Chapter Text
Shanks regaled Luffy with tales of his adventures, painting vivid pictures of far-off lands and daring exploits. As Makino approached with the boy’s lunch, the savory scent of grilled meat filled the bar, evoking memories of simpler times. Shanks, noticing Luffy's enthusiasm for his meal, grinned and ruffled the boy’s hair. "What’s for lunch, anchor?" he asked, his voice playful.
Luffy paused mid-bite, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Bandit flavored human," he declared, his words making Shanks chuckle and causing the crew to freak out. Only Benn Beckman remained composed, calmly puffing on his cigarette. Watching Luffy relish his food, Shanks was transported back to his own youth aboard the Oro Jackson, recalling how he and Buggy would steal food from Captain Roger's plate despite Rayleigh’s stern warnings. He remembered the day Roger had taken them in, treating them as his own sons.
Makino, observing the scene with a soft smile, remarked to Shanks, "He really looks up to you, you know."
Shanks, taking a sip of his drink, nodded thoughtfully. "The kid’s got a lot of heart. Reminds me of myself at his age."
Benn lit another cigarette, interjecting dryly, "Except smaller." The crew erupted in laughter again, and Shanks joined in, shaking his head. "You got me there, Benn," he conceded. "But I wasn’t nearly as stubborn as this one." He gestured toward Luffy, who was now licking his fingers clean.
"I'm not stubborn!" Luffy protested, his cheeks puffed out with food. "I just know what I want!"
Makino knelt down, meeting Luffy's earnest gaze. "And what do you want, Luffy?"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with determination. "I want to be the Pirate King!" he declared, his voice unwavering. For a moment, the bar fell silent, the weight of Luffy’s ambition hanging in the air. Shanks reached out, placing a hand on Luffy’s head. "That’s a big dream, kid."
"Yeah I know!" Luffy beamed, his determination shining through. Yasopp, tossing a piece of bread to Luffy, added, "Just make sure you don’t get into too much trouble before you’re ready."
"No promises!" Luffy replied, catching the bread with his mouth and then quickly placing a chunk of the bandit meat on it and eating it, prompting another round of laughter from the crew.
Shanks raised his glass, his eyes filled with pride. “To Luffy, the future Pirate King!"
"To Luffy!" the crew echoed, raising their drinks in a boisterous cheer.
"Hey, Shanks," Luffy said suddenly, looking up with wide, eager eyes. "Tell me another story about your adventures!" Shanks laughed, settling back into his chair. "Alright, anchor. Let me tell you about the time we faced off against a giant sea king..."
As Shanks launched into his tale, the crew and Makino gathered around, captivated by his storytelling. Luffy listened with rapt attention, his dreams of adventure growing with each word. Hours passed, the sun dipping low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the bar. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with the camaraderie and warmth that came from shared stories and good company. Luffy, his belly full and eyes drooping, fought to stay awake, unwilling to miss a single word of Shanks' adventures. Shanks noticed the boy’s struggle and paused his tale. "Hey, anchor, how about we continue this story tomorrow?" he suggested gently.
Luffy shook his head vigorously. "No! I want to hear more! What happened next?"
With a chuckle, Shanks relented. "Alright, but just one more story. Then it's off to bed, okay?"
Luffy nodded eagerly, his tiredness momentarily forgotten. Shanks leaned back, a far-off look in his eyes as he began another tale, this one about a hidden treasure on a deserted island and a cunning rival pirate crew that tried to claim it first. As Shanks spoke, Luffy's eyelids grew heavier, and he leaned against Makino, who wrapped an arm around him protectively. The boy's breathing became steady and deep, signaling that sleep had finally claimed him. Shanks smiled softly, he looked down at the sleeping Luffy. "He really is something, isn’t he?" he remarked quietly to Makino.
Makino nodded, her eyes full of warmth. "He has a fire in him. Just like you did."
Shanks sighed, a mix of nostalgia and hope in his expression. "Yeah. Let's just hope he doesn’t get himself into too much trouble too soon." The crew shared a quiet laugh at that, knowing full well that trouble seemed to follow Luffy like a shadow. Shanks stood, gently lifting the boy into his arms. "I'll take him upstairs," he said softly. "He needs his rest for all those big dreams."