"BASTARD!"
Watching his crewmates die before his very eyes, Jozu lost his composure, charging furiously at Jack. However, despite Jozu's incredible Diamond-enhanced defense and strength, his attacks barely left a mark on Jack, whose body and stamina were just as monstrous.
The more Jozu fought, the more enraged he became, unable to deny his astonishment at Jack's absurd toughness.
"Captain Arthur! Captain Karma!"
"Arthur! Karma!"
"Jack-sama!"
"Drought Jack!"
The deaths of Arthur and Karma caused the morale of the Whitebeard Pirates to falter, while the Beasts Pirates erupted into cheers, their spirits reignited. In an instant, the tide of the battle seemed to shift.
"Damn it!"
"This bastard!"
Thatch and Vista cursed under their breath, regret flooding them. If they had continued keeping Jack occupied, Arthur and Karma wouldn't have died.
While the Beasts Pirates had lost two of their Tobiroppo, the Whitebeard Pirates had paid just as high a price. The two Division Commanders, who had served under Whitebeard for years and were personally acknowledged as his sons, were not just any expendable soldiers—they were family. Brothers.
"You bastard! Everyone, let's take him down together!"
Rakuyo and Kingdew, their eyes bloodshot and filled with murderous intent, exchanged glances with Thatch and Vista before nodding resolutely. The four of them charged at Jack with everything they had.
"BASTARD! That brat!"
Whitebeard's face, usually calm and composed, now twisted with fury. His grip on his bisento tightened as his enraged gaze locked onto Kaido, who stood laughing on the other side of the battlefield.
"Uororororo! Newgate!" Kaido roared with laughter.
"Those were your sons, huh? So weak they got crushed to death by Jack? Uororororo! What a pathetic way to go!"
"BOOM!"
Whitebeard didn't waste time responding. With a growl, he activated his Devil Fruit powers, clashing with Kaido once more.
Meanwhile, Jack glanced at the bullets that had just fallen harmlessly to the ground, his gaze shifting toward the figure holding a modified pistol and a rocket launcher strapped across his back.
The man had a peculiar appearance—a hat shaped like a watermelon rind, a beard with the Whitebeard Jolly Roger tattooed on his chin, and a pair of purple sunglasses. His sharpshooting had been impressive, if not for him, Jack might have already captured the reckless Jozu.
"Hmph."
Vista and Thatch rushed forward, joined by two more figures. Jack squinted, recognizing them as Division Commanders from the Whitebeard Pirates.
"YOU DAMN MONSTER!" roared Rakuyo, his spiked flail swinging furiously. "You killed Arthur and Karma! I'll avenge them!"
"DAMN YOU, DROUGHT JACK! This entire war started because of you!"
"BASTARD!"
"SHUT IT! YOU'RE ALL SO LOUD!"
Jack's bellow silenced the air for a moment. His tusk-shaped weapons gleamed as he leaned forward, staring down the enraged commanders with contempt.
"You lot are pirates, aren't you?" he sneered. "Why the hell are you acting like your dads just died? If you're so heartbroken, what are you even doing here?!"
"You think only Whitebeard Pirates' lives matter? What about us? Do we mean nothing? Should I go ask Kaido to call a truce so you can dig a grave for your friends? Burn some incense? Say a few prayers? Hell, why don't we throw them a farewell party?!"
Jack's words grew more venomous, his voice a growl.
"You idiots really don't understand what a battle is, do you?!"
"BASTARD!"
"SCUM!"
Enraged beyond words, the four commanders launched an all-out assault on Jack, but his immense defense held strong. Vista's blades barely scratched him, and Rakuyo's flail couldn't penetrate his thick hide. Jack's hybrid mammoth form, with its armor-like skin, made their attacks nearly useless.
Despite being outnumbered five-to-one, Jack fought with relentless ferocity, swinging his tusks and overwhelming them one by one.
The Beasts Pirates roared in exhilaration at Jack's display of power, their cheers echoing through the battlefield as they charged at their own enemies with renewed vigor.
"Tch, that brat..."
Whitebeard spared a glance toward Jack, his brows furrowed.
If this continued, even with Vista, Thatch, and the others working together, Jack might gain the upper hand.
Marco and King were still locked in a stalemate, and none of the other commanders could spare time to assist.
This was bad.
Whitebeard gritted his teeth. He had underestimated that brat, Jack. Even with Marco's warning, he hadn't expected the young Beast Pirate to be this powerful.
Arthur and Karma...
Their deaths weighed heavily on him. Perhaps he shouldn't have declared this war. Though the initial reason had been to avenge Oden and maintain the Whitebeard Pirates' name, the casualties were becoming too great.
And Jack... if he were allowed to continue growing...
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, determination solidifying in his heart.
"Jozu! Vista! Everyone, fall back! I'll handle this brat myself!"
"Old man!"
The commanders immediately obeyed, retreating to a safer distance while keeping a wary eye on Jack, their Haki ready to react to any sudden moves.
But to their surprise, neither Kaido nor Jack moved to stop them.
Jack even looked... excited?
His eager grin made the commanders' blood boil.
Does he think this is a game? This is Whitebeard—the world's strongest man!
Whitebeard stepped forward, bisento in hand, his towering figure casting a shadow over Jack.
"Brat," he growled. "You look excited. What? Think you're invincible just because you've got the same monstrous endurance as Kaido?"
Jack's grin widened.
"Old man, Kaido-sama once told me you two used to be crewmates, so I guess that makes you my senior."
He tilted his head, feigning thought before his grin turned devilish.
"By age alone... I guess I should call you Grandpa!"
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg