Splash...
A wary fish-man broke through the ocean's surface, his sharp eyes scanning the desolate island. The ruins told a story of a recent fierce battle. Slowly, he made his way to the shore.
The once-sturdy rocks were reduced to dust, and the lush forest, where feasts were held just days ago, had vanished without a trace. The carcasses of countless beasts lay rotting, exuding a sickening stench.
Seeing this, the fish-man let out a sharp whistle. Within moments, dozens of fish-men emerged from the water.
"Finder-sama, it seems the battle has ended," one reported. "Judging by the state of things, it must've been over for days. No sign of Marine ships nearby."
"Jack-sama's vivre card points to this location," another added. "He's not underwater."
When they finally found Jack, sprawled stark naked and snoring loudly on the ground, Finder lowered his head in shame.
The other fish-men exchanged awkward glances before silently looking away.
"Jack-sama! Jack-sama!" Finder called out anxiously. It wasn't until Rim arrived that they managed to rouse him.
"Mmm..." Jack rubbed his eyes groggily, accepting the pants handed to him by one of the fish-men. After slipping them on, he slapped the nearest one upside the head.
"You idiots! Couldn't you have shown up sooner?!" Jack bellowed. "This island reeks! That lunatic burned my clothes to ash with his lasers!
"If not for those few remaining trees, I'd be sunburnt to hell by now!"
The fish-men stood in awkward silence, trying to gauge their captain's mood.
"Jack-sama, are you alright?" one asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, Jack-sama, you're not hurt, right?" another echoed.
Jack scanned their concerned faces and scowled. "What is this? Are you all trying to curse me?!"
Rim, standing nearby, hesitated before leaning in and whispering, "Jack-sama, your hair... It's been completely burned off. Doesn't it hurt?"
"I'M A DRAGON!" Jack roared, swatting them away. "Get lost, you fools!"
"But... Kaido-sama is the Azure Dragon, isn't he?"
"LOOK AT MY LIPS!" Jack snapped. "GET. LOST."
Jack's battle with Kizaru hadn't lasted long and ended inconclusively. The only reward Jack had received was a bizarre, glittering item—an elaborate, diamond-studded women's undergarment.
At first, Jack wanted to toss it, but after sizing it up, he decided to keep it as a gift for Yamato.
She didn't come along this time. A little present would smooth things over.
After feasting to replenish his strength, Jack reclined contentedly on a deck chair. But from the corner of his eye, he noticed a solitary figure.
"Oi! Lamp—no, Aladine!" Jack called out.
The fish-man, lost in thought as he gazed at the sea, jumped at Jack's voice. Turning around, he stammered, "J-Jack-sama..."
"Your crewmates are gambling, working out, or drinking. Why aren't you with them?" Jack asked, plopping down next to him and clapping a hand on his shoulder.
Aladine flinched slightly but sighed. "Jack-sama, it's nothing..."
"Bullshit!" Jack barked. "What's eating you? Out with it!"
After a moment, Aladine finally admitted, "Jack-sama... Do you think the Beasts Pirates can really save the fish-men?"
His voice grew softer as he stared at the horizon. "Fighting for the Beasts Pirates... will it truly lead us to a better future? Killing humans... won't that just make them hate us even more?"
Jack scratched his head, annoyed. "Hah! Aladine, you've been hanging around too many softies like Fisher Tiger and Jinbei."
"Listen here. The only ones who can save us are ourselves!" Jack declared.
"As for humans hating us? They already hate each other! So what's the difference if we add to the pile? And if they hate you, it just means you didn't kill enough of them!"
He grinned wickedly. "Make them fear you, and they won't have time to hate you. Now, head back to Onigashima. Report to King and let him whip you weaklings into shape!"
Rim, ever the cautious one, kept them moving at full speed. After quickly coating the ship at Sabaody, the Mammoth plunged into the depths, heading for Fish-Man Island.
Jack agreed to linger there for a few days since several fish-men hadn't returned home in years, and some still had family waiting for them.
...
Meanwhile, in the New World
At the bustling port of Renske, Kaido lounged in his chambers, surrounded by entertainment. With a drunken hiccup, he laughed, "King, loosen up for once, will ya?!"
Kaido's secretary visibly cringed as Kaido added, "You're so stiff! Just pick a woman or two and leave a legacy behind! What about one of those mermaids we picked up? Or maybe one of those ugly fish-women if that's your thing?"
King's foot slipped at the horrifying suggestion, though his masked face betrayed nothing.
"Enough!" King commanded, dismissing the geisha and attendants. Even Kaido sat up, sensing the shift in mood.
"What's the matter, King? Something serious?" Kaido asked, finally sobering slightly.
"It's Jack," King replied, his voice unusually tense.
Kaido's brow furrowed. "What about him?"
"Jack engaged Vice Admiral Kizaru in battle along the Grand Line. The outcome is unclear," King said evenly. "But his bounty has increased to 2 billion belly. And more importantly..."
King paused for effect before revealing, "The World Government has officially given him a new title—'The Strongest Fish-Man in the World.'"
Kaido stared blankly before bursting into booming laughter.
"Wohohohohohohohohoho!"
"The Strongest Fish-Man?!" he bellowed, slapping his thigh. "To face Kizaru and live... not bad at all, Jack! It seems your unkillable reputation has climbed another notch! My dream... grows closer still!"
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg