"Are you kidding me?" a feminine voice snapped. A woman with long black hair tied up in a high ponytail, wearing a red shirt with a black baggy jacket and black leggings. She had a katana at her side. "Why are they here now?" She looked back at the taller woman. She had piercing green eyes, long flowing red hair, and she wore a cream dress with gold armor on her upper body. On her feet were golden sandals with gold bands that wrapped up her calves.

The woman's lips were in a thin line. "I do not claim to understand, but I do believe it has something to do with his awakening." She smiled softly, humming a soft tune. "He did return after all. She didn't like that."

The shorter woman's eyes widened. "You don't think—"

"I do, cousin," the red haired woman nodded in confirmation. "Tell the others it's time. Is he here yet?" she looked from the lake out toward the sea, looking through the dark barrier. Her smile morphed to a deep frown. "If the others are here, he should be here."

"He...is here, but I don't think he wants to be involved," the shorter woman looked down at the water, crimson eyes narrowed and pained. "You know what he went through. You know what he has to do." She frowned. "He was pulled here like the others. But know this, cousin, if you force him to do this, you'll have to fight me and my siblings."

"I know," the red haired woman replied softly. "That's why I am not going to force Fate. I can simply nudge people in the right directions." She stood up and dusted off her dress. "I will make myself known. Stay in the shadows or make yourself known, I don't care." She grabbed her shield and sword. "But know this, all will come to the light sooner or later. You can not hide forever."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," the shorter woman grabbed her katana and jumped down from the raised platform and walked into the shadowy woods. "If you see my chosen, tell him I said hi," she called back.

—

"Shanks! Are you paying attention?" Luffy called after the red haired Captain. "Torao says he sees a light in the distance!"

"There are lights all around us, Luffy," Bonney scowled, gesturing to the glowing plants and rocks. "He's gonna need to be more specific." She adjusted her hat and shivered at the cool breeze. She looked from Shanks to Law, wondering what the plan actually was, because she'd rather not be on this island for any longer than she needed to be.

Trafalgar Law narrowed his eyes as he looked down the overgrown brick path. "I can see a light. It's not like the neon bioluminescent light here. This light is natural, almost like the sun and moon light." He frowned as he stepped on the bricks. "These bricks indicate people lived here at one point."

"Where's Robin when you need her?" Luffy complained, frowning. He missed the Straw Hats and couldn't help but think of where they could be. "I miss my crew, but they can handle themselves! They're strong like that." He put on a confident smile. "Yeah, they'll be fine."

"Say, Anchor," Shanks smiled, putting his hand on Luffy's head. "Tell me about your crew as we walk toward the light and hope it's not a marine platoon," he joked, pressing down to make Luffy's head bend down. "I've read about you guys, but I wanna hear about them from you." Despite his refusal to see Luffy after Wano, Shanks really missed the young pirate. Luffy was like his child and he wanted to see him thrive. Part of Shanks wished he had worded his promise differently so he could have visited Luffy before now.

Luffy smiled brightly. "Well, Zoro is our swordsman. He's really, really strong and wants to become the world's strongest swordsman. Then there's Nami! She's obsessed with money and is the best navigator. She wants to draw a map of the world." Shanks couldn't help but laugh as Luffy enthusiastically talked about his crew. "Usopp is our sniper and tells the best stories! Chopper is our doctor and wants to find a cure to all diseases!"

Bonney looked back at Luffy as she followed Law, a small frown on her face. "Do you think a reindeer can do that? Find a cure for everything?" her voice was small and almost cracked but she composed herself.

Luffy nodded firmly, eyes full of faith and determination. "I know he can and he will."

"Then he can save a lot of people," Bonney offered a soft, wistful smile. She thought back on Kuma's explanation of how her mother died of the Sapphire Scale disease. She also heard of the Amber Lead poisoning of Flevance.

"You can't save everyone," Law snapped, gripping his sword so tight his knuckles turned white. "But, I'm sure Chopper will try his best." He fought the urge to touch the parts of his skin that had once been infected by the Amber Lead Disease.

Luffy shrugged, smiling brightly and laughing. "Chopper can do it! Sanji is our cook and he wants to find the All Blue. Brook is a skeleton and our musician! Shanks, he knows Laboon! Franky is a cyborg and he built the Sunny!" Luffy laughed as he thought of the Sunny. "Nico Robin is an archeologist and used to be an assassin. She wants to know the true history!"

"The demon child," Shanks murmured, remembering Robin's wanted poster for being the survivor of Ohara. "I heard you declared war on the world for her. That's brave of you, Anchor." He ruffled Luffy's hair.

"She didn't want to live anymore," Luffy said bluntly. Law paused and looked back at Luffy, a solemn silence falling upon the group. "The world turned its back on her. So we helped her! She got her will to live back and has been with us ever since!" Luffy said brightly, stride upbeat and bouncy. "Robin's really smart. I like her. Then there is Jinbe! He's a fishman and a former warlord. He's really honorable and awesome!" He put a hand on his chin. "I think that's everyone. I'm still looking for my tenth crew member, though. Yamato was going to join but he decided to stay behind to protect Wano."

Shanks chuckled, happy to hear that Luffy had acquired such a strong and loyal crew. "Hawk Eyes was right that you had this power of bringing people together," he commented, impressed by Luffy. "You might just be able to beat me one day," he smirked, tripping Luffy, "but you aren't there yet, Anchor." he laughed as Luffy yelped when he hit the ground.

"SHANKS!" Luffy shouted indignantly as he got up. Shanks moved his head to the side to avoid a Gum Gum Pistol. "Come on, Luffy, a great pirate expects all things." Shanks threw his head back in laughter.

The group broke through the dense trees to find a cozy wooden cabin. They seemed to have reached the back side of the cabin. The back door was slightly open with a welcoming aura. Two carved lioness statues sat on either side of the porch. The porch was a wrap-around porch, going around the entire cabin. A lake could be seen behind the cabin.

"A cabin?" Bonney tilted her head in question.

"Do you think it has food?" Luffy drooled, thinking of meat. That got Bonney's attention and the two were about to run into the house before Law stopped them with his devil fruit, continuing to Room them away from the open door.

"We don't know who lives there or why a cabin is here," Law sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This could be dangerous. Don't go running toward danger. I won't heal your dumbasses."

Shanks ignored the three supernova's bickering and looked from the carved lioness statues and the open door. He felt a lull, a pull toward the door. He took a step forward, hand coming up to touch the lioness statue. The Red Haired Captain felt warmth envelope him, like a big warm hug. A comforted smile appeared on his face. Everything around him seemed to melt away and Shanks walked up the steps. He couldn't hear Law warning him to stop or that Luffy and Bonney's bickering went silent. With a calm smile, Shanks pushed open the door and stepped into the cabin.

"I've been expecting you, little one."