Chapter 10
He wouldn’t be surprised if those two knew about him being the doctor from nowhere.
Shanks’ smile didn’t falter, instead it got bigger. "Well, you know how it is," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "We’re just a couple of pirates, curious about a legend. And when that legend happens to be in the same area as us, well… we couldn’t resist checking it out."
Sasuke didn’t say anything at all, his expression unreadable. He simply crossed his arms and waited for Shanks to continue.
Benn, noticing the silence, smirked. “You know, it’s strange,” he began, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. “The doctor has always been a shadow. Every island he visits, he’s gone before anyone can really get a good look at him. He’s always one step ahead of the marines, the pirates, the Celestial Dragons... never sticking around long enough for anyone to catch up. But here you are, on Dawn Island. You’ve been here longer than a week now, which doesn’t fit the pattern at all.”
He continued on while looking at Sasuke with eyes full of suspicion. “Why stay here, Sasuke? This isn’t like you. You’ve always kept your distance, always moved on before anyone could make too much noise about you. So, what’s different about Dawn Island? It’s quiet here, sure, but it’s not exactly a place to hide. The marines have a base not far off, and pirates tend to pass through pretty often.”
“I think you’re misunderstanding something here,” Sasuke said, his voice calm and steady. “First of all, I’m not hiding from anyone. Second of all, I live on this island. And lastly, the reason I only stay at an island for a week is because that’s how long it takes to treat the sick people there. Once I’ve done what I can for them, there’s no reason to stay longer.”
His gaze was sharp as he met Benn’s eyes, his expression stoic. “So, why should I stay there any longer than necessary?”
Benn blinked, a thoughtful look crossing his face. He hadn’t expected that answer. It wasn’t the kind of excuse someone would give if they were trying to hide something—or someone.
“Moreover,” Sasuke continued, his tone remaining calm but his words carrying a hint of honesty that caught both Benn and Shanks off guard, “it’s not that I wanted to be a doctor. I’m just bringing my brats along for experience.”
His dark eyes shifted briefly to Ace and Sabo, who were huddled together, whispering in hushed tones and clearly up to something. Sasuke’s gaze lingered for a moment, his expression softening just slightly as he watched them. He muttered, more to himself than anyone else, “I want them to be ready for anything that could happen to them… if I’m not there.”
Two days had passed since Shanks and Benn had visited, and Ace and Sabo had finally finished their punishment. Sasuke leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching his students slump over their desks with exaggerated dramatic sighs.
"Alright, you two gremlins, it's time to practice," Sasuke said with a slight smirk. "And guess what? I’m going to be your target today. We’re using wooden swords."
The moment Sasuke finished speaking, Ace and Sabo jumped out of their seats, their eyes wide with excitement. They both grabbed wooden swords and sprinted outside.
“This is gonna be awesome!” Ace laughed manically as he ran, his excitement impossible to contain.
Sabo just smiled brightly, his energy matching Ace’s. “We’re finally going to fight Sensei!”
They charged toward the forest, their swords raised and ready. Sasuke stood still in the middle of the clearing, waiting for them to come at him.
Without warning, Ace and Sabo swung their swords at Sasuke. Ace went low, aiming for his legs, while Sabo went high, targeting his head.
But Sasuke didn’t move. He simply sidestepped, easily avoiding both attacks.
Ace froze for a second, then laughed like a maniac. "He dodged it! This is gonna be so much fun!" He was grinning from ear to ear, completely caught up in the excitement.
Sabo’s smile only grew. "Alright, Sensei! You’re really fast!"
The two of them quickly regrouped and attacked again. Ace kept moving, trying to use his speed to get past Sasuke, while Sabo threw feints to keep him distracted.
Sasuke didn’t even break a sweat. Every time they attacked, he dodged without much effort, shifting his body just enough to avoid the blows.
Ace kept laughing, his voice full of excitement. "You can’t dodge forever, Sensei!"
Sabo was still smiling brightly, clearly having the time of his life. "We’re gonna get you, Sensei! Just wait!"
But Sasuke stayed calm, dodging every single swing. He didn’t seem bothered at all.
After a while, Sasuke spoke up. "Alright, that’s enough. You’re getting better, but you still have a long way to go."
Ace collapsed onto the ground, still laughing and gasping for air. "We’ll get you next time!" he said, full of energy despite being out of breath.
