"Hiss—hah—so, the world's summit?" Beckman took a deep drag from his cigarette, a rifle slung at his waist like a swordsman.
"What's wrong, Beckman? Are you nervous?"
Shanks grinned, slinging an arm over his shoulder, though a hint of nostalgia flickered in his eyes.
"Idiot! Of course not!" Pushing Shanks' head away, Beckman's eye twitched.
"The New World is fine, but you didn't say we were going to the territory of Nero, one of the Four Emperors! Showing up unannounced like this, our actions are practically a provocation!"
"Well! When you reach the New World, you have to visit old acquaintances, don't you? Besides, Nero isn't one of the Four Emperors anymore."
"Her status as a Celestial Dragon is even more troublesome, alright? And even though Nero isn't a pirate anymore, who knows if she still cares about her former status as one of the Four Emperors."
Beckman looked at Shanks, his expression turning serious: "Hey, Shanks, are you really prepared? If Nero still cares about her status as one of the Four Emperors, the worst outcome this time could be an all-out war."
Shanks' face also darkened, but he still gave Beckman a smile: "Don't worry! It won't come to that."
"So, Captain, what kind of person is Nero? Tell us about her, it'll help us know how to deal with her later," Yasopp joined their conversation, asking curiously.
"What kind of person, you ask?" Shanks pondered for a moment, then revealed a mischievous grin: "In short, she's a child who loves to hear people flatter her!"
"That's not a very good description. She sounds like a tyrannical ruler."
"Ah, but Nero is actually my teacher in swordsmanship. Kamisari was taught to me by her."
Shanks raised a single hand, casually tapping the Griffin, the saber at his waist.
"Wait, isn't that your former Captain, the Pirate King's, ultimate move?"
Beckman was so surprised that the cigarette fell from his mouth, staring at Shanks in disbelief.
"Yeah, but Nero learned it just by watching twice, then taught it to me. And Garp's ultimate move too, hahahaha, thinking about it now, she really is amazing! I was shocked for a long time back then!"
Shanks scratched his head, giggling foolishly, his words causing everyone present to break out in cold sweat.
Beckman picked up his cigarette again, flicking his lighter but not lighting it: "Phew—Alright! Turn around!"
"Wait, wait!" Shanks quickly hugged Beckman's waist: "Why turn around?!"
Beckman ignored him, dragging Shanks three meters away: "Of course, it's because I haven't lived enough! If you want to die, go by yourself!"
"Don't say that, it might not even come to a fight!"
A vein popped on Beckman's forehead: "Oh really? Are you sure he feels the same way?"
Pointing at Hawkeye Mihawk, who was calmly reading a newspaper on the deck, Beckman roared.
As if just noticing the commotion, Mihawk's gaze shifted from the newspaper.
"It's merely a ride. If I cannot surpass that person, how can I achieve my ambition of becoming the Worlds Greatest Swordsman?"
"Who cares about you?!" Beckman rolled his eyes, annoyed.
Mihawk said nothing, his gaze returning to the newspaper.
Regarding this, Shanks stated: "If it really comes to a fight, Mihawk is a powerful helper!"
"Bastard! You were prepared for a fight all along!"
"Well, old friends meeting always involves crossing swords."
"What kind of old friends meet like this?"
"A unique pirate greeting?"
"..." Beckman's breath hitched, unable to retort.
The crew bickered and joked as they headed towards Nicuss, finally reaching its capital, the legendary Gold City, two days later.
"Wow~ This is truly magnificent!" Shanks and his group stood at the city gates of the capital, their hearts filled with awe.
"The Gold City of the rose emperor Nero, huh? It's certainly extravagant."
"It feels even more spectacular than Skypiea (Xandora)!"
"I heard the entrance fee alone costs ten million Berries!"
"Ah~ and that's just for one day's ticket."
"Nani? Just the ticket fee alone could make you a top-tier millionaire, couldn't it?"
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