Luffy was the first to burst into tears. Shanks didn't say a word; instead, he pressed the straw hat onto Luffy's head. "The next time we meet, it will be on the high seas. I'll be waiting for you in the New World."
Hera asked, "Luffy, you idiot, why are you so sad? We'll see each other again on the ocean in the future."
Even as she spoke, a sad expression appeared on Hera's face, and her eyes gradually reddened. She also felt a deep reluctance to see Shanks leave.
"Idiot Luffy, you're making me feel sentimental too."
Luffy said, "But, if I go out to sea to become the Pirate King, won't Shanks's dream fail to come true?"
Everyone laughed upon hearing this, and Shanks laughed too. "Kid, beat me first before you say that. I won't be taking it easy on you."
Turning toward Ace, he asked, "Have you thought it over? Do you want to set out to sea with us?"
Ace said, "I'm very grateful for the training you've given us this past year, but I still want to make a name for myself on my own."
Shanks nodded with relief upon hearing this. To him, Ace was like his own younger brother, but since Ace had the idea of venturing out on his own, Shanks wouldn't stand in his way.
"That's fine too. Be careful not to let your identity be exposed. If any real problems arise, you can go to the Sabaody Archipelago and find a coating mechanic named Rayleigh. Tell him your name, and he will help you."
"Additionally, if you have any problems after going out to sea, you can come find me. Don't worry, I still have a bit of 'face' out there."
Ace nodded, committing Shanks's words to heart.
Hera suppressed her sadness and said, "Alright, Uncle. Next time we meet, I might be a Marine. Don't let yourself get caught by a little girl like me!"
"And, you actually didn't tell me where you left Uta. Next time we meet, I'm going to beat you up on Uta's behalf."
Shanks patted Hera's head. Hearing Uta's name, a trace of sadness flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it.
He said, "Don't worry, Uta is in a place where she can achieve her dreams. And when you next hear news of me becoming an Emperor of the Sea, don't be scared."
Amidst the laughter, Shanks and his crew boarded their ship and departed.
Luffy chased the receding ship along the beach, shouting, "Just you wait, Shanks! I will definitely catch up to you! I'm the man who's going to become the Pirate King! Just wait for my arrival in the New World!"
At that moment, the sky turned gloomy, as if it were about to send down a heavy rain for this parting.
Seeing this, Shanks smiled slightly. "A day for setting sail shouldn't have rain. Weren't you curious about how strong I actually am? Since we're parting, I'll let you see a corner of the world. Don't be frightened."
With that, black and red Haki soared into the sky. The entire world seemed to lose its color in an instant, leaving only black and white. As Shanks placed his hand on his sword, the surrounding Haki surged frantically into the blade.
"God's Punishment!" As Shanks's voice rang out, the strike slashed toward the cloud-filled sky, instantly clearing the dark clouds for a hundred miles around. A scar seemed to be left in the middle of the blue sky.
The sky turned clear in an instant; even the dark clouds above had to avoid this domineering strike.
Seeing this, Luffy said, "So amazing! Is this the slash that can split the sky in two?" After saying that, he got excited again. "Will I actually become this strong in the future?"
Shanks laughed. "When you encounter me on the sea, I'll teach you this move."
Ace looked at the sword scar in the sky, and his own Conqueror's Haki manifested as well. It seemed to want to condense in the air, but slowly dispersed into a haze again.
Ace's face was full of longing for Red Hair's sword strike. "So it's actually possible to reach this level relying solely on Haki."
Seeing this, Hera stuck out her tongue. "Being here in person is really different from reading the manga. This sense of presence... it looks way cooler than shooting a gun."
After saying that, Hera suddenly remembered, "Right, if I want to build a good foundation for learning the sword, isn't there that place?"
"And there's a girl there waiting for me to save her."
Thinking of this, Hera made up her mind. She decided that when Garp next arrived, she would have him send her to Koushirou's Dojo in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue to study swordsmanship under Genzo.