Shanks looked slightly embarrassed at Beckman's self-deprecating quip.
The problem was that Shining, that freak, simply refused to fight fair.
Even fighters who specialized in "long-range" combat never fought from that far away.
Beyond visual range, beyond perception, extreme speed, and considerable firepower to boot. Apparently, he had even been a "bad influence" on Kizaru.
If Kizaru's precise sensory range hadn't still been relatively "normal," everyone else would have lost their minds long ago.
Get into a deathmatch arena if you've got the guts! What kind of hero snipes people from eight hundred miles away?
Shanks could barely take it. It was like everyone was following the Zhou rites of honorable warfare, only for Sun Tzu to turn up.
And against someone as sneaky as Bondrewd, Shanks didn't think he could do any better than old man Garp.
Fortunately, someone arrived to ease his embarrassment.
"...Shanks. I really owe you a huge favor."
Marco flew onto the bow platform of the Red Force.
Leading Whitebeard's remaining forces out of the Marines' encirclement had left him exhausted, body and soul.
He hadn't expected Shanks to come. That put him somewhat at ease.
The pursuing Marines also stopped attacking. The surreal battle overhead had only distracted them. The main reason they stopped was their fear of Shanks.
"By the way, Straw Hat's unconscious right now. I'm sure he'd really want to see you."
Marco naturally recognized that straw hat.
Besides, Luffy was Ace's sworn brother and had been a tremendous help, so Marco mentioned him.
"Luffy, huh... He's growing fast."
Shanks noticed Ace and Luffy's companions gathered around Luffy on the deck of another warship.
"But now isn't the time to catch up with him."
Shanks's Observation Haki detected two "old friends" approaching.
He instantly put on his battle face, Haki spilling