268 One Piece: My Name is Jack

"Stop!" "Don't!"

A faint cry echoed from the distance, and Jack turned to see two figures rushing toward him.

Garp and Shanks had broken free from their restraints. But as they reached Jack, they suddenly stopped in their tracks.

"Jack! Let go of my grandson!"

"Grandson?"

Jack glanced at Garp before scoffing. "I'm a pirate, and you're a Marine. There's no bond between us. This arrogant brat humiliated Kaido—if I don't kill him, where would Kaido-san's pride go?"

"You all saw it, didn't you? Kaido was used as a damn jump rope!"

"Shut up, you bastard, Jack!" Garp barked furiously.

"I already said it—no one interferes in my fights!"

"That wasn't a fight. That was exercise!"

"Get lost!"

Shanks shook his head at the anxious Garp, then turned to Jack.

"Jack! You didn't kill me earlier. That means I was right!"

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Right about what?"

"You've already obtained the Divine Body, haven't you?"

"Divine Body? What the hell is that?"

It wasn't just Garp who was confused—even Kaido looked completely lost upon hearing Shanks' words.

Shanks met Jack's gaze and continued, "Have you ever noticed that no matter how strong we are, once we reach a certain level, the gap between us becomes almost nonexistent? Not just us—even Captain Roger, even Rocks—they were the same!"

"At this stage, we can destroy entire nations with ease, but when facing someone of the same caliber, it's nearly impossible to determine a winner quickly."

"Sure, there are anomalies like Kaido and Big Mom, whose natural physiques give them an edge. Or someone like Captain Roger, who possessed some kind of special ability. But even for them, the improvements were minimal!"

"If you want a true winner, there's only one way..."

"Either someone makes a mistake, or it comes down to pure physical endurance. Whoever collapses first, loses."

"And this has been the case for eight hundred years."

Big Mom, who had arrived at some point, listened in silence. Shanks continued,

"It's as if we're bound by an invisible shackle, limiting how much stronger we can become. No matter how we train, no matter how many battles we fight, our strength barely increases."

"I bet all of you have noticed this too. You've wondered about it, haven't you?"

Kaido and the others fell into deep thought. Jack, on the other hand, felt a little exasperated. What was he supposed to say? That his power-ups came from a system? That he had been cheating all along? Should he just tell them they weren't talented enough?

...Actually, that wasn't a bad excuse.

"Oi! Enough with the nonsense! What does this have to do with that idiot?" Kaido snapped.

Jack sighed. "Holding onto him is getting annoying. I'll just kill him and be done with it."

"Wait!" A deep voice interrupted. "I'll trade the last Road Poneglyph for his life."

Kaido turned to the descending dragon and waved a hand, signaling King and the others to back off. Jack frowned but eventually threw Luffy toward Dragon.

Dragon stretched out his arms, catching his unconscious son. Meanwhile, Ivankov landed beside him, carrying a massive red stone.

Upon seeing Ivankov, Rim excitedly grabbed Master and ran over to help carry the Poneglyph away.

"Cough... cough..."

"Shanks, you've noticed it too, haven't you? Keep talking."

Shanks nodded, glancing at Luffy before continuing. "Eight hundred years ago, one man broke through that limit—Joy Boy."

"Back then, he ruled the world with unrivaled strength, like a god. That's why this physique is called the Divine Body."

"But due to betrayal, and for reasons we still don't fully understand, Joy Boy was defeated."

"And his Divine Body... was stolen."

The crowd fell silent, their expressions shifting to confusion. Shanks smiled.

"Don't forget—though I never made it to Laugh Tale myself, I do have a mouth. I can ask questions."

"I know the secret of Laugh Tale."

"A fruit."

Kaido and Big Mom's eyes gleamed with greed.

Shanks sighed. "Not a Devil Fruit. A different kind of fruit—one that grants the Divine Body."

"But don't get too excited—it already has an owner."

"Captain Roger learned this from the ancient texts on Laugh Tale."

"The fruit was waiting for Joy Boy."

"So despite reaching the Final Island, we left empty-handed."

"And the fruit Luffy ate... is Joy Boy's fruit."

"The Mythical Zoan—Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika."

Jack frowned. "Are you telling me this weakling was destined to inherit that power?"

Shanks thought for a moment before answering softly, "You could say that."

Jack's expression darkened with irritation, but Shanks quickly continued,

"Let's put that aside for now. I don't know how you obtained the Divine Body, Jack, but you're not the only one who has it."

"Eight hundred years ago, someone else managed to steal Joy Boy's Divine Body."

"And they are still alive today."

"Living in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise."

"Her name is Imu."

The air grew heavy as Shanks delivered his next words. "The Void Century... was erased to hide everything about her."

"She does not allow her existence to be known."

"Every nation that was wiped out—it was all because of her."

"I am a descendant of the Celestial Dragons who perished during the God Valley Incident. You all know this."

"And because I could freely enter Mary Geoise, I confirmed it myself—everything recorded on those ancient stones is true."

"Not just the Celestial Dragons, but even the World Government itself has been under her control all this time."

"Though, even among the Five Elders, there are those who wish to rebel against her."

Shanks turned sharply toward Kaido. "Kaido! You must know this! They must have contacted you!"

"I had different ideals—they believed in power, while I placed my hopes in Joy Boy."

"That's why they abandoned me... and chose you as their best candidate!"

All eyes turned to Kaido. The massive beast chuckled and said, "Then I suppose they have better judgment than you."

"Hmph!" Shanks scoffed. "That was true... until Jack came along."

Turning back to Jack, Shanks asked, "Can you tell me how you broke through the limit?"

Jack looked at him, then at the others, who were all eager for an answer. He smirked and said lightly, "How did I do it?"

"Maybe it's just talent."

"I never felt any shackle. I just ate, slept, and trained."

"Before I knew it, I had surpassed the limit. Maybe this Divine Body isn't that hard to obtain..."

"Maybe you're all just talentless."