Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

17 years before the egghead island incident, Shanks sails across waters of the north blue, with his newly formed crew. Despite being only 22, Shanks was not new to the waves, nor was he weak. He’d grown up under the view of many fighters, such as Dark King Rayleigh, the late Shogun of Wano, Kozuki Oden, and even the pirate king himself, Gol D. Roger
“Shanks, we’re coming up on an island known as Lvneel, they say a famous liar once lived here“ said Building Snake, the navigator of the red haired pirates
“You mean the tale of that Noland guy? Me and a friend of mine read that tale a while ago. Dahahaha, I wonder how he’s doing”
Benn Beckman, the right hand man of the crew, walked up to the mast of the Red Force. The Red Force was Shanks’ trusted ship, he had gotten it in only a few months after gathering his crew. In the small time he had it, it served well.
“Beckman! How are you doing, my good man”
“Just as fine as yesterday and day before, Shanks. There’s nothing eventful in this part of the sea. Not exactly like we’ve been in any big battles as of recent”
“No need to be like that Benn. You need to learn to take things one step at a time,” said Lucky Roux, chef of the crew. Yasopp, the main sniper followed behind.
The four man sat together on barrels and chairs, awaiting their docking. They spoke of things they hoped to buy on this island. Roux wanted foods of many different types. He found the north blue’s vegetables especially wonderful. Yasopp wanted polish for his gun, which over the recent days had been collecting dust . Beckman just wanted a place to clean his clothes, and himself.
Shanks wanted nothing physical like his closest friends and crew mates. What he wanted was no more than a call to action, a chance at adventure. Little did he know, he would be receiving one not too long from that moment

Dracule Mihawk, the marine hunter sailed through the sea in his one man, coffin shaped ship. He was nothing short of a killer, and a monstrous one at that, who sought battle as much as it sought him. Many who considered themselves masters of the blade faced defeat at the iron of his sword, one that Dracule claimed to hear speak to him. This sword was known as Yoru, a blade from the South Blue, forged by a man who’s name was unknown. The man was a loner, who refused to speak with anyone in the village outside of buying metal for the crafting of the immensely large blade, and passed away as soon as he finished the blade. For 50 years after, anyone who attempted to wield the blade fell ill and died after three days.
Mihawk was the only survivor of this blade’s wrath. To him however, picking up this blade was his biggest mistake. He had access to an ability known as observation haki, which truly anyone could achieve with the right will, but his level of it was far, far greater than anyone could imagine. He could witness any event anywhere on the world without trying, as long as he know where it was. If he knew the location of an island, he could witness every event on it, and hear it. Not even the smallest droplet of water would escape his ears.
He landed on an island known as Swallow. There was currently a marine expedition on the land, there to collect taxes. Mihawk himself was given a role known as a warlord of the sea, in which he could do most things pirates wouldn’t be allowed to do, and not be given a bounty, as long as he agreed to work for them whenever they called.
Today however, was an off day.
“Hey you! With the big sword over there! I don’t think we collected any taxes from you recently, hand over that blade and we’ll let you g-“
The marine who spoke these words was cut down in an instant. Others in his group began to fire rounds towards this red eyed swordsman, which he cleaved through and deflected. Both bullets and people that is. His blade's curve Yoru was a type of blade which was designed for soldiers, in every sense of the word it was made as a killing machine. Minutes later, he cleaned the blood off his sword and returned it to his back, and returned the taxes to the village before setting off again
Hours later on the base known as Marineford, two men of the rank of Admiral sat in an office together discussing business. One in a red suit smoking a cigar, and another wearing yellow. These men were Akainu and Kizaru
Kizaru was simply there because he had nothing else to do. Akainu however was making an important call, not angered, but approaching such a state. In recent years the world had been far more turbulent, with the death of Gol D. Roger shaking up the scales of life.
“Dracule Mihawk, your job is to serve the world government. They may let you slide, but I have no issue with sniffing you out! Head to the north blue immediately, and unless you want the bounty back on your head you will face Red-hair Shanks”
“My my Sakazuki,” said Kizaru, sighing as he spouted out his friends name. “The boy works enoug-“
“I’ll do it”
“Hm?”
“I’ll face Red-hair. I’ve heard tales of his sword skills, he could be worth my time if not just an interesting distraction.”
“Good. We’re expecting nothing but your best,” Akainu said, before hanging up his transponder snail.

Chapter Text

Back on Lvneel, Shanks and his crew found their way to a tavern, laughing at their own jokes more than at anything that was truly funny. The only one who hasn’t been drinking was Gab, who wouldn’t prefer to sail be it drunk or hungover. The doors of the bar swung open, and all but the Red-hair Pirates were frozen and silent in fear.
“Oi, who are you all? We don’t recognize you…ain’t many people with red hair around here,” said the biggest of the group. He possessed long mutton chops, yet lacked any mustache.
“Or built like tubby in the green over here!” another member of the crew said, causing all the men to erupt into laughter.
“Forgive us, we’re just a simple crew traveling around, nothing more,” Shanks said before offering a hand to the captain
“I don’t shake hands with animals”
“Then put ‘er here!”
“Didn’t you hear the captain, he said he doesn’t touch your kind-“ the man stopped in place hearing the clicks of many guns. He had reached for his blade, and seemed as if he was going to slash at Shanks, and none of his crew would stand for that
“Hey now! No weapons out and around in the bar, I beg,” the barkeep shouted. He was an older man, and so Shanks and his crew respected his wishes.
“I suppose we haven’t introduced ourselves. My name is Gol D. Roger Jr., son of the pirate k-“
In an instant, the man fell to the floor. Everyone in the bar looked to his spot on the ground in shock. Shanks hadn’t put a hand on the man, but his crew were all grinning, and this self proclaimed pirate prince was on the ground, foaming at the mouth.
“Now that…I can’t allow that disrespect. Roger had a son, but it isn’t you, scum!”
Before Shanks could act further, Beckman stepped forwards and clutched his shoulder. Their eyes met, and there was an understanding between the two to move on. The entire crew gathered their items and headed back to the Red-Force.

“Fuhahaha, you’ve got your work cut out for you Dracule,” said a transponder snail with a golden ring around its neck, and a sharp piece of facial hair “I hear this Shanks kid is nothing to sneeze at, for a rookie”
“Are you suggesting I am, Simon?”
“No,no, no, I’m simply saying not to underestimate this opponent”
“Why are you telling me this? Not like you care for my well-being”
“Because, if you fail they’ll send me. Crocodile is off doing who knows what, and there’s no other warlords at this point in time…all the others have been killed or are useless like Moria”
“I don’t plan on falling victim to such a thing,” Mihawk said before ending the transponder snail’s transmit.
The lone swordsman sailed throughout the sea for days alone. Dracule sailed around the north for days and stopping around in search for Shanks, but he’d never stay in one spot for too long. That’s how he got into trouble. He thankfully wasn’t punished for his shenanigans with those marines on Swallow, but he could tell that he was definitely on the radar for that one.
Meanwhile with Simon, his ship goes through waters and past land in search of one specific target. In a realization, it became clear to him that by killing this up and coming worry of the marines, he’d be able to receive a wonderful reward.
He had one advantage over the swordsman looking for the same target however. He knew what the Red Force looked like.
“Red-hair Shanks! Come out of your ship and turn yourself in, or you and your crew will all die!”
“Go away…me and my men are a bit hungover. I’m not in the mood for this, and I doubt they are either,” respond the young pirate, with a bit of gruff in his voice.
The crew of the Simon Pirates roared with laughter, and they all ran out to battle with the Red Hair pirates. Gunshots rang out at speeds that they couldn’t process. The numbers of Simons crew went from 50 people to just him. Roux had dispatched five. Beckman fought off 13. Yasopp had dashed around and shot off a solid 22. The last ten were beaten and slain by the last few fighters.
“W-what the hell…YOU PEOPLE ARE NOTHING BUT ROOKIES! Y-YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS”
Shanks coated his arms with haki. He clutched his blade’s hilt and stared into the eyes of Simon. He slowly unsheathed the sword, bearing it’s full length before raising it to the air. Red lightning swirled in the sky above, as the tip down to the last part of the hilt was covered in a pure black metal. Conquerors and Armament haki being put into one attack.

“HEAVENLY CUTTER,”

he said before whipping his sword down as fast as possible, sending this enemy flying backwards in pain with the red slash of haki forcing him backwards and into the sea.
“Good work crew…OH NO!”
Beckman looked over to his captain and readied his gun again
“what is it Shanks?”
“I BROKE RAYLEIGH’S SWORD! HE’S GOING TO BE PISSED!”
Beckman smirked and shook his head, while the rest of the crew laughed at such a thing. Rayleigh had given his sword to Shanks after the crew had disbanded. It wasn’t a supreme grade, but it’s quality was extremely high. Losing a tool like this would for sure make fights far harder.
“Guess you’ll be taking up the gun like the rest of us, hehahahaha,” Yasopp said, his laugh causing others to begin to smirk as well

Chapter Text

A day later, Simon floats through the air. Before he touched the water, he used the small bit of energy he had left to turn himself into paper.
“Dracule!”
“Simon? What are you doing here”
“I-I came to fight S-Shanks and take your credit, b-but listen! You can-can’t fight him! He’s too powerf-“
In a swift motion, of applying armament haki and swinging his sword, Dracule beheaded Simon. Simon lived due to his logia abilities, but Mihawk held the sword over his head, still coated in the black spiritual energy. More fear dwelled in Simon than ever before. The man who thought himself God was now at the foot of someone else.
“Tell me Simon…where was Red-hair last? It’s not good to take the prey of another predator. That messes with the natural order”
“H-h-he”
“H-h-h-h-he, spit it out, coward.”
“Off the coast of Lvneel! Please don’t kill me Dracule!”
“Thank you, but you still tried to take my prey.”
Slowly, the blade lowered itself inch by inch until it pierced through Simon’s skull, then through his brain, and finally through the floor. The self proclaimed superior being, was reduced to just another number on Dracule’s kill count.
Mihawk turned away from the scene, and boarded his coffin. After setting himself out to sea, he pulled out his transponder snail and rang for Marine Headquarters
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I'd like to report the death of the warlord Simon at the hands of Red-hair Shanks. His bounty of 10 million Berry is extremely inaccurate if he can take down a warlord as easily as he did"
"Easily? Did you witness the battle," Sengoku questioned. A heavy laugh could be heard in the background of the call, along with thudding and Sengoku screaming, which Dracule ignored
"No. I've come across the corpse of Simon. He has a giant lightning like scar on his chest, possibly from haki, and he had been decapitated before his skull was impaled. To do such a thing, Shanks would need to be proficient in both armament and conquerors haki. A bounty of 10 million shouldn't belong to such a person, it's far too low"
"I suppose so," the fleet admiral replied, "your report is appreciated. Continue your mission as you were, and we'll send a squad to collect Simon's body, before someone like Moria or Hogback get their hands on it"

