Naruto: The Legend of Red Haired Shanks

Shanks didn't sense any killing intent from Madara. This clash between them was just a normal exchange. 

But this so-called "normal" was already beyond what most ninjas could ever reach in their lifetime. 

Even though Madara couldn't summon his full-body Susano'o due to his physical condition, the power behind his last attack was already on par with a full-body strike. 

"You haven't won. I just lost to time. If I were younger, you wouldn't stand a chance against me." 

Madara spoke coldly from not far away. 

Shanks was indeed strong, but if he thought he had truly won, that was just wishful thinking. 

"Hah, what a strange old man." 

Shanks didn't bother arguing with Madara and simply returned to his previous spot, sitting down. 

By the sea, eating fish, watching the waves. 

A guy suddenly drifted in from the ocean and took a swing at him—how could Shanks not be frustrated? 

But since the man was already this old, Shanks let it slide. Otherwise, this fight could have dragged on forever. 

"Want to eat together?" 

Hearing Shanks' offer, Madara didn't refuse. 

But as he walked over, it was clear his legs weren't as steady as they used to be. 

After all, he was already over ninety years old. What kind of ninety-year-old could still wield a sword in battle? 

And considering how much force he had just exerted, the fact that his body hadn't completely collapsed was already impressive. 

"Your swordsmanship lacks killing intent." 

The first thing Madara said after sitting down. 

It seemed he was used to speaking this way, and facing Shanks, he naturally placed himself in the position of a mentor. 

"I don't think being a pirate means I have to kill." 

"A pirate?" 

"Yeah! My greatest dream is to be the freest man on this sea." 

Shanks spoke excitedly. 

Madara didn't quite understand what Shanks meant, but he didn't care enough to ask further.

The only reason he came here was to see the strength of the man in front of him, to see if this man could create a new era. 

"Such a pointless dream." 

Madara slowly cut a piece of meat and savored it. 

Even though the fish had a strong fishy smell and no seasoning, he still looked like he was enjoying it. 

It was the first time in twenty years that he had tasted food with his tongue instead of relying on those nutrient solutions. 

Likewise, his "fight" with Shanks today was also the first time in twenty years that he had used that kind of power. 

Right now, Madara felt unbelievably refreshed. He could clearly sense the life draining from his body, but it didn't matter anymore. 

Shanks didn't get angry at Madara's words. 

No matter how you looked at it, this old man in front of him was someone with a long history. To him, Shanks' dream probably sounded like nothing more than a foolish fantasy. 

Just like those pirates who laughed at Luffy's dream. 

But this old man was different from those narrow-minded pirates. He had simply seen too much. 

Considering his age, he had likely lived through not just the era of Rocks but even the one before that. 

That was probably why he thought this way. 

"Even if it's a pointless dream, I still have to try and make it come true." 

Looking at Shanks, for a moment, Madara seemed to see Hashirama from the past. 

Shanks didn't have some grand ambition, but that unwavering determination—it was exactly the same. 

"I had a friend a lot like you. I hope you can achieve your dream, just like he tried to." 

Madara's voice was cold, but there was a hint of loneliness in it. 

Too much had happened between him and Hashirama. 

Not just between them, but between their brothers as well. 

The longer time passed, the more those old memories surfaced in his mind. 

Madara knew—he was getting old. 

Shanks also noticed the loneliness on Madara's face. 

"An old comrade, huh?" 

"He must be the only one left." 

Whether he died at sea or lived to old age, Shanks didn't know. 

But from the way this old man carried himself, his former comrades had most likely died in battle. 

"…Sigh." 

Shanks didn't understand, and he wasn't going to ask. 

This was the fate of men who lived on the sea. 

Maybe, compared to those who died in battle or during their adventures, dying alone in some forgotten place was the most tragic end. 

Shanks could already picture it. 

The old man, when he was young, had once sailed the seas with his crew. 

He must have been wild and fearless, full of confidence and pride. 

But as time passed, one by one, his comrades fell. 

And in his old age, he had no choice but to escape to this empty place, waiting for the end. 

His body was in terrible shape. 

Shanks couldn't figure out why he came here. 

After thinking it over, there was only one answer—he was waiting to die. 

In his final days, he wanted to use what little life he had left to remember the past. 

See? There it was again—that look of nostalgia.

Shanks had sharp instincts—Madara had indeed just recalled something from the past. 

"Ah, that was a good meal. I haven't eaten this much in a long time." 

In just a short while, Shanks had finished off the rest of the fish. 

Madara, sitting beside him, was stunned. It took him a moment to snap out of it. 

Wait… how did the fish disappear so fast? 

And how did he even manage to eat that huge fish by himself? 

*Burp~* 

Shanks lazily let out a satisfied burp. 

"I'm heading back." 

"I just so happen to need a place to stay." 

Madara didn't hold back at all. His serious expression made it clear he wasn't asking for permission—he had already decided. 

He stood up as well. 

His Sharingan wasn't as good as the Byakugan for sensing things, but even so, he could tell that something was off about Shanks' chakra. 

It was as if… he had no chakra at all. 

"Hmm, my name is Shanks. I haven't asked for yours yet." 

"You'll find out soon enough." 

Madara picked up his sword and replied. 

"I'm tired. Let's head back and rest." 

Hearing that, Shanks felt a bit excited. 

What a strange old man. But at least he wouldn't be bored anymore. 

And this guy was strong—way stronger than Zabuza. 

Maybe he could even ask the old man for some training advice later on. 

When they got back to the cabin by the lake, Madara walked straight into the room that used to belong to Zabuza without looking back. 

Just from that brief exchange with Shanks, he already felt exhausted. 

He really was getting old. 

This body was no longer fit for battle. 

"Oh, by the way, my name is Madara." 

With that, he shut the door behind him. 

Uchiha Madara had no need to hide his name. 

"Madara?" 

Shanks had no memory of anyone with that name. 

"Oh well, this is just the beta version of the pirate world. It's not surprising that there are people I don't recognize." 

Shanks returned to his room, and before long, the sound of snoring filled the air. 

The next morning, Shanks began his usual training routine. 

The only difference was that now, there was an old man nearby. 

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