Red hair and straw hat

Rayleigh's gaze fell on Shanks' face. The kid who was an intern on Roger's pirate ship back then has grown up a lot now, and there is a more steady look between his brows.

However, those eyes were still clear, as if hiding the sea of ​​stars, full of youthful innocence.

Shanks was holding a little girl in his arms, who looked to be about three years old. Her hair was half red and half white, tied into two braids. She was looking at the people around her curiously.

"It's been six years since Roger passed away. Now you..." Rayleigh paused slightly, his eyes sweeping over the young people surrounding Shanks, and he couldn't help but sigh, "You've also found a group of great companions."

"Yes, I now have a very good partner and have become a captain who can stand on his own." Shanks patted Beckman beside him and laughed heartily and proudly.

Beckman stood beside them. He looked at the man in front of him and felt that this man looked very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere, but he couldn't remember where.

Shanks glanced around at his companions and said with some regret, "Oh, by the way, Shatti-san didn't hang out with us. Otherwise, she would have been very happy to see Mr. Rayleigh."

"Oh? Shatti is with you too. And that little brat Buggy is here too?"

"Bucky, he and I separated a few years ago. I just happened to meet Sister Shati two years ago and immediately invited her to be our boatman."

"You're lucky to have found a great treasure. Shati's skills are very good."

"Yes! Fortunately, Sister Xiati is here. There are so many things we can't handle."

Rayleigh and Shanks chatted briefly.

Beckman next to him thought hard for a long time, but still couldn't remember who the man in front of him was.

He finally couldn't help but interrupt the two people's reminiscing and asked, "Shanks, won't you introduce us?"

Shanks finally realized what was happening. He patted his head and gave an embarrassed smile: "Ah, I was so happy that I forgot to introduce everyone."

He turned around and introduced his companions to Rayleigh one by one: "Mr. Rayleigh, this is my deputy captain Beckman, this is sniper Jesus Bu, this is navigator Snake..."

Finally, Shanks turned to his companions and solemnly introduced Rayleigh's identity, "My fellow companions, this is Mr. Rayleigh, the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates."

This introduction instantly caused a sensation among the companions.

Beckman's usually calm face revealed a look of astonishment. He asked again in disbelief, "Is that Pluto Rayleigh?"

Jesus Bu and the others opened their mouths wide, unable to believe their ears: "Who are you talking about? Pluto Rayleigh?"

"Oh my God! This can't be true!"

Every one of their companions widened their eyes in surprise, staring straight at Rayleigh with shining eyes.

This person is actually the legendary "Pirate King's right arm"!

As everyone marveled at the sight, Merry had already heard Beckman yell out the name "Shanks," and the entire octopus went into a state of petrification.

Its mouth was wide open, its eyes were wide open, and it was fixed in place.

There were countless little octopuses stirring and churning in my heart.

Is this person Shanks?

That Four Emperors Shanks?

He looks so young, is there something wrong?

The little octopus's head was in a mess, and he had no idea what was going on.

Why is it Shanks and not Luffy who is wearing the straw hat?

Why is Shanks still so young?

Merry's dull gaze shifted from Shanks in the straw hat to his companions beside him.

The curly-haired sniper, Lachi Lu who wears a green turban, and the monkey Mengshida who is always mistaken for a pet... Although they share some features and can barely match each other, in fact, it is completely different!

Tuo Qiang! You sea beasts have recognized the wrong person!!!

In the eyes of sea beasts, do all humans look the same? Is it even impossible to tell their gender apart?

Doshiyo!!!

It doesn't recognize these people at all!

The little octopus in Meli couldn't help but scream.

Beckman and others came forward and greeted Rayleigh enthusiastically.

Shanks said happily, "Mr. Rayleigh, I never thought I'd meet you here. What a fate! Let's go get Sister Shatti and have a drink together to celebrate."

Rayleigh shook his head. "Don't celebrate yet. I'm here to see you, on someone's behalf."

A trace of confusion crossed Shanks's face. "Come to see me specifically? Who is looking for me?"

There were crowds of people and constant noise all around, which was obviously not a good place to chat.

