"Who goes there?" Jack and Sasaki barked in unison. The sudden, overwhelming burst of Conqueror's Haki caught them both off guard, forcing them to look toward the source of the pressure. Jinbe, who had been seconds away from a lethal blow, seized the moment to retreat several paces, his eyes also darting toward the port entrance.
As they looked, the expressions on the faces of the Beasts Pirates turned into a twisted mixture of irritation and helplessness. Jinbe, however, was struck with pure shock.
"Yamato!" he cried out.
Slowly drifting into the harbor of Fishman Island was a massive pirate ship decorated with red and white stripes. Standing proudly at the bow was Yamato, the daughter of the Ogre and a newly appointed member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. She wasn't alone; behind her stood a crew of formidable individuals:
Jewelry Bonney, the gluttonous pirate with a high reputation.
Perona, the Ghost Princess and user of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit.
Red, a burly man carrying the blood of giants.
Diaz, the man known as "Devil Man".
Alongside them was a hardened group of former prisoners from Impel Down Level 5, each looking more dangerous than the last. It was clear that Yamato had finally gathered enough strength to lead a truly incredible pirate crew.
Hearing Jinbe's call, Yamato couldn't wait for the ship to dock. She leaped down impatiently and landed right beside him, a bright and innocent smile on her face. "Brother Jinbe, it's been a long time!" she said, her voice full of warmth.
Jinbe smiled back, though he was still confused. "It has, Yamato! But what brings you all the way down here to Fishman Island?".
"It was Ace," Yamato explained. "He told me all about this place. He's currently stuck in training and couldn't leave, and the Whitebeard Pirates are busy dealing with things in the New World". Jinbe felt a wave of relief wash over him, and King Neptune, standing nearby, finally felt like he could breathe again.
Yamato then turned her gaze toward Jack and Sasaki. Her tone grew serious. "It looks like I got here just in time. Jack, Sasaki—it's been a while, hasn't it?".
Sasaki sighed, rubbing his temples as he shifted back into his human form. "Brother Jack, this just got a lot more complicated," he muttered.
Jack didn't share the sentiment. He turned and snapped at Sasaki with a loud rebuke. "Complicated? Nothing is complicated when it comes to a mission from Brother Kaido! We cannot fail!". He then fixed a cold, heartless stare on Yamato. "Besides, this person is no longer the Young Master of the Beasts Pirates".
The atmosphere turned icy. Yamato didn't flinch or look troubled by the rejection. Instead, her eyes burned with determination. "You're right, Jack. I haven't been part of your crew for a long time. I am standing here now as a Warlord of the Sea. As of today, Fishman Island is under the protection of the Yamato Pirates. If you want a war, I'll give you one!".
"And me as well!" Jinbe added, his voice echoing her confidence. Behind them, Yamato's subordinates aimed their ship's cannons directly at the Beasts Pirates' fleet. Even though they were outnumbered five to one, their grins made it seem as if they held all the cards.
However, the confidence of the newcomers soon wavered. Not a single member of the Beasts Pirates showed even a hint of fear. They stood on their decks with cold, robotic expressions, looking at Yamato's crew as if they were already dead. These weren't the undisciplined thugs Yamato remembered; after four months of Jack's brutal training, these pirates were now highly disciplined soldiers who offered absolute obedience. Their aura was even more terrifying than the hardened criminals from Impel Down.
Jack's voice rang out, cold and mocking. "It seems you've grown up, Young Master Yamato. But you still don't understand what the name of the Beasts Pirates means on this sea. War isn't a game for children. Allow me to teach you a lesson".
Before Yamato could respond, Jack shouted an order that made her heart stop. "All members of the Beasts Pirates, listen up! Since Fishman Island wants a war, we will give them one! Open fire on the island!".
"What!?" "Stop!" Yamato, Jinbe, and Neptune screamed in horror.
But the soldiers only listened to Jack. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" A series of earth-shaking blasts erupted as black cannonballs rained down on the civilian areas of Fishman Island. Screams of agony and the sound of crumbling buildings filled the air as the beautiful island descended into chaos.
Yamato and Jinbe tried to leap into the air to intercept the shells, but Jack and Sasaki moved instantly to block their path. "Get out of my way!" Yamato roared, but she was too late. The sky was lit up by explosions, and Yamato's face turned pale as the tragic wails reached her ears.
"Young Master Yamato," Jack said in his deep, muffled voice. "In this sea, our crew has never failed to get what we want. So, tell me... are you truly ready to go to war with us?".
"Damn you... damn you all!" Red and black lightning began to crackle around Yamato's kanabo. Her face was twisted with absolute fury. "You've gone too far, Jack! This is unforgivable!".
"Thunder Bagua!".
The club, dripping with Conqueror's Haki, swung with a force that could shatter mountains. But Jack didn't panic. He focused his Armament Haki until it burned like dark flames and drew his twin scythe-shaped blades.
With a resounding crash, he blocked the blow!. The shockwave from the collision was far more powerful than anything seen before, sweeping across the port like a hurricane.
Yamato's eyes widened in disbelief. "How is this possible?" she whispered. In her mind, only her father or King should have been able to block that move so easily. She realized with horror that the Beasts Pirates had changed fundamentally since her departure.
As another round of cannon fire tore into the smoke-filled island, King Neptune reached his breaking point. He saw Jinbe struggling against Sasaki and Yamato held back by Jack. He knew the island couldn't survive another minute of this.
"Wait! Stop the firing!" Neptune cried out in despair. "Our kingdom... we are willing to hand over the Road Poneglyph!".
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