Sabo dropped down beside him, still smiling. "Yeah, next time, Sensei. We’ll beat you."
Sasuke stood there, his face softening a little. "You’re improving, but it’s not today. Keep practicing, and you’ll get there."
Ace sat up, wiping the sweat from his face. "We’re coming for you, Sensei!" he said, his grin never fading.
Sabo laughed. "Yeah! Next time, we’ll win!"
Sasuke gave a small smile. "I’ll be waiting."
The peaceful training days had rolled into months, then into a year. Sasuke’s days had been filled with Ace and Sabo’s relentless enthusiasm, each sparring session peppered with laughter, determination, and the occasional dramatic defeat. His students were growing stronger, and he knew it.
But today was different.
Sasuke leaned casually against the doorway of his small home, arms crossed as always, when a familiar figure walked up the path. Shanks, his red hair as untamed as ever, wore his usual grin, but something was off. His left sleeve hung empty, swaying slightly in the breeze.
Sasuke’s sharp eyes immediately honed in on the missing arm. Without a second’s hesitation, he pointed at it with an incredulous look. “What is wrong with your arm?”
Shanks blinked, taken slightly off guard. He chuckled, scratching the back of his head with his remaining hand. “Oh, this? Yeah, about that…”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You’re going to tell me you just lost it, like you misplace a sandal.”
“Well…” Shanks began, his grin widening as if he thought this was the perfect moment for a dramatic tale. “I gave it away. You know, for a good cause. Very noble, if I do say so myself.”
Sasuke stared at him, deadpan. “You ‘gave it away’? What, like you were at some charity auction and someone bid for your arm?”
Shanks burst out laughing, shaking his head. “Not quite! Let’s just say there was this sea monster, a drowning kid, and a moment of heroism.”
Sasuke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Let me guess. You saw some kid in trouble, decided to do something reckless, and now you’re missing a limb.”
“Pretty much!” Shanks said cheerfully, as if he hadn’t just described losing an arm like it was a mild inconvenience. “You should’ve seen the kid’s face, though. Totally worth it.”
Sasuke stared at him in disbelief. “You’re an idiot.”
Shanks shrugged. “Maybe. But I’m an idiot with a good heart!”
Ace and Sabo chose that moment to barrel out of the house, their wooden swords in hand, arguing loudly about who had landed the best hit during their last training session. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Shanks.
“Whoa!” Ace exclaimed, his eyes immediately locking onto the missing arm. “What happened to you? Did you lose a fight?”
Sabo tilted his head, his brow furrowed. “Yeah, did Sensei beat you up? He could totally take your arm if he wanted.”
Shanks barked out a laugh. “Sensei? You mean Sasuke? Nah, this wasn’t him. Though, I’m sure he could, if he really wanted to.”
Ace’s eyes lit up. “Cool! Sensei’s so strong, he could take anyone’s arm!”
Sabo nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, but I bet he wouldn’t even need to. He’d just stare at you, and you’d give it to him.”
Sasuke groaned, muttering under his breath. “I hate both of you.”
Shanks couldn’t stop laughing. “Looks like your students think pretty highly of you.”
“They’re idiots,” Sasuke said flatly, shooting them a glare. “And so are you.”
Ace grinned. “So, how did you lose your arm?”
Shanks leaned down, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Sea monster. Huge thing. Teeth as big as houses. But don’t worry, I scared it off with a single glare.”
“Whoa!” Ace and Sabo said in unison, their eyes wide.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. “And yet you didn’t think to keep both your arms attached while you were at it.”
Shanks shrugged again, his carefree grin firmly in place. “You win some, you lose some.”
Ace and Sabo immediately turned to Sasuke, their excitement bubbling over. “Sensei, can we fight a sea monster next? Maybe we can lose an arm too!”
Sasuke stared at them, his face a mask of pure exhaustion. “No. Absolutely not.”
“But Sensei!” Ace whined. “How else are we gonna get cool stories?”
“You’ll settle for wooden swords and like it,” Sasuke said firmly, pointing toward the clearing. “Now go practice before I make you regret asking.”
As the two boys groaned and shuffled off, Sasuke turned back to Shanks with a smirk. “You’re really setting a terrible example.”
Shanks grinned, clapping him on the shoulder with his good hand. “What can I say? I aim to inspire.”
Sasuke shook his head. “You aim to survive by sheer dumb luck.”
“And it’s worked so far!” Shanks said, laughing as they walked toward the clearing to watch the chaos unfold.
