"Lord Jack, that's Admiral Akainu! The most ruthless of the three Admirals!"
Jack's crew scrambled in panic.
"He's not like Kizaru or Aokiji! If we get too close, he'll kill us all!"
The giant man turned, eyes blazing behind his steel mask.
"You weaklings—are you doubting me?"
His voice rumbled like thunder. "I'll say it one more time. Bring the ship closer!"
Jack was furious.
He hadn't come out here to run away.
He wanted to prove himself—to Kaido, to Consort Luo Xing, to everyone who looked down on him.
If he slunk back without a fight, Queen and King would mock him for months.
And those upstart Flying Six who'd powered up with Monster Cells?
They'd never let him live it down.
I'd rather die than be pitied!
So even if he had to face the magma demon himself, Jack the Drought would not retreat.
His terrified crew had no choice but to obey. The Beasts Pirates' ship surged ahead, closing in on the massive Marine battleship.
On the Marine side, a lookout shouted,
"Enemy ship spotted! Enemy ship spotted!"
"Whose flag?" barked a Marine Vice Admiral.
"The Beasts Pirates, sir! The same crew that's robbed two shipments of Heavenly Tribute!"
The Marines froze, color draining from their faces.
Another attack? Again?
But the Vice Admiral remained composed.
"Don't panic. This time, we have Admiral Sakazuki aboard."
As he said it, heavy footsteps echoed behind him.
A tall, broad figure in a crimson coat strode onto the deck, his body radiating heat.
"Admiral on deck!"
Every Marine snapped to attention, saluting in perfect unison.
Sakazuki—Akainu, the Red Dog—swept his gaze over the trembling soldiers.
"Raise your heads," he ordered, his voice deep as molten stone.
"If Marines flinch at the name of pirates… who will protect the world's justice?"
The crew straightened, shame and resolve mixing in their eyes.
Akainu stepped to the edge of the deck, staring at the approaching ship.
"Now watch closely," he said coldly.
"This is how we deal with pirates."
His right arm began to glow red-hot.
Lava bubbled and surged, replacing flesh with pure magma until his entire arm had become a burning inferno.
Then, with one sweeping motion, he punched forward.
BOOM!
A gigantic fist of molten rock, dozens of meters long, erupted from his arm, roaring through the sky.
Even his own men were awed—
and Jack's crew could only scream.
"He's not even asking questions—he's just attacking!"
"It's over! We're done for!"
Jack's pupils shrank.
This wasn't how he'd planned it. He wanted to board, to fight hand-to-hand.
But Akainu gave him no such chance.
"Magma… Fist!"
The burning colossus slammed down from above.
The sea exploded.
Flames and smoke swallowed everything.
Jack's ship shattered into splinters, the shockwave tossing men like rag dolls into the air.
Jack himself was blown back, his iron mask cracking apart to reveal sharp, bestial teeth beneath.
The impact hurled him into the depths. His men splashed into the sea all around him.
Silence.
Bubbles rose from the wreckage, drifting up through the deep blue.
Jack lay motionless on the ocean floor.
He couldn't swim—he was a Devil Fruit user—
but he wasn't dead.
Because he wasn't human.
He was a fish-man.
His gills worked weakly as he sank to the seabed, staring upward through the dark water.
"Somebody… save me…"
The great Drought of the Beasts Pirates—
brought low by magma and pride.
Meanwhile, Back in Wano
Compared to Jack's miserable fate, Luo Xing's life was paradise.
He had the most powerful wife in the country, a loyal rabbit-eared attendant, and a golden-caged beauty under his watch.
If there was one problem, it was that he couldn't let any of them meet.
That day, after an entire night spent indulging Yamato's endless energy, Luo Xing finally sat alone in his study, smiling to himself.
"Open system panel."
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[ Host: Luo Xing ]
[ Points: 100,000 ]
[ System Level: Lv.3 (1/1000) ]
[ Unlocked Items: Demon-Class Monster Cells, Triple Gravity Chamber, Beginner Time Chamber, Momotaro Rice Ball ]
[ Next Unlock: Senzu Beans, Fusion Earrings ]
[ Shop Preview: Anywhere Door, Time Machine, Ryujin Blade (Ryūjin Jakka) ]
He leaned back, satisfied.
Selling Monster Cells to Big Mom and using them on the Minks had pushed his points past the hundred-thousand mark.
"Time for an upgrade."
Without hesitation, he dumped every last point into the system.
The interface flickered and shifted.
[ Host: Luo Xing ]
[ Points: 0 ]
[ System Level: Lv.4 (1/5000) ]
[ Unlocked Items: Demon-Class Monster Cells, Senzu Beans, Fusion Earrings ]
[ Next Unlock: Dragon-Class Monster Cells ]
[ Shop Preview: Anywhere Door, Time Machine, Ryujin Blade ]
Luo Xing's eyes brightened.
"Dragon-Class Monster Cells… finally."
He could already imagine the possibilities.
If the Calamities each consumed one, could they reach the power of the Four Emperors themselves?
If so, the Beasts Pirates would boast four Emperor-level fighters—
and with Kaido as the "Strongest Creature," their rule would be absolute.
Even the Marines wouldn't dare move lightly against them.
"Yes… time to lock myself in the lab again."
"The Senzu Beans and Fusion Earrings will come first. They're no less valuable than the Dragon Cells."
He chuckled.
"Imagine… Kaido and Big Mom fusing together. Now that would be a nightmare. Or comedy. Maybe both."
The mental image made him laugh aloud—a hulking figure with horns, curls, and a thunderous voice shouting 'Life or Death!' over the world.
Shaking his head at his own humor, Luo Xing rose.
Before heading back to his lab, there was someone else he wanted to visit.
"It's been a while," he murmured, eyes narrowing. "Time to check in on Hiyori."
And with that, the Consort of Beasts disappeared down the dimly lit corridor—
his mind already spinning with new experiments, new powers, and new plans for domination.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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