The full, orange-red sun began its descent into the western sky, throwing itself into the embrace of the endless horizon, as if determined to burn away the last of its warmth.
Davy Jones and Shanks stood at the edge of the fortress battlements, dyed crimson by the afterglow. A cool sea breeze swept past them.
"Captain Davy Jones," Shanks began again, deciding to start from the very beginning. "Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin—is, without question, a monster."
Davy Jones smoked silently, listening in calm silence.
Shanks spoke slowly, recounting what he knew about Charlotte Linlin.
"She's not of Giant blood, yet she possesses their physique and power—tall, massive, and immeasurably strong."
"It's said that even the 'Giant Kingdom' of Elbaf fears her existence."
"She is a Soul-Soul Fruit user. She can smell the fear emanating from those before her—and through that fear, she can draw out their souls. And a soul, of course, is tied to one's lifespan."
"In Totland, every citizen must face two choices twice a year: either surrender a portion of their 'soul and lifespan'… or die."
"She infuses the souls she collects into non-human vessels, creating her monstrous army. Compared to Moria's zombie legion, her creations are far easier to control."
"She is also a master of Haki—Observation, Armament, and even Conqueror's—all wielded with ease."
"Among her children, the powerhouses extend far beyond the Sweet Commanders. Perospero, Daifuku, Oven, Compote—each of them formidable. Her fleet is ceaselessly bathed in blood."
Shanks adjusted the sword at his waist—Gryphon—his expression solemn and cautious.
He was speaking earnestly, trying to persuade Davy Jones.
"I know your powers are also connected to the soul, though they diverge from Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit—two lines extending from the same point."
"You have Crocodile and Jinbe, both former Warlords of the Sea, and many other capable hands. I'm sure you've already prepared well for this war."
"I don't doubt that you have the strength to fight Charlotte Linlin… but the outcome will likely be a pyrrhic victory. And when that happens, you'll face the same fate as Ace and Marco once did."
"Kaido, Teach, Doflamingo, Wang Zhi—and the other sharks who smell blood—will come surging in, frenzied, to tear apart the weakened victor."
"Everything you have now will be devoured, erased. The balance of the New World will collapse entirely."
"Kaido, Teach, Doflamingo, Wang Zhi—they'll feast until their faces shine with oil. Even the Navy will breathe a sigh of relief."
"Once more, I sincerely urge you and Charlotte Linlin to call a truce. Let me mediate between you, until both sides reach a treaty you can accept."
Just then, the solitary clock tower began to toll—clang, clang, clang—its long echoes signaling the arrival of nightfall.
Davy Jones still gave no reply. Instead, he asked curiously:
"Why are you so concerned with the 'balance of the New World'? After all, if a war between Emperors breaks out, you could benefit from it too."
Shanks shook his head.
"Because I truly believe—it's a good thing that you became one of the Four Emperors."
"Why?"
Shanks sighed.
"People say the 'Three Great Powers of the Grand Line' are the Marines, the Four Emperors, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"But in truth, if the Four Emperors ever united, they could easily destroy the Navy and the Warlords alike."
"It's just that the Four Emperors are not a single, united front. The Navy and the Warlords have used this fact to maintain the balance."
"Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom knew each other well, but they never saw eye to eye. Ironically, I was more aligned with Whitebeard than they were with one another."
"Though we never had a written pact, the New World remained stable because of this delicate standoff—until the Paramount War."
"Whitebeard's death plunged everything into chaos, chaos that still hasn't settled. Kaido and Big Mom grew stronger, Teach and Doflamingo rose to power. These are facts."
"No matter who wins between you and Big Mom, the blood-soaked spoils will only feed Kaido—turning him into a new Rocks D. Xebec—while Teach and Doflamingo rise as the next Emperors."
"I'll then face three ravenous madmen at once, alongside the World Government and the Navy. That's a situation I don't want to see. I'd much rather you remain one of the Four Emperors."
Davy Jones gazed at Shanks. "Why do you think I'm any different from them?"
"You just are different," Shanks said, turning his back to the sea wall, letting the dust-stained black cloak drape over him without care. "Your *sense of honor—your code of contracts—*is known across the seas."
"'A code of honor,' hmm?" Davy Jones chuckled, his gray-blue eyes glinting. "But that's not all, is it, Shanks? I can tell you're hiding something more."
Darkness slowly devoured the land. The shadow of another distant tower stretched long and sharp, cutting across their own, engulfing Shanks within it—like an assassin cloaked in shadow.
His red hair dimmed under the twilight. He lowered his head, his face hidden.
After a long silence, he suddenly looked up and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha… As expected, I couldn't fool you after all. I thought I could play a few tricks and keep a secret or two. But it seems there's no need for that anymore."
Shanks decided to hold nothing back.
"Rayleigh and Buggy must've told you about Captain Roger and Laugh Tale."
"Laugh Tale—it was named by Captain Roger himself. It means 'the land of laughter and legends.' There, they learned of Joy Boy's prophecy."
"In that prophecy, one day, a great war will engulf the entire world. At that time, Joy Boy and the Clan of D will cast down the so-called Creator from the Empty Throne."
Davy Jones raised an eyebrow. "The 'Clan of D'?"
"They're the descendants of the great kingdom that existed 800 years ago," Shanks said, looking directly at Davy Jones. "They are the sworn enemies of the Celestial Dragons."
"Among the 'D's of old—Roger, Rocks—each stirred the world to its core."
"When Joy Boy awakens, he'll reach Laugh Tale, claim the treasure, and ignite the great war. Only then will the world be truly liberated—free."
"Now, all the elements of that great war have come together: tyranny, greed, division, chaos, hope…"
"But one crucial piece is still missing—the protagonist. Joy Boy has yet to awaken. Still, I believe something will trigger that awakening."
"Until Joy Boy awakens, I cannot allow this great war to begin prematurely. If it erupts too soon, the world might lose its only chance at change."
"The previous Joy Boy missed his chance to free the world. If we fail again this time… it may take another 800 years."
Shanks' once-bright smile dimmed. His tone grew solemn, tinged with sorrow.
He thought of the man he'd always pursued—his captain.
"Captain Roger never lived to see true freedom. I want to witness it in his place… and I want all of us to sail freely in that new world."
"When Joy Boy liberates the world, the seas will grow broader and freer. I believe both you and I will gain far more then."
"As for Kaido, Big Mom, Teach, Doflamingo, Wang Zhi—they'll all be swept away by history."
When he finished, Shanks fell silent, turning to face Davy Jones.
Davy Jones took a long draw from his pipe, letting the smoke fill his lungs and mouth before exhaling slowly. A faint smile spread across his face.
"You really are an oddity among pirates—a romantic idealist," Davy Jones said with amusement.
"You're placing your hopes on Joy Boy and a great war… wishing for everything to be solved in one grand sweep. You hope to fulfill your mission, and then sail free."
"But if you let that sense of duty—your reverence for prophecy—chain you down, waiting for Joy Boy to come… then you'll never find true freedom."
Shanks' expression darkened.
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