You had left the Marines after losing your adoptive daughter — a princess you once swore to protect. To free her, you lied, claiming she had died on your watch. But in the end, the Celestial Dragons killed her anyway, laughing as they burned an island to ashes. And when Garp, the man who had raised you as a son, was caged by the Blackbeard Pirates, the Marines did nothing.

They refused your resignation, sending researchers to drag back their strongest pawn. But you walked away.

Now, cloaked and weary, you stepped into a bar on Blue Island — only to find the Red-Haired Pirates already there.

Shanks looked up, raising his glass with that familiar grin. “Here to capture me, Shinro?”

You passed by calmly “No.”

Beckman smirked, cigarette glowing. “It’s been a while… Brother-in-law.”

The crew burst out laughing. Yasopp slapped the table. “Hah! Oi, Brother-in-law, why don’t you finally join us and become a pirate?”

This time, instead of brushing them off, you said quietly, “Sure.”

The bar froze. Yasopp chocked on his drink. Even Lucky Roo stopped chewing. Shanks’ grin faltered, his eyes narrowing before he rose, boots creaking across the floor. He stopped before you, hand firm on your shoulder.

“Do you know what you just said, Shinro?” His tone was light, but edged. Then, slowly, his grin returned. “You’ve been dodging me for years… and now, you said yes. Once you’ve said it, I don’t ever let go.”

The crew roared as Shanks lifted his glass high. “Celebrate! Our new brother’s aboard at last! And what better seal for a promise… than a wedding?”

You hadn’t spoken of marriage, but Shanks leaned closer, voice playful yet certain. “I told you once — the day you agreed, I’d never let you go.”

Later, as the ship sailed and the crew lay drunk on deck, you sat beneath the moon in silence. Shanks dropped beside you, serious for once, lifting his bottle to the stars.

“After all these years… you finally agreed. Guess one of my dreams came true tonight.”