novelnext Chapter 192 Acquaintances
Chapter 192 Acquaintances
Chapter 192 Acquaintances
When the names Red-Haired Pirates and Hawkeye Mihawk appear together on the Grand Line, most people's reaction is not fear, but confusion: How come these two are together again? Are they going to have another battle?
Bai Yu stood up and handed the iced tea in her hand to Violet beside her.
"They're all old friends, I'll go take a look."
After Bai Yu finished speaking, he walked to the bow of the ship, put his hands in his pockets, and squinted at the distant sea.
The sunlight spread a layer of shimmering gold across the sea, dazzling the eyes, but he still managed to make out the two blurry outlines.
A large ship and a small ship.
The famous skull and crossbones logo was painted on the sails of the large ship.
There are three red scratches, as if it had been ripped apart by something.
Behind the skull are two crossed swords, a Western sword and an Eastern sword, symbolizing the style of the Red-Haired Pirates.
The boats have a completely different design.
It is entirely black, with sharp and smooth lines, resembling a coffin.
There were no markings on the sails, but the texture of the canvas shimmered with a unique luster in the sunlight. The stern was a huge cross shape that extended from the hull to both sides, giving a solemn and almost religious visual impact.
That's Hawkeye's ship.
That man, the man known as the world's greatest swordsman, although Hawkeye himself did not agree with this title, because he had lost to a woman in a certain battle.
Hawkeye, the man who could cleave a massive mountain in two with a single black sword called Night, sat alone on the deck of that small boat, like a black sculpture, facing the vast sea.
Bai Yu's lips slowly curled up.
He remembered their last meeting.
That was in the West Blue. At that time, he was with Matsumoto Rangiku and Nico Robin. The three of them stayed on that island, where the Red-Haired Pirates were also there for supplies and rest.
They met, and then spent the whole night drinking and talking on the boat.
That was the first time Bai Yu had seen Shanks.
The man was much more casual than he had imagined, so casual that he didn't seem like a strong person.
It was a pleasant encounter.
As for Hawkeye Mihawk, the situation was completely different when Bai Yu met him.
The sea breeze blew in from the southeast, carrying a salty, fishy smell.
The Dawn continued forward, and the outlines of the two ships became increasingly clear.
Bai Yu turned around and called out to the deck, "It's someone I know!"
The atmosphere on the deck immediately relaxed.
Rangiku sat up from the recliner, stretched out a big yawn, her long golden hair shimmering in the sunlight. The hem of her shirt was pulled up a little, revealing a section of her flat stomach and navel, but she didn't care. She just stretched casually and then rubbed her eyes.
"An acquaintance? Which acquaintance?"
"Redhead and Hawkeye."
Rangiku blinked, then gave a bright smile.
"Oh, that red-haired weirdo who bought us drinks has now become a one-armed old man."
"—He'll be hurt if you call him 'uncle'."
"He looks like an older man."
Rangiku said confidently, then jumped off the deck chair, ran barefoot to the bow of the ship, and stood on tiptoe to look into the distance.
Her hair was blown about by the sea breeze, and a few strands stuck to her lips, but she didn't care and just squinted at them for a while.
"It really is them! This is truly a wonderful coincidence."
Robin emerged from the shadows, still holding the book about Wano Country in her hand, but she had already closed it and tucked it under her arm.
Her long black hair fluttered in the wind, and a quiet, gentle smile played on her lips.
"The Red-Haired Pirates—to meet them twice at sea is quite a coincidence."
It's fate.
Violet stood behind Bai Yu, her voice soft yet firm.
Bai Yu glanced at her.
Violet's eyes reflected the two ships in the distance.
"What's wrong?" Bai Yu asked.
"It's nothing."
Violet shook her head, then a mysterious, slightly sly smile appeared on her lips: "I just feel like something very interesting is going to happen today."
Before Bai Yu could ask any further questions, Artoria came out of the cabin.
She changed into clean clothes: a white shirt and black trousers, the shirt tucked into the waistband, the belt cinching her waist in a sharp line. Her blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing a glimpse of her fair nape and well-defined jawline.
