Uta's expression softened, but the hurt was still there, lingering just beh the surface.

  "Maybe you didn't mean it, but it still hurt," She whispered, her voice shaking.

  Shanks took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears that threateo spill. "It seems I made a mistake, Uta. I see that now. And if I could go bad ge it, I would. Please… five me."

  There was a long silence as Uta sidered his words, her emotions a mixture of relief, hurt, and fragile joy. She took a hesitant step forward, then another until she was close enough to reach out. She touched his arm lightly, as if still unsure, before finally letting herself embrace him.

  Shanks ed his arms around her, his hold ge firm, as if afraid she might slip away again.

  "I'm so sorry, Uta," He murmured. "I should have been there for you. I'm sorry."

  The crew, Luffy, and the vilgers watched in respectful sileouched by the quiet reunion.

  Shanks's crew had always known their captain cared deeply for his daughter, but seeing the man so openly vulnerable was a rare sight.

  After a long moment, Shanks pulled back slightly, a hopeful look in his eyes. "Uta, would you e with me now? I don't want to make the same mistake twice. I want you to be part of our family again."

  But to his surprise, Uta shook her head.

  "No, Shanks," She said softly but firmly. "I don't want to go back. I've found my own path now, and I want to stay with Luffy."

  Luffy looked at her, surprised but pleased by her decision. He knew she'd found strength in herself, and he respected her choice to take trol of her own future.

  Shanks, oher hand, looked shocked. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "You… want to stay with Luffy?"

  Uta nodded. "Luffy helped me when I was at my lowest. He made me feel like I had a pce where I belonged. I want to be with him, to support him just like he supported me."

  Shanks felt a pang of jealousy and loss, but he forced himself to smile.

  "I uand," He said, though his voice was tinged with sadness. "If that's what you want, then I won't stand in your way."

  Trying to mask his disappoi, Shanks let out a pyful grumble. "You'd rather stay with that kid instead of your own father? I didn't expect you to pie other pirate over the great Red-Haired Shanks!"

  Uta ughed, the tension finally broken as she saw her father's familiar, goofy grin.

  "It's not about choosing sides, Shanks," She teased. "It's about finding my own way. Besides, maybe I'll make my own mark in Luffy's crew!"

  Shanks's smile softened as he looked at his daughter, realizing that she'd grown up in ways he hadn't anticipated.

  "I guess I'll have to keep an eye on you then," He said with a smirk. "And you, Luffy—don't you dare lead her into trouble, or I'll e after you myself."

  Luffy grinned, ued by the pyful threat. "I think it's too te for that, Shanks. She's already decided."

  ----

  The sun hung low in the sky, casting an amber glow over Foosha Vilge. A soft breeze whispered through the trees as vilgers and pirates alike gathered in the open square, their excitement palpable.

  Luffy stretched zily, a mischievous grin pying on his lips as he walked up to Shanks. His carefree demeanor belied the fire burning within him.

  Uta stood beside Makino, her expression a mixture of and curiosity, while the vilgers and Red-Haired Pirates whispered among themselves.

  "So, Shanks," Luffy began, crag his knuckles. "How about we have a little spar? You've been bragging about how strong you are for a long time. I think it's time I see for myself."

  The crowd fell silent, their collective breath caught ihroats. Shanks arched an eyebrow, then chuckled, his usual easygoing smirk returning.

  "You sure about that, Luffy?" Shanks teased, resting his hand on his sword hilt. "I'd hate to embarrass you in front of your friends. And you're still a bit wet behind the ears, aren't you?"

  Luffy's grin widened. "Heh, don't worry about me. You might be the one who needs saving when I'm done."

  Shanks's crew burst into ughter, but Be narrowed his eyes, catg the glint of something deeper in Luffy's gaze. It wasn't just a friendly challehere was a determination that ran far deeper than anyone could see.

  "All right, kid," Shanks said, uhing his sword. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But don't hold it against me if you wake up sore tomorrow."

  The moment Shanks drew his sword, the atmosphere ged. The air crackled with tension, and the faint st of ozone lingered as if the world itself was brag for the impending csh. Luffy wasted no time. He vanished from sight in a burst of speed, reappearing mid-air as his fist, coated in Armament Haki, shot toward Shanks like a onball.

  Shanks deflected the punch with ease, his sword meeting Luffy's atta a burst of sparks. The force of the collisio a shockwave rippling outward, rattling the onlookers and stirring the grass beh their feet.

  "Not bad," Shanks admitted, pivoting to deliver a horizontal ssh. "You've definitely improved."

  Luffy ducked, his footwork fluid as he retaliated with a spinning kick. The kick grazed Shanks's arm, sending him skidding back a few steps.

  The Red-Haired Pirates erupted in cheers and jeers. "That's it, Captain! Show him who's boss!"

  The spar escated quickly. Luffy's blows were relentless, a whirlwind of punches and kicks that showcased the strength and precision hohrough his grueling training. Shanks matched him effortlessly, his movements fluid as water, each strike a calcuted ter desigo test Luffy's limits.

  As the fight tinued, Shanks began to sehe iy behind Luffy's attacks. It wasn't just raw strength—it was ambition, vi, and something else, something darker and sharper that g the edges of Luffy's resolve.

  "You're not fighting like a kid anymore," Shanks said, his voice low. His queror's Haki fred, bck lightning crag between them. "What are you hiding, Luffy?"

  Luffy didn't answer. Instead, he unleashed a flurry of punches, eae carrying the weight of his determination. Shanks blocked them all but found himself needing to exert more effort than expected. Luffy's fists were fast, precise, and unnervingly heavy.

  "Fine," Shanks muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Let's see how you hahis."

  Shanks decided to end the spar. With a powerful burst of speed, he closed the gap between them, his bde glowing faintly with Haki. He swung down in a move meant to overpower Luffy and force him to yield.

  But Luffy didn't back down.

  Instead, he tered, his arms crossing to block the strike. The impact sent him hurtling backward, his feet digging trenches into the ground. Blood trickled from his mouth, and his HP dropped dangerously low.

  The system chimed in Luffy's mind.

  [Host HP is below 5%. All the Limiters pced onto the Host are removed.]

  A surge of energy exploded from Luffy's body, and the etlefield froze. His aura transformed, being almost tangible. The pressure was suffog, f weaker onlookers to their knees.

  --- ? ? ? ---

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