Ritter watched the children chatting and playing with Shanks' crew, then nudged the red-haired pirate with his elbow. "Come on. Let's head to the dojo and sit for a bit. Rouge made snacks. And let me tell you, her cooking is flawless."
Shanks' eyes brightened. "Perfect timing. I am starving."
Inside the dojo, everyone found their seats. The Red-Haired Pirates sat with the relaxed discipline of a well-trained crew. Beckman leaned against a post with his signature cigarette. Lucky Roo gnawed casually on a chicken drumstick. Yasopp kept one watchful eye on the children. Even Uta perched at the table with shining curiosity.
As soon as the last cup of tea was poured, Shanks leaned forward, dropping his usual carefree smile. "Ritter, I came here today because I need to discuss something with you."
Ritter lifted an eyebrow. "Oh? That sounds serious."
Shanks nodded. "It is about the new era. Once I finish that matter we talked about, I plan to stay in the East Blue for a while and search for young talents with potential. And besides that..." His gaze lingered briefly on Ace and Ann. "Roger's will needs someone to inherit it."
Ritter's lips quirked upward. "So you want Ace to sail with you? Forget it. I am raising him myself. And you, Red-Haired Shanks, if you show up at someone's door and ask for their kids, who could possibly refuse you?"
Shanks shook his head. "No. They are your family. That makes them my family too. But I hope they will have a chance to see a wider world."
Ritter immediately knocked his knuckles hard on Shanks' head.
A crisp "Bong!" echoed across the room.
Shanks clutched his head in agony. "Ow ow ow! Why are you still so good at hitting people? That hurts!"
The Red-Haired crew instantly rose. Beckman leveled his gun. Lucky Roo pointed his chicken leg like a club. Yasopp raised his rifle. Even Uta puffed up her cheeks and glared fiercely.
"Do not hit Shanks!" she protested.
Ritter looked at all of them and chuckled. "Well, well. Quick response. Not bad. You all have some backbone."
Then his killing intent burst outward.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded like a storm. The air shook. The dojo walls trembled. The pressure sank into every bone.
Sweat poured down the foreheads of the Red-Haired Pirates, but they did not step back. Their weapons remained raised, locked onto Ritter.
Shanks rubbed his head with tears in his eyes and laughed through the pain. "Ritter, that felt like old times. It hurts exactly the same as before."
Ritter withdrew his Haki and nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad at all. You found yourself a solid group."
Beckman let out a slow exhale. His cigarette nearly fell. "That Haki is stronger than even the captain's. I thought I was already dead."
Lucky Roo wiped his forehead. "I thought my chicken leg was going to evaporate."
Yasopp cracked a shaky smile. "No wonder the captain calls him big brother."
Shanks leaned on the table with pride. "My crew is amazing, right?"
Ritter shrugged. "They are all better than you were at their age. And Shanks, try not to cry in front of them anymore. You are a role model now."
Shanks choked on his breath while his crew stifled their laughter.
Just then, Rouge arrived with a tray of tea and pastries. "Everyone, do not stand there tense. Eat something."
Uta immediately forgot all tension. "It smells delicious!"
Ace scooted close to Shanks, eyes sparkling. "Shanks, your crew is so strong. Was that Haki? Can you teach me how to do that?"
Sabo nodded in agreement. "That oppressive feeling was overwhelming. We have never released Haki deliberately. Ritter refuses to teach us."
Shanks chuckled and ruffled Ace's hair. "You want to learn Haki? If your uncle still refuses, then beat him in a fight first."
Ace froze, remembering the loud crack of Ritter's punch earlier.
Ritter shot him a thumbs-up, expression clearly saying: Try it if you dare. Cross me if you can, Ace.
Ace swallowed hard. The future might be his, but his current head still belonged to today's version of him.
Ann approached shyly and handed Shanks a small handkerchief. "Here. For the sweat."
Shanks blinked, then grinned warmly. "Thank you, Ann."
Ritter watched them with lazy amusement before shifting his posture. "So, Shanks. What was it you wanted to discuss? You said CP0 came to you."
Shanks' smile faded. His posture straightened. His tone lowered. "Ritter, CP0 approached me. I want you to accompany me to Mariejois."
Rouge tapped Uta's shoulder gently. "Little one, your captain needs to speak with Ritter alone. Why don't we go bake cookies?"
Uta's eyes sparkled. "Really? Can I help?"
"Of course. Come with me."
Rouge guided the younger ones out of the dojo, leaving only the adults behind.
Ritter crossed one leg over the other, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table. "CP0, huh? Those pale mask-wearing creeps. What do they want? Surely they are not planning to award you Best Pirate of the Year."
Shanks did not smile. "They mentioned my origins. They said they want to return something that belongs to me, and that maintaining the balance of the world depends on it. They also said it is time to wait for the moment."
Ritter's eyes narrowed. He did not ask what moment. He knew Shanks would not answer.
"Interesting. So your Celestial Dragon heritage is out in the open now."
Shanks froze for half a second. "You... already knew?"
"Of course. I found you at God Valley, remember? The only people inside a pristine treasure chest were either Celestial Dragons or slaves. You looked far too well-fed to be a slave."
Shanks took a breath. "CP0 told me everything recently. I want to see what game they are playing. But Mariejois is full of monsters older than you and me combined. So I want you there with me. Just in case."
Another heavy "Bong!" landed squarely on Shanks' head.
Ritter bared his shark-like teeth. "Respect your elders. What do you mean old monsters? I am in my forties. This is peak performance age."
The narrator's voice intruded for a moment:
(I have analyzed this carefully. In the original timeline, Shanks faced Mariejois alone. He had courage, but no real support. Rayleigh and Jabba had already stepped back and were not strong enough. Ritter, however, is overwhelmingly powerful. In my version, Shanks has someone to rely on, someone who raised him, who shaped his values. With that kind of foundation, of course he would ask for backup. Original Shanks did not have that luxury.)
Shanks clutched the lump forming on his head. "I only meant I am nervous, not that you are old."
He drew a deeper breath. "The strange thing is that CP0 said all this was the command of the Five Elders."
The teacup in Ritter's hand cracked.
A thin fracture line split the porcelain, tea sliding silently down the table.
Beckman's eyes sharpened. Even though the change was tiny, he caught it. The moment Shanks mentioned the Five Elders, Ritter's aura shifted, almost imperceptibly, but with the weight of something ancient and dangerous.
"How interesting." Ritter stood slowly. The blood mist beneath him rippled like a living tide. "Since when do the Five Elders think they can summon my little brother around? And issuing commands no less. Are they putting their face above mine now?"
Shanks looked up at him. "Ritter..."
Ritter cut him off. "When do we leave? I want to see exactly what kind of tricks they think they can pull."