Chapter 432: Shanks Returns to the Holy Land
Holy Land Mary Geoise · Room of Authority
Inside the magnificent hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt almost tangible.
Shanks stood alone before the Five Elders. His red hair hung loose, obscuring half of his face, the chilling intent in his eyes seemingly swallowed by the shadows.
The Five Elders stared at the former "Emperor of the Sea," their gazes weaving together suspicion, vigilance, and deep contemplation.
The air seemed compressed to its absolute limit; only the sound of heartbeats echoed throughout the hall.
Finally, the new Warrior God of Science and Defense—Saint Figarland Garling—spoke, his voice piercingly cold:
"Shanks, why did Roy let you return? He never does anything without a reason."
They didn't even bother doubting whether Shanks could escape from Roy on his own.
With that man's terrifying strength, no one in the entire world could survive his pursuit.
The hall fell into a momentary, deathly silence.
Shanks raised his head. His gaze landed on the man who was both his mother's murderer and his biological father, the source of his bloodline. A cold sneer slowly curled at the corner of his lips.
"He said... he doesn't want to completely burn bridges with the World Government."
"Not killing Celestial Dragons is the bottom line he personally drew."
As his words fell, a visible glimmer of relief surfaced in the eyes of Saint Nusjuro, Saint Peter, Saint Warcury, and Saint Mars.
They had not personally experienced the apocalyptic "Buddha vs. Demon" showdown during the Paramount War. Their understanding of Roy's true terror was limited only to rumors.
Even Saint Saturn's death was attributed merely to his defiance of "That Person's" will.
Hearing now that "Roy doesn't intend to completely sever ties," they actually felt a trace of sheer luck and self-comfort.
However, Saint Garling's reaction was entirely different.
"LIES!!!"
With a single slam of his palm, the jade table shattered instantly. Cracks spider-webbed outward as dust and debris flew into the air.
He abruptly stood up, his eyes as sharp as blades, his voice booming through the hall: "How could a man like Roy ever compromise?! What exactly is he scheming?!"
Shanks slightly raised his eyes: "I don't know."
He took a deep breath, his tone heavy: "But he slaughtered my comrades and crushed my dreams... This blood feud is absolutely irreconcilable!!!"
His red hair whipped up slightly as he took a step forward. His Haki surged out like a raging tide, pressing down on the entire hall.
The air vibrated violently, and even the hanging tapestries snapped wildly in the pressure.
"Do you still dare to take me in, the mortal enemy of that 'Death God'?!"
The Five Elders looked at each other, silent as the deep sea.
They knew all too well that the blood feud between Roy and Shanks was absolutely impossible to resolve.
After a moment, Shanks gave a cold smirk, his tone laced with self-deprecation:
"Don't worry... Before I obtain absolute power, I won't be stupid enough to throw my life away."
Saint Garling narrowed his eyes, questioning coldly: "Then how are we supposed to trust you?"
Amidst the light and shadows of the hall, Shanks' expression grew more solemn than ever before. He slowly uttered a sentence that violently shook the hearts of the Five Elders:
"I will... accept the power of 'That Person' once again."
The eyes of the Five Elders shifted instantly, monstrous waves churning in all their hearts.
A Few Days Later · Sabaody Archipelago
The morning light spilled through the thin mist, illuminating the concert venue that was currently under repair.
Uta had taken off her lavish diva attire, wearing only a simple, pure white dress. She stood quietly at the edge of the stage.
In her hand, she held an official announcement—"Retiring for a year to study music."
Suddenly, familiar footsteps echoed from behind her.
Uta's heart jolted, and she abruptly turned around.
—That flash of red was still as dazzling as a flame.
Shanks stood amidst the morning light. His left arm was completely intact, and his entire demeanor was far more composed than before.
Those eyes, which used to be free, uninhibited, and always smiling at the sea, now carried the heavy weight of the deep ocean.
"Father... your arm?!"
