An hour later.
Shanks strode down from the warship and landed steadily back on the deck of the Thousand Sunny.
The instant he touched down, Luffy rushed over eagerly, his eyes brimming with irrepressible curiosity.
"Shanks! What did you talk about? How has Beckman been doing? Did he tell you anything interesting?"
Everyone else gathered around as well, their eyes all fixed on Shanks.
Shanks opened his mouth as though he wanted to say something.
But after hesitating for only a second, he regained that free-spirited smile and waved his hand casually.
"Nothing major, just old friends catching up. Oh, right, we also drank a particularly expensive bottle of wine! Fifty million Belly a bottle. Beckman was heartbroken over it, but it really did taste great!"
He said it so casually, as if he had truly done nothing more than share a drink with an old friend.
"Huh? Fifty million Belly a bottle?!"
Luffy's eyes widened, and he was utterly stunned.
"How good must that have been?! I want some too! Shanks, should we throw a party with Beckman sometime? I want to drink with Beckman too!"
"Hahaha, next time. Next time."
Shanks laughed and rubbed Luffy's head.
Meanwhile, Sanji and Usopp, standing nearby, both showed subtle changes in expression. Their eyes flickered, but neither of them said anything.
They did not believe that Shanks and Beckman had simply caught up and shared some drinks.
They must have discussed something. Shanks had merely chosen to keep it hidden.
But whatever they had talked about had little to do with them.
After all, their hearts had never truly been with Luffy.
They were merely staying here.
Shanks's gaze swept casually over Sanji and Usopp's faces. Naturally, he had noticed the fleeting expressions in their eyes.
But he said nothing. He merely