Chapter Text

The Red-hair pirates drifted throughout the sea, before a rumbling began. Everyone stopped their drinking,singing, and playing, which was something that usually never happened no matter what the situation was. They rushed to the deck, and saw the island they were heading to, now surrounded by a storm and ablaze.
A winged beast arose from behind a mountain peak on the land, and roared load enough to shake the water around them. It’s wings flapped with enough force to blow down trees, and it’s talons seemed as if they could encase the entire world.
The crew all attempted to turn the ship, they didn’t have the resources or power for a fight like this. Gab shouted out commands to raise the sails frantically whilst turning the wheel. The beast however caught up faster than they could catch their breaths.
“Shanks,” Beckman began “do you think we can handle this thing?”
“…I…we’ll all be together no matter what”
The crew were not cowards, but whatever this creature was, it was powerful enough to make brave men shudder. Perhaps Roger and his men would’ve lobbied slash after slash of haki at it. Whitebeard and his massive crew might’ve done an all out assault. Oden was far from unfamiliar with fighting giant sized versions of animals. Shanks was none of these men however, he had just reached his 20s and was struggling to find the confidence in himself that his crew saw in him.
Shanks used the courage he had and covered his fist in the black energy that made the impossible possible. Launching off the deck, he began to brawl and wrestle in the sky with this creature. Throwing punches and kicks felt far more unnatural than the swing of the blade he was used to, but if it meant protecting his friends his comfort could be sacrificed.
The creature roared into the air, and with a flap of its wings lightning flew at Shanks with speed fast enough to instantly kill anyone who was off guard.With the power of observation haki, Shanks narrowly dodged and punched through the bolt. On his path forwards, like a bullet he stung the creature right in it’s bright red eye. The bird whirled around and pain, and slapped him down using the thick feathers of its tail. Shanks felt his back break through the deck, all the way down to the bilge, where he writhed in pain.
“Ah! B-Beckman! Handle it for a second, please!”
Beckman nodded and turned his head, but as he did the Thunderbird immediately ate him alive. Slowly but surely, the monster picked off and slaughtered the entire crew. Roux was crushed under a talon, Yasopp fired at the creature but was knocked into the ocean and fried by electricity. The other members were all killed by the beast and it's hunger. Monster of them all getting the worst fate, being beheaded and flung around. The ship was reduced to nothing but boards and sections of its former self.
Shanks stared in horror, his breaths were shallow, his limbs felt like weights were bound to them, and he couldn’t stop shaking. He looked forwards to what was in front of him, but all that was there was the open sea, the bird,…and a ghostly looking sword?
It was cast in shadows, and seemed to have black smoke emanating from it. As he gripped the blade, haki burst throughout the entire area around him. He got one more look at the blade. A green hilt and a golden guard presented itself.
“Your name…you are G-“
The burst of red lightning jolted throughout Shanks, and jolted him awake. He looked around, seeing Yasopp and Roux asleep. The other members seemed just fine as well, and the Red-Force seemed as sturdy as ever. Beckman was out on the deck, where Shanks went to meet him.
“Benn? Why are you out here?”
“Had a dream. More of a nightmare really”
“Me as well, a giant condor of some sort, amongst other things”
“…so you had the same one”
The two stared into each others eyes for a moment, listening to the calm waters, then looking away and looking into the shining stars
“Then why do you think I got that sword? Maybe my brain is guilty about destroying Rayleigh’s blade”
“What?
“Oh. So you woke up at the same time you died?”
“Yeah. Us being out here means the others didn’t have the same dream…that, and Roux not crying his eyes out due to fear”
The two laughed, and sat down as the ship continued to sail gently through the waves

Chapter Text

A new morning on the north blue. An island known as Bakunawa became the land that would host the meeting of two future rivals. From the eastern port of the island, Dracule Mihawk departed his ship and marched to the center of the island. His observation haki allowed him to sense an immense presence, which could only belong to one man. Meanwhile in the western port, the Red Force anchored itself. Shanks departed the ship alone, due to this being a stop that only he wanted.
The two entered a bar moments apart, Mihawk entering first and ordering a drink. His observation haki allowed him to know that his target would come to him. The doors swung open, and when they did there was an immense pressure put onto both the men, for they could sense each other easily. No words were spoken, but a message was sent. “Meet me outside”
The men made their exit, and stood about three meters apart. Their eyes meant. To Mihawk, Shanks had the eyes of any other prey. It was the intensity behind them that made him stand out. To Shanks, Mihawk’s eyes were cold and those of something inhuman, yet there wasn’t any anger or violence detected.
“Red-hair. You’re a famous name”
“Sorry for my rudeness, but I can’t say I know you”
“Dracule Mihawk. One of the seven Warlords of the Sea”
In that moment, Shanks knew that this wasn’t just any random bounty hunter or the sorts. The name Dracule was familiar to him, just not the face attached to it. Hawk-eyes was a common title, which clearly did fit now. The title of marine hunter was the one that truly inspired a fear within.
A red energy washed over Mihawk, and the entire island. Shanks released a wave of conquerors haki to try and make a way to escape, yet Mihawk fought back with haki of his own. It wasn’t as powerful as Shanks’, yet it was enough for a proper defense.
The red headed pirate turned, and dashed at his fullest speed. Mihawk didn’t pursue, instead he lifted his blade over his shoulder, then swung it as hard as possible. A massive green slash dragged through the floor destroying rocks in the ground, and barely nicking Shanks on his left arm when he dodged to the side.
“Gab, start sailing!” Shanks exclaimed before jumping onto the side of his ship. Mihawk stood at their side of the port, this time, with a more obvious killer intent. For a moment, his blade turned black. It wasn’t covered in haki, but the metal itself became black.
“Black Blade:Slash Riot,” Mihawk spoke, before performing slashes of the same green energy as before. However, one final slash was sent out, a giant black slash that nearly hit the Red Force, but just fell short.
“Hm. It appears the higher powers chose you to live, Shanks. I heard you used a blade…where was it?”
The black metal became a normal iron shade once again, before Dracule looked down to it. Silent.

