"Ugh—" Shanks opened his eyes and immediately clutched his head, feeling as if his brain had been thoroughly stirred, on the verge of exploding.
"Shanks, are you alright?" Yasopp quickly helped him up to lean against the headboard when he saw him awaken.
After a while, Shanks finally regained his senses and looked around, finding the surroundings very familiar. Wasn't this his own ship?
Recalling what he had done earlier, his pupils constricted sharply. He wanted to ask about the outcome, but his arms and mouth had no strength.
"Shanks, you rest here for a bit. I'll go inform everyone."
Not noticing Shanks' expression, Yasopp finished speaking and ran out the door.
Shanks, left on the bed, looked at himself, covered in bandages like a mummy, and inwardly gave a bitter smile. He had certainly been thoroughly 'repaired' this time.
A group of people filed in, and Shanks was barraged with questions and concerns from all sides. Only then did he realize that ten days had already passed, and he roughly understood what had happened afterward.
Beckman's voice was low: "So, although you survived this time, that Empress has also issued a death order: the Red Hair Pirates are never allowed to step foot on Nicuss again."
Shanks, having recovered some strength, also lowered his head and gave a bitter smile: "It seems this mission was a failure."
"You idiot! It's already good enough that you kept your life! The power of that Empress still sends shivers down my spine."
Beckman, frustrated, first yelled at him. Recalling that blood-red figure, his body had an involuntary reaction, trembling slightly.
"However, this mission wasn't a complete failure."
Seeing Shanks still looking dejected, Beckman frowned helplessly, then changed the subject and said.
"At least one objective was achieved, so it's not bad, right?" Although he said that, Shanks' expression remained unchanged.
"I'm talking about becoming one of the Four Emperors!"
"Eh? What do you mean it wasn't a complete failure?" As expected, Shanks, who had been listless just moments ago, immediately perked up.
"Simply put, she doesn't care what you do. Whether it's to create a balance or to turn the seas upside down, it's all up to you."
Shanks' eyes grew brighter the more he listened: "Are you saying…?"
"Don't get too excited. The Empress's exact words were this."
Beckman walked to the window, looking out at the boundless sea, recalling what had happened that day.
After Shanks collapsed to the ground, Nero still didn't intend to stop, but her slow movements also indicated her inner struggle.
Beckman, however, stood in front of her, prostrating himself on the ground.
"Wait! Your Majesty! I know Shanks did something foolish. Even if you kill him, no one can say anything."
His forehead heavily hitting the ground, Beckman pleaded loudly: "Although I know this is incredibly shameless! But considering the friendship between you and Shanks, can you use my life to appease your wrath?"
"Get out." Nero's voice had no fluctuation, coldly uttering two words.
"Please have mercy!" A third of Beckman's head was buried in the sand.
Without using Haki, his headbutts were powerful, and the fine sand was stained red.
"Do you think pirates are playing house? Or do you think your life is very valuable? If you don't have the resolve to die, don't come here in the first place! Or do you think I will easily let things slide?"
Nero scoffed. During her time as a pirate, the seas were even more brutal than they are now.
"Hmm, but since you brought it up, then considering our past acquaintance, as long as you can guarantee that Shanks will never again speak of wanting to become one of the Four Emperors, I can treat this incident as a joke and let it pass."
"Shanks… Shanks won't… " Hearing that things might take a turn, Beckman immediately wanted to agree. Only by living would there be a future.
But he didn't know why he couldn't say it. Becoming one of the Four Emperors, after meeting Nero, Beckman knew it was just Shanks' wild talk.
How could a human be like this monster? And even dare to dream of being equals. Beckman thought all the Four Emperors were on the same level as Nero.
This was simply impossible to achieve!
He had always thought this way in his heart. During the banquet, he thought this journey was also good as Shanks visiting a friend.
"Shanks… Shanks he…" Finally, Beckman's eyes became firm. He looked up and stared into Nero's eyes: "Shanks will definitely become one of the Four Emperors!"
"Are you trying to fool me?" Nero tilted her head.
The pressure intensified. Infinite pressure came from heaven and earth, and his heart's beating began to slow.
But for some reason, Beckman still showed no sign of changing his words. A war of words was something only third-rate pirates would do.
"It seems I'm an idiot too!" Beckman didn't remain kneeling on the ground but stood up, enduring the pressure.
"If I had said that, the Red Hair Pirates would have stopped here for life, wouldn't they?"
Raising his rifle, Beckman aimed the barrel at Nero: "I'd rather die than do that!"
"Hmm, is that so?"
Beckman looked at Nero, only feeling that the crimson in her eyes was truly intimidating. Just making eye contact gave him a feeling of wanting to sink into it.
With his index finger on the trigger, Beckman truly felt how immense the pressure Shanks had faced earlier was.
His knuckles slightly bent, he knew that under such pressure, if he didn't act now, he might truly lose his chance.
Boom—
Beckman's face was filled with confusion, his body airborne. Before his eyes were his own blood and fragments of his gun.
What happened…?
He glimpsed a crimson great serpent out of the corner of his eye. Was that… Nero's dragon tail?
Just a flick of her tail, and he was defeated? A crushing defeat, even his weapon destroyed.
'Damn it! I originally thought I could exchange a few blows, but I didn't expect to fall like this. Shanks, it seems I'll have to go first! This Big Sister of yours is too overpowered…'
Lying on the ground, Beckman's mouth and nose were overflowing with blood.
"Leave my country! Henceforth, you are not allowed to step foot here. Should you violate this, I will personally bestow death upon you."
The traces of beastification on Nero's body gradually faded, much calmer than before.
She turned and walked towards her Golden Palace, her voice drifting from afar.
"I have already left the ranks of pirates. The title of Four Emperors is indeed in name only, but the title of Four Emperors is not obtained through coronation…"
…Having said this, a cigarette had just burned out. Beckman pressed the butt into the ashtray.
"Everything was seen through by that Empress, whether it was you coming to sever ties, or the explicit reason for becoming one of the Four Emperors, I even suspect the tacit understanding with the World Government…"
Upon hearing this, Shanks shifted into a more relaxed position and lay back: "Nero is truly a polymath. In my understanding, there are very few who can compare to her in any single aspect."
"She truly is favored by the gods." Beckman recalled the demonic quality about Nero, then paused and added: "Perhaps she is even favored by demons."
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