บท 17: Chapter 16 Red Pirates Return
After a few days passed, Satoru noticed that the villagers treated him no differently than before. In fact, their warmth toward him had only grown. The same smiles greeted him in the morning, and their care remained steadfast, as though his actions had only strengthened their bond. This unwavering acceptance brought a rare sense of warmth to Satoru's heart.
---
A Ship on the Horizon
Near the waters of Windmill Village, the members of the Red-Haired Pirates spotted a lone pirate ship docked by the island. Anxiety crept into their voices as they pointed it out to Shanks.
"Captain, there's a pirate ship by the island!" one of them exclaimed nervously. "Let's hope it's not another massacre…"
Shanks furrowed his brow but quickly calmed his crew. "I'll go on ahead. You all catch up."
With that, he leapt into the air, stepping lightly across it as if defying gravity itself. His movement, reminiscent of the Navy's *Moonwalk*, carried him swiftly toward the island.
Ben Beckman, standing at the helm, took a deep breath and steadied his voice. "Let's move. Quickly."
"Yes, sir!" the crew responded in unison.
For the Red-Haired Pirates, Windmill Village had become more than just another stop. It was a place of comfort, filled with familiar faces and genuine camaraderie. The idea of harm befalling the villagers was unthinkable, and they rushed forward with determination.
---
A Trail of Clues
As Shanks neared the island, he extended his Haki to sense any signs of life. Relief washed over him as he recognized the familiar auras of the villagers—alive and unharmed.
He first landed aboard the pirate ship. It didn't take long to realize it had been thoroughly ransacked. The interior was stripped clean of valuables, leaving only the shell of the vessel behind. Shanks chuckled. "Seems the villagers got here first."
His sharp eyes scanned the beach. Though the sand had been disturbed and tidied, traces of a violent battle remained. Shanks spotted poorly buried corpses and faint stains of blood on the sand. The chaotic scene painted a clear picture.
"This… must've been Satoru," Shanks muttered to himself.
---
Reuniting with the Village
By the time the rest of the crew docked and arrived at the beach, Shanks had pieced together most of the story. The Red-Haired Pirates hurried to catch up, their concern palpable.
"Shanks, what's going on?" one of them asked, glancing uneasily at the disturbed ground.
"No need to worry. Satoru already handled it," Shanks said confidently, though his tone carried an edge of amazement.
The crew was stunned, but there was no time to dwell on the details. Together, they entered the village, where the sight of the familiar red-haired crew immediately brightened the villagers' spirits.
"Shanks! You're back!" cried one of the villagers, running to greet him.
"Of course! I missed you all," Shanks replied, flashing his signature carefree grin. "Though I have to ask… what happened with that pirate ship?"
The village elder stepped forward, chuckling. "Oh, that's a story. Come, let me tell you…"
As the elder recounted Satoru's confrontation with the pirates, the crew listened in stunned silence. Even Shanks, who had anticipated the boy's strength, couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scope of his victory.
---
A Crew in Awe
"So, you're telling me…" one of the crew members finally broke the silence, "that an eight-year-old wiped out an entire crew?"
The villagers nodded solemnly.
"Unbelievable… What was I doing when I was eight?" muttered another, scratching his head. "Oh right, wetting the bed."
"And here I thought I was something special," another groaned. "Being human feels like a joke now."
Even Shanks, who prided himself on his composure, couldn't completely mask his surprise. At eight years old, he had been an apprentice on the legendary Roger Pirates, but he hadn't even dreamed of such a feat back then.
---
Luffy's Arrival
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the chatter. "Shanks! You're back!"
Everyone turned to see Luffy sprinting toward them, his face beaming with excitement. But as he reached the group, his eyes darted around, searching for someone.
"Where's Uta?" Luffy asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
The air grew tense. The Red-Haired Pirates exchanged awkward glances before Shanks knelt down to meet Luffy's gaze.
"Uta found a place where she belongs," Shanks said gently, his voice soft but firm.
Luffy frowned, disbelief evident on his face. "But… you promised she'd stay with us!"
"Luffy," Shanks said, placing a hand on the boy's head. "Sometimes, we have to let people go if it's what they want. We have to respect their decisions, no matter how much we miss them."
Tears welled up in Luffy's eyes. "That's not fair!" he shouted before turning and running off, sobbing as he disappeared into the village.
The crew fell silent. Watching Luffy's small figure retreat tugged at their hearts, but they knew Shanks had made the right decision.
Shanks stood and sighed deeply, his usual grin replaced with a somber expression. "Let's hope he understands one day."
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