Shanks sat silently on the ship. His hands shook like never before, not before whilst awake at least. He thought back to the dream with the Thunderbird. Dracule’s eyes were the color of a condor’s, yet ringed like a hawk. In both ways, he had the eyes of a monster.
“Hey, Shanks. We’re worried about you,” Roux said, offering a piece of meat to Shanks to calm his nerves
“I…I’m fine. It’s just…being without my blade, in a moment like that felt like being cornered. There wasn’t the option of fight, so I picked flight”
Beckman and Yasopp glanced to eachother. Beckman stepped forwards and put his hand on Shanks’ shoulder, while Yasopp got him a drink. The four men sat together, all in a moment of understanding
“You’ll find a blade Shanks, don’t worry,” Yasopp said with a smile. His grin was wide as always
“Chaser is right, as long as I’m cooking, you’ll have enough energy to find a new toy!”
Roux laughed at his own statement, while everyone else gave simple smiles and grins. Shanks and Benn looked to each other, and as always, it seemed like the two had a deep understanding of each other’s mind. They returned to their positions as normal, and continued sailing.

“Damn it Dracule,” Admiral Akainu shouted, pounding his hands onto the desk, “You let him get away!”
“I didn’t let him. He had enough skill to survive. I have a feeling we’ll encounter again, no need to lose rest.”
Kizaru was in the room at the time as well. He chuckled and stood up, then walked towards the two men discussing
“My my, Sakazuki. If he’s such a threat, then let me handle him,” he began, “maybe not handle. But I can monitor him, see if he really is that much of a threat”
Akainu’s scowl faded little by little, before nodding and sitting. Although they were of the same rank, Akainu called shots more than anyone else, and most listened besides the third admiral, Aokiji. Kizaru was a loyal friend of Akainu, they hand trained under the same man at one point before, which strengthened their bond farther than anything else could. Coming up together encourages relationships more than simply meeting before.
Mihawk made his way out of the office, but Kizaru sat back down.
“He’s special isn’t he? His lineage I mean”
“What do you mean, Borsalino?”
“Well, those eyes of his. They’re from that strange race, aren’t they? The Dhampir?”
“They went extinct didn’t they? Just like the Buccaneers and the Lunarians”
“That’s exactly your problem, it’s not exactly like there’s a population count. These races very well could exist out there somewhere, and they both have natural abilities that surpass normal humans, just like the Dhampir did”
Kizaru and Akainu sat in silence for a moment. Akainu picked a cigar up, and lit it with the power of his devil fruit, the magma-magma fruit.
“The Dhampir have special eyes, that give them a prestigious level of observation haki. One beyond future sight and the likes. They don’t just see things far way, they can feel the things, they can taste things, smell things, and more,” Kizaru said, grinning as always
“Are you suggesting Dracule is some sort of survivor of this race?
“If the shoe fits,” Kizaru finished, before dashing away at the speed of light. The power of his devil fruit, the glint-glint fruit, allows him to be light itself.

To the north of the red line, Kizaru flew forwards as fast as he could. He was in a disguise at this point in time, knowing he’d have to be as incognito as possible. He spotted the Red Force, and touched down discretely.
He walked into the bar where the crew all sat, and grabbed a seat next to Shanks himself.
“Hey, I think I know you. You’re that Shanks kid, ain’t ya?”
“That’d be me, nice to meet you sir”
“Oh please, the pleasure is all mine”
Kizaru didn’t detect a single hint of malice behind the boys word. To believe this man escaped Dracule Mihawk easily, was to believe a lie. He stood, and looked over to Benn Beckman, who recognized him well. It wasn’t stated it, but he could sense it.
“Get outta here, Admiral,” Beckman said before quickly drawing his gun. As he did, Kizaru dashed forwards, throwing a kick which sent Beckman out the window (Shanks looked to see where he went, but was too drunk to notice). Kizaru and Beckman began to battle outside. Rays of light were shot one way, and bullets another. A blade of light was formed, and cut Beckman over his entire torso in multiple cuts.
Beckman jumped back, gripped his rifle as hard as possible, and aimed it to Kizaru. The bullets were coated in armament haki, a well placed shot could kill.
“Mind’s Eye Sniper!”
A shot was fired, but at the same time, Kizaru dodged and flew forwards, refracting off of one wall then another. He grabbed Beckman by his throat, and began to charge a blast that would pierce right through his heart. Just like Kizaru however, a good bullet can bounce too.
The bullet bounced off several things. Poles, walls, pipes, and the sorts. Kizaru turned hearing the wizzing through the air, and just before he could fully dodge it, the haki coated ball ripped through his arm that would’ve killed Beckman.
“Damn!” Kizaru shouted, then flew up above. He crossed his arms, and prepared to rain light down on the bar. If Beckman, was this smart, the others could be formidable as well.
“Yasakani Sacred J-“
“SHANKS!” Beckman shouted with his strength, bloodied and beaten from the kicks and cuts. It was enough
Shanks dashed into the air, holding a haki coated knife. Kizaru flinched back from the shock, canceling his attack.
“DIVINE DEPARTURE”
Before the slash could land, Kizaru turned to pure light and flew away in fear. This would make a good report for the marines.

Chapter Text

“Benn, you Okay?”

"As well as I could be for fighting an Admiral," Beckman responded, before standing up with Shanks' help.

Shanks was the first to get to his side and help him up. The two men pat each other on the back, and the crew decided to head off. After getting to the ship, Shanks immediately knew they couldn't stay for much longer.

“Gab, I think we’ve overstayed our welcome in the North. Head for Elbaf, even if we have to cut through the calm belt doing so”

“On it Captain,” Gab shouted back, before turning the wheel. Unlike in the grand line, you wouldn’t need a log pose to find your way. The first four seas were like a dream compared to even the paradise of the grand line.

“Roux,” Shanks said “get those pans to work, we need a big meal to celebrate and get our way there. I'm sure the giants will have more food for us when we get there as well"

“Whatever you say boss!”

Shanks sat down at a table, and kicked his feet up onto it. He seemed calm, but was ready for anything at any moment. Yet what he wasn’t ready for was something that’d occur three months later.

