"Jack-sama! Jack-sama!"
Hearing the shouts from outside, Jack pushed open the door and stepped out. The pirate underling he had previously let go came running back, looking utterly panicked. The two red handprints on his face made it clear what kind of response Fozu had given.
"J-Jack-sama…"
The underling stammered as he looked at Jack's impassive face, his words trembling on the edge of his lips. Just as he gathered the courage to speak, Jack cut him off.
"Tell Fozu to meet me at the arena tomorrow afternoon. If he's got the guts to show up, that is. Got it?"
"Now get lost!"
The underling nodded frantically, curling into a ball before tumbling down the nearby slope. His ridiculous exit sent the Fish-Men nearby into fits of laughter.
"Hah! When he says roll, you roll, huh? Would you eat shit if he told you to?"
"And what the hell are you laughing at?!"
"After the Fire Festival, I'll make sure you all get daily political lessons! A thousand-word essay every single day, no exceptions! Now get back to your rooms!"
Cursing under his breath, Jack stormed out of the Fish-Man's quarters. But he hadn't taken many steps before a loud cheer reached his ears. Glancing toward the source of the noise, he frowned.
"The arena? Who's dueling now?"
Driven by curiosity, Jack started heading toward the arena. However, before he got far, Sasaki's portly figure appeared ahead of him, the Tobiroppo member's small military cap perched on his head. Jack immediately activated his Observation Haki.
"Hah, a weakling like that is one of us Tobiroppo?" Sasaki sneered, swaggering with his entourage. "It's honestly shameful. He couldn't even handle a woman! Makes you wonder what kind of strength the All-Stars even have. Sure, Kaido-sama is mighty, but some of his subordinates…"
He shook his head dramatically.
"If it were me, I'd have no problem becoming an All-Star. Kaido-sama's just too sentimental. But fine, I'll earn more achievements and then formally request the right to challenge for the position. Speaking of which, that Black Maria woman… She's got quite the allure, doesn't she?"
The pirates around Sasaki exchanged nervous glances, unsure how to respond to his boasting. But their unease turned to terror when they spotted Jack looming nearby.
"J-Jack-sama!"
"Hmph."
Unlike his subordinates, Sasaki's eyes were filled with defiance. He let out a disdainful snort and tried to brush past Jack, but the taller man grabbed him by the shoulder.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sasaki growled, shaking off Jack's grip and stepping back. His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword. "If it's a fight you want, I'd be happy to oblige!"
"Relax," Jack said, crossing his arms. "Just tell me—what's happening at the arena? Who's challenging the Tobiroppo?"
Jack crooked a finger toward one of Sasaki's subordinates. The pirate quickly blurted out an answer.
"It's Black Maria-sama! She defeated Tobiroppo member Toku-sama. Poisoned him to death!"
Jack nodded in understanding. "Ah, so that's what all the commotion's about. Tobiroppo, huh? Well, with Maria's strength, it's no surprise."
Sasaki's irritation grew. "If that's all you wanted to know, then we're done here. Let's go!"
"Wait."
Jack's sharp tone froze Sasaki's group in place. The subordinates, clearly intimidated, didn't dare move. Sasaki's patience snapped.
"You cowards! What are you afraid of?! You're my men, not his! Now get moving!"
Jack chuckled softly, shaking his head at the scene. He glanced at Sasaki with an almost pitying look.
"You think Maria's attractive, huh? Seems like you admire her." Jack's smirk grew wider. "But let me tell you something: Maria is my woman. And with that body of yours, you're not even qualified to admire her."
"You…!"
"Bastard!"
With a clang, Sasaki drew his blade, but Jack waved him off dismissively.
"Fine, fine. One goat or two, doesn't matter to me. You're unhappy with me, right? How about this? Tomorrow at three in the arena, I'll accept your challenge. And you can bring that Fozu guy with you."
Sasaki's eyes lit up. He sheathed his sword, looking giddy.
"You said it! Don't back out, now!"
"Don't worry," Jack said, his voice calm. "I'll leave you alive. After all, Kaido-sama values you two. Killing you would make him sad."
"Heh. I'll show you tomorrow who the real weakling is!" Sasaki said, walking away with his head held high. "Standing beside Kaido-sama as an All-Star isn't a role for just anyone."
As Sasaki disappeared into the distance, Jack sighed, shaking his head.
"What a diehard Kaido fanboy," he muttered. "At least his preferences seem normal. If they weren't, I'd have to warn Kaido to lock his doors at night."
"Oh? So you're Jack, huh?"
A mocking voice snapped Jack out of his musings. He turned to see a flamboyant figure approaching, exuding an almost unbearable aura of confidence. Pink hair, red horns, golden earrings, and a tattoo spelling out "Fozu" across his bare chest—the new Tobiroppo member was impossible to miss.
Jack instinctively took a step back, muttering to himself.
"Damn, the testosterone here's off the charts. This guy's basically a walking pregnancy test."
Feigning ignorance, Jack asked, "And you are?"
A nearby pirate puffed out his chest. "This is Fozu-sama, the newest Tobiroppo member of the Beasts Pirates!"
"Huh. Tobiroppo, big deal," Jack muttered. "I'm an All-Star. Do I act like that?"
"Hmph! Just wait. Tomorrow, I'll challenge you personally," Fozu declared, his hands in his pockets as he strode past Jack. His followers trailed behind him, their arrogance plain.
Jack's fists tightened, but before he could react, Black Maria's elegant figure appeared in the distance, surrounded by her companions. Jack took a deep breath and let it go.
"Sasaki, Fozu…" Jack muttered under his breath, watching them disappear. "What a pair of cocky fools. Let's see if they're still this bold tomorrow."
Straightening up, Jack quickly approached Black Maria with a bright smile.
"Congrats on your win! You must be tired after such a tough fight. How about we go for a bath? I can scrub your back—I'm amazing at it!"
"Get lost!"
"You got it!"
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg