Chapter 433: The Last Road Poneglyph
A straw hat slowly floated down from the sky, carried by the wind, until it was caught by a large hand.
Shanks, holding the straw hat, walked step by step into the collapsed castle ruins, and stopped beside Luffy, who was lying on the ground with his limbs pressed down by several giant rocks.
After a long period of exertion, Luffy could no longer maintain his Nika form and had reverted to his black hair. A huge gash on his chest was oozing blood.
After the battle had stopped, the endless pain and fatigue that had accumulated had all surged up. Luffy felt that even breathing was extremely difficult.
Just as Beckman had said, he no longer had the strength to fight Shanks.
"...What a pity. It seems it's not time to take this straw hat back from you yet."
Shanks smiled faintly, squatted down, and placed the straw hat on Luffy's forehead:
"I'll have to ask you to keep holding onto it, Luffy."
"...You're so strong, Shanks. I really thought I could beat you this time."
Luffy sighed with regret. The hat slid off his face and fell to the ground. He calmly stared at the azure sky, lost in thought.
"Hahaha! Well, don't be discouraged, Luffy."
Shanks chuckled. He sat down cross-legged on the spot, looking at Luffy with a gratified expression:
"To be able to do this much is already amazing. If we fought again, I might not be able to win for sure."
"Really?!"
"Mm. Really."
"Then let's fight again, Shanks!"
Luffy pulled his four limbs out from under the rocks, and his whole person shot up into a sitting position, the fighting spirit in his eyes igniting again:
"I definitely won't lose this time!"
"Don't be ridiculous."
Seeing him so energetic, Shanks waved his hand with a disgusted look, refusing:
"I'm tired, I'm tired. Compared to fighting, I just want to go back to the tavern, drink, and rest."
Grumble~~
Hearing these words, Luffy's stomach let out a sound as if by conditioned reflex. The feeling of hunger surged up.
Luffy clutched his stomach, his energy gone. The fighting spirit on his face from a second ago instantly wilted:
"Ah~~ I'm so hungry~~ I want meat~~"
Shanks: "..."
——————
A while later, the tavern in the giant village was lively again. The people from several pirate crews were mixed together, raising their glasses and drinking heartily.
The hall was filled with giant round log tables. In the center, Shanks put one foot on a table, his face flushed with excitement. He raised his glass and shouted:
"Brothers! A toast to Luffy!!"
"—Yeah!"
"Cheers!!"
"Hahaha!"
The hall was in perfect harmony. At the bar, Nami leaned her arms on the counter. Hearing the noisy sounds behind her, she couldn't help but be speechless.
"What's with this? They were just fighting like crazy, and now they're as close as brothers."
"It's Luffy, after all. This is probably what it means to be a pirate."
At her side, Robin smiled faintly. She looked back at Luffy, who was surrounded by the cadres of the Red Hair Pirates, cheering and toasting.
Unrestrained at all times... the word 'freedom' had always been carried out in all his actions. At the same time, he also brought liberation and salvation to the people around him.
If a will really did reside within the Devil Fruit, this must be the reason why Nika and Luffy were drawn to each other.
"To Luffy's pirate crew! Another toast!"
"—Yeah!"
"Cheers!!"
Another cheer erupted from the crowd. Shanks excitedly raised his glass and took a big swig, the liquor trickling down from the corner of his mouth.
While the crowd was drinking heartily, Luffy had already finished his drink and had broken free from the enthusiastic encirclement.
"Hey, Robin!"
Luffy stretched his hand and grabbed the bar, which was a dozen or so meters high. He flew up, and squatted in front of Robin, a big grin on his face:
"Hee hee hee, it's time for us to go and see him, right? The giant who took care of you."
"Mm."
Robin smiled faintly and asked, "Are you guys coming with me?"
"Of course! It's my duty as a captain to visit the person who took care of my companion,"
Luffy nodded and said with a smile.
"Not bad, Luffy. I was wondering why you'd run off in the middle of drinking."
Just then, Shanks came over from behind, his tone carrying a hint of gratification.
"You're right, Luffy. It seems you've really matured a lot. In that case, it's a good choice to give this to you."
"Give... this... to me?"
"Ah. The rubbing of the Road Poneglyph. Well? You're just missing the last one, right?"
Shanks took out a rolled-up piece of paper, tied with a thin string, from his robes and gestured to Luffy.
Seeing this, the lively noise in the tavern instantly quieted down.
"Is that!"
"A rubbing of the Road Poneglyph..."
"That's the thing that can guide people to the final island of Laugh Tale, and find the legendary One Piece..."
When this roll of paper appeared, everyone's gaze was drawn over, their expressions varied.
Some in the crowd swallowed, their two eyes fixed on Shanks's hand, suppressing the impulsive thoughts in their hearts.
Even Usopp and the others held their breath, nervously clenching their fists.
Only Luffy, after hearing Shanks's words, was surprised.
"Wait a minute. Didn't you say you'd only give it to me if I beat you?"
"I lost the duel just now. In that case, I don't want it. I won't accept it until I've officially surpassed you, Shanks."
Luffy put his hands on his hips, turned his head, and pursed his lips, directly refusing him.
These words, however, made the surrounding waiting people's eyes widen in disbelief.
"Hey, this is the last Poneglyph you're missing."
"He actually refused? Is he crazy? If you don't want it, you can give it to me."
"Get lost, get lost! What's it to you? Are you worthy of such a treasure?"
"I've already acknowledged you, Luffy. As for the duel just now..."
Shanks's expression still held a smile. He didn't seem surprised by Luffy's decision at all. He just said lightly:
"The Pirate King is not a title used to measure a person's strength. I inherited Captain Roger's will and hoped to pass it on to the right person."
"And that person... I had already made my choice twelve years ago, Luffy."
Shanks's tone was calm. Before Luffy's dazed eyes, he slowly extended his hand and handed him the rubbing.
"The moment you stood before me wearing this hat, my test was already over. From now on, you will help me fulfill the promise I made with Captain Roger, Luffy."
"Shanks..."
Luffy seemed to have not yet come back to his senses. He blankly accepted the rolled-up paper. Looking at the rubbing in his hand, his mind was filled with a thousand thoughts.
"From the East Blue to the Grand Line, to the New World, and step by step to Elbaf... you have crossed this magnificent sea, and you have a group of companions who are not inferior to us, and you have experienced countless adventures."
A heavy voice echoed in the tavern. Shanks's tone grew higher and higher.
"Go, Luffy! Go to the end of the Grand Line! Pursue the greatest treasure!"
"—One Piece!"
(End of chapter)