"Heh heh..."
Faced with Benn Beckman's terrible attitude, Shanks acted as if he did not care, which greatly annoyed Beckman. Weren't pirates supposed to be hot-tempered? Weren't they supposed to start fighting at the slightest disagreement? Why was this guy so good-natured? How was he supposed to drive him away now?
Shanks lifted his rum and took a sip, smiling as he said, "Fine if you don't want to talk about it. But don't think about running away either. And it looks like you've run into some trouble. How about considering becoming my first mate? From now on, I'll settle every bit of trouble you have."
"Hm!" Beckman's gaze narrowed as his right hand instantly gripped his rifle tightly. "Are you some Navy lapdog?"
"Oh, so you offended the Navy. No wonder so many people are hostile toward you. Then we're on the same side—I'm enemies with the Navy too."
Shanks smiled as his gaze casually swept the surroundings. Various people who looked like pirates and bounty hunters sat there, concealed within the crowd so well that ordinary people—and even seasoned experts—would have been unable to detect them.
But Shanks was different. He could notice every minute detail. No matter how well they hid themselves, he could sense even the faintest malice.
Just as Shanks's gaze passed over those hidden experts, several figures sprang up with a crash. Liquor and food from the tables spilled everywhere as three figures instantly charged toward Beckman, plunging the tavern into chaos.
The clueless pirates immediately erupted into excitement. Holding their cups, they looked as though they were watching a long-awaited show. They cleared out plenty of space, surrounded Beckman in the center, and shouted loudly.
Beckman had already flipped away. His gun was raised as he fired several consecutive shots at one of