Months after traveling through the grand line, Shanks and his crew took post on Yukiryu island. The crew had all gone off over the island to gather animals and plants, being for food or for clothing. Shanks however had fallen asleep before he could get to work, the crew figured he deserved rest however. The marines attempts at getting close to him hadn’t ceased at all.

This time however, someone who wasn’t a marine would be coming over for a visit. A log sailed across the sea, with a lone man on it, approaching Yukiryu. The log crashed onto the coast, and as soon as it’s rider touched down on the land. Shanks awoke and sprinted over, what he sensed was an evil presence

“You. You’re that boy from back when Roger fought whitebeard. Me and Buggy were just apprentices back then," a strange feeling washed over Shanks when he thought of Buggy. Was it nostalgia? Regardless, Shanks continued the conversation

"What are you doing here?”

“Zehahahaha, I simply came to see if you were all that. The name is Teach, Marshall D. Teach!”

Shanks didn’t think about the evil of this man’s presence, the evil of the man’s laugh, or the evil of the man’s appearance. What he heard for the most part, was the initial of D., which to him was a marker of people who shouldn’t be scoffed at. Gol D. Roger was the major example of this, the man who changed the world. If Teach deserved this monicker, he’d prove it soon.

“Shanks. Red-hair Shanks,” the pirate captain said. He reached for his side, but what was there was air. Something he wasn't used to. He silently looked forwards, and heard another laugh from the strange man. It wasn’t the same one as before, this one was more manic.

“Zehahahaha, Zehahahahaha! I can see the resemblance you have to him!”

“What are you on about?”

“Do you not know of your own legacy? You’re from the family of a powerful noble. ”

“The hell are you saying,”Shanks asked. He had no idea what was being said here

“You’re the son of a man named Saint Garling Figarland, the champion of the God Valley Incident, and the head of the God’s Knights”

Shanks couldn’t process what was fully said, each bit of information was an overload to his brain. Saint? A world noble? Champion? What are the God’s Knights? He knew of God Valley, from talks between Roger, Rayleigh, Buggy, and himself. The two veterans didn't think fondly of the time is all he could tell.

“I’m sure you have many questions,” Teach began, “but I’m here for other reasons!”

In a sudden jolt, a slash with three blades was thrown at Shanks. He did a jab of a step backwards, and coated his fist. The two pirates went blow for blow over time.

Shanks threw a jab, and connected to the stomach of the imposing man. Teach was 11 feet tall. Shanks wasn’t a short man, standing at 6’5”, but Blackbeard was a titan of a human. Blackbeard swung the blade around, after recovering from the hit, nearly striking Shanks several times. Shanks ran forwards and delivered another blow, but when he did Blackbeard didn't seem as damaged by the force. This time, he grabbed the face of Shanks and pushed the back of his head up against a tree.

Shanks coated his leg in armament haki, and kicked teach in the arm. This hit was powerful, as it was a technique taught to him by Rayleigh, who was a haki wizard in his own rights. Blackbeard could feel the damage in his arm, which was bearable, but it began to spread throughout his body, and overwwhelm him like a terrible virus.

The technique was called Ryou, an attack that impacts the outside, but damage is applied on the inside and works its way throughout the victim, then works it's way outward. This technique came from the land of Wano, Oden had taught it to Rayleigh after they met. In Shanks' eyes, nobody was as well versed in the ways of armament haki than Kozuki Oden was.

Blackbeard coughed up blood of his own, and released his grip on Shanks who feel to his knees infront of Teach, but it wouldn’t be the last bit drawn that day. In an act of anger and a desperate attempt to win , he swung the claw on his hand forwards, and cleaved down. A shout erupted from Shanks.

"AHHHHHH!”

Shanks writhed on the ground. He was on gaurd, yet still payed the price for taking up this fight. He was lucky that it didn’t pierce into him. He slapped his hand over his face and held it there while yelling. He could feel three things.

1. He felt as if he was blinking a lot more than usual. Everything would be visible, then black the next second.
2. It was warm. His hand, his body, his blood. All of it was warmer than ever before in this cold area
3. He felt the jaws of fate opening to claim him.

“Looks like this ends here. I was lucky to get that slash in. Next time I see you, just know that I'll be in a far higher place than a lackey on whitebeard's crew. Zehahahaha!"

The man turned and pushed his log out to sea, then climbed aboard. Yasopp arrived on scene when Blackbeard was ten meters out on water. He went to shoot, but Shanks stopped him. Yasopp's arrival re-anchored Shanks firmly.

“Get…G-Get Hongo!”

No questions were asked. Yasopp dashed off again, finding Hongo as quickly as he could. Below Shanks, the snow slowly painted itself red.

The rest of the crew arrived at the same time as Yasopp and Hongo, who bandaged Shanks up. They returned to the spot they took post in, and Shanks began to explain what had happened. According to Hongo, there was no damage on Shanks’ eye luckily, but the scars would be permanent.

“Damn it! Without my blade, I’m useless! If I controlled myself back against that warlord, I would’ve put up a fight against Teach…I would’ve put up a fight against Dracule too!”

“Shanks,” Beckman exclaimed “don’t talk about yourself like that! It’s not your faul-”

“Then who’s is it!? The last two fights I’ve been in I lost, and I was barely able to help you because I was drunk during your last one. I’m a failure of a captain, Benn!”

Yasopp crossed his arms, and stoop up immediately.

“You listen here damn it! If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I’d be right now!”

Roux stood up as well, for the first time Shanks can recall, his smile faded. It seemed as if Roux was going to beat him for doubting himself.

'Yeah! All of our lives changed because of you, Shanks! You helped us all in the toughest times of our lives!”

“Where would they be without you?” a voice spoke from the outpost's entrance, in a blank yet sarcastic tone.

Everyone in the cave suddenly turned. They all drew their guns, it was an unfamiliar voice that had spoken. It was the voice of Dracule Mihawk, having come to finish the job on Shanks.

