Reid and Rayleigh continued observing Shanks, who was currently locked in a standoff with two crabs.
"Rayleigh, why aren't the crabs attacking Shanks? Are they intimidated by him?"
"Let's wait and see." Rayleigh watched Shanks with anticipation, eager to confirm his suspicions.
"To already show signs of Conqueror's Haki at this age… 'Red-Hair,' you have grand ambitions—the aura of a king. You'll carve out your own domain one day."
His eyes gleamed with expectation.
"Huh? Why are Reid and Rayleigh both watching Shanks?" Buggy glanced between Shanks and the two observers.
"Damn it!! Why does everyone always focus on Shanks? Sigh… I still can't compare. He's better at everything, and he doesn't even have a Devil Fruit power…"
Buggy felt a pang of frustration. His constant rivalry with Shanks stemmed partly from their similar ages and competitive natures.
But more than that, Buggy's red nose had always made him a target of ridicule, fueling his desperation not to fall behind.
Meanwhile, Shanks was glaring fiercely at the two crabs, his expression sharp and intimidating.
The crabs' eyes flickered with fear, and they slowly backed out of the circle.
"Wait… they're retreating? That's definitely Conqueror's Haki. Could Shanks already have awakened it?" Reid was stunned. He knew Shanks was formidable, but to manifest this power so young.
"Just as I thought. 'Red-Hair' has grasped a trace of Conqueror's Haki—and can even control it to some extent." Rayleigh looked equally surprised. He glanced at Buggy, still fending off two attacking crabs in his own circle, unaffected by Shanks' aura.
A satisfied smile curled on Rayleigh's lips.
"What the hell? Why did those stupid crabs run from Shanks?!" Buggy was dumbfounded. Why were Shanks' crabs retreating while his own kept attacking?
"Damn you, Shanks!"
Though annoyed, Buggy felt no real hatred. Their bond ran deep—after all, Shanks had once stayed behind to care for him rather than sail to Laugh Tale.
"Red-Hair." Rayleigh called out.
"Huh?..." Shanks snapped out of his trance—then collapsed, eyes shut.
"Hey! Shanks! What's wrong?!" Buggy's face twisted with worry. Moments ago, he'd been jealous; now, he was genuinely concerned.
Reid rushed over, placing a hand on Shanks.
A second later, Shanks woke up, rubbing his head.
"What happened?"
"You overexerted your mental energy and passed out. Reid helped you," Rayleigh explained.
"Oh… Thanks, Reid."
"No problem. Hungry? Come have some oden—it's amazing."
"Oden? Right, Rayleigh made it earlier. Wait, where are those crabs?"
"Over there." Rayleigh pointed.
Shanks turned and saw the two crabs standing frozen, their eyes still flickering with fear. When they noticed his gaze, they immediately looked away.
"Uh… why are they just standing there?"
"Does Shanks not remember what happened?" Reid wondered.
"Must be fatigue." Rayleigh beckoned the crabs.
They scuttled over obediently.
"Gurgle gurgle!"
"Good job. You'll get extra oden later."
Rayleigh was pleased. Without these crabs pushing Shanks, he wouldn't have awakened his Haki so soon.
"Gurgle gurgle!"
"Let's eat before it gets cold." Reid slung an arm around Shanks, grinning.
Rayleigh joined them, and the three walked off together.
He glanced back at Buggy.
"That's enough for today. Come eat."
At his command, the crabs attacking Buggy stopped and rushed over for oden.
"R-Really? Rayleigh-san…" Buggy burst into tears, overwhelmed by relief.
"Slowpokes get leftovers."
Rayleigh smirked. Despite his stern act, he'd brought utensils for all four of them.
"Buggy! Save some for me!"
Shanks and Buggy bickered as usual—their bond unshaken.
"Hey! Give me some!"
Shanks and Buggy wrestled over the food like kids.
"Shanks, you're too slow! This is why I, Captain Buggy, am the superior tactician! Mmm... so good!"
Buggy stuffed his face triumphantly.
"Hahahaha!"
Rayleigh burst out laughing at the scene.
"Heh."
Reid couldn't help but smile—the mood was infectious.
Just then—
"Oy~~~ Rayleigh!"
A familiar voice called out.
"Ah, Jabba! Perfect timing. Come join us for oden."
Rayleigh waved him over.
Jabba approached and handed Rayleigh a stack of posters.
"Take a look at these."
Rayleigh scanned them—then let out a roaring laugh.
"Hahaha! The Marines issued new bounties for us—and the numbers went up!"
"Rayleigh, let me see!"
Shanks snatched a few posters.
"Hey, save some for me!"
Buggy grabbed the rest.
"'Gol D. Roger: 5,990,000,000 Berries'... Wait, wasn't the Captain's last bounty 5,564,800,000?"
Shanks' eyes widened. As a pirate, higher bounties meant greater prestige—and this was staggering.
"Yeah~ Almost rivals Rocks D. Xebec's old numbers," Rayleigh remarked with a grin.