She walked to Bai Yu's side, her gaze falling on the two ships in the distance, her brows furrowing slightly.
"That one-armed man—he has a very powerful aura."
Her voice was calm, but there was a subtle hint of wariness in her tone.
"Um."
Bai Yu nodded.
"And that man carrying the black knife, his aura is also quite imposing."
"Um."
Bai Yu nodded again.
Artoria remained silent for a moment.
"We also have swordsmen on our ship."
Rangiku leaned on the railing at the bow of the ship, turned her head, and her golden eyes darted back and forth between Artoria and Shiraha twice before she gave a meaningful smile.
"You two seem to have developed a lot of chemistry lately."
Artoria's ears turned slightly red.
"We've always had a great understanding."
"Yeah?"
Rangiku's smile deepened: "Then explain what that red mark on your neck is all about?"
Artoria almost instinctively raised her hand to cover her neck.
Then she realized she had been tricked again.
Because there was nothing left on her neck.
She was wearing a high-necked shirt today, with the top button fastened tightly.
Rangiku laughed out loud, her laughter as clear and crisp as a wind chime swaying in the wind.
Robin smiled too, a subtle and elegant smile, but the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Violet didn't speak, but the corners of her mouth curved up a little wider.
Artoria took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and suppressed her urge to draw her sword in a manner akin to cultivating her mind.
Then she opened her eyes, looked at Rangiku, and said, word by word, "Rangiku, don't sleep too soundly tonight."
Rangiku's laughter stopped abruptly.
"Wait, these are two different things."
"They are two different things."
After Artoria finished speaking, she turned around, her ponytail swinging in the air in a beautiful arc.
Rangiku stood there, blinked, and then turned to look at Shiraha.
"Oh no, have I offended Saber again?"
Bai Yu thought for a moment and then shook his head.
"You two have a really good relationship."
Rangiku blinked again, then smiled.
"So that's how you understand it."
The two ships are getting closer and closer.
Bai Yu could see the people on the Red-Haired Pirates' ship. There were more than a dozen crew members standing on the deck, dressed in various styles of clothing, holding wine glasses, meat legs, and musical instruments. Some were dancing, while others were lying on the deck sunbathing. The whole deck didn't look like a ship of powerful people; it looked more like a mobile sea tavern.
A person was standing at the bow of the ship.
He was wearing a white shirt, the buttons undone, revealing his muscular chest.
His left arm was severed at the shoulder, and the cuff was tied in a knot, hanging empty at his side.
He held a wine jug in his right hand and was pouring wine into his mouth. After taking a big gulp, he put down the jug, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and then squinted at the direction of the Dawn.
Her red hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
Red-haired Shanks.
He looked at it for three seconds, then flashed a smile so bright it could outshine the sun.
"Feed—"
He raised the wine jug and shouted towards the Dawn, his voice booming as if he were using a megaphone: "Bai Yuyi! Long time no see—!"
Bai Yu smiled too.
He also raised his hand and waved at Shanks.
"Shanks—! You still owe me three bottles of wine!"
Shanks paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the sea and startling several seabirds flying in the distance.
"I remember—! We'll pay it back together today—!"
The two ships began to slow down, and the crew busied themselves preparing to dock.
The small black boat slowly approached from the other side, moving at a pace so slow it was like taking a stroll.
The cross at the stern cast a long shadow in the sunlight, the tip of which just touched the gunwale of the Dawn.
Hawkeye Mihawk stood at the bow of the ship, holding neither a bottle of wine nor a knife.
He simply stood there, his golden eyes gazing at the deck of the Dawn, his gaze as calm as a stagnant pool.
But after his gaze swept across the deck of the Dawn, it stopped in one spot.
Bai Yu followed his gaze.
Retsu Unohana sat in the shadows by the cabin door, holding Kanna in her arms. Kanna was eating a candy, her mouth covered in candy stains.
Unohana Retsu lowered her head and carefully wiped Kanna's mouth with a handkerchief, her movements gentle and patient.
She didn't look at Hawkeye.