Rayleigh suggested, "Let's find a quiet place with few people around to discuss this in detail."

"Okay. Ah, there doesn't seem to be any quiet place around here. I think we should go to our hotel. It's barely quiet there."

"That's fine, let's go."

"My friends, please continue to play here. Mr. Rayleigh and I have something to do, so we'll go back to the hotel first."

"No problem, go ahead and get busy."

Shanks held Uta and walked in front to lead the way, while Rayleigh walked beside him, and the two walked side by side.

The other companions stayed where they were and watched the legendary figure leave.

-

After arriving at the hotel, Shanks closed the door and asked in confusion, "Mr. Rayleigh, who asked you to come to me?"

Rayleigh smiled mysteriously, raised his hand, pulled Merry off his shoulder, and stuffed her into Shanks' arms.

Meli was still trying to digest the truth he had just discovered, and the whole octopus was in a daze.

Shanks held the transparent Merry in his arms and felt something soft in his arms. He couldn't help but pinch it several times out of curiosity, and then he let out a "Huh" and exclaimed in surprise: "What is this?"

Rayleigh: "This is the octopus who asked me to help you find you."

When Merry heard what Rayleigh said, he reflexively stopped the mimicry and his figure gradually became clearer, but his eyes were still confused, as if he had not fully recovered.

Uta, who was standing next to him, came over curiously, stood on tiptoe, and looked at the octopus that suddenly appeared in Shanks' hand. Her eyes became sparkling as if she had discovered some new toy.

Shanks held the octopus, feeling a little overwhelmed. Although he had made many friends, he really didn't know this octopus.

He held up the octopus in his hand and asked in confusion, "Why is this octopus looking for me?"

"It said you two were friends." Rayleigh poked the octopus's cheek with his finger, wondering, "But why did it suddenly become so listless?"

Seeing this, Uta couldn't help but imitate Rayleigh's actions and reached out to poke the octopus gently.

It’s so soft! Uta couldn’t help but poke it again, her eyes full of curiosity.

"It looks wilted." Shanks stopped Uta's movements and put the listless octopus on the table. "Is it lacking water?"

"That's also possible."

Shanks found a wooden barrel, filled it with water, and put the octopus in it.

Merry floated on the water, his body regaining vitality and his eyes gradually focusing.

It looked at Shanks wearing a straw hat and couldn't help but recall some memories about Luffy.

"Don't touch my hat! This is my treasure!" The childish captain once became very serious. "This straw hat was left to me by Shanks. It is very important!"

The octopus has a very developed brain and is very intelligent, not inferior to humans.

Meli's immature little head was spinning wildly, and finally it dawned on him that he might have gone back to the past.

At this point in time, young Shanks may not have met Luffy yet, nor has he given him the straw hat.

Luffy hadn't even set out to sea yet, and all his companions hadn't reunited, so the sea beasts searched the Grand Line for two years but couldn't find any trace of the Straw Hat Pirates.

The octopus moved in the water, a flash of excitement in its heart, and a wonderful idea quickly formed in its mind.

Yes, as long as it follows Shanks, it will have a chance to meet Luffy!

Moreover, he was a childhood captain!

This goal instantly ignited Meli's passion, and his eyes sparkled again.

Rayleigh saw the octopus in the water become active and couldn't help but smile: "Little guy, you finally recovered your spirit."

Shanks also showed a relieved smile on his face: "It seems that it really was short of water just now."

After Merry gathered his spirits, he grabbed the edge of the barrel with his tentacles and climbed out.

It had just successfully climbed out of the water when it suddenly felt a push and lost its balance without any preparation.

The sudden movement caused the little octopus to fall directly back into the water, splashing.

"Uta, you can't do this." Shanks quickly picked up Uta and looked at the octopus apologetically, "I'm sorry, little octopus, are you okay?"

It turned out to be Uta. She thought the octopus was going to escape, so she subconsciously reached out and pushed it.

Seeing that he had frightened the octopus, Wuta's eyes flashed with apology: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"It's okay," Merry said, her pink head emerging from the water and waving her tentacles casually. "I didn't hold on tight."

Shanks was a little surprised when he heard the octopus speak: "So, you can talk."