“So do you want to regrow your arm or just come here to tell me why you are here?” Sasuke asked the man walking beside him.
Shanks chuckled, looking over at Sasuke as they walked toward the clearing. "Regrow my arm? What, you think you’ve got some secret jutsu that’ll make that happen?"
Sasuke gave him a side-eye. "I could manage something if I felt like it, but I doubt someone like you could handle the process. Too much of a baby."
Shanks placed his hand over his heart, mock-offended. "You wound me, Sensei Sasuke. I’m tougher than I look, you know."
Sasuke scoffed. "You’re missing an arm because you thought it would be a good idea to play hero. Excuse me if I don’t take your ‘toughness’ seriously."
"Fair point," Shanks admitted, grinning. "But nah, I didn’t come here for a new arm. I think it adds to my charm, don’t you?" He wiggled the empty sleeve for emphasis.
"Your ‘charm’ is questionable at best," Sasuke replied dryly. "So if you're not here for that, why are you here?"
Shanks stretched his arms—or arm—and let out a loud, dramatic sigh. "What, I can’t just drop by to visit an old friend? Maybe get some advice on how to deal with unruly kids?"
"Old friend?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Don’t make me laugh. And as for advice, I don’t see how I’m your guy. Your problem is probably your lack of discipline."
"Hey!" Shanks protested, though he was grinning. "My crew respects me! They just, you know… don’t always listen."
"Sounds like a leadership problem," Sasuke said without missing a beat.
Shanks laughed loudly, throwing his head back. "Man, I missed this. You’re just as sharp as ever." He nudged Sasuke lightly with his elbow. "But really, I came to see what you’ve been up to. Heard Ace and Sabo caused some trouble again."
"Huh, so even someone like you, out on the seas, heard about those two brats throwing Celestial Dragons into the sea?" Sasuke said, genuinely surprised that the red-haired man had caught wind of their antics, even while sailing through the New World.
Shanks just smiled at Sasuke’s words because he couldn’t really just say that he was paying really close attention to East Blue because of a certain man with raven hair and eyes.
Ace and Sabo, who were walking up ahead, snickered at their sensei’s words, wondering just how oblivious and dense their sensei could be to not notice the affection Shanks’ eyes held every time he looked at him.
“Is it now the 20th time those two threw Celestial Dragons into the sea?” Shanks asked, his voice full of amusement as he raised an eyebrow at Sasuke.
Sasuke’s face remained unreadable, though a small sigh escaped him. “Something like that,” he muttered. “I’ve lost count at this point. They think it’s some kind of sport.”
Shanks chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, you’ve got some wild ones on your hands. But hey, at least they’re consistent, right?”
Sasuke shot him a dry look. “Consistency doesn’t make it any less stupid. They’ve somehow convinced themselves it’s for the greater good or whatever. I swear, one day I’m going to have to start charging them for therapy sessions.”
Shanks laughed loudly. “You’re a good one, Sasuke. I don’t think I could ever handle that kind of chaos. You’ve got a lot of patience.”
Sasuke’s gaze softened slightly, though his tone stayed flat. “Patience isn’t the word for it. I’m just trying to stop them from doing something that’ll get them killed.”
“Ah, so the hero complex runs deep in your students too,” Shanks mused, clearly amused by the idea.
Sasuke shot him a sharp look. “Don’t start. You already gave up your arm for a ‘heroic moment.’ What makes you think I’m going to entertain the idea of two idiots getting themselves into the same kind of mess?”
Shanks smirked, tapping his empty sleeve. “Eh, you’ve got a point. Maybe I’m just a bad influence on them.” He winked. “But hey, they’ve got spirit. That’s half the battle.”
Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was a slight, reluctant grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, they’ve got a lot of spirit... too much sometimes." He glanced toward Ace and Sabo, who were in the distance, still energetically debating the details of their latest ‘heroic deed.’
Shanks nudged Sasuke. "You really don’t see it, do you?"
Sasuke turned to him, confused. "See what?"
Shanks just shook his head, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Never mind. You’ll figure it out eventually." He clapped Sasuke on the back, grinning widely.
Sasuke wasn’t sure if he liked the way Shanks was looking at him, but he chose to ignore it. "So, did you come all the way out here to talk about Celestial Dragons, or did you have something else in mind?"
