Hearing Jack's trembling voice, Ezra D. Vale rolled his neck slightly, easing the stiffness from flying.
"Beasts Pirates All-Star, Jack."
Jack stared at him.
Ezra continued calmly.
"Are you trying to provoke a war between Emperors?"
Jack froze.
Under normal circumstances, he would already be shouting.
But he remembered something crucial.
Kaido's larger plans were still in motion.
Before that, war with another Emperor was unacceptable.
Jack snorted.
"Blazing Ash. If you do not want to offend the Beasts Pirates, let me go."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
He genuinely wondered if Jack was mentally unwell.
The advantage was completely his.
And yet Jack dared to talk like this.
"Offend the Beasts Pirates?"
"Do you really think Kaido would go to war with me over a single Calamity?"
The moment those words fell, Jack felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Ezra lifted his right index finger, spiritual pressure gathering at its tip, and aimed it at Jack.
Jack's eyes widened in terror.
So that was the source of the dread he felt.
This man truly intended to kill him.
"No! You cannot kill me!"
"I am one of the All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates!!"
Ezra curled his lips slightly.
"All-Star or not, it does not matter."
"If Kaido is capable, he will avenge you."
"Rest easy."
"Way of Destruction Thirty-One: Crimson Flame Cannon."
A scorching blaze wrapped in overwhelming pressure engulfed Jack's body instantly.
"No! Noooo!!"
His screams echoed briefly.
Then vanished.
Jack was reduced to ashes.
Ezra flicked his hand and looked toward the remaining pirates.
They knelt instantly, heads pressed to the ground, trembling in silence.
"Beasts Pirates."
"You have three seconds to leave."
The pressure vanished.
They felt light, hopeful.
Then Ezra spoke again, calmly.
"Time's up."
Snap.
Flames erupted.
Every pirate outside the walls was reduced to ash.
The battlefield fell silent.
Only Blood Moon remained.
After the screams faded, Blood Moon stepped forward respectfully.
"Thank you for sparing my life, Admiral Blazing Ash."
Ezra nodded.
"You did well."
Blood Moon bowed deeply.
Ezra turned and walked into the castle.
Stussy had been waiting.
When Ezra pushed open the doors, she bowed.
"Young Master."
Ezra nodded and sat upon the throne.
Her crew was simple.
Aside from expendable forces, every core member was CP0, all directly under her command.
Usually, only Blood Moon remained in the castle.
"Do you need anything, Young Master?"
Ezra waved his hand.
"I am just tired from traveling."
"Let me rest here for a while. Prepare some food."
"Yes, Young Master."
She withdrew.
Ezra took out Sengoku's Den Den Mushi and called.
"Ezra, how is the situation?"
"Uncle. Jack is dead."
Sengoku paused.
"So fast?"
Ezra shrugged.
"He was weaker than I expected."
Sengoku fell silent.
That casual arrogance was lethal.
"The Beasts Pirates should be tied up for now," Ezra continued.
"But be careful. If Kaido gets drunk enough, he might try to crash Marineford."
Sengoku's mouth twitched.
"Kid, that is not funny."
Ezra chuckled lightly.
"I will stay here for two days before returning."
"Understood."
The call ended.
Two days later.
Wano Country.
Kaido was drinking when King rushed in.
"Governor! Something terrible has happened!"
Kaido snorted.
"What now?"
King swallowed hard.
"Jack… Jack has been killed."
The cup shattered.
A monstrous wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted.
"Who did it?!"
"…Marine Admiral Blazing Ash."
Kaido froze.
"…That man?"
King explained everything.
Kaido's expression darkened.
What could he say?
Jack brought this upon himself.
He knew Stussy's influence ran deep, but never imagined she could summon Blazing Ash.
"We cannot act yet," Kaido said slowly.
"Our plan must not be exposed."
"When everything is complete… I will settle this myself."
"Yes, Governor."
Jack's death shook the seas.
And with Morgans spreading the news with exaggerated praise, Ezra D. Vale's name burned even brighter across the world.