"A talking octopus!" Uta's eyes lit up with excitement. She leaned out of Shanks' arms and waved her chubby little hands in Merry's direction, "Wow, takoyaki!"

Shanks smiled helplessly, "This isn't takoyaki."

Merry grabbed the edge of the bucket again, climbed out of the water, and greeted them shyly: "Hello, I'm Merry."

Shanks smiled faintly, "Hello, Merry. I heard you were looking for me? What can I do for you?"

Merry blinked, raised a tentacle and pointed at the straw hat on his head: "Actually, I'm looking for the pirate wearing this straw hat."

"Huh?"

Shanks and Rayleigh were both stunned.

Rayleigh's eyes flashed with nostalgia: "So, the person you are looking for is Roger..."

Shanks was silent for a moment, then said gently, "Merry, do you have anything to do with Captain Roger? He left us a few years ago."

"Captain Roger left?" Meli heard their question, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Of course, it had also heard about the execution of Pirate King Roger, and it knew that it was that execution that marked the beginning of the Age of Discovery.

But why did Shanks and Rayleigh suddenly mention Roger?

What Merry didn't know was that the original owner of this straw hat was actually the man who conquered the Grand Line and was called the Pirate King - Gol D. Roger.

When Shanks and Rayleigh heard what Merry said, they thought of Captain Roger, and mistakenly believed that Merry was an old acquaintance of Roger, so they came to find him.

This is such a beautiful misunderstanding~~

Shanks leaned down and looked Merry in the eye. "Yes, Merry. So what do you want to talk to Captain Roger about? Just tell us. If there's anything we can help you with, we'll definitely be happy to help you."

"Actually, I don't have anything to do with Roger." Merry waved his hands repeatedly. He could sense that the two people in front of him were carrying a hint of sadness and nostalgia when they mentioned Captain Roger. The little octopus quickly spoke to comfort them, "Although Captain Roger is no longer with us, I believe he will always live on in the hearts of the people."

When Rayleigh heard what Meli said, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He stretched out his big, thick hand and gently rubbed the octopus's head. "I didn't expect that the little guy would comfort us in return."

Shanks also laughed proudly: "Merry is right. Captain Roger's spirit and dreams will never die."

The hearty laughter completely dispelled the heavy atmosphere.

Life is like this, constantly moving forward.

Neither of them is one to dwell on the sorrows of the past.

Inspired by their hearty laughter, Merry took courage and asked expectantly, "Mr. Shanks, could you please let me go on adventures with you in the future?"

Shanks paused in laughter at Merry's request. He looked at Merry in surprise and forgot to react for a moment.

Although the Red Hair Pirates did not have any special requirements for their companions, and their companions came from all over the world, even the monkey Mengshida and the child Uta could get on board.

But Shanks never thought that an octopus would ask to join them, and it was a small octopus only the size of a football.

"I definitely won't be a drag!" Merry saw Shanks hesitate and quickly listed a lot of his strengths, trying to sell himself. "I can control the water flow, I'm a very good swimmer, I can catch a lot of fish for everyone, and I can also..."

Uta struggled excitedly in Shanks's arms, waving her little hands: "Octopus, Shanks, let Octopus get on board."

"Uta, you'll easily fall down like this." Shanks restrained the lively Uta somewhat helplessly, his eyes full of pampering, "Don't be so anxious."

"I can help with a lot of things, please let me on board! I'm counting on you!" The pink little head moved closer eagerly, with its two tentacles clasped in front of its body, its eyes full of eager anticipation.

Shanks looked at Merry quietly for a few seconds, which made Merry's heart beat fast and he felt extremely nervous.

A huge grin suddenly broke out on his face, "Of course! Merry, you're welcome to join us!"

"Great!" Meli's eyes lit up instantly, and he waved his tentacles excitedly. "Please give me your guidance in the future."

When Uta saw Shanks agreed, her little face flushed and she clapped her hands happily: "Octopus! Octopus!"

"Hahaha~~ Let's head towards the end of the ocean together!"

"Rayleigh?"

Amidst the cheerful laughter, a sudden and questioning voice was heard.