“As I said, I’m just visiting you. We haven’t seen each other for a year,” Shanks said with a shrug, clearly enjoying the moment.
Sasuke thought for a moment before realizing it seemed really so. He hadn’t even noticed the time passing, too consumed with keeping his students from causing more chaos. “I guess that’s true,” he said, a hint of surprise in his voice. “Time really has gone fast.”
Sasuke couldn’t help but look at the man beside him. In the past year, Shanks had become more mature and fit. It surprised him that he hadn’t noticed such a change the first time he saw him again.
To be honest, it couldn’t really be said that they were old friends. They had only spent a few months together before Shanks and his crew sailed off. But they weren’t complete strangers either. Shanks had become a frequent visitor to his home before he left, always popping by with that same grin and tales of his adventures.
Their brief time together had left an impression on Sasuke, more than he cared to admit.
It was strange, Sasuke thought, how someone who hadn’t been a constant presence could still leave such a mark. But here Shanks was, a man who had somehow become a fixture in his life without him even realizing it.
He wouldn’t admit it, but Sasuke had indeed missed the red-haired man during the years when he didn’t come around. He’d kept himself busy with his training and keeping Ace and Sabo from causing more chaos, but there was something about Shanks' presence—his easygoing attitude, his stories, his laughter—that had quietly slipped into the cracks of his life. And in the quiet moments when Sasuke was alone, he would realize that something had been missing.
But Sasuke wasn’t one to dwell on feelings because he had two little gremlins that never gave him peace as the day went on.
Shanks didn’t know why Sasuke was looking at him with that thoughtful expression, but he just hoped it wasn’t something bad. He shifted slightly, feeling a bit self-conscious under the intensity of Sasuke’s gaze. “What? You look like you’ve figured something out, but I don’t know if I like it.”
"I just realized that in fact I had missed you." Sasuke honestly said, it wasn’t something shameful to admit.
Shanks blinked in surprise, his usual grin faltering for a split second as he processed Sasuke's words. It wasn’t like Sasuke to be so blunt about his feelings, and the admission caught him off guard.
“You missed me, huh?” Shanks said, his voice lighter than he felt. He gave a playful chuckle, though there was a glint of something softer in his eyes. "Guess I’ve got that effect on people."
“You meant you are annoyingly noisy?” Sasuke joked after hearing Shanks’ words.
Shanks' grin widened at Sasuke's playful jab, clearly amused. “Well, I wouldn’t say annoyingly noisy... But I do tend to leave an impression,” he replied with a wink.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a small smirk. “Hmm, if ‘leaving an impression’ means disrupting my peace every time you visit, then sure.”
Shanks chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hey, I can’t help it if I bring a little excitement into your life. You’ve got your hands full with those two troublemakers, Ace and Sabo. I’m just here to give you a break from all that chaos.”
Sasuke snorted softly. “A break, huh? More like an increase in chaos.”
“Fair enough,” Shanks said with a shrug, still grinning. “But seriously, Sasuke, it’s good to hear that. I didn’t expect you to say something like that, but I’m glad you did.”
Sasuke looked away for a moment, his face softening. He wasn't the type to express emotions easily, but in this moment, with Shanks standing there, something about the red-haired man’s easygoing nature made it feel a little less difficult.
“I don’t usually admit things like that,” Sasuke muttered, more to himself than to Shanks.
Shanks laughed, slinging an arm around Sasuke’s shoulder in a playful, brotherly gesture. “It’s alright, I know I’m hard to resist. Everyone misses me eventually.”
Sasuke shot him a deadpan look. “You’re unbearable.”
“Only because I’m too charming,” Shanks replied with an exaggerated wink, making Sasuke roll his eyes.
As the sun began to dip low in the sky, the group walked back toward Sasuke's house, the air filled with the pleasant sounds of their chatter.
“So, do you want to eat dinner before going?” Sasuke asked, glancing over at Shanks as they strolled together.
Shanks raised an eyebrow, looking at Sasuke with a grin. “You're offering me dinner, Sensei? Don’t mind if I do. It’s been a year since I ate food cooked by you.”
“It’s not like I’m offering out of the kindness of my heart. Ace and Sabo will eat everything if I don’t,” Sasuke replied with a shrug.
“Oh, I’ve seen how those two can devour a feast in no time,” Shanks said, grinning wider. “But hey, I’m not complaining. Your cooking’s the best. I’ll happily stick around for that.”
Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was a faint smile on his lips. “I’d call it decent, not the best, but alright.”
Shanks laughed out loud at Sasuke’s words. “Decent? You’ve got to be kidding me. The food you make is more like a feast, especially with those two bottomless pits you’re raising.” He gestured toward Ace and Sabo, who were eagerly eyeing the house like a pair of hungry wolves.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “They’re not that bad.”
Shanks gave him a playful look. “Are you serious? I’ve seen them eat enough to feed a small army. If they ever stop training, they should consider a career in eating contests.”
Ace and Sabo, hearing their names mentioned, chimed in enthusiastically.
“Did someone say food?!” Ace exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.
“Better be something good,” Sabo added, practically bouncing on his toes.
Sasuke sighed, shaking his head. “You two never stop. Fine, it’s stir-fry tonight. Happy?”
“YES!” they both shouted in unison, already heading toward the kitchen before Sasuke could even finish speaking.
Shanks couldn’t help but chuckle, imagining what it would be like if Luffy were with Ace and Sabo in this little training paradise. He was sure that Luffy would have a much better time here than being alone at Foosha Village. Sasuke’s no-nonsense approach and fierce teaching style would likely shape the boy into something extraordinary, just like Ace and Sabo were becoming.
As much as he loved Luffy, Shanks couldn’t deny that having him trained by someone like Sasuke would push the boy to be stronger and more disciplined—something Shanks knew would benefit Luffy in the long run.
But what struck Shanks even more, was how he felt about Sasuke. Watching him interact with Ace and Sabo, seeing the care he had for them despite his usual tough exterior—it made Shanks' heart ache a little. The way Sasuke moved, the quiet authority he held, the way he took responsibility for the kids and guided them, all while keeping his emotions buried deep beneath the surface. It was clear that Sasuke wasn’t just a teacher, but someone who truly cared.
That’s when Shanks realized that he had fallen for the man. It wasn’t just Sasuke’s strength or his sharp mind—it was his quiet dedication, the way he never backed down, and how he somehow made even the most chaotic moments seem calm and under control.
‘Maybe I should have asked him sooner,’ Shanks thought to himself, eyes glancing sideways at Sasuke as they entered the house, where Ace and Sabo were already eagerly waiting for the meal.
But he didn’t say anything—he never had to. He wasn’t in a rush. Maybe one day, when the time was right, he’d tell Sasuke how he truly felt. Until then, he was content just being here, watching the man he admired, and sharing these small moments with him.
After all, Shanks was a patient man.
“So what are you two going to be once you grow up?” Benn asks the two children on their ship for visit.
Sabo grinned at him. “I’m going to join the revolutionary army once I reach 17 years old!”
“I’m going to be a pirate!” Ace added excitedly.
Benn Beckman raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the children’s responses. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he looked between the two. “Why?”
Sabo’s grin widened, his eyes shining with determination. “I want to fight for freedom, for everyone who’s been oppressed. The Revolutionary Army is the only place where I can make a real difference. When I’m old enough, I’m going to join and help bring change.”
Ace nodded vigorously, his enthusiasm unwavering. “Pirates are free! I want to go out and explore the world, chase treasure, and fight strong people! Plus, pirates make their own rules. It sounds like the perfect life to me!”
Benn chuckled softly, his gaze shifting to Shanks, who was leaning casually nearby, listening to the conversation with a smile on his face. “Both paths are… interesting, I’ll give you that. A revolutionary fighting for justice, and a pirate chasing adventure. You two are aiming high.”
Sabo’s eyes narrowed with fierce determination. “I don’t care what it takes. I’m going to make the world better, even if I have to fight the Celestial Dragons themselves.”
Ace’s expression was just as fierce, his voice brimming with excitement. “And I’ll be the greatest pirate! I’ll have a crew, a ship, and the freedom to do whatever I want!”
Sabo rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the grin that tugged at his lips. “You’re just saying that because you want to find things to experiment with,” he teased, knowing Ace’s love for trying out new ideas and creating all sorts of chaotic inventions. “You’re more interested in collecting weird stuff than becoming a pirate.”
Ace shot him a playful glare, his arms crossed. “That’s not true! I want the adventure, the thrill of the open sea, and to be the best. But yeah, if I find some cool new thing to experiment with along the way, that’s just a bonus.”
The crew burst into fits of amused laughters.
“But doing so wouldn’t you two leave your sensei alone?” Shanks curiously asked, he watches as the two kids grin at him.
Shanks raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "But wouldn’t you two be leaving your sensei alone?" he asked, watching the kids exchange knowing grins.
Sabo’s grin widened as he glanced over at Ace, clearly enjoying the moment. “Sensei said he’d like to travel around the New World,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, clearly hinting at something more.
Ace, eager to add his two cents, nodded with excitement. “Yeah, he said it would be nice if there was a ship that could take him to new places.”
Shanks chuckled softly, leaning back against the railing of the ship. “I see,” he mused. “So, you two are playing matchmakers now?”
The kids exchanged another grin, their eyes twinkling with mischief. “We just want to make sure everything works out,” Sabo said with a wink, clearly enjoying the teasing.
Ace nodded, his face serious but his eyes betraying the playful tone. “Yeah, Sensei might be a little dense, but he deserves to go on an adventure too. Maybe a ship with a great crew could help him do that.”
Shanks laughed, shaking his head in amusement. “You two are something else, you know that?” he said, a soft warmth filling his voice. The idea of traveling with Sasuke, of seeing where the journey could take them, felt a little more real now. He knew he wasn’t the only one who had hoped for it.
Shanks blinked in surprise, his mouth slightly open as he processed Sabo’s words. His mind raced, but he quickly recovered, a grin spreading across his face.
“Seven years, huh?” Shanks repeated, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Sabo and Ace. “You two have thought this through, haven’t you?”
“But you need to act fast,” Ace added seriously. “Seven years sounds like a lot of time, but for someone like Sensei, it’ll feel like it’s over in a blink. You don’t want to wait too long.”
Shanks rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully, the playful energy that had initially dominated the conversation now shifting to something more earnest. “I’ll keep that in mind. Seven years, huh? I’ve got time, I guess. But it won’t be easy.”
Sabo shrugged. “Nothing worth having is easy.”
Shanks smiled, a genuine warmth in his expression. “You two have got a good head on your shoulders.” He stood up straighter, his determination clear. “Alright, I’ll take this seriously. No more messing around.”
The two boys exchanged a look, satisfied with their words. “Good,” Sabo said with a grin. “You’ll be fine, Captain. We’re rooting for you.”
Ace added with a cheeky wink, “And if you need any tips, you know where to find us.”
Shanks chuckled, feeling a strange sense of gratitude. "Thanks, kids," he said warmly. "I might just need that backup after all."
Benn Beckman, who had been silently observing the whole interaction, couldn’t suppress a smirk. “Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you, Captain,” he remarked, his voice carrying a touch of amusement.
Shanks glanced over at him and smiled wryly. “Tell me about it, Benn. But hey, it’s worth it.”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at them before asking. “What is worth?”
Shanks turned to Sasuke, his usual grin playing on his lips as he scratched the back of his head. "Ah, nothing, nothing," he said with a wink. "Just talking about some... important things with the crew. Nothing for you to worry about, Sensei."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his suspicion rising as he glanced between Shanks and the crew. "Important things?" he repeated, his voice flat. "You don't have to hide anything from me, you know."
Benn Beckman, who had been leaning against the side of the ship with a faint smirk, chimed in. "Oh, just the usual," he said, his tone casual. "Our captain here is getting some... relationship advice from the kids."
Sasuke's eyes flicked toward his students, who both quickly looked away, their faces almost comically innocent.
"Relationship advice, huh?" Sasuke said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the rail of the ship, his voice taking on a skeptical edge. "From a gremlins who likes to cause headaches? I think I’ll pass."
Shanks burst into laughter at Sasuke's jab, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, don’t knock 'em just yet! These two have a lot more wisdom than they let on," he said, giving Ace and Sabo an exaggerated wink.
Shanks grinned widely, clearly enjoying the playful exchange. "Trust me, Sasuke, you don’t know what you’re missing out on," he said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Sasuke, arms crossed and still leaning against the rail, shot him a flat look. "I’ll take my chances," he replied dryly. "I don’t need their help with anything."
Ace and Sabo exchanged knowing glances, their grins widening. "You’d be surprised," Sabo said in a voice too knowing for his age, while Ace added, "We’ve got your back, Sensei. If you ever need advice…"
Sasuke looked at them skeptically, his gaze flicking between the two troublemakers. "I’m not sure I can trust advice from a pair of gremlins who’ve spent the better part of the day causing chaos."