269 One Piece: My Name is Jack

After a brief silence, Shanks looked at Kaido and Big Mom with a serious expression.

"It looks like you two have joined forces."

"But even if your goal is to rule the world, your first enemy is the World Government—Imu!"

"We have no way of knowing the full extent of their hidden power."

"Kaido, the reason you've been amassing such a large military force is because of this concern, isn't it?"

"I have a proposal."

...

"Jack! Damn it! I'm going to kill you!"

Whoosh!

Mihawk and his group, who had appeared out of nowhere, were knocked unconscious by Jack in just a few strikes. Seeing this, Shanks sighed helplessly.

"See? This is the power of the Divine Body."

"Let me continue!"

"I propose that all of us here join forces to resist the World Government. What do you say?"

At that, Shanks turned to Garp.

"Vice Admiral Garp, from what I know, many in the Navy are also dissatisfied with the World Government."

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku spent years trying to free the Navy from the government's control, to give it greater authority, but..."

"After Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral with the support of the Five Elders, he may have wanted to resist as well, but the World Government's grip on the Navy only tightened."

"They control all of the Navy's finances. That's why the Navy is so restricted, isn't it?"

"Now, if I told you I could solve that problem..."

"Vice Admiral Garp, would the Navy consider joining forces with us pirates to fight the World Government?"

Garp looked shocked. Before he could respond, Shanks continued.

"Don't look so surprised. I can't do this alone, but the Celestial Dragons can."

"Even among the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise, there are those who resent Imu for betraying the ancestors' oath."

"The reason the Celestial Dragons became the way they are today is because of Imu. Some among them detest their own kind for what they've become."

"And I represent them."

"So, Kaido, Big Mom, Vice Admiral Garp, Dragon... oh, and Buggy!"

"Will you all agree to form this alliance to fight the World Government?"

"If we succeed, we can then decide how to rule the world together."

"Let's put aside all past grudges for now! What do you say?"

The first to respond was Buggy, who was still trembling in Jack's grip.

"I absolutely agree!"

Kaido and Big Mom exchanged glances before turning their eyes to Garp. After a brief silence, Garp lifted his head, looked at everyone, then focused on Jack before giving a firm nod.

Seeing his father agree, Dragon quickly followed suit. Kaido and Big Mom then nodded as well.

"Fine. We agree!"

"Excellent! Our alliance is formed!" Shanks declared. "But there is one more crucial matter to settle."

Shanks turned to Luffy, who was still unconscious in Dragon's arms, and spoke softly.

"Jack is strong, but relying on him alone is too risky."

"Imu has ruled this world for centuries. We have no idea what kind of abilities she possesses."

"That's why I want Luffy to consume the fruit meant for him on Laugh Tale, to gain the Divine Body and fight alongside Jack against Imu."

"Let's take a vote!"

"Shanks, you bastard!" Kaido roared.

Kaido, knowing Luffy's relationship with Garp and Dragon, could already guess that they would agree. But having witnessed the power of the Divine Body firsthand, he didn't want Luffy to gain it. And the idea that only Luffy could benefit from it? Kaido didn't buy that for a second.

"I won't agree! Otherwise, this alliance is over!"

"Don't forget—you're only alive because I allow it!" Kaido said coldly. "Even without you, I believe the Beasts Pirates alone can take down this so-called Imu!"

"Kaido..."

"I can make a promise!" Shanks shouted. "You can go to the Final Island yourself and try to claim the fruit. Take Luffy with you, if you want. See if you can eat it instead!"

"You all can try!"

"Do you really not understand the power of the World Government? If Jack dies, what will happen to Yamato?!"

"You..." Kaido hesitated, his gaze shifting to Jack.

Jack stepped forward, grasping Kaido's hand and giving him an OK sign.

Under Kaido's puzzled stare, Jack looked at the others and spoke softly.

"I agree."

"What?! Jack...!"

"Shanks is right. Having another fighter will make us stronger."

"Imu has ruled for 800 years. If she has continued to grow stronger in that time..."

"I won't oppose it. But that guy holds a deep grudge against us. You'll have to convince him."

Hearing this, Garp and the others immediately responded.

"Leave it to us!"

Jack glanced at the unconscious Luffy and the group surrounding him, his expression filled with disdain.

Damn it! No wonder he became an Emperor in just a few years—he's a damn nepotism baby!

Jack had agreed to Shanks' plan not only because of the unknown power of the World Government but also because he was confident. Even if Luffy gained the same Divine Body as him, he would still never be Jack's equal.

Besides, there was no guarantee that the fruit wouldn't vanish before Luffy could eat it.

And if Jack got his hands on it instead... just how powerful would he become?

At that thought, Jack turned his gaze to the notification on his system panel.

"Congratulations, Host, for successfully securing an alliance. Due to prolonged inactivity in choosing a reward, the system has automatically drawn for you!"

"Detected: Host has participated in a battle involving over 50,000 combatants. UR-tier participants have reached the final threshold. Guaranteed three Flash Rewards!"

"Congratulations! Flash Reward obtained: Devil Fruit Mastery +1 Level."

"Congratulations! Flash Reward obtained: Special Skill—Advanced Voice of All Things."

"Congratulations! Flash Reward obtained: Unique Skill—Child of Destiny."

"Devil Fruit (Devour): Fully consumes the soul of a Devil Fruit, imprinting its will, allowing for infinite reincarnation."

"Voice of All Things (Advanced): Enables the user to hear all things and, as the skill grows, command creatures of varying strength."

"Child of Destiny (Unique): The world itself bends in your favor. Everything you set your sights on will welcome you with joy! No matter how powerful the enemy, you will never die, and the ultimate victory will always be yours!"

Ignoring the first two rewards, Jack smirked.

Child of Destiny—that's why I know I'll get that fruit. A unique skill means no one else in this world can have it!

He also had a pretty good idea where he had obtained it from.

But if Luffy had such an overpowered skill, why wasn't he stronger than Jack?

Is this what happens when fate meets a true cheater?