249 One Piece: My Name is Jack

After a year of battle, Kuzan and his group finally returned. They had fought numerous enemies on behalf of the Beasts Pirates, and now, Jack was seeing them again for the first time.

Despite their overwhelming strength and Kaido personally appointing them as high-ranking officers, even Enel had to follow protocol after being promoted. Strength alone wasn't enough—without going through the motions, the lower-ranking pirates wouldn't accept them so easily.

Jack had also spent the past year traveling with Yamato, mainly dealing with the situation surrounding Princess Shirahoshi. Her ability to summon Sea Kings was a terrifying power, and if she wanted to fully control it, she needed to grow stronger.

Shirahoshi's ability closely resembled the legendary Ancient Weapon, Poseidon. And when Jack confronted Neptune about it, the Fish-Man King didn't even bother denying it.

Neptune understood the danger of Shirahoshi's secret being exposed—especially to the Beasts Pirates. But resistance was futile. Jack had already eliminated Vander Decken, and Yamato had grown close to Shirahoshi, giving Neptune an excuse to stay passive.

Thus, Jack spent most of the year in Ryugu Palace, training Shirahoshi. Only after the Fire Festival ended did he finally return.

Now, sitting at a barbecue joint, Jack gnawed on grilled kidneys while watching Kuzan, who was carrying a tray of cola. It was a bizarre sight.

He had heard that Teren had a good relationship with Kuzan, but seeing the former admiral running around like a waiter, serving drinks, was still a bit too much to process.

"Oh, Jack, you're back."

Kuzan casually set down a massive triple-barrel cola. "Do you want ice with that?"

"Yes! Yes!" Yamato responded eagerly.

With a gentle exhale, Kuzan cooled the drink before placing it down.

"Wow! That's so refreshing!"

"Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you're an idiot."

Ignoring Yamato's sulking, Jack turned to Kuzan and asked loudly,

"You're one of the new All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates, and yet you're playing waiter here?"

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Oh? Teren pays well." Kuzan checked his watch and spoke in a laid-back tone. "Besides, I only need to show up a few times a week. My actual working hours are pretty short."

He glanced at his watch again. "Look at that, my ten minutes are up. I'm off duty."

"Boss! Get me thirty skewers of kidneys, same as these!"

With that, Kuzan plopped down beside Jack, grabbed a skewer from the table, and started eating without a care in the world.

Jack could only stare.

Do you have no self-respect?!

A little money is all it takes for you to become a walking advertisement for this barbecue joint?

And Teren… is this guy hiring celebrities for endorsements now?!

As Jack glanced at the absurdly long queue outside the restaurant, he made a mental note to put Teren through some extra training in a few days.

When Jack returned, Rim was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing him, Rim hurried over and reported,

"Jack-sama, Kaido-sama has brought back a group of people, most of them from the Worst Generation."

"The one known as the 'Magician,' Basil Hawkins, has been assigned to your command. He's currently waiting in the conference room."

"The Kid Pirates were also captured. Since they refused to join us, they've been sent to Udon Prison."

"This was apparently thanks to Apoo, who's been with us for a while now."

"Additionally, X Drake voluntarily joined the Beasts Pirates a few days ago. Kaido-sama has made him a Calamity under Enel's command."

"In your absence, Black Maria-sama has used her illusions to kill over thirty civilians and has been boxing slaves to death for fun…"

"She'll be returning from the factory soon. I recommend preparing a gift for her."

Jack sighed. "Got it, Kenpachi."

Rim's brow twitched in protest. "I don't know why you insist on calling me that, but I'd prefer if you just called me Rim."

"Oh, sure. Rim Kenpachi."

"And then there's Shiryu Kenpachi. The Beasts Pirates sure are lucky to have two Kenpachis, huh?"

"Drop it. It's just a nickname! Let's go see this 'Magician'."

...

Deep within the ruins of Oden Castle, the land of graves remained untouched due to Kaido's insistence on preserving it. As a result, it had become the most desolate place in Kuri.

At that moment, a sudden flash of light appeared behind the largest gravestone.

Bang!

"…What is this?"

Kanjuro and the others blinked in confusion as they found themselves among the graves. Under the moonlight, they recognized the setting and grew even more bewildered.

"Wait! Lord Momonosuke—!"

"No! Where's his head?!"

Feeling something wet on his chest, Kin'emon looked down in horror. Momonosuke, whom he had been carrying, was missing his lower half.

He let out a gut-wrenching scream. "Where is it?! Where did it go?!"

"I remember now… That bastard…!"

"Lord Oden! We have failed you!"

"I have no choice—I must commit seppuku!"

Kin'emon unsheathed his sword, ready to plunge it into his stomach.

"Wait!"

"This is not the time for that! Have you forgotten what Lady Toki told us?"

Kanjuro, his face painted as always, spoke with determination.

"If Lady Toki's power truly worked, then we should be in the future now."

"Don't forget—Lady Hiyori might still be alive!"

"Our first priority is to confirm the time and avenge Lord Oden!"

Moved by Kanjuro's words, the group slowly composed themselves. After burying Momonosuke's lower half, they cautiously stepped out of the graveyard.

"…What is that?"

They stared, dumbfounded, at the sea of neon lights in the valley below. After a long silence, Kin'emon turned to the largest, most glaring sign and read aloud:

"Fish-Man Barbecue City…"

"Satisfaction Guaranteed, or Ten Times Your Money Back?"

The group exchanged confused glances.

After a long pause, Kikunojo clutched her stomach. "…Should we check it out?"

"Wait! Let me use my power to change our clothes first."

As Kin'emon altered their outfits, a messenger pigeon took flight, carrying a note.

Brrr… Brrr…

"Hello?!"

"They're back! They're back! They're back—!"

"…..?"

Jack rubbed his temples. "What the hell are you babbling about?"

"The ghosts of the Kozuki Clan have returned for revenge!" Black Maria's voice trembled. "They're heading toward the barbecue city right now!"

"…What?"

Jack hung up, utterly baffled.

Ghosts? Coming back for revenge? And their first stop is a barbecue joint?

"…Were they gluttons in their past lives or something?"

"Hurry up!"

Yamato's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."

Ghosts? Whatever. He had more important things to do first.