One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

Shanks and Buggy excitedly rushed to Roger's side. Roger glanced at the two of them and chuckled.

"Looks like Buggy's illness is gone—he's as energetic as ever!"

Before Buggy could reply, Shanks thumped his chest and said proudly,

"Captain, don't you think it's because I took such good care of him?"

In truth, Buggy was quite touched that Shanks had stayed behind to take care of him. But seeing Shanks looking so smug made him furious.

"I didn't need your care, idiot!"

"Nani? Buggy! You're so ungrateful!"

As usual, their bickering escalated. Roger waved his hand in exasperation.

"Alright, alright, stop fighting already. Let's head back to the ship."

The two turned away from each other with a huff before following Roger and the others toward the Oro Jackson anchored at the shore.

On the way, Buggy couldn't help but share his earlier guess with Roger. After listening, Roger gave Buggy a surprised look and then chuckled.

"Buggy, you do have a unique talent for guessing—you're halfway correct."

Buggy's curiosity was piqued, and he immediately pressed for more details.

"Captain Roger, what do you mean by halfway correct?"

Roger's smile remained, but to Shanks, it seemed tinged with self-mockery.

"That place... I named it Laugh Tale. It does repel Devil Fruit powers, but there's one exception. Only the user of a specific Devil Fruit can claim the true treasure of Laugh Tale. If you can gain its recognition someday, maybe you can bypass its curse."

"What? Such a thing exists? Then, Captain Roger, what's the name of this Devil Fruit? We can find it and have you eat it!"

Roger shook his head.

"Sorry, Buggy. It's better if you don't know. As for that Devil Fruit... let's just say it's not meant for me. Besides, I don't have much time left."

With that, Roger glanced at Shanks and quickened his pace toward the Oro Jackson, leaving Buggy with his questions unanswered.

Shanks frowned. From beginning to end, he hadn't seen a hint of joy on Roger's face despite the supposed realization of his dreams. It left him feeling uneasy.

Back aboard the Oro Jackson, Roger announced a banquet to celebrate Shanks and Buggy's return to the crew.

The feast lasted from day until late at night. Despite Crocus's attempts to stop him, Roger kept refilling his cup, drinking until he was completely drunk. Eventually, he burst into a drunken laughter mixed with tears.

Sitting beside Roger, Rayleigh watched silently, making no move to intervene.

When Roger collapsed in his chair, Rayleigh turned to Shanks, who was playing rock-paper-scissors with Buggy.

"Shanks, help Roger back to his room."

Shanks jumped up and jogged over, trying to lift Roger. However, the size difference made the task challenging. Several crew members wanted to help, but Rayleigh stopped them and encouraged them to keep enjoying the party.

Shanks managed to get Roger into the captain's quarters and onto the bed. Just as he turned to leave, Roger, who seemed to be unconscious, grabbed Shanks's wrist and whispered,

"Wait, Shanks. I need to talk to you."

Shanks froze, turning back to look at Roger. By now, Roger's face was flushed, but his eyes were clear, devoid of any drunken haze.

Roger glanced at the straw hat on Shanks's head and asked,

"Shanks, you really like that hat, don't you?"

Shanks smiled, adjusting the hat with a laugh.

"Yes, Captain Roger! I'm going to wear it as I travel to every corner of the world!"

Roger fell silent, his expression unreadable. Sensing something was off, Shanks asked,

"Captain, what's wrong?"

Roger sighed and spoke slowly,

"Shanks, there are some things I need to tell you..."

What Roger said to Shanks remained a mystery, but when Shanks left the room, his face was filled with confusion.

By now, the banquet had ended, and most of the crew had gone to bed. Only Buggy remained, cleaning up.

As he cleaned, he muttered,

"Seriously, where did Shanks run off to? How am I supposed to clean all this alone?"

Just then, Buggy noticed Shanks walking toward him, looking lost in thought. He frowned—Shanks had always been so carefree. Seeing him like this felt strange.

Buggy threw down the broom and walked up to Shanks. For once, his tone softened.

"Hey, Shanks. You don't look so good. What happened? Did Captain Roger scold you for drinking too much?"

Shanks silently shook his head and kept walking. Normally, Buggy would've gotten mad at being ignored, but this time he followed quietly.

The two ended up at the bow of the ship. Shanks leaned against the railing, staring at the sea. Buggy stood beside him, studying his profile.

For the first time, Buggy noticed how striking Shanks's features were—like someone he couldn't quite place.

After a long silence, Shanks broke the quiet. Taking off his straw hat, he gazed at it and asked,

"Buggy, do you think people's destinies are set in stone? If that's the case, then what's freedom? Just a joke?"

Buggy didn't reply immediately. Instead, he touched Shanks's forehead and sniffed him.

"What are you doing?" Shanks asked, puzzled.

Buggy rolled his eyes.

"Checking if you're sick or drunk. Stop saying weird stuff—it freaked me out."

Shanks raised an eyebrow and put a hand on his hip.

"I've been with you all day—you know I didn't drink. And you think I'm as weak as you, catching colds left and right?"

"Nani? You want a fight?!"

"Bring it on!"

Before long, the two were rolling on the deck, trading punches and insults.

When they finally stopped, bruised and panting, they lay side by side on the deck, staring at the moon.

"Feeling better now?" Buggy muttered.

"Yeah," Shanks replied softly.

-----------

+185 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg