"Did...did it hit?"
Beckman looked at the gun in his hand in disbelief, then towards Shanks, who was locked in a fierce battle with Big Mama in the distance.
The two were trading blows, and Shanks even gained the upper hand due to that shot Beckman had just fired.
Looking at the shallow bullet wound on Big Mama's body, Beckman couldn't believe it, even though it was his own shot that caused the damage.
As the Red Hair Pirates' strategist, various possibilities flashed through his mind.
Fried?
Was this Big Mama an imposter? Or did his strike perfectly align with the right time, place, and people, hitting her weak spot?
"Despicable brat! To use such underhanded tactics!" Big Mama, whose figure was already starting to distort, panted heavily. The impact of the shot made her bones ache, and Shanks had taken the opportunity to land a slash.
Her eyes, at this moment, became fierce.
She had initially agreed to the fight because of Shanks' astonishing Conqueror's Haki.
Otherwise, challenging a Four Emperors would normally involve overcoming many obstacles, fighting through numerous strong opponents, and arriving before her with a body covered in wounds.
However, she had to admit that the brat, once an apprentice on Roger's ship, now indeed possessed the strength to contend for the Four Emperors title.
She knew about the connection between Red Hair brat and Nero, understanding that he came from Nicuss's direction. Since he could come here,
Charlotte Linlin believed this at least indicated that Nero tacitly approved of him taking the Four Emperors' throne, filling the vacancy left by her promotion to Celestial Dragons.
She had initially thought it would be an unspoken friendly match between an old veteran and a newcomer, with them casually exchanging a few moves.
Something like, 'Ginger is indeed spicier when it's older,' or 'The waves behind push the waves ahead,' a few pleasantries, and it would be over.
But she didn't expect her goodwill to be met with such a shameless sneak attack, which made Charlotte Linlin feel a surge of anger.
"Red Hair brat!!!"
The Conqueror's Haki of a Four Emperors erupted, like a banshee's wail, her voice carrying a special power that pierced the spirit.
"That... if I say it was a misunderstanding now... I guess no one would believe it, right?"
Shanks scratched his cheek, equally bewildered by Beckman's cold shot. After he reacted, he finally understood that Beckman had regarded all Four Emperors as being like Nero.
A speechless Shanks also felt a little touched. That meant Beckman and the others came with a resolve to die, to challenge Big Mama with him.
His eyes hardened, and his Conqueror's Haki, unwilling to be outdone, clashed with Big Mama's Conqueror's Haki. The sky, land, and sea were all washed over by the aftershocks of their Haki.
Clouds were shattered, leaving not a trace, cracks spread across the land, and the ocean was pushed outwards, causing continuous waves.
"Don't let them interfere with Mama's fight anymore!"
Katakuri twirled his spear, gripping his trident and taking the lead: "All-out... war!"
Beckman's shot was too swift, even he didn't have time to stop it, but this would be the last time!
"Despicable Red Hair Pirates!"
"Die!"
"Black Hand Beckman!"
"A scumbag who only fires cheap shots!"
"Don't you even follow pirate rules? How did you guys get here?"
The clamoring voices also brought the other members of the Red Hair Pirates back to their senses. Almost everyone had the same thought.
When did Captain and Vice-Captain become so awesome?
Facing the Big Mama Pirates' executives, the flames in their hearts instantly ignited.
Tatake! Tatake!!
"We can't hold back any longer, let's take them down!"
"Oh—" xN
Beckman took the lead, drawing 70% of the firepower. The other Red Hair Pirates also formed a circle around him, and both sides engaged in a fierce firefight.
The more Katakuri fought, the more shocked he became. Although both sides were evenly matched, he didn't know why the opponent's state was very strange.
At first, there was no probing; everyone was fighting desperately. But after a while, they suddenly relaxed, gradually becoming... at ease?
No, not at ease, it should be relaxation!
Damn it! Are the Red Hair Pirates all crazy? They got the order wrong; shouldn't they start with probing?
And on the Red Hair Pirates' side, how should one put it? It was very subtle... How could anyone hold back when facing a Four Emperors Pirate Crew?
Of course, they went all out from the start, succeed or die trying, and then... they were very strong! It must be said that the Big Mama Pirates' executives were very strong, with all sorts of strange Devil Fruit abilities, and their Haki was also very impressive.
Especially that Katakuri, every move and stance, was undoubtedly top-tier Observation Haki, foreseeing the future just like Shanks.
But... it was very subtle. The evenly matched combat power made everyone feel somewhat in a daze. Among the top executives, their side seemed to have a slight advantage.
Beckman then realized that while they were both Four Emperors, Nero and Big Mama were completely different, and their subordinates were not on the same level as the Nicuss nobles at all.
He had originally thought Shanks was crazy to insist on coming to Totto Land before going to Elbaf, but he didn't expect him to actually gain fame along the way?
A feeling of 'I can do this again' filled his mind, and his Haki also became more active and fluid. Beckman looked at Katakuri with an evil smile and raised his hand to fire a shot.
"So there's such a big difference even among the Four Emperors? I worried for nothing..."
[Elbaf Spear: Weiguo!]
As soon as Beckman finished speaking, Katakuri's pupils constricted, and he left his original position at the fastest speed of his life.
The next moment, Big Mama's attack arrived instantly.
"Brat! What difference are you talking about?" Holding Napoleon high, Charlotte Linlin's hair seemed to burn like flames, and her entire body exuded an astonishing aura.
[Kamisari!]
At the crucial moment, Shanks arrived in time, cutting through Big Mama's attack with a single move.
Beckman's back was soaked with cold sweat. If that attack had hit him, with his physique, he would have been severely injured if not dead.
Taking a puff from his cigar, Beckman completely calmed down again. No matter what, she was a renowned Four Emperors. He was too arrogant to have underestimated her for a moment.
"Thanks, Shanks!"
"It's no big deal. Why don't you rest for a bit?"
Shanks suggested, shaking his sword with one hand. Beckman was really off today, with a strange, eerie vibe. He was afraid if he stayed any longer, Big Mama would start fighting for real.
"..."
Calming down, Beckman also understood the meaning of this battle. To put it bluntly, it was about coming to demand respect, and the other party had agreed.
But his shot was like spitting on the host's face while they were being polite.
They were all pirates, who could tolerate such an insult? Especially since she was an Emperor of the sea, an elder among pirates.
"Are you sure it's okay if I leave now?" Beckman raised his head, looking at the enraged Big Mama, and asked uncertainly.
"...It's much better than you staying here." Shanks rolled his eyes, speechless.
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