“Hold your fire men,” Shanks said calmly

“Good call,” Mihawk turned to Hongo after accessing Shanks scars, he couldnt kill a weak target, “Doctor, when will his face heal fully?”

Hongo shuttered.

“Scars like these? I’d say four months”

“So be it. I’ll send for you in four months Red-hair. Wether you have a sword or not, this time I won’t hold back, and I will kill you.”

Mihawk turned, and walked away, disappearing into the snow. Everyone sat silent, was he really planning on sending a letter to Shanks for a fight? Maybe a transponder. Send for you could mean anything.

Shanks knew however. If he trained enough his observation haki would guide him to where they'd battle. He'd be able to read Mihawk's thoughts on where they should face each other.

“Four months to train then! Dahahaha!”

Everyone else was shocked for a moment, as they looked to Shanks who was still looking downward. His face had turned into one bearing a grin, and when he looked at his men it became a beaming smile. Beckman knew what this was. He knew this was Shanks regaining his courage. He smiled and laugh as well. One by one, everyone caught on and laughed too, then cheered as they shared drinks, in hopes for a future victory.

Chapter Text

Mihawk sailed away into the night, and eventually he came across another floating mass. What looked like a giant log sailed not too far from him. He stuck his blade into the water and swung it under the waves, like a paddle.

“Hey,” Mihawk spoke to the lone man, “who are you?“

“Marshall D. Teach, and you’re Dracule Mihawk. The last of the Dhampir!”

“A what?”

“Oh nothing," Teach said, "You’ll learn eventually if you’re curious enough to find out who you are.”

Mihawk knew this man was nothing to sneeze at, but he did seem like a strange being. He could tell something about this man was not human, something in his blood. Yet more importantly, he had a question that bugged him deeply.

“You said your name was Marshall D. Teach, correct? You’re not related to Vice Admiral, Monkey D. Garp, or the revolutionary, Monkey D. Dragon, are you? People with that D. in their name keep popping up every now and then," Mihawk said

Blackbeard laughed.

“No. The initial of D. is a powerful clan, from the past of this world. The people who bear the monicker are only related through one thing, Fate! Zehahahaha”

Mihawk nodded, and then looked forwards at the water. The idea of fate always rang within his mind, for he always wondered if such a thing could exist. The idea of things being destined to happen interested him beyond all belief.

“I see," Mihawk said. "Perhaps "fate" will bring us together again at some other time.”

“Zehahaha. Don’t worry, it will!”

Mihawk nodded, and continued sailing away.

“What a weirdo,” he spoke to hisself

Four months of training had occurred.
Shanks had gone out without his crew to search for one specific teacher. Rayleigh was hard to track to say the least, but he was the only one who could teach Shanks the skills he’d need to fight a man who hasn’t suffered defeat by any swordsman who challenged him before.

Under Rayleigh’s diligence what he was able to unlock was nothing short of prestigious conquerors haki control. Growing up, Shanks saw Oden as the peak of Armament haki usage. In recent history, he saw Mihawk as the peak of observation haki usage. Before, he saw Roger and Rayleigh as equal examples of conquerors haki usage at it’s highest level, but now, he achieved something nobody else could. Not a higher level of power, but a higher ability usage. Armament haki had ryou, observation haki had future sight, but what did the ability of the supreme kings have?

“You’ve grown, Shanks,” Rayleigh said with a grin.

“Thank you. But uh…there’s one thing I forgot to mention”

“Hm? What’d that be?”

Rayleigh began to drink from a bottle he had on him. He offered some to Shanks, but Shanks rejected it to keep his thoughts sharp. It seemed as if he wouldn’t drink until he was sure it wouldn't case anyone he cared about to be harmed ever again.

“The reason I came here without your blade was because I broke it”

“Hm? How recently?”

"About seven months ago.”

“Ha, oh well. That was recently. I’m glad you didn’t break it shortly after I gave it to you, hehe!”

“What? You’re not mad?”

Rayleigh chuckled and pat Shanks on the back, the same way he did when Shanks was only 9.

“It’s been 8 years since I last used that thing. It was out of my control the moment I gave it to you. Just know, next time you use a sword, it’s better not to channel haki inside it, but around it.”

"But, I never said anything about haki. How could you know?”

“That’s the easiest, and only way, a sword like Miryoku could break ya dummy!”

Shanks grinned, and turned to Shakky, who laughed along with the two of them.

“You two have always been so strange. It warms my heart seeing you boys talk like this after such a long time. If only buggy was here for this reunion”

The two men smiled, and Rayleigh lovingly asked his wife for another bottle, which she handed over before turning in for the night.

"You know something Shanks, conquerors haki can’t be trained like the other two forms of haki. It simply gets stronger over time as the user gets stronger, do you know what that means?”

“I can’t say I do.”

“It means your haki is only this powerful because you’re extremely powerful. Your strength is a once in a generation thing. That observation canceling ability of yours is nothing to scoff at”

Chapter Text

Mihawk and Shanks met, not out on the sea or on a chosen island. They met where their minds told them to go. Fate drove them to this land. Shanks still hadn’t found a blade of his own, but he’d work something out; that’s what he believed at least.

Dracule drew his blade, and dashed forwards. He swung Yoru with his body’s full weight, which Shanks narrowly avoided. When he did, Yoru shifted it’s position slightly and drove upwards. The hawk's eyes moved to Shanks, and when they did, he saw that this battle wasn’t fair. What kind of swordsman would he be if he didn’t only use his blade to fight another wielder of the blade.

The two men stood apart. Dracule drove his blade into the ground, and coated his arms in armament haki, with light green highlights. Shanks’ arms were in full contrast, with red highlights. The two men ran at each other and began to fight strictly with their hands. Red-hair used the style of a brawler. Closed fist and heavy blows were his tactic. Hawk-eye however used lighter blows, like open palm strikes and chops.

