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They run into each other on Elbaf, the Strawhats arrive just as Shanks and his crew are preparing to leave. None of which actually happens, as Luffy is on the Red Force before his own crew even realises what is happening.
Shanks is grinning widely, giving Yasopp the all clear to jump over to hug his son after so many years of not seeing the boy. Shanks is doing the exact same thing, so why should Yasopp have to wait?
Luffy’s arms are wrapping around him, causing Shanks to wrap his remaining arm around the man in his arms. How long had it been since he saw Luffy, several years at least. In fact, he was certain that he had seen Makino and Ace more than he had seen Luffy. It felt familiar, even if he wasn’t the same boy he had been when Shanks left that first time.
He’s grown now, Luffy made a name for himself in a way that Shanks had been certain he would do. Setting out and making sure the world would remember that whatever happened now, nothing would ever be the same. Having seen the bounty poster that Luffy now had, it didn’t take a lot to know that he had awakened the same devil fruit that Shanks had gone to steal all those years ago. Maybe it was true, what was said about it, that it would choose it’s user and there was nothing you could do to stop that.
Grinning, Shanks enjoys the hug that he had to admit he had missed. He and Makino were often found talking about Luffy, so for the youngster to actually be here felt like a new chapter in both of their lives.
Knocking down the hat on Luffy’s head, Shanks plants a kiss on his forehead, feeling warmth spread all through him at being able to do this to the boy he had bet a whole arm on. To meet each other, to both have the same title, it’s obvious that Luffy did indeed become a great pirate.
“You can’t have it back, though.”
Laughing at hearing Luffy say that, Shanks shakes his head, “I guess with everything, that it’s forever more your hat then it would ever be mine. You remind me of my captain, when he used to wear it.”
Luffy’s smile lessens, before he's turning to look out over the sea.
“Do you think he’ll be proud of me? I know Ace was, but do you think Roger would be too?”
Blinking, Shanks didn’t know this was a question that would come. Wrapping his arm around Luffy again, he took a moment to contemplate, before he answered, “I think he would be so very proud, and happy that it was someone with the same view that would be going to claim his title.”
A beaming smile reappears on Luffy’s face before he’s tucking himself under Shanks’ chin again. Letting out a small sigh as he wraps his arms around Shank’s waist.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Chuckling, Shanks looks over Luffy’s head to see the rest of his crew looking at the both of them. Shocked at what they were seeing, but he guessed they should be used to it, seas knew that Shanks had to get used to the way Monkey D. Luffy worked at a fast pace. Least he was forgotten and couldn’t keep up.
“Roo, bring out the booze, we have something to celebrate!”