The Red Force coasted smoothly into port, its crimson hull gleaming under the evening sun.
On deck, Kaka leaned against the railing, eyes sparkling with anticipation. Her youthful face glowed with excitement—another island, another adventure.
Behind her, Shanks and Beckman exchanged a knowing glance and identical smiles.
This return to the East Blue was half coincidence… half intent.
The Weight of a Yonko's Choice
Word had already spread across the seas—Marshall D. Teach, the once low-key crewmate of the Whitebeard Pirates, had murdered Thatch, stolen the Dark-Dark Fruit, and fled.
Now, Ace was in pursuit.
Shanks had chosen to sail back to the East Blue—a sea full of old memories.
Memories of Roger, of a young Luffy, of simpler days before the storm.
Perhaps he sought peace. Or perhaps, deep down, he just wanted to remember why he once set sail.
Beckman watched him quietly—the man who laughed the loudest, yet carried the heaviest burden.
A man who could face emperors and monsters alike, yet couldn't even save his own daughter.
Beckman understood that pain.
When Shanks had brought Kaka aboard, Beckman knew the truth:
Shanks had chosen to follow fate—to let the tide decide, as Roger once did.
Orange Town
"Heheh! Another island, another round of drinks!" Kaka cheered.
"I wonder if this place has good food… or better rum!"
Shanks chuckled, his laughter echoing through the port. "Let's find out, then!"
Beckman waved a hand lazily. "You lot go on ahead. I'll stay aboard."
As Shanks and Kaka disembarked with the crew, Beckman lit another cigar, eyes fixed on the horizon.
Storms were coming. The kind that could reshape the seas.
He needed to be ready.
Kaka's Stream — "Orange Wine Review!"
The group strolled through Orange Town, eventually finding a small tavern.
Kaka took a sip of the island's signature orange wine, cheeks turning rosy.
[Brothers, this Orange Wine is amazing! Way better than that bitter grapefruit brew from before!]
[And Red-Hair's crew… they're just too wholesome.]
[They're the Four Emperors, right? But they're so relaxed and kind—it's like they're just letting me enjoy the sea.]
Her words filled the stream chat with smiles.
[Red-Hair Pirates = dream crew. Change my mind.]
[I swear, if I ever get into this game, I'm joining Shanks's crew.]
[LMAO, join a Yonko crew? Sure, good luck with that.]
[They don't need recruits, bro. They're legends already.]
[Still, Kaka's luck is unreal…]
Kaka laughed as she read the comments, eyes curving like crescents.
Then—her expression shifted.
A faint whistle sliced through the air.
Her ears twitched. A sound she recognized.
The chat caught it too.
[That's a cannonball! Kaka, get down!]
[Yeah! It's the same sound from when her merchant ship got attacked before!]
Memory flashed like lightning—but Kaka didn't panic this time.
She wasn't that helpless girl anymore.
Now, she was a Logia user.
Normal cannonballs couldn't even touch her.
She turned toward Shanks's table.
Shanks didn't move. He merely glanced at Yasopp and lifted his glass.
Yasopp smirked, slung his rifle over his shoulder, and stepped outside.
Kaka followed.
High above, a red-painted cannonball screamed across the sky—its shrill whine splitting the clouds.
Villagers screamed, scattering in every direction.
Kaka stood her ground, calm.
Even if it hit, she'd be fine.
Still… she wanted to see how Yasopp handled it.
The sniper looked back with a confident grin. "Watch closely, kid."
Bang!
One shot. No hesitation.
The bullet streaked upward like a comet—and collided midair.
BOOM!
The cannonball exploded far above the town, a shockwave rippling through the streets.
Kaka shielded her face as dust whipped around her. When she looked again, Yasopp was lowering his rifle, unbothered.
"Amazing!" she gasped.
Her Rain-Rain Fruit couldn't have stopped that—but Yasopp had done it with one casual shot.
That was true strength—the power to protect.
Meanwhile, Not Far Away…
"Captain! Bad news—terrible news!"
The voice came from a frantic Cabaji, pedaling his unicycle like a man possessed.
Beside him, Mohji was struggling to calm down his lion, Richie, who roared at the commotion.
"What is it now?" Mohji snapped. "You're making a scene! We're the Buggy Pirates! Show some dignity before the great Captain—"
But Cabaji cut him off, voice trembling.
"Captain Buggy! It's them! The Red-Hair Pirates just docked nearby!"
"WHAT?!"
Buggy shot upright—well, half of him did, his upper body popping off the chair entirely.
His face went pale.
"That's impossible! That red-haired idiot should still be in the New World! What's he doing back in the East Blue?!"
His detached hands trembled. Even after all these years, the mere mention of Shanks was enough to make Captain Buggy the Clown panic.
And thus—the stage was set.
The Great God Buggy… was about to make his entrance.
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