Go See the World Ruled by a God

"Hey, hey... Beckman! What the hell are you talking about?"

Veins bulged on Yasopp's forehead as he glared at Beckman, his voice cracking in utter disbelief:

"You bastard! Are you going to betray the captain too?!"

The other officers froze as well, staring at their vice-captain in disbelief.

They knew Beckman. Unless he was seriously considering it, this man would never joke at a moment like this.

"I wouldn't exactly call it betrayal, Yasopp. I've spent so many years out at sea. I just feel like taking a little break."

Beckman took a drag on his cigar and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, concealing the sharp gleam in his eyes.

He looked past Yasopp, straight at Ross:

"Hey, Ross. Come to think of it, the World Government wouldn't mind if a reformed ex-pirate like me decided life in the Holy Land wasn't to his liking one day, packed up, and went back out to sea as a pirate, would it?"

It was a probe.

He was testing Ross's limits while laying the groundwork for his eventual escape.

Of course, he had no intention of staying with the World Government. If he wanted to leave, he would leave on his own terms.

Really, he just wanted to see how Ross would react to those words.

"What you choose to do is your freedom, Beckman."

Ross rested his chin on his interlaced hands, amusement flickering in his eyes.

His faint, knowing smile made it seem as though he had already seen straight through every scheme in Beckman's head.

"However, under the order I have established, you must bear the price of your freedom."

Ross extended a finger and pointed at Makino, who stood below:

"You are currently a stateless thug with no credibility whatsoever. The only reason your bounty can be