Strike

Strike

Strike

Hit after hit, Shanks and Mihawk battled throughout the day with the crew of the Red-hair pirates, and villagers in the nearby town gathered around. Shanks used a conquerors infused hit of Ryou, pushing Mihawk back next to Yoru, and shaking him up inside and out. For a moment, he was stunned and couldn't move an inch.After regaining his stature, he drew the blade out from the ground, dashed at Shanks, and when he swung it…

…it shattered. The blade was broken from the inside out, and came apart in multiple shards. The part that Mihawk still held in hand seemed like there was a clean cut right across the center. He stared in shock. The expression on his face was blank, but in that moment all was lost to him.

Yet a voice called out

“Dracule”

The voice of a woman spoke to him. Similair to his people having the ability to see anything, they also had another ability. Most people had to get lucky to have such a power, while others were born with it, they had to work to awaken it. This power is known as the Voice of All Things. The last of the Dhampir could always hear something, yet in this moment where he truly needed it the voice of his sword became infinitely more clear to him.

“I am your blade. I am Yoru. Whenever you needed me, I have been here and ready to defend you. Your eyes allow you to hear me. From the moment I was forged, I called out to you. Our work together is not done yet, Dracule. I am yours, until there’s nothing left of me”

Mihawk stood suddenly, and held his broken blade to the side. He struck it against the ground. Purple haki burst everywhere, with red lightning flying throughout the air past the heads and feet of many. Mihawk could not be seen. He was shrouded in shadows and mist. Children gasped in awe, and parents rushed back inside. As people began to drop to the floor and foam at the mouth.

The blade was reforged. The metal was now of a far higher looking quality, and a rarer looking metal. This could be confused for nothing else, but a black blade. Thick clouds had gathered overhead, and rain droplets began to fall.

"Tell me Red-hair. Have you ever felt the need to hunt?"

Chapter Text

Mihawk stepped forwards, his new black blade emitting sparks of red light with each step. Shanks could tell that this Dracule and the Dracule who’s blade he snapped were two entirely different beast. They were both one animal, but the monster that they were had changed. He had evolved.

Like many times before, Shanks was frozen in fear. But this time, the words of his crew swelled in his head, like the crescendo of all of his thoughts ever. When he held his will in, and focused, he heard the voices of three people in particular.

“You're not who I thought you were, Shanks... Aren't you gonna be the king of the next generation?! I thought Captain Roger's wish was for you to follow on his footsteps!”

Shanks never heard these words aloud, but on the day of Roger’s execution he could hear a faint voice speaking these words. He had heard Buggy’s thoughts that day. The thoughts Buggy hadn’t said in that moment could still be heard as clear as day.

The other two voices weren’t the voices of anyone he know however. They seemed like voices from the future. One was the voice of a little girl, she sang a song about chasing one’s dreams. The point of these voices were becoming clearer to him, but not just yet could he fully understand them. The peace created by the song was shattered by a young boys screaming.

“SOMEDAY, I’M GONNA GATHER A CREW EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS YOURS, AND I’M GONN FIND THE GREATEST TREASURE IN THE WORLD, I’M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!”

These words were finally making sense to the red haired captain. In front of him appeared a blade masked in shadows. He gripped the blade’s hilt, and a wave of haki burst out. He thought back to the dream he had. The blade's name escaped him back then, but now he could hear it as easily as the wind around him.

“Your name…you are Gryphon!”

When sailing with Roger, him and his crew discovered many things. One of these being the secret behind devil fruits. For any devil fruit that exist, someone, somewhere willed it into reality. The same way those powers would appear when needed, a blade appeared for Shanks when he needed it most.

The two men clashed blades. Their swords themselves did not touch, but the immense power of their will did, and they shook the island around them on contact. The clouds split themselves, allowing the rain to stop, and the sun to shine through once again.

“I’m amazed, Red-hair. I’ve never seen a blade form in front of a user.”

“I've never seen a sword quite like yours either. Well…maybe I have once, yet I’ve never seen it form like that!"

The men drew their blades back. Contact was truly made this time. The sound of the metal sounded out through the entire grand line. All life,from the north, south, east, and west blue, and all the way from the reverse mountain to Lodestar heard this powerful impact. The clang of the metal was heard by all who had ears.

Mihawk smiled, for what seemed like the first time in years, and pushed Shanks away with his blade. 10 meters away, yet still in his reach. The dark haired swordsman hoisted the blade up onto his shoulder, and gripped the handle.

“Black Blade:…”

When these words were uttered Shanks could feel his vision fade away, as he looked around all he saw was darkness wrapping itself around him, enclosing, and suffocating.

“Nothingness”

Slashes appeared all over Shanks body, as Mihawk violently swung his blade. His shirt was tattered, and his pants were torn to look like shirts. Shanks, gritting his teeth, continued to swing in hopes of countering, until he felt a metallic clang and regained his footing. Then, he knew he had an opening.

“Single Strike of the New World!”

Shanks could still not see. Using an attack like divine departure would be pointless against a target he couldn't aim at. Instead, he'd need a radius attack.

Red lightning bolts rained down, and as they did Shanks slammed Gryphon to the ground. The power was enough to shatter the ground. Mihawk used his future sight, he’d try to see the future and avoid the slash, but Shanks prevented that. A wave of haki washed over Mihawk. When it did, the moment he activated his future sight, he was met with a blinding flash of light instead of a vision. The slam hit him dead on in the stomach, delivering a heavy impact.
The tide came in, and began to sweep away all the shattered ground created by Shanks and Mihawk.

When Mihawk was down, the red-haired pirate stepped forward and swung Grypon down. Mihawk swung Yoru up to block it, before pushing Shanks away and regaining footing.

They continued to battle, for hours and hours on edge. The only thing that stopped them from killing each other was the fact that neither had the energy to swing their blade by the end of this encounter. By the end of the battle, both men had taken an equal amount of damage, and could both lose in one act from the other.

