Given Beckman's strength, even if Shanks and Yasopp teamed up, they wouldn't be his match.
Coupled with Beckman's high intelligence and quick thinking, Shanks generally took his suggestions seriously.
Since Beckman suggested that Shanks run, it meant that this navy officer wasn't easy to deal with.
While Shanks pondered, Beckman and Hailan exchanged several more blows.
Ben Beckman was the second pirate, after Doflamingo, whom Hailan found challenging in combat.
Thus, it was understandable that others couldn't handle the Red-Haired Pirates. A pirate crew with such an expert required a navy officer of admiral rank to lead the assault.
On the other side, with Shanks covering, Wagner found it more challenging to approach Yasopp than before.
"Acrobatics: Divine Wind Hundred Spinning Tops Theatre!"
Taking a heavy hit from Beckman, Cabaji flung dozens of spinning tops like darts towards Shanks and Yasopp.
Shanks found himself intrigued: As expected of someone brought by Buggy, even his moves are circus-like.
With their reflexes, Shanks and Yasopp could dodge bullets through anticipation, let alone Cabaji's tops.
Yasopp raised his rifle, aiming at Cabaji, but Shanks pressed it down. "Don't shoot."
Yasopp was puzzled. "Boss, what are you doing?"
While Yasopp understood and even admired Shanks' policy of not harming civilians, he couldn't fathom why they shouldn't kill the navy.
Shanks smiled calmly. "He's not trying to kill you, so why kill him?"
"???"
Yasopp was baffled. What kind of logic is that?
But there was no time to ponder as Wagner used "Shave" to appear beside Yasopp and Shanks, thanks to the time Cabaji bought.
Running feet on the ground confirmed it—Buggy was floating in the air.
The other soldiers, armed and ready, aimed at the Red-Haired Pirates, awaiting Hailan's command.
Bang! Bang!
Hailan and Beckman's figures clashed repeatedly, producing profound, resounding impacts.
Beckman felt confident he could defeat Hailan, but he wasn't sure if there were more troops hidden nearby.
Glancing at Shanks, tangled up with Buggy, Wagner, and numerous navy soldiers, Beckman shouted, "Shanks, why aren't you gone yet?"
"Getting distracted in battle is a big mistake!"
Hailan aimed a punch at Beckman's nose, but Beckman blocked Hailan's wrist in time.
Hailan's fist suddenly extended a finger, and Beckman sensed a change in the air around him.
Flying Finger Pistol!
Whoosh!
An air bullet grazed Beckman's cheek. Without his Observation Haki, he might have been hit.
"I understand."
Beckman remained unfazed and even smiled calmly. "But doesn't my ability to get distracted in battle prove that I'm stronger than you?"
"Armament!"
Beckman's right leg, wrapped in Armament Haki, whipped toward Hailan's waist like a steel whip.
Paper Art: Flowing Cloud!
Hailan's body became as light as a cloud.
The airflow from Beckman's whip-like leg naturally moved Hailan out of its path.
"Got you!"
With Observation Haki, Beckman wouldn't fall for simple tricks.
Predicting Hailan's movements, Beckman attacked with both hands and feet, his strikes relentless and giving Hailan no respite.
Iron Body: Armed!
Over the past six months, Hailan has not only mastered the Finger Pistol, the hardest of the Six Powers but has also used Life Return techniques to enhance Iron Body, transforming it from a defensive skill into an offensive one.
Unlike Armament Haki, the Iron Body didn't rely on internal energy but on tensing all muscles to enhance defence. This required intense concentration, making movement impossible during its use.
Some experts used accelerated blood flow to quicken muscle movements, enabling a "Moving Iron Body."
This "accelerated blood flow" was a Life Return technique.
Hailan's mastery of "Iron Body: Armed" was akin to a lower-tier Armament Haki.
After exchanging several punches, Beckman noticed Hailan's arm bend like an octopus tentacle, evading his straight punch and grabbing his wrist.
Paper Art: Life Return!
"A Devil Fruit ability?"
Beckman was stunned. Hailan didn't seem to have Fishman heritage, so this strange ability must be from a Devil Fruit, right?
Beckman retreated a few steps, wary of the unknown ability.
"Spit!"
Beckman finally spat out his cigarette. From now on, he had to take this navy officer seriously.
Suddenly, a powerful aura like a tidal wave erupted down the street, knocking down navy soldiers aiming at Shanks and Yasopp like wheat.
"Conqueror's Haki..."
Hailan's attention shifted to Shanks.
Except for Buggy and Wagner, all the navy soldiers and civilians within a specific range were unconscious on the ground.
Conqueror's Haki can target specific individuals, and though Wagner had experienced it before with Dragon, his current strength prevented him from being completely knocked out, only temporarily incapacitated.
Like Buggy, Beckman and Yasopp were on Shanks' "whitelist."
"Beckman, you seem to be struggling against Buggy's superior. Let's get out of here..."
Shanks laughed playfully, showing no concern about being a pirate facing the Navy.
The Red-Haired Pirates escaped, leaving Buggy standing dumbfounded.
What the... Though still immature, he has the same Conqueror's Haki as Captain Roger!
Is this red-haired pirate really the Shanks I knew?
"Wagner, come back!"
Hailan called back Wagner, who had recovered and wanted to pursue.
Wagner gritted his teeth. "Commander, you're letting them go?"
"What else?"
Hailan looked serious. "Do you want your comrades to keep lying on the street?"