Shanks set down the wineglass he had just emptied. His eyes suddenly turned serious.
He looked straight at Beckman across from him and asked,
"Did you come this time because of your own intentions, or Ross's?"
"Partly his, partly mine." Beckman smiled, his tone casual. "But which do you hope it is?"
"Either one puts a lot of pressure on me."
Shanks raised an eyebrow, then added,
"And from the sound of it, Ross and you actually share the same opinion?"
He and Beckman knew each other far too well.
Often, from a single seemingly offhand remark, he could see the truth hidden beneath it.
What Beckman had just said was clearly meant to tell him something.
What they were about to discuss was major—extremely important.
The reason Beckman had come personally was partly because Ross had assigned him a task, and partly because Beckman himself wanted to come.
And that, in turn, implied that this matter brought both benefits and drawbacks for him.
From an enemy's perspective, whatever Ross wanted him to do certainly would not be a good thing.
From a comrade's perspective, whatever Beckman wanted him to do should be beneficial to him.
At least, that was how Beckman saw it.
Otherwise, given Beckman's personality, he would never have risked appearing here.
"Tell me the details." Shanks took a deep breath, his expression solemn. "I'd also like to know what kind of bad news you've brought me."
"It's not really bad news."
Beckman smiled, picked up the bottle again, and filled Shanks's glass.
"Teach wants to kill Luffy."
"Impossible! I won't let him succeed!"
Shanks immediately rejected it without hesitation, staring hard at Beckman.
"Is that what you want too?"
He had not forgotten that Beckman had plainly said so just moments ago.
He agreed with this