Leaving the Land of Giants
The Heaven's Embrace departed Elbaf under the watch of the towering Sea Fang fleet. The giants stood on the cliffs, spears raised in salute, their war horns booming farewell.
Carrot leaned over the rail, ears twitching. "Kinda sad to leave already… they make really good roasted sea king."
"You just like the fact they served them whole," Nojiko teased, bumping her shoulder.
From the helm, Nami called down, "Set your sights on the map Robin got — we're heading straight into Shanks' territory."
The Red-Haired Emperor's Sea
Two days out, the air changed. The wind was steady, the sea calm… but there was a weight in it, like a silent warning.
Robin closed her book. "We've crossed into his territory."
Vegito smirked. "About time."
It wasn't long before the first of Shanks' patrol ships appeared — not attacking, just shadowing them from a distance.
Bell-mère raised a brow. "So… do we wave or pretend they aren't there?"
Vegito stretched his arms. "Let's give them a little hello."
He blurred forward, appearing above the patrol ship in an instant, waved cheerfully, then vanished back to the Heaven's Embrace. The crew on the patrol vessel scrambled, clearly rattled.
The Invitation
An hour later, a red-haired man in a long captain's coat approached aboard a black-hulled ship with red sails. His smile was relaxed, but his single visible eye held a razor's edge of awareness.
"Vegito, right?" he called over the gap between ships. "Red-Haired Shanks. Heard you've been making waves."
Vegito leaned on the rail, tail swishing. "Only the fun kind."
Shanks chuckled. "Care to come aboard and share a drink? Or do you prefer I visit you?"
Vegito glanced at his crew, who were all giving him the don't cause trouble… yet look. "We'll come over."
On the Red Force
The Red Force's deck was lively — Shanks' crew greeted them warmly, if warily. Yasopp immediately struck up a conversation with Bell-mère about marksmanship, while Lucky Roux challenged Carrot to a meat-eating contest.
Shanks himself poured two mugs of ale and slid one to Vegito. "Gotta admit, you've got guts. Not many stroll into Yonko waters without an army behind them."
Vegito took a sip. "I am the army."
That earned him a genuine laugh. "I've heard that one before. But the difference is… I think you actually mean it."
Testing Boundaries
Their conversation danced between casual and cautious:
Shanks asked about Elbaf, clearly interested in the alliance Vegito had formed.
Vegito asked about Shanks' knowledge of the poneglyph Robin's map pointed to.
Each gave away just enough to seem friendly… while probing the other's limits.
At one point, Shanks leaned in slightly. "You've been poking the World Government pretty hard. You planning on toppling them… or just humiliating them until they break?"
Vegito's grin was slow and sharp. "Why not both?"
Comedic Break
Meanwhile, on the far side of the deck:
Yasopp and Bell-mère were locked in a sharpshooting duel, firing at drifting bottles — Bell-mère hitting them so fast Yasopp had to admit defeat.
Carrot had won the meat-eating contest… only to promptly fall asleep on the deck, belly round and happy.
Nojiko had maneuvered her way into winning a card game against three of Shanks' men, walking away with a small pile of gold coins.
An Uneasy Understanding
As the sun began to set, Shanks leaned against the railing. "You're dangerous, Vegito. Not just strong — dangerous. That makes people like you either the best kind of ally… or the worst kind of enemy."
Vegito sipped his ale. "Guess you'll find out which I am soon enough."
For a long moment, they just stared at each other — two alphas, each confident enough not to blink first.
Then Shanks smiled. "I like you. Just don't bring the world down on my head unless you're ready to see it burn."
The Map's Next Step
Robin approached with her book tucked under her arm. "Shanks confirmed it — the poneglyph is on an island under his loose protection. But he says we'll have to 'earn' the right to visit."
Vegito looked at Shanks. "And how do I do that?"
Shanks grinned. "There's a pirate crew nearby making a mess of one of my trade ports. Deal with them for me. Do it without leveling the island, and we'll talk."
Vegito smirked. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Closing Scene
As they prepared to leave the Red Force, Shanks called after him. "Vegito! One more thing — if you're gonna shake the world… make it a good show."
Vegito's tail flicked once. "Don't worry. I always do."
The Heaven's Embrace sailed off into the fading light, the crew already gearing up for the next challenge — and Vegito silently marking Shanks as both a potential ally and an obstacle he'd eventually have to outshine.
[Crew Status Updated]
New contact: Red-Haired Shanks — mutual respect, cautious alliance.
Side quest: Remove pirate threat from Shanks' trade port without destroying it.
Next Chapter: Chapter 60 – The Pirate Cleanup Job.