It was as if they hadn't noticed his presence at all.
But Bai Yu noticed that her hand wiping Kanna's mouth paused for less than half a second.
That half-second pause was like the instant a knife is about to be drawn from its sheath.
The two large ships have come ashore.
The planks were laid between the gunwales of the boat, making a dull thud.
Shanks was the first to jump over; his movements were agile and light, not at all like someone who was missing an arm.
His foot landed on the deck of the Dawn with a "thud," then he straightened up, looked around the deck, and wore a smile like a child entering a candy store.
"Great ship!"
He said.
"Great ship!"
He repeated himself, then turned to look at Bai Yu and opened his right arm.
Bai Yu walked over and hugged him.
Shanks' arm was strong, and he patted Shiraha's back hard, making a "thump thump" sound.
"You've grown taller, kid."
"It's been a long time since we last met."
"Yes, a lot has happened during this time."
Shanks released Bai Yu, took a step back, looked him up and down, and then nodded with satisfaction: "Hmm, you've gotten stronger, your face is more angular, and your eyes are fiercer. No wonder you've made a name for yourself."
Bai Yu smiled.
"Yes, yes, you're right."
Shanks laughed, then his gaze went over Shiraha's shoulder and landed on the others on the deck.
His gaze lingered on Rangiku for a moment, then a nostalgic expression appeared on his face.
"The last time we met, you were still drinking with me, but you were the one who passed out first."
Rangiku, hands on her hips and chin held high, declared, "That's because I drank three cups first before competing with you!"
"A loss is a loss; making excuses is not a good look."
"I'm not making excuses!"
"Then how about you race me again?"
"Let's compete!"
Shanks laughed, then his light shifted to Robin, his smile softening slightly, but still remaining warm.
"Nicole Robin, I'll talk to you about the historical texts and Laugh Tale later."
Robin raised her eyebrows slightly, then gave a slight bow, her tone polite and sincere: "Thank you."
Shanks waved his hand, indicating it was nothing to worry about, and then his gaze continued to move.
Violet stood half a step behind Bai Yu, her posture elegant and quiet, her eyes calmly fixed on Shanks. Shanks glanced at her, then his eyes lit up.
"This is—"
—
"Violet, my partner."
Bai Yu said.
Shanks nodded without asking any further questions, but his gaze lingered on Violet's eyes for a moment longer, as if he saw through something, but he said nothing.
Then Artoria came out of the cabin.
She had already changed her clothes, wearing a light blue dress, and her hair was down, draped over her shoulders, making it look like she was going to a dinner party.
Shanks glanced at Artoria, then turned to look at Shiraha.
"Why is your ship full of beautiful women?"
"...
Bai Yu didn't know how to answer this question.
Shanks glanced at Artoria again, and then his expression changed.
The change was subtle, like a lazy cat suddenly turning into an alert wolf.
His gaze sharpened, his pupils contracted slightly, and the smile on his lips still lingered, but it had lost its warmth.
"this----"
Shanks' voice remained relaxed, but there was a hint of probing in his tone: "Doesn't seem like a pirate."
Artoria looked Shanks in the eyes, neither backing away nor flinching.
"My name is Artoria Pendragon."
She gave her full name in a calm and solemn tone, like a knight announcing his name to his opponent on the battlefield.
Shanks remained silent for a second.
Then he laughed.
The warmth in that smile returned, even warmer than before.
"Pendragon — a good name."
He said his tone was so sincere that it didn't seem like he was just being polite.
Then his gaze finally fell on the shadows at the cabin door.
Retsu Unohana had already wiped Kanna's mouth and was putting Kanna down from her arms, letting her stand on the deck by herself.
After Kanna regained her footing, she looked up and saw Shanks, then tilted her head and stared at him for a while.
"A middle-aged man with red hair!"
"Kanna said."
Shanks paused for a moment, then crouched down to be at eye level with Kanna.
"Not an uncle, but a brother."
"But your beard—"
"This is fashion."
What is fashion?
"It's...it's something that looks really cool."
"But you look very old."
Shanks' smile froze on his face.