Yamato looked up in shock.
That voice, that colossal mammoth form—there was no mistaking it...
Jack!
As the possessor of the Zou Zou no Mi, Ancient Zoan, Mammoth Model, combined with his absurd physical talents, Jack was undoubtedly the most defensively formidable among all those present.
A massive mammoth descended from the sky, landing squarely in front of Yamato.
Completely cutting off the line of sight for everyone in the Beasts Pirates.
Yamato let out a long sigh, then...
"What nonsense are you spouting?! I'm clearly your older sister!"
"We're the same age! What's the big deal about letting me be the big brother for a couple of days?!"
"Talk to me again when you can beat me one-on-one!"
"Does that mean I'll be stuck as the damn little brother forever, you bastard?!"
Though he had once been a member of the SWORD Forces, Jack and Yamato's sense of belonging to the Marines was actually quite weak—otherwise, they wouldn't have followed Michael without hesitation when he defected.
So naturally, their relationship with the other members of SWORD couldn't compare to the bond they shared with Michael, whom they spent every day with.
While Jack and Yamato were bickering, X Drake suddenly straightened up and looked up at Jack's towering back.
Sure enough, Rosinante, the current commander of the SWORD Forces who had just spoken with him, had already jumped down from the mammoth's back.
Following closely behind were the other members of the SWORD Forces.
"Sir, mission accomplished."
"Good. Once we return this time, you will officially become a member of the SWORD Forces." Rosinante had already perfectly adapted to his role as the leader, patting X Drake's shoulder encouragingly before looking down at Yamato, who was sitting on the deck.
"You're really reckless, aren't you? Charging into the enemy's stronghold alone? Now you're surrounded and outnumbered!"
Yamato gave Rosinante an awkward glance.
"About that... please don't tell Father."
"No negotiations, Yamato." Rosinante sighed, then swung his cape. "The other submarines of the Beast Pirates are being engaged by the samurai of Wano! As for us... we'll take care of the Beast Pirates' main force!"
Though Rosinante said this with an air of nonchalance, the flagship—massive as a small island—housed the core strength of the Beast Pirates.
Otherwise, with Yamato's current ability to barely coat her weapon with Conqueror's Haki, she wouldn't have lost...
Taking on an entire, super-enhanced Emperor's crew alone was indeed unrealistic.
Of course, that was true for most people.
But if its that "person", then the statement would hold.
"Enough talk, Rosinante!" Marigold was already cracking her knuckles. "I can't wait... I need to vent the frustration from that giant monster right now!"
"I agree... with my foolish sister on this." Sandersonia nodded, gripping a pair of daggers in her hands.
"The Beast Pirates must be dealt with quickly... so we can gather all our strength to face that monster beyond the norm!"
"Since none of you object..."
Just as Rosinante was about to give the order, a voice sounded beside him.
"Well, good luck to you all."
Turning around, he saw Hawkeye sitting in the same posture as Yamato, not far from her.
"What are you doing...?"
"Do you really think that Gecko Moria is just some weakling?" Hawkeye's face showed rare irritation.
"This guy's Devil Fruit ability is ridiculously overpowered, okay?"
He then pointed at the half-dead Gecko Moria, whom Smoker had tossed onto the ground.
"Though I cut him down to half his life, my body's also at its limit... Besides, if you need me to step in just to deal with the Beast Pirates without Kaido... then you guys might as well quit."
"Hey... show a little respect for your commander, will you?!" Rosinante twitched at the corner of his mouth as he saw Hawkeye's disdainful gaze.
His temperament was just too gentle, making these guys treat him like anything but a leader!
Could it be... that this was why he valued X Drake so much!?
"Alright, since that's settled, Hawkeye will rest. The others... let's begin."
With Rosinante's command, the massive mammoth body shrank, transforming into a human-beast hybrid form.
With the loss of this enormous cover, the Beast Pirates and the SWORD Classified Special Forces finally came face to face.
"My, my, the crowd has suddenly grown," Black Maria tapped her spider legs, then smiled as she retracted her brass knuckles.
Her spider-like lower body spat out silk threads, pulling over a nearby "streetlamp" that had been burning fiercely.
In reality, it was a long staff adorned with a massive wheel, ablaze with flames, and featuring a giant human head at its center.
This was the weapon Black Maria only wielded when she was serious about fighting.
And then...
She cast a seductive glance at the most towering and muscular figure—Jack.
"What a strapping man... your vigor rivals even Kaido-sama!" Black Maria lightly licked her lips, exuding charm and allure.
Beneath her elaborate hairstyle, her stunning face wore a frivolous expression.
"Don't be afraid, big sister will take good care of you now..."
"Tch, women are so damn annoying..." Jack clicked his tongue in irritation.
He had always looked down on such frivolous women...
Women should be like the warriors of Amazon Lily!
Fierce! Swift! Powerful! Decisive!
Not just flaunting their pretty faces and getting carried away!
"You bastard! Apologize to all women right now!"
Jack shouted something utterly absurd, then, under the bewildered gazes of everyone, charged straight at Black Maria.
And with that charge, the second battle began!
SWORD Forces vs. the Beast Pirates!
...
Meanwhile, standing among the Beast Pirates, Blackbeard's eyes were fixed intently on the SWORD Forces.
Having played the role of the good guy in the Whitebeard Pirates for so long, he was quite familiar with this Marine unit, which had frequently clashed with them.
And precisely because he understood them...
Right now, more than ever, he wanted to run away!
After all, while the Beast Pirates might seem to have the numbers...
Without Kaido holding the fort, and without the support of Bullet, Redfield, or the World Destroyer...
Things looked... Pretty damn grim!
No! He was a man destined to become the strongest!
Running away... Was absolutely necessary!