Beckman gave him a deep look, extinguished his cigarette butt on the ship's rail after a moment of silence, "I understand."
There was no need to say anything further about everyone going together. Garling had made it clear—if he saw a second person, he wouldn't show up.
Especially given the cautiousness of that old man, Garling.
Since he chose Thunder God Island, close to the Red Earth Continent, as the meeting place, he would definitely send CP Agents to put the surrounding sea area under full surveillance before the meeting.
They wanted to get close, but couldn't escape CP's eyes and ears.
They couldn't even ask Shanks to bring a Radio Snail for constant contact, because Thunder God Island was perpetually shrouded in raging storms, completely isolating biological signals.
"Be fully prepared."
So Beckman just lightly reminded, "If the situation looks bad, don't hesitate for a second, just escape. We've done this many times back in the day, and just because you're now one of the Four Emperors doesn't mean running away is shameful."
Indeed, they had done this many times.
Shanks scratched his head, can't help but grin:
"Puhahaha, don't worry, I'm not the kind who loses his head and charges forward recklessly!"
"Red Nose?! Who are you calling Red Nose?!"
Just then, an agitated, hoarse voice suddenly came from the cabin.
Everyone paused, turned their heads, and saw a clown with a big red nose and messy hair scrambling out, reeking of alcohol.
"Buggy?"
Shanks was wide-eyed in surprise, "So you're still on the ship and haven't slipped away?"
"Slipped away?"
Buggy belched drunkenly, looking puzzled:
"Why would I slip away? Last night I ran out of booze, so I went to the lower deck storeroom to get some, and couldn't hold it, ended up sleeping there the whole day... Eh, where are the newbies on the ship, why am I not seeing them, where have they all gone?"
Buggy looked blankly around.
And Shanks exchanged a strange look with Beckman.
—So this guy was drunk and oblivious to what was happening outside.
They hadn't seen him all day and thought Buggy had quietly left with the newbies last night.
After all, before that, Buggy was always shouting about leaving the ship, saying he wasn't on the same path as Red Hair, and wanted to rebuild his own Pirate Gang.
As for why Buggy was on their ship...
That's another story that just puzzled everyone.
They still hadn't figured out why, after following the Life Card into Impel Down last week, they ended up seeing this guy...
Beckman eyed Buggy, suddenly having a lightbulb moment.
"Buggy."
Beckman asked with a smile, "Forget about the newbies, speaking of which, your Chop-Chop Fruit, even when your body is split apart over long distances, it doesn't affect your senses or vitality, right?"
"Nonsense!"
Buggy, emboldened by the alcohol, proudly patted his chest:
"Though I didn't choose to eat that fruit, it's all Shanks' fault, but after all these years, don't underestimate the level of development I've reached!"
"Even if I'm split in half, with one part in the Antarctic and the other in the Arctic, I can still... Hmm? Why do you ask?"
Beckman and Shanks exchanged a knowing glance.
Red Hair pressed a hand on Buggy's shoulder, flashing a bright smile: "Hey, Buggy, because we somehow managed to get you out of Impel Down, could you help us this time..."
"Who asked you to save me!"
Buggy instantly jumped up like a cat having its tail stepped on, shouting in dissatisfaction, "I was perfectly fine in there, with food and drink not being a problem. Who the heck asked you to meddle in my affairs?"
Don't know who it was that clung to my leg and wouldn't let go that day though...
Beckman was left speechless.
This guy's attitude towards them was actually quite normal, but whenever Shanks was around, he'd put on this tough guy act, unwilling to appear weak.
"Alright, alright, forget what I said earlier, I'm purely asking you for a favor."
Shanks raised his hands in surrender, looking seriously at Buggy, "Buggy, this time, I really need your help, and only you can assist me."
Buggy was startled by Shanks's sudden earnestness, sobering up a bit:
"Since it's like that, I'll reluctantly listen and see what's up. Wh-what is it? Why so serious..."
Whoosh!
In the next instant, there was a flash of a blade.
Buggy's ear was precisely sliced off, floated in mid-air for a couple of seconds, and then Shanks caught it in his hand.
"Damn Shanks!"
Buggy finally realized what was happening and erupted in anger, "What exactly are you trying to do!"
"Sorry, sorry, but really, this is the only way."
Shanks laughed heartily, solemnly cupping Buggy's ear in his palm, "Your ear, we need to borrow it for a bit."
"Eavesdropping."
Beckman directly explained, "If we hide it in Shanks' clothes, we can hear the conversation inside Thunder God Island from outside."
"This way, we can ensure only Shanks enters Thunder God Island while we grasp the situation from the outside. If anything changes, we'll be right there to provide support."
Buggy was stunned for a moment, finally understanding the situation, and instantly flew into a rage, "You two jerks! You actually want to use me as a bugging device?!"
"Get out of here! My ability isn't meant to be used like this, you're insulting the great me..."
"Once it's done, we'll give you three treasure maps."
"Deal!"
......
Isle of Dawn.
In a desolate mountain forest on the outskirts.
Ancient trees towered all around, sunlight streamed through the foliage, spilling in dappled patches.
Shano was drenched in sweat, standing in the center of an open space, eyes shut in concentration, replaying the essence and principles of "Tornado Iron Slash Fist" in his mind.
"Unlike the harmonious defensive stance of Flowing Water Rock-Breaking Fist, turning everything into the sharpest offensive... Understood!"
Shano suddenly opened his eyes, seemingly casually waved his right hand forward!
Whoosh—!
A horrifying gale erupted abruptly, and in just a blink, the hundreds of towering ancient trees in that direction were all severed at the waist, crashing to the ground!
The cuts were neat, smooth as mirrors.
It wasn't apparent at all that the fist technique caused them; it seemed more like the slash from a Great Sword Master.
"It's roughly a minor success."
Shano cast a glance, then withdrew his gaze.
The power of this technique actually didn't impress him, but it didn't matter; "Tornado Iron Slash Fist" was merely a stepping stone for him now.
Once he mastered it greatly, he could combine it with Flowing Water Rock-Breaking Fist and start training "Thunderous Air Splitting Fist" and "Clashing Fang Dragon Slayer Fist," these two great killer moves!
"Master."
A cold, holy voice suddenly came from behind, Angewomon spread her eight wings, lightly landed on the ground, and respectfully presented a cup of water and a towel.
"Mm, thanks."
Shano was conveniently thirsty, casually took the cup, raised his head, and drank it all in one go, letting Angewomon wipe his sweat, "Is there something to report coming over now?"
"Yes, Master."
Angewomon continued to wipe his sweat while handing over a document:
"You'll know after taking a look. It's a sudden incident, falling under our territory. A convoy that has long been traveling between Dressrosa and the Galaxy Sea Region went missing on a trip to Fishman Island to purchase supplies, possibly due to a pirate attack, and hasn't returned until now."
"Normally, such matters are handled by the patrol teams from the Stationed Corps and wouldn't disturb you."
"However, the Stationed Corps sent two patrol teams consecutively, which also went missing, leaving them with no choice but to seek help, hoping you can send a powerful deputy to investigate and handle it."
"Oh?"
Even the patrol teams went missing? Shano frowned as he opened the file, "Let me check the specifics."
"Alright."
Angewomon was on the side, patiently and obediently waiting.
If any outsider saw her, they'd likely be dumbfounded; where was the elegance of an Eight-winged Archangel? Instead, she resembled a secretary waiting for a boss's approval.
Indeed, it was so.
Since Glutinous Rice Cake evolved from Gatomon to Angewomon, she took on the role of Shano's personal secretary.
She wasn't adept at handling state affairs, but she could take care of daily life and act as a messenger.
After all, she had consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, granting her extreme mobility, and with a telepathic connection to Shano, she could quickly find him in urgent situations, no matter where he was.
Moreover, she was essentially still a pet, requiring no training, with plenty of spare time each day, idle otherwise.
She couldn't just lie on the deck with Ah Yin, yawning and sunbathing, right?
That would be somewhat unbefitting.