Chapter 208: Shanks’ Purpose of Going to the East Sea!

Chapter 208: Shanks' Purpose of Going to the East Sea!

After completing the occupation of the G5 branch, Escanor pulled out his Den Den Mushi and contacted Ryuunosuke.

Nearby, the surviving members of the G5 branch looked on with fear and confusion.

Some had once wished for pirates to overthrow the corrupt Navy presence in the region.

But now that those pirates had truly arrived—and killed the Navy—they weren't so sure.

These pirates… were far more terrifying than the ones they'd hoped for.

Had they made a mistake?

---

While Escanor reported the mission's success, the rest of the Fourth Division began managing the aftermath.

They had spent long enough with the Dragon Hunter Pirates to pick up some habits—like pretending to be cooler than they were.

And this was their chance to show off.

"Is anyone in charge of management here?" one of them asked the gathered civilians.

An elderly man stepped forward, steady despite his fear.

"We were managed directly by the Navy. No one else had access to administrative control."

"This is a Navy branch. We've never needed civil management."

"I see…"

"Anyone you'd recommend to manage things temporarily? We'll send someone to take over later."

---

— Aboard the Evil Warship —

"I see. We'll arrive by this afternoon," said Ryuunosuke, speaking through his Den Den Mushi.

"For now, finish securing the G5 branch."

He wasn't surprised by Escanor's success.

If Escanor used even a fraction of his full power, not even Sengoku or Garp could stop him.

A man like Vergo, whose strength lay in physical combat and Haki alone, stood no chance.

"Najenda," Ryuunosuke said as he turned. "Escanor completed the mission. Vergo was eliminated in an instant."

"And another piece of good news—we'll soon have another allied base."

"Allied base?"

"Dressrosa?" Najenda asked, frowning.

"But Doflamingo's still resisting. And according to Morgans, Kaido—Captain of the Beasts Pirates—is heading there too."

"Seems like he's coming for Doflamingo as well."

Ryuunosuke laughed.

"Kaido, huh? First I back off from Charlotte Linlin, now another Yonko shows up."

"Wonderful."

"Let's head to Dressrosa next."

"The Valley of the Gods can wait."

Najenda nodded. "Got it, Captain."

She turned and began organizing their course adjustments.

---

"Captain."

A soft, timid voice reached Ryuunosuke's ear.

He looked over and smiled. "Mine. What is it?"

Mine fidgeted slightly. Though she had been with the crew for a while, she still didn't know Ryuunosuke well.

During this period, he had been too busy to interact with many of the newer members.

"Umm… nothing really," she said, then hesitated.

"Akame said… you like to eat people. Is that true?"

She looked up at him nervously, as if expecting to be devoured on the spot.

Ryuunosuke blinked. "Eat people?"

"…Akame… Mine, Akame lied to you."

He looked visibly embarrassed.

He had seen Mine in battle. Her sharp focus and terrifying talent in marksmanship had impressed him.

But off the battlefield… she was way too innocent.

"Akame!" he called loudly.

The red-haired troublemaker popped her head out, caught in the act of sneaking away.

"I was just joking with her!" Akame said with a grin. "Who knew she was even dumber than Tatsumi? Hehe!"

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world…

Far from the laughter aboard the Evil Warship, Shanks—having recently visited Marineford to halt the war—had returned to the East Blue.

"Shanks," said Lucky Roux, chewing on yet another chicken leg, "Luffy and the others are already headed to the New World."

"Ace is safe with the Whitebeard Pirates."

"So… why are we here?"

This guy must have a bottomless space pouch. That drumstick never left his hand.

Ben Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Is this… because of that incident?"

"If you can't find anything, maybe it's time to give up."

He said it casually, but he already knew the truth.

Ben had noticed things the rest of the crew hadn't.

Even after Luffy and Ace had gone to sea, Shanks kept returning here.

They thought it was sentiment. Nostalgia.

But it was something more.

"I won't give up," Shanks said, smiling. "I think this is what the captain was looking for all along."

"And now that there's a clue, I can't ignore it."

His cryptic words only deepened the crew's curiosity.

Something Roger himself had searched for?

When had Shanks even found the clue?

"Don't worry," Shanks chuckled, seeing their suspicious expressions. "There's no big secret."

"My arm got bitten off by a Sea King back then, remember?"

"Well… let's go. I'll show you the place."

He didn't tell them before because there had been no solid leads.

But now that he brought them here, it was time to let them in.

---

They soon arrived in Foosha Village, entering the cozy warmth of Makino's bar.

"You're here?" Makino greeted them with a bright smile.

"Food and drinks are ready. Come, eat first."

As a woman deeply tied to the life of a pirate—and the beloved of a Yonko—Makino had long grown used to these visits.

Yes. Makino and Shanks were together.

"Let's eat first…" Shanks said, waving everyone to the table.

A feast followed, loud and cheerful.

But for this crew, even a barrel of alcohol was just water. Their capacity was ridiculous.

Once they'd eaten their fill, Shanks stood and gestured for everyone to follow.

They left the village behind, climbing into the hills toward Dawn Mountain.

Soon, they arrived at the old hideout of the bandit king Higuma—a place long abandoned after his death.

Though time had passed, the building still stood.