One of the Yonkō, the Red Hair Shanks!

--- Chapter 427 ---

"Shanks?" Huo Yuhao didn't expect to hear that name here.

Strictly speaking, he should have contacted Shanks as he was one of the young nobles from Toki's family. However, one thing after another led him to be busy.

Ten young nobles.

Toki, Makino, Mihawk, Shanks, and six others.

They are powerhouses on their own if Imu didn't put them in a fate worse than death. In fact, Makino, Mihawk, and Shanks are lucky to reincarnate into a new person, though with some problems.

They could have ended up like Toki, becoming a ghost in a timeless world and suffering for thousands, if not millions, of years.

No, Shanks ended up much better than the rest of the young nobles. His reincarnation is better than Mihawk. The only questionable thing is sealing his own memory.

Huo Yuhao pondered and asked, "Why do you think Shanks knows the location of God's Valley?" 

"Because he was technically a Celestial Dragon now," Mihawk said calmly. "In this life, Figarland Garling is his father, and he even had a twin brother named Figarland Shamrock." 

"Although they lost contact, Shanks once returned to the Mary Geoise to learn the truth of his birth before choosing to stay as a lowly commoner and pirate."

"Figarland Garling and Shamrock are the Supreme Commander of God's Knight and 3rd commander. While they disdained Shanks's choice, blood is thicker than water. They occasionally updated Shanks on things that were publicly not known." 

"Shanks is commonly known as the Pacifist of the Sea, so he doesn't care about those things. He's dangerous to the World Governments, but his "hidden" status helped."  

"Of course, things will change if Shanks unsealed his memory." Mihawk sighed from his heart. "Since he knew about Figarland's secrets, he must also know about the location of God's Valley." 

Huo Yuhao frowned and asked, "Then, why did he seal his memory in the first place? I don't think Imu is kind enough to leave his reincarnated enemy on his own device, even with sealed memories." 

"That I don't know..." Mihawk answered honestly. "However, Yuhao-sama. Don't worry, Shanks won't side with Imu with or without his memory." 

"He's simply unmotivated..." 

Rayleigh, who had been very quiet, laughed, "Hahaha, that 'unmotivated' word describes Shanks perfectly. That brat is really something when it comes to drinking and lazing around."

"..." Huo Yuhao stared at them blankly. He hoped that's the truth.

If Shanks were proven to change sides, Huo Yuhao wouldn't hold back and eliminate him immediately.

"Very well, let's go visit him then."

"I've been wanting to see the infamous Red Hair Pirates." 

"What about me?" Rayleigh asked excitedly. "Should I steer back and meet you guys on the way there?" 

"You? You continue and finish your task." Huo Yuhao snorted, cutting off the call and leaving Rayleigh hanging.

"No-!" Rayleigh complained but was comically cut off at the end.

Mihawk saw this and commented, "Good riddance. If you bring Rayleigh along, he might start drinking with Shanks, and we won't get any information." 

"What makes you think I can't force Shanks to spit out information? If the soft method doesn't work, I can use the other one..." Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with annoyance.

Mihawk smiled, "I know you can do that, Yuhao-sama. However, you're not that kind of person." 

"Also, Shanks would definitely cooperate after seeing your power. That guy likes to lay low and gather power before showing off to others."

"Simply put, he likes to play this hidden yet powerful character." 

"That sounds unreliable." Huo Yuhao was speechless.

Mihawk chuckled, "Yes, he is. Even then, he was still one of the strongest people I know in our generation." 

"Well, give me a coordinate to his location then. I don't want to take a long sailing." Huo Yuhao was ready to scan the whole planet.

"They are probably on this island..." Mihawk gave the location of the Redhair Pirates base.

...

...

After getting Shanks's location, Huo Yuhao immediately used his Spatial Authority and transported Mihawk and himself to an island in the New World of One Piece.

White snowflakes immediately entered Huo Yuhao's vision as they arrived at an island of snow. 

