As Rayleigh had said, there were indeed only Rayleigh and Shakky inside, and no one else.

He exchanged glances with Borsalino and said, “Well then, we won’t disturb you.”

“No problem. Care for a drink? The alcohol here is quite good.”

“Really envy you. Even with the Pirate King gone, you and his right-hand man are still living the good life. I wish I could have such a leisurely retirement,” Borsalino said, tilting his mouth and hands still in his pockets. Since there were no targets here, they might as well leave.

Kuzan understood that Rodney had the power to change his appearance, so they might still be around. They couldn’t possibly interrogate everyone in the area.

This guy turned out to be more cunning than expected. Kuzan had initially thought he was a kind-hearted and just individual, but that assessment had been off the mark.

They arrived at Sabaody Archipelago at the fastest speed. They immediately surrounded the bar, but they were once again a step too late, as Rodney had slipped away.

Meanwhile, at Sea
A pirate ship sailed the open seas, and a formidable man, holding a bottle of booze, laughed heartily. “Though I’m a bit late, I didn’t expect you to pull off something like this on your own.”

The man speaking had red hair, three scars running across his left eye, only one arm, a black cloak, flowery pants, flip-flops, and two massive muscular legs, coiled together in an unflattering manner.

One of the Four Emperors!

Red-Haired Shanks!
After intercepting and preventing the Beasts Pirates from intervening in the conflict, the Red-Haired Pirates had rushed here to stop the war. However, just as they were about to reach their destination, Rodney emerged from the sea and informed them of Whitebeard’s death, causing them to change course to Sabaody Archipelago. There, they picked up Robin and Vivi. While they hadn’t witnessed the climactic battle, Rodney’s request prompted Shanks to change course.

“That’s alright; you did well.” Shanks clapped Rodney on the back. “You stopped the war, and that’s what matters. We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future.”

“But Shanks, do you have any intentions regarding Whitebeard’s territory?” Rodney asked.

“None at all. Why would I want Whitebeard’s territory?” Shanks was a free spirit by nature. He had been to Raftel, wasn’t interested in becoming Pirate King, and simply wanted to live an easygoing life, marked by feasting and merrymaking.

“Ah, what a shame. Though I’m just a guy passing through!” Rodney shrugged.

“Well, I don’t mind if they want to hoist my flag there. Whether or not I can get there in time is another matter.”

He could provide shelter for the civilians, but with the vastness of the sea and the Red-Haired Pirates’ limited numbers, it wasn’t possible for them to be everywhere at once. After all, their crew didn’t follow the same route as the Whitebeard Pirates.

“That’s alright. Whitebeard believed it was worth it.” Rodney reclined on a comfortable deckchair, and Robin, with a gentle smile, cradled his head on her soft thighs.

“Speaking of which, you seem to have a good relationship with Ace, Luffy, and their crew.”

“It’s alright. If not for Vice Admiral Kuzan, to be honest, I might have captured those two kids as pirates,” Rodney replied.

“In that case, why not capture us?”

“Simple, because I can’t beat you!”

“Ha!” Shanks spat out his drink in laughter. “That reason checks out.”

“So, are you planning to capture all of us and then negotiate with the World Government for a ransom?” Red-Haired Pirates’ First Mate Ben Beckman asked, curiosity in his eyes.

“Of course! With the ability to capture you guys, I don’t have to fear being captured by the Marines. I can go wherever I want, hehe! So tired…” Rodney lay down on the deck, saying, “Take me to Fish-Man Island. I’ll disembark with Robin there.”

“Oh? I can take you to the New World,” Shanks offered.

“I want Fish-Man Island!” Rodney declared. “With Whitebeard gone, there’s no one to protect it. So, I’ll be its guardian!”

Shanks cast him a deep look and asked, “Do you have the power for that?”

“Who knows? Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. At the very least, destroying an island won’t be a problem.” Rodney inched closer to Robin, and she rewarded him with a soft smile, cradling his head on her thighs.

“No problem then. It’ll take a few days to coat the ship,” Shanks replied. They had shipwrights aboard their ship who could apply a special coating to protect it from the sea’s harsh conditions. This meant they wouldn’t need to find someone to coat it at Sabaody Archipelago.

During their stay on Shanks’ ship, news of the victory of the Marines over the Whitebeard Pirates spread across the world. As it circulated, the information became less detailed, and all that remained was the news of the Marines’ victory.

Who they defeated didn’t matter; all that mattered was that justice had triumphed over evil. As this news spread, the world became frenzied.

Many individuals set sail, determined to find the great treasure and become the next Pirate King.

To become the most powerful, the most free person on the seas.

And Rodney’s bounty was issued!

“Magician Rodney! Bounty: 1,637,000,000 Berries! Let’s see… Charges include destruction of Enies Lobby, Punk Hazard, participation in the Summit War, betrayal of the former Seven Warlords of the Sea… Huh? There’s even an accusation of attacking Celestial Dragons? Excessive killing… Not paying for meals? When did I not pay for meals? Must’ve been Ace!”

Rodney held his wanted poster, listing his crimes. Some of them were true, others were false. It was easy for the Marines to smear someone’s reputation.

In the deep sea, inside Fish-Man Island, Rodney held up a newspaper and complained, “Ace! Look at this!

After hanging out with you for so long, the Marines think I’m a guy who doesn’t pay for meals! Do I look like that kind of person?! It’s clearly you!”

If it were any other time, Ace would have teased him, but he was in no mood. Bandages covered his body, and led by Hatchan, they were recovering on Fish-Man Island. King Neptune generously welcomed them, as the Whitebeard Pirates had a significant connection to the island. Despite their falling out with the World Government, Neptune harbored no ill will towards them.

“Rodney, do you think my dad and everyone sacrificed so much to save me? Was it really worth it?” Ace’s gaze was distant. In the past few days, he had been wrestling with this question. Was it truly worth it for so many to die just to save him?

“Whitebeard believed it was worth it,” Rodney said, lying back on a comfortable chair. “Why worry about it so much? Here, take this.”

He handed Ace a parchment scroll.

“What’s this?”

“I used a special method to seal Whitebeard’s body inside it.”

As soon as Rodney mentioned that, Ace’s eyes widened, and he clutched the scroll tightly, tears streaming down his face.

“Ahhhh!”

He cried like a child, tears flowing uncontrollably, his heart aching.

(End of this chapter)

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