“Tell me...do tell me Shanks. What is your dream?”

“I’m…I’m gonna be king of the pirates someday, and when I do, Roger and Buggy will be able to say they’re proud of me!”

A smile appeared on the face of Dracule again. Not because of blood lust,but out of actual joy this time. He wanted to use Yoru to stand himself up, but could tell moving too much would knock him out.

“In that case, know this," Mihawk began "my dream is to become the world’s strongest swordsman. Perhaps we’ll encounter each other more down the path. When we do, make sure to put up this much of a fight as this time.”

Shanks smiled as well. He went to speak, but passed out as soon as he stood too fast. Beckman and the crew approached Shanks, and carried him away to the medical bay of the ship hastily.

"Benn Beckman," Mihawk spoke

Beckman and the crew all turned to face the man who stood on equal footing with their captain in that moment. A battle that lasted over 12 hours had finally ended.

"When your captain awakes, let him know this battle was a draw."

Chapter Text

“Gurararara, are you sure it was really that red-haired kid? Last time I saw him, Roger was still alive!”

The voice that boomed out was that of Edward Newgate, the famous captain known throughout the seas as whitebeard. His humor was a bit grim, but at the same time it was in a light hearted and respectful way. The ones who spoke to him were Marco the Pheonix, and Marshall D. Teach. The two of them both told different tales of Shanks' abilities.

"I saw it myself pops," Marco spoke, “him and the marine hunter clashed on some random island, not any territory or in a part of any war, and they split the sky without even touching blades. It’s no less than conquerors haki!”

“He was a disciple of Roger and Rayleigh. I expect nothing less! And what about you Teach, what did you see?”

“I went and checked on this guy myself. I could detect him based on his haki alone”

Teach left out much of his encounter, which whitebeard could sense. although he was far older than his prime, he still could use observation haki, simply not as powerfully as he could before. With the small bit he could use however, he could tell Teach was keeping something from him. Instead of pressing the matter, he allowed it to slide, Teach was never a trouble maker, far from it.

“I see,” Whitebeard addressed with a simple chuckle, “you two can continue with your days my sons. I’m feeling a bit weak, I must admit”

Marco nodded and silently stepped away to join the rest of the crew. Teach lingered for a second, a strange and confusing intent was detectable from him to anybody with haki. It wasn’t one of malice, kindness, or depression. Whatever emotion was in him couldn’t be read easily. He walked away after a moment of his own thoughts swelling, and allowed Newgate to rest.

“Well Roger…this new era you made is certainly shaking up to be something interesting”

Chapter Text

Across the world the tales of the clash between two supernatural swordsman spread like the light does on the horizon. Wherever the sun shone, there'd be at least one version of this story from someone, who heard it from someone, who heard it from someone, who had heard it from someone who saw it. Some far more outlandish than others

"I heard the warlord the warlord grew giant wings like a bat!"

"I heard red-hair created a giant samurai ghost!"

"I heard that..."

"I heard that...

"I heard..."

They all had heard, you none of the people saying these things had seen. They wouldn't know the things they said were somehow less outlandish than what truly happened. A sword appearing from nowhere, and a blade reforming itself stronger only could come from a terrible piece of fiction. Yet it truly had happened

Shanks sat on his ship, drifting through the sea back to Yukiryu, where they'd find comfort and peace for a few hours at least. They hoped for days, but they knew it'd be unlikely.

"Snake? How much longer until we get to a town? I'm starving."

Over the past few days Shanks had grown increasingly hungry, pale, and tired. It seems as if his body had diverted everything it had to heal Shanks. He was only alive due to his own will and courage. It had seemed to be working well however, as the only scars that weren't fully healed were the ones on his eye.

"A few more days honestly, unless you want to stop at Saboady and run into some celestial dragons," Building Snake said with a dumb chuckle.

"Hm. I'll pass on that experience," Shanks responded before laying his head down onto his table. The sun began to set behind his head, and he went to rest with it.

Yasopp, Beckman, and Roux had been sent out ahead of everyone else to check on the island for any possible guest who took post up before them. They left three days earlier than the others, and as such were likely there already, waiting for the others or fighting for their safety in the frost.

Chapter Text

Akainu and Kizaru sat silently at the failure of Mihawk's assassination of Shanks. The admiral of ice, Aokiji arrived and sat down with the two of them.

"What happened here? Who died, huh?"

Kuzan laughed at Borsalino under his breath. It seemed like for the first time he closed that mouth of his. Sakazuki was steaming, both physically and mentally.

"This is no laughing matter Aokiji," he shouted out. "Red-hair is a threat beyond anything we've ever seen. Dracule Mihawk likely allowed him to live, but we can't prove it because their immense haki destroyed all our video snails"

"So?"

Aokiji's brief question enraged Akainu even more.

"Take your job seriously damn it!...we raised the bounty of Red-hair Shanks before the battle to 1 billion berries, but I think it's fair to increase it even more. I'll be sending a request to the five elders to bump it up even more."

Seeing no point in this conversation, Aokiji left. Kizaru sat silently, before getting up and leaving as well. Akainu sat alone in the dark, and pulled a cigar out for himself.

"Damn Roger. All of this is his fault."

Chapter Text

17 years later, Dracule Mihawk sat in his office, listening to the broadcast presented to him by the transponder snails. Dr. Vegapunk spoke of many things, and none of it was of any importance to him. All he cared about was the white haired warrior. He remembered seeing straw hat 2 years ago. He couldn't quite tell then, but he had seen his face before.

All those decades ago, when Shanks forged the blade Gryphon, Mihawk read his mind. He saw an image of a young boy smiling. He could hear slight drums as well, along with laughter. Back then, he had no clue what any of that was about, and simply saw it as the mind of a dying man filling with nonsense.

But now he saw it for what it truly was. He saw what Shanks' true dream was.