Chapter 9
After learning about Whitebeard and Crocodile from Beckman, you asked him many questions about Whitebeard. Beckman told you everything he knew and even jokingly asked if you wanted to disembark on the island protected by Whitebeard.
Having already considered this idea, you hesitated for a moment, nodded amidst Beckman's harmless laughter, then shook your head with a sense of guilt, which made Beckman laugh.
"That's not difficult. You can discuss it with Shanks. If he agrees, he might even put in a good word for you with Whitebeard."
"But Whitebeard's place isn't necessarily any better than ours. I think it wouldn't hurt for you to think about it again."
Beckman's words were logical and reasonable. Having successfully diverted your attention, Hongo returned with dinner. Seeing this, Beckman got up to leave.
"No matter what the outcome, let's eat first."
Hongo, unaware of the content of your conversation, casts a puzzled look. Beckman smiles but doesn't reply. You, the only one who knows the content, express your sincerest gratitude to Beckman.
"Thank you, Mr. Beckman."
Beckman, with his back to you and Hongo, didn't say anything. He waved his hand, closed the door of the infirmary, and left, leaving you and Hongo staring at each other in the infirmary. It was Hongo who broke the silence first.
"Since you can't use one hand, I'll put it on the table for you to eat."
While he was saying this, Hongo had already placed the tray on the movable table and pulled the table to the bedside.
If there were a third person present, they might have misunderstood your injury because of Hongo's attentiveness, thinking you hurt your foot instead of your hand. All you can offer Hongo in return is heartfelt gratitude.
"You're welcome. You eat, and I'll take it to the kitchen to wash after you're done. Don't get that hand wet for now; the wound is much deeper than the one you cut in the kitchen last time."
You feel that you should wash your own dishes, but before you can even open your mouth, Hongo, anticipating what you'll say, continues.
"These are the doctor's orders. You don't want your hand to get infected and cause me trouble, do you?"
With a faint smile on his face, Hongo silenced you with the gentlest of words. This shows that after spending the past few days together, he has gained a general understanding of your personality.
Having your weakness exposed, you let out a helpless sigh and accepted the hometown's kindness.
"I understand, I won't cause you any trouble."
Because you injured your dominant hand, you ate much more slowly. While you ate, Hongo tidied up the items that had been scattered by the ship's rocking. He stopped tidying up the room after you were too full to eat anymore.
"Go back to your room and rest. Remember to come back for me to treat your wound after you take a shower."
Hongo didn't see it as any trouble, and you couldn't refuse his kindness, so you swallowed the words of refusal that came to mind. Before leaving the infirmary, you asked Hongo about Shanks' location, thinking you could chat with Shanks about Whitebeard on your way back to your room.
Unfortunately, Shanks wasn't drinking on deck as Hongo had said. Hongo did mention where Shanks was when he wasn't on deck, but considering that you and Shanks hadn't really interacted since boarding the ship, you dismissed the idea of going to Shanks's room to find him.
-
After taking a bath, you went to Hongo to get your medicine applied. On your way to the infirmary, you met Shanks, who noticed you before you even greeted him.
"I heard from the villagers that you wanted to see me. What's wrong?"
A conversation that gets straight to the point is a relief. You prefer a direct approach rather than making excuses to get to the point.
Although you haven't quite organized your thoughts yet, you've roughly explained them to Shanks based on your conversation with Beckman.
Shanks gazed at the night sky until you finished speaking, then turned to look at you.
"You want to go to Whitebeard's island? No problem. But it will take longer than going to the island I'm protecting. Is that okay too?"
You can understand what Shanks is saying. After all, it's someone else's territory, and Shanks has no reason to take a detour for you.
"No problem, after all, I'm the one who hitched a ride."
You don't know what made Shanks laugh, but after you nodded to indicate that you didn't care about the time, Shanks, who was staring at you intently, started laughing.
This leaves you somewhat confused, but not knowing Shanks' personality, you remain silent until Shanks finishes laughing and takes the initiative to talk to you.
"Even if you've had a traumatic experience on this ship, would you still be willing to spend more time here?"
You don't quite understand why Shanks said that. But Shanks wasn't waiting for your answer. His gaze, full of presence, swept over your face and bandaged hand, and his teasing voice rang out again.
“I’m not a talkative person. But you’ll encounter more things like this in the future, and today’s was relatively mild.”
"The longer you stay here, the more pressure you'll have to bear."
Shanks said this with a faint smile on his face, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes. You know, he's telling the truth; he's not trying to scare you.
If you want to leave this ship, it would be best to disembark at the next island. But your insistence on seeking the protection of a Yonko (Emperor of the Sea) suggests you're afraid Crocodile will come after you, which means an ordinary island is definitely not an option. Even islands under the Yonko's control aren't necessarily safe, but they're certainly safer than ordinary islands.
You said these words to Shanks before you boarded the ship, and it was because of these words that Shanks readily agreed to your request to hitch a ride.
While you're brainstorming, Shanks, who hasn't received a reply yet, brings up a new topic.
"I don't think our islands are any worse than Whitebeard's. Do we really want to go live on Whitebeard's island because of Crocodile?"
If you listen carefully, you can almost hear a hint of complaint, and you shake your head repeatedly when you realize this.
"I really like the atmosphere of the Red-Haired Pirates."
After hearing the sincerity in your words, Shanks laughed again, this time his upper body was shaking, which puzzled you greatly.
What's so funny about what you said? But Shanks won't tell you what's funny about it. After stopping laughing, he continues the conversation from where he left off.
"I'm fine with you. As for Whitebeard, I agree."
Hearing the answer you wanted made you breathe a sigh of relief, and just as you were about to thank him, Shanks suddenly realized something and his face lit up with a joy that was not typical for his age.
"Speaking of which, do you know Hawkeye? You know, the Shichibukai."
Thanks to Robin, you know about Mihawk: "I know him; he's a Shichibukai who's colleagues with Crocodile."
Your answer made Shanks shake his head repeatedly.
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I meant, do you know him?"
Shanks emphasized the word "you." He was clearly referring to whether you and Mihawk had a relationship. But you were certain that in your memory, there was only Crocodile and your past, along with photos you'd seen in the newspapers.
Confirming that your memory was correct, you shook your head again under Shanks' intrigued gaze.
"I don't know him."
The gaze fixed on you became veiled by your answer, as if observing something through you.
Is it any wonder he's one of the Four Emperors? Shanks's lack of a smile sends chills down your spine. Fortunately, Shanks only maintained this state for a few seconds before reverting to his approachable, conversational self.
"Then it's alright. Didn't you need to find Benjang to treat your wound? Go on."
Urged on by Shanks, and still somewhat intimidated by him, you didn't hesitate. After saying goodbye to him, you headed towards the infirmary, during which you seemed to hear Shanks talking to himself.
"Did I admit I was wrong...?"
A confused tone brushed past your ear with the night sea breeze.
-
After you left, Shanks returned to his room, took out his drowsy Den Den Mushi, and dialed a number that might not be answered.
The man, who rarely answered the phone, picked up the call, his cool voice ringing out as the Den Den Mushi's expression changed.
"What's the matter?"
Shanks watched the Den Den Mushi mimic Mihawk's expressions and couldn't help but marvel at its talent for imitation. But as he admired it, knowing Mihawk as he did, he knew that if the call didn't get to the point within two seconds, it would hang up.
"The person you mentioned before seems to be on my ship."
That's right, Shanks agreed to let you join the crew because when he saw your face, he remembered something Mihawk had casually mentioned.
That's one point, but the main reason is due to your own actions.
After he became one of the "Four Emperors", his reputation caused fear and apprehension among his peers, the navy, and even ordinary people.
You're the same; your fear of him has become a tangible reaction. You still force yourself to speak to him despite your timidity, making requests that do him no good whatsoever.
But you're quite interesting. After boarding the ship, you lived up to his expectations, and within half a month, your relationship with Lym, who had become increasingly averse to outsiders in recent years, improved considerably. Of course, you didn't notice the goodwill Lym was showing you.
Not only Rem, but Lu, Hongo, and Beckman also speak highly of you. Even though you're barely acquaintances with them, Shanks finds you very interesting.
Seeing that Mihawk didn't speak or hang up, Shanks, having gone through the matter of you in his mind, continued to share the information he had.
"The appearance matches. But she says she doesn't know you and that Crocodile is her husband."
Speaking of this, Shanks thought of Crocodile's gloomy expression on Sabaody Archipelago. One can imagine that if it weren't for him protecting you, Crocodile would have made those who took you in bleed on the shores of Sabaody Archipelago.
That's why Shanks believes in your relationship with Crocodile.
Mihawk remained unfazed upon hearing this information, his golden eyes, which were enough to intimidate most people, shone exceptionally brightly.
Based on their years of friendship, Shanks knew that this was Mihawk's indication of interest, and his words carried a hint of teasing.
"So, are you interested in coming over?"
Thinking about their location, Shanks brought up the distance issue with some distress.
"But this place is quite far from where you are. It would be very troublesome for you to come here, wouldn't it?"
Meanwhile, Mihawk tightened his grip on Shanks's hand as he gave his reply, amidst Shanks' troubled expression.
I will be going there soon.
Even knowing what Mihawk would say, Shanks was still taken aback by Mihawk's reply when he heard it with his own ears.
Thinking about their conversation earlier, Shanks teased Mihawk on the other end of the phone.
"Then you'd better hurry, she seems to want to get off the ship."
The call was abruptly ended by the Den Den Mushi. Clearly, Mihawk wasn't fooled by that tactic.
After finishing his business, Shanks lay in bed, sighing as he thought about how Mihawk, who lived alone in the castle, might leave because of a lack of accurate information.
"So, we still need to find a way to keep them here."
Thinking about your relationships with other people, Shanks isn't so troubled anymore.
"Well, there's always someone who won't let her get off the ship so soon."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
