One Piece: The True Codex

By the time William's ship docked at the pier of Maple Leaf Village, it was already evening.

Given the late hour, it wasn't ideal to inspect the shipyard, so William decided to head into the village with Sherlock, Edmond, and a group of crew members. They made their way to a tavern they frequented in the past, planning to enjoy some drinks, rest, and have dinner there.

Taverns bustling with sailors and workers were always lively and noisy. However, as soon as William and his party pushed open the door and stepped inside, the volume in the room noticeably dropped, eventually descending into silence.

The patrons, most of whom recognized William, Sherlock, and Edmond, simultaneously set down their mugs and fell quiet. Even those who hadn't noticed their arrival were quickly hushed by their companions.

A few young men, still showing traces of youthful innocence on their faces, instinctively stood up, their expressions full of excitement as they gazed at William and his group.

William, wearing a friendly smile, waved at them casually.

On the first floor of the tavern, only two tables of outsiders continued drinking and chatting as if nothing had happened. William glanced at them briefly, frowning slightly before his smile returned.

At that moment, the rotund tavern owner came rushing out from the back, his face full of flattery. Bowing and scraping, he eagerly led William and his group upstairs to the second floor.

As William and his crew walked through the first-floor hall, the patrons watched them in silence, almost like a ceremonial salute, until they disappeared upstairs. Only then did the hall erupt into noise again. Conversations broke out, and the young men whom William had greeted were practically beside themselves with excitement.

It was as if a superstar had arrived. The patrons in the hall resembled a crowd of fanatical fans finally meeting their idol—overjoyed and exhilarated.

"Quite the spectacle," remarked "Red-Haired" Shanks, seated at a table near the bar. Ever since William had entered the tavern, Shanks had been watching him intently. As William disappeared upstairs, Shanks downed his glass of strong liquor in one gulp, exhaled deeply, and said with a hint of excitement, "This Captain William sure carries himself with authority. Waiting here for days wasn't in vain!"

Shanks had first heard about William and the Morgan Pirates over a year ago from Makino, the tavern owner in Windmill Village. Ever since then, he had entertained the idea of inviting William, the captain of the Morgan Pirates, to join his crew.

Over the past year, Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates had used Windmill Village as a base while exploring the surrounding areas. Occasionally, they would hear news about the Morgan Pirates. Coupled with the intelligence they actively gathered, they had developed a decent understanding of William and his crew.

Shanks was a free-spirited man, someone who acted on whims with a certain childlike impulsiveness. Once he decided he wanted to recruit William, he was determined to give it a try before leaving the East Blue, despite his first mate, Benn Beckman, warning him that the chances of William agreeing were slim.

Tracking William's whereabouts wasn't easy. Official and unofficial accounts of him were often polar opposites, with rumors and truths so intertwined that anyone trying to discern the facts would be left utterly confused.

In fact, if not for Benn Beckman's sharp mind, Shanks might not have even figured out who the real captain of the Morgan Pirates was.

It was Benn Beckman who pieced together the clues—from the Four Seas Trading Company to the honey mead production sites—and deduced that Maple Leaf Village was likely the base, or even the headquarters, of William and the Morgan Pirates.

Thus, a week ago, Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates had arrived in Frost Moon Village before making their way to Maple Leaf Village. They treated it as both a rest stop and an opportunity to see if they could encounter William.

The decision to visit Frost Moon Village first was also Benn Beckman's suggestion. As the vice-captain and strategist of the Red-Haired Pirates, Beckman had Shanks' complete trust. Even if it was inconvenient, Shanks would follow his advice.

"After what you just saw, you should understand why I suggested we detour to Frost Moon Village before coming here," Benn Beckman said.

Beckman's long black hair was tied into a ponytail that hung down his back, with a strand of bangs falling over his left temple, giving him a slightly rebellious look.

Holding a cigarette between his fingers, Beckman gestured casually toward the staircase where William and his crew had disappeared. "That man may seem approachable on the surface, but based on the intelligence we've gathered, he's fundamentally domineering—completely different from our carefree captain."

The Red-Haired Pirates at the table burst into laughter, showing no regard for their captain's dignity. Shanks, however, wasn't offended and joined in the self-deprecating humor with a chuckle.

"The reason I didn't suggest coming straight to Maple Leaf Village was to avoid any unnecessary conflict," Beckman continued, taking a sip of his drink. "While we're all pirates, this profession often makes rivals out of us. Showing up uninvited at another pirate crew's base—especially their headquarters—could easily lead to misunderstandings. If we end up clashing with this Captain William, it'll be a real headache."

Beckman turned to Shanks. "Your chances of recruiting him are already slim. If a conflict arises, there won't be any chance at all."

Shanks nodded in agreement.

However, one of the Red-Haired Pirates at the table seemed unconvinced. "So what if a conflict breaks out? Worst case, we fight. Maybe if we show him our strength, he'll be more willing to join us."

"A man like him? Even if he were my enemy, I'd lose sleep over it," Beckman said, exhaling a puff of smoke and casting a sidelong glance at his crewmate. "And you think you can convince him to live on the same ship with you after offending him? If you're looking for a way to die, there are better options."

Just as Beckman finished speaking, Shanks poured two glasses of strong liquor, holding them steadily in his right hand as he stood up.

"So, after all I've said, you're still going to try?" Beckman asked, unimpressed.

Shanks laughed heartily. "Since we've come all this way, why worry about things that haven't happened yet? He'll either agree or refuse—just two options. It's a fifty-fifty chance!"

"And how exactly did you calculate that it's a fifty-fifty chance?" Beckman asked, amused.

"Even if he refuses to join, having a drink with a man like him would still be worthwhile," Shanks replied, raising the glasses in his hand with a grin.

With that, Shanks began making his way toward the staircase, his steps slightly unsteady but full of determination.

The second floor was sparsely populated. As soon as Shanks reached the top, his eyes swept the room and quickly locked onto William, who was engaged in conversation with Edmond and Sherlock. Without hesitation, Shanks strode over.

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