Although Qin Chuan and Douglas Barrett spoke casually, laughing like old friends, their relaxed tone didn't fool anyone on the Red Force. Shanks, in particular, felt the weight behind their words. His mind raced. The way the man spoke… there was no doubt about it—he knew Shanks from the past.
A name suddenly surfaced in his memory.
"Douglas Barrett?" Shanks asked cautiously.
"Haha, so you still remember. That makes things easier. This ship stays. You all leave. Since you're part of Roger's crew, I'll let it go for today," Barrett said calmly, but with unmistakable dominance.
Shanks' expression darkened. Around him, his crew bristled with anger. They might not all recognize the name, but the tone made one thing clear—this wasn't a negotiation.
"Douglas Barrett... the one who sailed with Roger?" Ben Beckman muttered in surprise.
He, too, had lived through that era. Listening to their conversation brought a flood of memories.
"It seems you've fallen behind. Didn't you get today's paper?" Qin Chuan said with a mocking smile.
In the pirate world, news travels fast—thanks to the Paper Gulls trained by Morgans, president of the World Economic News Agency. These birds deliver newspapers across the seas, even to the most remote pirate ships.
Right then, a shadow passed overhead. A Paper Gull swooped down and dropped the latest issue on the Red Force's deck. Lucky Roux casually tossed a few berries into the pouch around its neck, and the bird flapped away into the sky.
Roux picked up the newspaper and handed it to Shanks.
Though several days had passed since Qin Chuan and Barrett broke free from Impel Down, their story had just hit the front page the previous day. While those on land already knew, pirates at sea had to wait for today's edition.
Shanks unfolded the paper. On the front page were the unmistakable images of the two men standing before him.
He scanned the article, then looked up, visibly shaken.
"Douglas Barrett... you actually escaped from the sixth level of Impel Down, and defeated every single guard inside..."
His voice echoed across the deck, and his words sent shockwaves through the crew. Until now, many had seen Qin Chuan and Barrett as bold but reckless. Now, fear crept in.
They had survived and conquered the deepest level of the world's most secure prison.
"Mr. Douglas Barrett, I do respect you," Shanks said, his voice low but resolute, "but handing over this ship isn't an option. The Red Force doesn't carry just me anymore. It carries the dreams of every man here. I won't let you take it."
Though Barrett was a senior and had once stood alongside legends, Shanks didn't flinch. He had long stepped into his own power, and the Red Force was more than just wood and steel—it was legacy.
"Your ideals?" Qin Chuan chuckled darkly. "Want me to tell your crew about your deal with the Five Elders? If we get to that point, I doubt the pirate world will even tolerate you anymore."
Silence slammed down like a hammer.
Everyone froze.
Qin Chuan hadn't just named Shanks—he had brought up the Five Elders.
The Five Elders—Wu Laoxing—were the highest authorities in the World Government. Their power eclipsed even Commander-in-Chief Kong. For Shanks, a Yonko, to be connected to them... it raised serious questions.
Sweat formed on Shanks' forehead, each drop heavier than the last. In his entire life, he had only felt this kind of pressure twice. The first time was from a man who had already been executed for illness by the Marines. This was the second.
"Mr. Qin Chuan... who are you really? With your strength, why come after me? What do you want?" Shanks asked, dodging the accusation and attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"I already told you. Keep your ship. As for why we crossed paths—pure coincidence," Qin Chuan shrugged, completely unfazed.
Shanks hesitated, then spoke again.
"Give me some face. Let's drop it here. I'll help you get a brand new battleship, no matter the cost."
Gasps rippled across the Red Force. Never, not once, had they heard Shanks say those words. Their fearless captain—offering to back down.
He was offering face.
"Heh... you think you've eaten the Face-Face Fruit or something?" Qin Chuan sneered. "You want face? Then earn it."
In an age where the strong devour the weak, face was just a word. And Qin Chuan shattered it like glass.