Mihawk looked around and saw a massive ship with a 'skull with two red lines from the left eye' flags not far away, "Shanks is here. His crew is probably holding a party somewhere on the island." 

Huo Yuhao was about to reply when a soft and chilling power came out of his spiritual sea (world). A beautiful snow-haired lady in a white robe and pale blue cloak appeared.

She's none other than the Snow Emperor, currently known as Anastasia.

Mihwak saw this and took a deep breath. He felt this snow-haired woman was 'extremely' strong.

One breath! Yes, one breath is enough to give Mihawk a feeling that his body and soul would freeze instantly!

Anastasia looked around in confusion and turned to Huo Yuhao, smiling at him warmly. "Master, I've woken up." 

After Huo Yuhao entered the Tiny World, his contracted souls entered a deep sleep. The contracted souls awakened so far are Tian Meng, Helana, and Eluxia.

Of course, Tian Meng and Helena, being lazy dragons, have already gone to sleep again after fighting the invasion on Golden Timeline. They won't show up unless Huo Yuhao needs their power.

"How are you, Anna?" Huo Yuhao reached for Anastasia's hair, rubbing it gently.

Anastasia enjoyed Huo Yuhao's touch and replied, "Better than ever. My power has stabilized even further, and I've cultivated Icy Snow Star to Title Douluo Realm." 

"Just one step away from Divine Level." Anastasia is considered unique among Huo Yuhao's contracted souls. 

Anastasia's dual existence as a "human" and "contracted soul" allowed her to be a spirit master despite being Huo Yuhao's living spirit ring.

Vice versa, she gave Huo Yuhao more power than other contracted souls as her cultivation soared rapidly. Of course, it doesn't mean other souls don't give Huo Yuhao powers, but the amount is limited.

"That's good. Just take it slowly because transitioning from Title Douluo Realm to the Divine level is difficult." Huo Yuhao advised with a smile.

"What about Bing Di? She hasn't woken up?" 

Anastasia giggled, "Ice has woken up for a while now. In fact, when Tian Meng and Helena came out to help you, she had already awakened from her sleep." 

'Don't tell him that!!!' An embarrassed voice echoed in Huo Yuhao's mind.

"Long time no see, Bing Di." Huo Yuhao greeted with a chuckle.

Bing Di snorted, 'Hmph! This emperor is busy cultivating, so don't call me for trivial things!'

'Just focus on your thing.' 

'Yes, thank you for letting me focus on my thing.' Huo Yuhao couldn't help but feel amused by this big Tsundere. 

'Hmph, now you know!' Bing Di becomes quiet again.

"Yuhao-sama, this person..." Mihawk couldn't help but ask.

Huo Yuhao introduced Anastasia, "Let me introduce you to my contracted spirit rings, Anastasia, formerly known as the Snow Empress in my world." 

"Don't ask much. You can think of Anastasia as my other companion."

"Companion? I understand." Mihawk nodded, counting how many women Huo Yuhao had in the back of his mind. Then, he couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

'Yuhao-sama must have the waist strength of a GOD!' 

They continued their journey and finally arrived at a campsite where a great campfire roared in a snowy land.

"Who is there?" Several pistols and rifles are 'immediately' pointed at Huo Yuhao, Mihawk, and Anastasia. Well, their presence was concealed, so even Haki could not detect their arrival.

"Wait, everyone. It's Mihwak, lower your guns!" A carefree voice echoed as a red-haired man made his presence clear.

Huo Yuhao stared at the red-haired man, "Nice to meet you, Red Hair Shanks." 

"And who might you be? I can feel an unbelievable amount of Supreme King Haki from you." Shanks raised his eyebrow.

Huo Yuhao smiled, "Why don't you take a guess?" 

"Blue hair, Soul-piercing eyes, and an unfamiliar face." Shanks smiled back. "You're Jack Sparrow, right?" 

"..." Huo Yuhao. 

Damn, I shouldn't have announced myself as Jack Sparrow back then! 

This is getting on my nerves now!