263 One Piece: My Name is Jack

The destruction of Dressrosa made Kaido realize the overwhelming power of the Ancient Weapon, Uranus.

At the same time, he understood that this was a warning from the World Government—no, perhaps more accurately, from the master of the Empty Throne.

They didn't care that Doflamingo had leaked the secret to him. Letting Kaido know was not the issue. But if he dared to spread this information to others, Wano could very well become the next Dressrosa.

To prevent Wano from sharing the same fate, Enel expanded his observation range once again, extending it to cover the entire sky above the country.

Jack was ordered to remain stationed in Wano for the long term. If Uranus ever made a move, Jack would be there to take it down.

After all, a weapon was just a weapon. Even if it was an Ancient Weapon, Jack didn't believe it was beyond destruction.

His training regimen also gained a new participant—Dellinger, the half-fishman.

As a half-fishman, Dellinger's speed and strength were far superior to ordinary people. At just sixteen, his mastery of Armament Haki was already quite promising. With proper training, it wouldn't be long before the Beasts Pirates gained another high-ranking officer.

Meanwhile, Doflamingo had become the sixth "Lead Performers" of the Beasts Pirates—the "String Lead Performers."

Although the title didn't sound as intimidating as the others, it was fitting given his Devil Fruit ability.

After joining the ranks of the Lead Performers, Kaido didn't assign him any immediate tasks. The destruction of Dressrosa had resulted in the loss of many documents, requiring retrieval from other sources.

By fully aligning with the Beasts Pirates, Doflamingo was now free from his obligations to the World Government. From now on, his efforts would be solely dedicated to Kaido's crew.

Some underground dealings still required his personal touch, so Kaido provided him with a dedicated estate on Onigashima. As for the rest of the Donquixote Family officers, they were temporarily placed in the entertainment district, indulging in Wano's pleasures. Even Doflamingo himself would visit occasionally, showing no sign of grief over Dressrosa's demise.

...

Kaido had been in an unstable mood lately, frequently dragging Jack out to beat him up.

Dressrosa was gone, and the materials for producing artificial Devil Fruits had been completely destroyed. But with over ten thousand SMILE users in the Beasts Pirates, Kaido had already amassed a formidable army. It was unlikely that the loss of production was what troubled him.

As for the real reason? Jack understood it all too well—and found it utterly ridiculous.

Kaido… defeated by Joy Boy?

If the journal's predictions were accurate, this was supposed to happen within the year or the next?

Forget whether the prophecy was real—let's assume for a moment that it was. Even if it were true, with the Beasts Pirates' current strength...

Joy Boy? Please. Even if Ultraman showed up, they'd strip him for parts!

And if that wasn't enough, there was still him—Jack. What Joy Boy? He'd smack him so hard he'd be crying for his ancestors!

Besides, what kind of serious person even writes a diary? Who the hell believes that nonsense?

...

Jack and Doflamingo were lounging on beach chairs, sunglasses on, watching a group of mermaids play in the water when Finder arrived on the sea train.

"Jack-sama, we've got a new batch of newspapers!"

Finder handed Jack several papers. Since Wano had a strict isolationist policy, even News Coo wouldn't fly there. The only way to get newspapers was to collect them from Onigashima and deliver them in bulk.

As Jack opened the paper, Finder hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously:

"Jack-sama, I need to tell you something… but please don't be mad."

"…It's about Jinbe."

"Jinbe…?"

Jack frowned at Finder before glancing at the newspaper. His expression remained calm as he spoke in a low voice:

"I see it. This has nothing to do with you."

"Remember this—this is Jinbe's choice."

"Pass down my orders—Jinbe is now our enemy. If anyone sees him, don't hold back."

"Yes, Jack-sama!"

After Finder left, Doflamingo picked up the discarded newspaper out of curiosity.

"Former Warlord Jinbe joins the Straw Hat Pirates?"

"Fufufufufu! Fufufufufu!"

"I really don't understand this guy's decision."

"With a fellow fishman like you holding a high position in the Beasts Pirates, and Fishman Island under our protection, why wouldn't he join us?"

"And instead, he chooses that naïve brat's crew?"

"How ridiculous! What's so special about that kid?"

Jack sat up and beckoned a nearby mermaid waitress. After downing his drink in one gulp, he replied softly:

"There are always people in this world who stick to their choices."

"Whether it's pride or a sense of superiority, they refuse to follow the tides and believe they're above it all."

"Or maybe they just don't agree with our methods, so they choose to stand against us."

"But whatever their reasons, since they refuse to join us, they are our enemies."

"My patience has its limits. I'll personally make him realize his mistake."

"The Straw Hat Pirates? That rubber brat? If he went into the pleasure district, he might be good at it."

"But a pirate? Hah! Naïve little fool!"

...

But as time passed, Jack began to realize he might have underestimated the rubber brat.

When the next batch of newspapers arrived, Jack stood up in shock.

"The Whitebeard Pirates… split up?"

"Marco and the division commanders, along with twelve allied fleets, joined the Straw Hat Pirates?"

"The Straw Hats fought Big Mom… and survived?"

"Whitebeard's successor… A new Emperor of the Sea?"

"What the hell?!"

Jack stared at the paper, completely dumbfounded.

That Straw Hat kid—sure, he had been making waves over the past two years, but becoming an Emperor in just a few years? Based on what strength?

Jack frowned, trying to recall something impressive about him… but all that came to mind was that guy's… admirer? Or was she his lover?

The so-called most beautiful woman in the world—Hancock.

Nice.

Whatever. As long as the brat knew to stay out of his way.

It'd be a shame if, after barely surviving Usopp's help, he turned around and rushed to Wano to die.

"Jack-sama! More news!"

Finder, who had just left, rushed back in.

Jack scowled. "You do know that even with a sea train, you don't have to deliver newspapers twice a day, right?"

"How big could this news be? Did another Emperor appear?"

"Uh… yeah."

Jack's face darkened as he unfolded the paper.

"The World Government abolishes the Seven Warlords?"

"The Cross Guild is formed… and putting bounties on Marines?"

"The fifth Emperor?"

"Buggy?!"

Jack stared at the paper, where the grinning, clown-painted face of Buggy stared back at him.

...Huh?!

He remembered this guy cowering before him in terror.

Luffy becoming an Emperor at least made some sense… but Buggy?

Mihawk and Crocodile were both stronger than him!

How the hell did this clown become an Emperor?!

Seriously…

Are the Emperors of the Sea just getting worse and worse?!