Uta rushed forward, her trembling hands grabbing that lost-and-found left arm.
The touch was warm and real. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes and poured down like a fountain.
Shanks opened his arms and pulled his daughter tightly into his embrace: "I took a trip to Mary Geoise... and made a trade."
Uta trembled all over, her teary eyes red: "Was it because of me?! Was it because I summoned Tot Musica... that you went to beg those Celestial Dragons?!"
"No."
Shanks cupped her face and wiped away her tears. An inextinguishable flame burned in his eyes: "It was to bring an end to an era."
He turned to look at Gordon, who was waiting quietly nearby, and solemnly placed Uta's hand into his old friend's palm: "Take her to Marineford."
"Staff Officer Tsuru will teach her how to use her singing to heal this scarred world."
Uta cried endlessly, gripping a corner of her father's cape tightly, her voice hoarse from trembling:
"What about you? ...Will you come back? Are you going to abandon me again?!!"
The light in Shanks' eyes softened in an instant.
He slowly leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his daughter's forehead. His smile carried a long-lost freedom and tenderness: "Of course I'll come back..."
"I will absolutely never leave you alone again."
With those words, he slowly turned around, his silhouette stretched long in the morning sun.
His red hair danced in the wind like an unyielding banner as he walked toward an even deeper storm.
Watching her father's receding back, tears swirled in Uta's eyes, but she finally held them back.
She took a deep breath, wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes, and turned to Gordon with a resolute smile:
"Teacher... let's go."
Her voice carried an unprecedented determination: "I will become a daughter worthy of my father's pride... and wait for his return."
Shanks' figure gradually vanished into the dawn.
His footsteps were firm, but he sighed silently in his heart: Uta... forgive me. As a father, I owe you too much.
But only by shouldering this darkness can I exchange it for your new dawn.
When everything finally comes to an end, I promise I will return...
He did not look back.
The cape on his shoulders snapped in the wind, as if silently speaking of the longing and attachment he didn't want his daughter to notice.
Marineford
Marine Headquarters was currently bustling with noise and excitement, as festive as a holiday.
Colorful flags hung over the harbor, and soldiers hurried about. The air lacked the usual tense military discipline, surging instead with uncontrollable excitement.
"HAHAHAHA!!!"
Sengoku crossed his arms and laughed loudly, his hearty voice echoing through the grand hall: "To think even a brat like you could get this flustered? Now this is a rare sight!"
Law stood quietly beside Sengoku. His gaze fell on the restless Roy, and a faint smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of his lips.
—He had never seen this "ordinary" side of Big Brother Roy before.
Roy rubbed the bridge of his nose, a wry smile on his face: "Old Man Garp just up and left without a word. He insisted on bringing my parents to Marine Headquarters, saying something about them needing to see where their son works."
He paused, a flash of helplessness in his eyes: "And then he refused to let me go pick them up!"
"He kept insisting, 'What are you afraid of, brat? We two old men are here'... Seriously."
"WHAT?!!"
Upon hearing the news, Ace and Luffy yelled almost simultaneously. Their eyes widened, their excitement overflowing.
"Grandpa Roc and Grandma Irene are coming to see us?!!"
In the next second, the two brothers scrambled around as if their tails were on fire.
They frantically ran back to dig out the Marine uniforms they almost never wore and hastily threw them on.
"Hurry up, you idiot Luffy, don't mess up the buttons!"
"Ace! You're moving way too slow, Grandpa and Grandma are almost here!"
The two inspected each other with absolute seriousness, terrified that even a single detail wasn't sharp enough, desperate to present their most "dashing" appearance to their elders.
Nami and Nojiko stood to the side. Watching these usually carefree and reckless brothers seriously straightening their collars, they couldn't help but cover their mouths and snicker.
Warm laughter and joyful clamor rose and fell in waves, as if even the sea breeze had been dyed with happiness.
In this moment, all of Marineford was enveloped in a long-lost warmth and relaxation.
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