Jack the Drought's cold, murderous voice echoed across the bay, instantly plunging Fish-Man Island into a state of panic.
"Father! What should we do now?" Fukaboshi, the eldest prince of the Ryugu Kingdom, asked nervously. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he stared up at the massive warships looming over them.
King Neptune was equally at a loss. The sudden arrival of the Beasts Pirates was clearly not a diplomatic visit. Their reputation preceded them—violence and destruction followed in their wake. If he opened the gates, he risked inviting wolves into the fold. But if he refused? Jack had already threatened to blast his way in.
At this critical moment, it was Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, who remained the calmest. He narrowed his eyes, studying the figures on the lead ship's deck—Jack the Drought and Sasaki of the Tobi Roppo.
"Your Majesty," Jinbe said, his voice steady and low. "Let them in."
"Eh?!" Ryuboshi, the second prince, exclaimed, about to object.
Jinbe raised a webbed hand to forestall the protest. "Look closely. It seems that only Jack and Sasaki have come this time. While they are powerful, the absence of the other Calamities or Kaido himself is good news. It suggests they do not intend to destroy Fish-Man Island outright. If they wanted war, they would have brought an army."
King Neptune's eyes widened as he realized the logic. Indeed, if Kaido intended to conquer or destroy them, the force would be much larger.
"I understand," Neptune nodded gravely. He turned to the border guards. "Open the port! Welcome the Beasts Pirates into Fish-Man Island!"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
On the outskirts of Fish-Man Island, in the shadowed Sea Forest formed by the intricate roots of the Sunlight Tree Eve, the New Fish-Man Pirates were watching in stunned silence.
Though they were arrogant supremacists who openly despised humans and ignored the authority of Ryugu Palace, they were not fools. They knew the hierarchy of the sea. They knew that there were monsters they could not touch.
Decades ago, Whitebeard had claimed this island with a single declaration. His presence alone had deterred all other pirates. That image of absolute power was burned into their memories.
Now, looking at the oppressive fleet of the Beasts Pirates, they felt that same weight.
Hody Jones, their captain, stood frozen. His eyes, usually filled with hate, were now filled with a twisted envy.
Beside him, Zeo, the wily carpet shark Fishman, broke the silence. He squinted at the distant figures on the deck.
"I have long heard rumors," Zeo murmured slowly. "They say that Jack the Drought and Sasaki the Armored are both Fishmen. Now that I see them with my own eyes... it seems to be true."
Zeo's words sent a ripple through the gathered crew.
"Really?"
"See? I told you! We Fishmen are superior! Even in the strongest pirate crews, we rise to the top!"
One dissenting voice muttered, "But... aren't they still just dogs for a human captain?"
He was immediately shouted down.
"So what? That human is Kaido of the Beasts! He is not a man; he is a dragon! A monster! To serve strength like that is no shame!"
The group fell silent again, awed by the display of power. This was the brutal reality of the Grand Line. Ideology often bowed before overwhelming strength.
Dosun, a massive Hammerhead Shark Fishman, scratched his head with his hammer. "Speaking of which... what are the Beasts Pirates doing here? Why come to our island now?"
Hody frowned, his sharp teeth grinding together. He stared at the burly figure of Jack on the distant ship.
Could this be my chance? Hody thought, his mind racing. If the Beasts Pirates cause chaos... if they weaken Neptune... perhaps I can use this. I can overthrow the weak king and take the throne for myself.
But just as this treacherous thought formed, a sudden, piercing chill shot through his heart.
Hody instinctively looked up.
Across ten nautical miles of water, from the deck of the lead ship, Jack the Drought had turned his head.
The massive mammoth of a man was looking directly at him.
"How... how is that possible?" Hody gasped, his heart clenching in terror. The distance was immense, yet he felt like a mouse locked in the gaze of a hawk. The sheer pressure of that stare pinned him in place.
Fortunately, the port gates began to creak open. Jack coldly withdrew his gaze, turning his back on the Sea Forest as the fleet began to move into the harbor.
Hody collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath as if he had just surfaced from deep water. The fear did not dissipate.
"Is this the strength of a Yonko crew?" Hody whispered, his hands trembling. "Even a subordinate... is this strong? Damn it! One day... one day I will have that power!"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
On the deck of the lead ship.
Sensing the shift in Jack's focus, Sasaki leaned against the railing and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Did you see something interesting?"
Jack snorted, his breath creating a small cloud of mist. "Nothing. Just some bugs hiding in the shadows."
Sasaki nodded, understanding immediately. He looked in the direction Jack had been staring, a hint of envy in his voice. "I see. It's really incredible, though. Your Observation Haki has become terrifyingly sharp. We trained together, yet you're leaving me in the dust."
Jack remained stoic, his eyes fixed on the approaching port. "Hmph. That just means you aren't working hard enough. Even Page One is catching up to you."
"Hey!" Sasaki protested indignantly. "I am working hard, alright? Damn it!"
"Then work harder," Jack said bluntly. "You can feel it, can't you? The martial arts Big Brother Kaido taught us... they are profound. As long as you keep training, you will see the rewards."
If this were the old Sasaki, he would have drawn his sword and challenged Jack right there. His pride as a former pirate captain usually made him bristle at authority, respecting only Kaido himself. But things had changed.
Under Kaido's new direction, the culture of the Beasts Pirates was shifting. It was no longer just a survival-of-the-fittest cage match. It was becoming a brotherhood.
Sasaki stared at Jack for a moment, stunned by the advice. Then, a grin spread across his face.
"I never thought I'd hear such philosophical words from you, Brother Jack," he laughed.
"Brother Jack." The unfamiliar address made Jack pause. He glanced at Sasaki, and the harsh lines of his face softened just a fraction.
"Hmph. That's all I have to say. Listen or don't. It's up to you," Jack grunted. "Alright. I'm leaving the talking to you. Handle the matters of Fish-Man Island."
Sasaki raised an eyebrow and chuckled, adjusting his cap. "Hehe. Brother Jack, are you feeling shy? No problem, leave it to me. I'll take a good look and see just how beautiful this mermaid is that Brother Kaido praised so highly..."
With that, the five massive ships docked at the main port of Fish-Man Island. The heavy gangplanks crashed down onto the coral stone.
Jack and Sasaki disembarked, their heavy boots thudding ominously. Waiting for them were King Neptune, Jinbe, and the three princes.
The two Beasts Pirates ignored the royalty, their eyes briefly flickering to Jinbe with a nod of acknowledgment to a fellow powerhouse, but that was all.
Sasaki stepped forward, his voice booming.
"King Neptune, right? Our time is tight, so I'll keep this simple. I have a question for you."
He grinned, showing his sharp teeth.
"Do you have a mermaid here who can predict the future? A woman named Shyarly?"
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse