152 things conclude (1/2)

Whitebeard stared as he sat on his throne, his family all standing all around looking at the Marines with hostile eyes.

”Sengoku, you must have a lot of guts, coming on MY ship and ordering me to forget the danger you put MY children in.,” the massive man said, each word followed by a spike in his presence.

His hazel eyes stared at the marine fleet Admiral expressionlessly, though his Conqueror's Haki shuddered all around. With a small thump, the first man fell, and like a domino, anyone who was not a Division commander had sunk into the sweat nothingness of unconsciousness.

Sengoku looked back impassively, his glasses glinting as he met the huge man's heavy gaze.

”You have no choice Whitebeard. IF you choose to war, then the marines will gladly accompany you. All I want to do is prevent needless casualty, do not take that as a sign of weakness. If you decide to wave your flag that way, then you must be ready for the death of your 'children'.” the sarcasm in the man's tone was evident.

”Gurararara! Sengoku, do not take that highhanded tone with me! We might not truly go to war, but if you cross me, then the New World will not be as receptive to you dogs of those bubble headed mongrels as it currently is.” Whitebeard announced, his threat clear in the air as his rumbling laughter shook through Sengoku's bones.

Sengoku gnashed his teeth as he looked at languid figure, at this point he knew that he would have to bleed.

******

Shanks chuckled as he sat on top the deck of his ship. He was in a wonderful mood, just the scent of the grilling fat over the small barbecue grill atop their current ship. The storms of the New World seldom troubled the Red Hair pirates after all.

”Oi! Captain we're almost there!” one of Shank's older crewmates called out, a smoking cigarette in his mouth as he climbed down the crow's nest.

”How much longer Barnie?” Yasopp giggled, taking great pleasure in the older man's glare.

”oh Sod off, ya bastard!” Barnie replied before marching purposefully towards the smoking pit.

”Come on old man~” Yasopp glancing over at the other man with a hint of excitement. He had gotten his hands on a few clippings of old newspapers that briefly spoke of one Jagged Dagger's trips in the West Blue. He had gotten it into his head, without even meeting the man, that they would be good friends, on a drinking competition a few days prior he went as far as to compare it with Shank's relationship with Mihawk!

”We'll be there in a few hours fool.” Barnie replied through the curtain of haze that surrounded his face before looking at Shanks seriously.

”I've thought about it Shanks, I'd like this to be the last.” he requested before smiling sadly.

Instantly Shanks felt his good mood evaporate. This was Barnie, a man that had accompanied him from the very beginning of his journey.

Then and there, Shanks had known that the world no longer excited his old friend as it had. They had spoken then, a few months back, when Barnie had heard of Shank's idea to visit the blues.

He'd wanted to be dropped off at North blue. At Kuen to be precise. He had fallen in love see. Over letter the couple had said their vows when Barnie realized that had unknowingly fathered a child. A few months from now she was expecting, and he wanted to be there for her. After all, he could no longer truly keep up with the vigour of the much younger Shanks.

With a sigh, Shanks looked at him. ”You sure old man?”