Chapter 158: Persuasion Failed, Shanks Was Used!
Ryuunosuke, noticing this, smirked and stared at him with a playful glint in his eye.
"Tell me, Shanks," Ryuunosuke said casually, "you didn’t come all the way here just to stop me, did you?"
He didn’t bother hiding his suspicions. Shanks showing up now—of all times—was odd. Even more so was the hesitation in his expression.
That wasn’t like Shanks at all.
"Ryuunosuke, do you even understand the consequences of what you’re about to do?" Shanks finally asked, his voice low.
"I do," Ryuunosuke replied without hesitation. "But tell me something. If Ben Beckman were captured by the Navy... would you just stand by and let him be executed?"
"Ben Beckman..." Shanks turned to glance at his right-hand man, and despite the tense situation, he let out a laugh.
It was classic Shanks.
Even now, he somehow found the absurdity in things.
"I’m not getting caught by the Navy," Ben Beckman said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head under Shanks’ gaze.
"Hahaha! I’m dying here!"
"You’re still trying to explain yourself?"
The crew burst out laughing. Shanks, Ryuunosuke’s crew, even some bystanders couldn’t hold it in.
Beckman was unintentionally hilarious.
Ryuunosuke smiled faintly, then interrupted the laughter with a serious tone.
"Alright, enough jokes. I’m not playing around."
"My crew—my family—is about to be publicly executed. Put aside the politics, forget the Navy or our identities."
"Tell me, Shanks... is standing by and letting this happen your idea of justice?"
Shanks froze, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. That word—justice—cut deep.
He couldn’t help but think back on everything the Dragon Hunter Pirates had done.
Taking on nobles, clashing with the Navy, even challenging the World Government...
What was justice, really?
This world’s laws were written by the strong. Right now, the World Government was the strongest—so they dictated what was right or wrong.
"Still... the Navy can’t disappear. Not now," Shanks finally said.
"If the Navy falls, the World Government loses its mask. And when that happens... the whole world will feel the consequences."
Shanks wasn’t wrong. No one really knew the full extent of what the World Government had hidden away. The fact that they’d ruled the seas for 800 years was proof enough of their terrifying power.
If that balance collapsed, war would erupt across the seas.
The Four Emperors, the Shichibukai, pirates, nobles, a crumbling Navy... the chaos would be catastrophic.
"I get it," Ryuunosuke replied coldly. "But you expect me to stand here and watch my crew get executed?"
"If that’s the case, then we’ve got nothing more to talk about."
He turned away, done with the conversation.
Shanks fell silent again.
Because deep down, he knew—if the roles were reversed, if Beckman was captured, he’d do the exact same thing.
Just like Ryuunosuke.
That thought made him chuckle again, despite himself.
Ben Beckman stared at him. "You’re laughing again?"
Honestly, he wanted to punch him.
But this clearly wasn’t the right time.
"Let’s not drag this out," Shanks said, walking closer. "If there’s a way I can help—"
Ryuunosuke cut him off flatly.
In the original timeline, Shanks had tried. But political strings and power games made it impossible.
And this time, Ryuunosuke wasn’t going to bet on someone else’s influence. He’d take matters into his own hands.
Shanks sighed. "I figured. But if this doesn’t escalate and the Navy remains intact... I won’t interfere."
Ryuunosuke nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Just don’t get in my way."
"Luffy and the others should’ve arrived at Sabaody Archipelago by now," he added over his shoulder. "Shouldn’t you be meeting them?"
He paused, then looked back.
"By the way, Shanks... why are you always so focused on Luffy and not Ace?"
"Ace should mean more to you, shouldn’t he?"
Without waiting for a response, Ryuunosuke walked off and boarded the Extreme Warship with his crew.
They turned and headed straight for Impel Down.
Shanks remained on the deck, staring into the distance.
"Shanks," Beckman said slowly, "do you think he knows something?"
"I don’t know," Shanks replied after a pause. "But he’s close to both Luffy and Ace. Whether he knows or not... doesn’t change anything."
"Come on. Let’s handle our part. The rules can’t stop what’s coming."
"All we can do now is make sure no other bastards interfere."
With that, Shanks turned and walked back into the cabin.
The Red-Haired Pirates set sail once again.
On the deck of the Evil Warship...
"Morgans, you done taking pictures?" Ryuunosuke asked with a calm smile.
"Send everything to Marineford."
Morgans blinked. "To Marineford? Are you serious? If you do that, the Navy will try to stop you at all costs."
"Especially with the Red-Hair Pirates leaving now... You’re on your own."
"I’ll be fine," Ryuunosuke said coolly.
Morgans stared at him for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod.
Truth be told, this was gold for him—breaking news of the highest caliber.
And ever since they’d started working together, he found Ryuunosuke to be... surprisingly dependable.
So, he chose to trust him.
After ending the call, Ryuunosuke’s lips curled into a satisfied grin.
Shanks showing up had been unexpected.
Might as well make good use of him.
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