Recalling the red-nosed fellow from back then, Carl shook his head with a small smile and said:
"You've really never forgotten about Buggy, have you? Alright, let me make up for that small regret of yours."
Shanks froze for a moment, then asked,
"What do you mean by that?"
Ben Beckman sighed helplessly, thinking to himself that their captain always seemed to lose his wits around Carl. Carl's meaning was clear—he intended to get Buggy out of prison!
For someone of Carl's status, freeing someone like Buggy, who was only classified as a "LEVEL 1" prisoner in Impel Down, was as simple as saying a word.
Carl raised his hand and knocked lightly on Shanks' head.
"I can request a pardon from the World Government to release Buggy. His sentence would still stand, but we could convert it into probation."
At first, Shanks was overjoyed, but then his expression turned hesitant.
"Isn't that a bit much? Won't it affect you?"
"You're overestimating that red-nose. He doesn't have what it takes to affect me."
"Uh, true… Buggy really hasn't done much these past years."
"And you have the nerve to talk about him? Sure, he hasn't made much of a name for himself, but at least he's stayed true to his treasure-hunting dreams. And you? A few words from Roger, and you were utterly lost! What a disgrace to our family!"
Shanks took the scolding quietly, his head hanging low like a chastised tomato.
Carl crossed his arms and looked down at Shanks' bright red hair. Suddenly, he changed the subject.
"By the way, you're not getting any younger. Haven't you met a woman you like all these years?"
The question caught Shanks off guard, but before he could respond, Lucky Roux raised a chunk of meat enthusiastically.
"Carl! He has! Her name is Ma—mmpf!"
Shanks quickly covered Lucky Roux's mouth, silencing him. His face turned red with frustration.
"You idiot, Lucky Roux! What nonsense are you spouting? Even a chunk of meat can't shut you up?"
Ben Beckman lit a cigarette, turning his head with an expression that screamed, I don't know this man.
Shanks' strength was no joke. Lucky Roux's face turned red from the pressure as he struggled to make muffled noises.
Carl tilted his head.
"Her name's Makino, isn't it?"
Lucky Roux blinked, then nodded vigorously. Shanks, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded.
"You even know about that!?"
At this point, Carl seemed omniscient in Shanks' eyes—he half-expected Carl to know what color underwear he was wearing.
Carl snorted.
"Let him go already! Why are you so worked up?"
Shanks reluctantly released Lucky Roux, who shot him a resentful glare. Shanks ignored it and gave Carl an awkward smile.
"I was just afraid you'd start pressuring me to settle down..."
With Carl's sharp hearing, he easily caught the muttered words. A few veins popped on his forehead as he snapped.
"Who cares about your love life?"
Shanks shrank back like a scolded child.
Carl rolled his eyes, pulling out a cigarette. Seeing this, Rockstar quickly stepped up to light it. Carl raised an eyebrow, giving him a nod of approval.
Rockstar scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.
"Ever since you last visited, the captain's taken up smoking too. I even light his cigarettes for him all the time now!"
Carl chuckled and handed Shanks another cigarette. Shanks caught it with a grin and, instead of asking Rockstar, he simply lit it himself by exhaling a small flame.
The two brothers sat there, puffing away in silence for a while.
Carl's cigarette burned out first. His fingers turned pitch black as the ashes vanished without a trace.
Looking at Shanks, Carl asked,
"So, you and Makino—have you...?"
Shanks, halfway through his cigarette, froze. He coughed violently, choking on the smoke.
"Cough, cough! Brother, what are you even saying!?"
Carl squinted at him. He recalled that scene from the manga where Makino was holding a baby whose hair was as red as Shanks'.
Under Carl's piercing gaze, Shanks clenched his teeth and leaned in to whisper something. His face was bright red as he pulled away.
Carl's expression shifted to one of amusement, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Not bad. You work fast. Red and green, huh? Perfect match."
Shanks just laughed sheepishly, avoiding further comment.
"Got any kids yet?"
"Nope!" Shanks answered firmly.
Carl figured it might just be a matter of time. But the mention of Shanks' child brought someone else to Carl's mind.
Tapping his fingers on the table, Carl asked casually,
"When I said 'child,' I didn't just mean one with Makino."
Shanks jumped up.
"Brother! What are you implying? I'd never do such a thing!"
Carl shot him a look.
"Why are you so defensive? Sit down!"
Shanks hesitated, then obediently sat back down.
Ignoring Shanks' sulking, Carl continued.
"Think carefully. You sure you don't have a daughter somewhere?"
"Impossible! Uh... wait. Daughter?"
Shanks was certain he hadn't fathered any children with anyone else, but the word "daughter" made him pause.
Ben Beckman's face darkened, and he turned sharply toward Shanks, who suddenly blurted out a name.
"Uta!"
He quickly turned to Carl for confirmation.
"Brother, are you talking about Uta? Have you seen her?"
"Yeah, her. But no, I haven't met her."
"Uta is a girl I adopted, though I've always thought of her as my own daughter."
"I know that too."
This time, Shanks truly gave up. Carl's "omniscience" had left even Ben Beckman staring at him with newfound respect.
The members of the Red-Haired Pirates who were familiar with Uta smiled nostalgically. Back then, she was the heart and soul of their crew—their little treasure.
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+240 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg